Attendance Data for this Half Term 

Things turned a little bit spooky in Wrens this week as our learning had a Halloween theme.  We had great fun mixing potions in the mud kitchen, producing a Halloween-inspired show on stage (complete with an ice cream and popcorn shop for half-time snacks) and using our fine motor and maths skills to add the right number of legs to the spiders.  We also enjoyed a range of Halloween crafts and completed some observational drawings of pumpkins with Mrs Postlethwaite.

Following our trip to Abberley shop last week, we looked at how to draw a map and the children recreated some fantastic maps of the route we took.  We then used the ingredients we bought to make some Harvest bread and learnt how to weigh ingredients and mix and knead the dough.  

In maths we learnt how to use the terms more and fewer whilst playing a variety of games.  Maybe you can practise this vocabulary if you play some games over the half-term holiday.

The children have now completed their first phonics assessment and they have done a fantastic job of learning their sounds and tricky words.  They will be bringing home their sheet for the first week of learning after the half-term holiday in their pink homework books.

I hope you all have a very happy and restful half-term break.  We have included some Proud Peacock sheets in the children's book bags and we can't wait to hear all about their adventures.

Timetable

Thursday: PE kits

Friday: Forest School so bring wellies (if possible) and a waterproof coat

Friday: Phonics homework book and library book

In English this week, we have finished our unit on the book The Girl at the Front of the Class. The children have worked hard on their planning and brought all their ideas together to create their own stories. 

In maths this week, we have continued to explore addition. We have been adding two numbers together, as well as starting with a given quantity and adding more to it. A key focus for Year 1 children is learning to start with the biggest number when adding, helping them to work more efficiently and develop their mental maths skills. We also tackled some addition problem-solving activities, where the children used sentence stems to explain their reasoning and answers. This is a really valuable skill, as it helps demonstrate their understanding of the methods they are using. We have also started looking at doubles and will continue to explore these further after half term.

In geography this week, we enjoyed a walk to the village shop. Thankfully, the rain held off for nearly all the way there and back. Along the way, the children identified a range of human features, including houses, roads, shops, pylons and farms. It was a fantastic opportunity to get out and about and put their geography learning into action. When we returned to school, the children recorded their findings using a graph and pictures to represent the quantities they had observed.

In DT, the children have been finishing off their moving monsters. They added colour and any accessories to bring their creations to life, making their monsters bright, colourful and engaging to look at.

In science this week, we explored what plants need to grow to stay healthy. The children learned that different plants need different growing conditions, with some preferring sunny and dry environments while others thrive in shady and damp conditions. This helped us think about how important it is to provide plants with the right environment to grow well.

Have a great half term! 

Timetable

Monday (outdoor) and Thursday (indoor) - PE

Tuesday - Outdoor Learning. Please send your child to school with appropriate footwear and clothing for the weather that they can change into.

Thursday - Little Wandle reading books will be sent home. Please return these by the following Tuesday.

This week in English, the children spent time editing their dream adventure narratives, carefully improving their word choice, spelling, punctuation and overall presentation. They have worked incredibly hard and should be very proud of the fantastic pieces of writing they have produced. We also began exploring our new class book, 'The Search for the Giant Arctic Jellyfish'. Before revealing the title, the children studied some of the illustrations and used these clues to predict what they thought the story might be about. It was wonderful to hear their imaginative ideas and thoughtful discussions.

In Maths, we have moved on to formal subtraction. The children spent time investigating subtraction calculations that did not require any exchanges, helping them to build confidence and reinforce the method. We will continue developing this learning after half term.

The highlight of the week was our DT Day on Wednesday. Our focus was pneumatic toys, and the children began by investigating how balloons, washing-up liquid bottles, tubing and syringes can be used to create movement. They then worked collaboratively in groups to design and make their own pneumatic toy based on a given design brief. The classroom was filled with creativity, problem-solving and discussion, and the children produced some amazing toys. It was lovely to see them working so well together, sharing ideas and taking such pride in their final products.

As it is half term, there will be no homework this week. However, it would be wonderful if the children could continue to read for pleasure whenever they can. We hope you all have a restful and enjoyable half-term break!

Timetable

Every day: Reading book and reading records

Monday - Friday: Outdoor & Indoor PE kit (Y3&4)

Friday: Reading record books marked

In English, the children have finished their diary entries inspired by the book I Go Quiet. They have used some fantastic writer’s knowledge to bring their writing to life, making thoughtful choices about language and how to express their ideas.

The standard of writing has been brilliant, and it is hard to believe that just three weeks ago, the children were producing their first pieces of writing! These latest pieces are already so much better, showing just how quickly they are developing their skills, confidence and independence as writers. We are incredibly proud of their progress!

In maths, we have continued our work on fractions, focusing this week on comparing and ordering them. The children have been developing their understanding of how to make fractions easier to compare by finding common denominators or, where appropriate, making the numerators the same. This has involved some careful thinking and problem-solving, and the children have been working hard to apply these strategies accurately.

In geography, we have been putting the finishing touches to our reports, reflecting on how our fieldwork and data collection study went. The children have been thinking about the information they gathered, what their findings tell us and how effectively they carried out their investigations. It has been great to see them bring their work together and reflect on what they have learned.

In science, we completed an end-of-unit assessment to check our understanding of evolution. The children have made some really pleasing improvements and demonstrated a much stronger understanding of this fascinating topic. It was lovely to see how much knowledge they have gained and how confidently they could apply what they have learned.

This week, we also had a visit from Elevation X, and their Power to Drive workshop was fantastic! The children put their knowledge of electricity into practice by building their own cars, which they then raced on a track. It was a brilliant hands-on learning experience that encouraged the children to apply their scientific understanding, solve problems and get creative. There was lots of excitement as they tested their cars and watched them race!

Timetable

Monday & Thursday: PE kit

Friday: Reading records go home