Key Stage 1
Class information for the autumn term
Welcome to Key Stage One of Heathcoat Primary School which consists of Year 1 and Year 2. We will be working together closely to help the children transition from Year 2 into Year 3 (Key Stage 2).
The children will learn through both a creative curriculum linking topic work in subjects such as Geography, History and Science together with English. Linking these subjects together with a common theme really helps the children to engage with their learning. We start each new topic by finding out what the children already know and what they want to know therefore not only teaching them what they need to learn but also what interests them. Other subjects will be taught in discrete sessions. These include ‘Spell It’ and PSHE.
The children are taught the National Curriculum. The curriculum comprises of nine subjects; English, Mathematics, Science, Technology (including information and communication technology (ICT), History, Geography, Art, Music and Physical Education.
Personal, Social, Health and Emotional Education (PSHE) and Religious Education are taught in addition to the above subjects.
Within classrooms children have access to various resources to aid their learning. These can be practical resources or written ones including equipment for maths and word banks to help with spelling and ideas. The children have open access to these and use what they feel will help them.
Children will sometimes work in a group and be support by an adult or teaching assistant or they will work independently. By working in this way we can help move the children on and extend their learning but also help them to challenge themselves when working by independently.
We would also encourage you to bear these skills in mind when children attempt and achieve things out of school. ‘WOW’ slip can be found at the main office and you can share their successes with the school.
As a school we have an open door policy and always encourage parents to speak with us regarding your child’s learning and progress. Therefore, if you have any questions or concern, please do not hesitate to speak to your child’s class teacher or myself as KS1 Team Leader.
You can help your child/children at home by reading with them as much as possible. This does not always have to be their school reading book but can also be you reading to them, listening to audio books or making up their own stories using a picture book. This will help to widen their vocabulary and hear the language of story. Also practising times tables and number bond activities will hugely help their number skills. (Year 2- 2’s, 5’s and 10’s).
Mrs Budden
Year 1
Learning in the Autumn Term in Year 1
The first topic this term is ‘My Body’. We will focus on naming the different parts of the face and body and the children will look at abstract portraits by Pablo Picasso and Andy Warhol before creating their own abstract faces. The children will look at x-rays and learn the names of the bones. The children will then learn about the five senses. They will explore the sense of taste by tasting a selection of food as part of an investigation. They will explore the sense of sight and how Louis Braille created the Braille alphabet to help blind people to read.
Our first text in English is an information book about the human body and will link to the science topic. The children will learn about the features of non-fiction texts, such as a contents page, a glossary and labelled diagrams to give information.
As part of the mathematics curriculum, we will be counting forwards and backwards in ones and solving addition and subtraction problems. We will also be identifying and naming 2D and 3D shapes.
As part of our focus on British values, we will celebrate International Democracy Day by holding a class election to choose the class representatives for the school council.
During the second half of the term we learn about the Gunpowder plot and why Bonfire Night is celebrated in Britain. We will produce some wonderful splatter paintings of bonfires and fireworks. As part of the Autumn season, we will use our senses on an autumn walk to describe autumn as a season. In English, we will use our descriptive language to create an autumn poem using noun phrases, and we will read our poems to the class.
If you would like further information about the learning this term please speak to Miss Davis, Mrs Bowkett or Mrs Johnson
Year 2
Learning in the Autumn term in Year 2
In Year 2, children’s first topic is Animals and Adaptation. Throughout this topic, children will learn all about the different animal groups, where certain animals live, and how animals have adapted to live in their environments.
After half term, the children will learn all about The Gunpowder Plot, a key event in British history. They will write their own recount of this event. The main topic for the second part of the Autumn Term is All around the world, which is about the main continents and oceans of the world. Children will compare a beach town in England to a beach town in Australia. The term ends with a study of Christmas in Victorian Britain.
The children will be learning how to create texture and tone in art lessons, and learn how to use the keyboard and mouse effectively in ICT lessons. The RE Topic in the first half of term is ‘Who is a Muslim and how do they live?’ followed by ‘Why does Christmas matter to Christians?’
Teachers will be using the Real PE scheme for PE teaching and learning. PE will take place on a Tuesday and Thursday in year 2. Please ensure that PE kit is in school, named and is washed regularly. Children must have suitable footwear for PE such as plimsolls or trainers.
In Music the children will begin by focusing on duration, and during the second half of the term, the children in years 2 and 3 will be working on their Christmas show, “Shine Star Shine”.
As you can see, the Autumn Term in Year Two is full of exciting and interesting learning!
If you have any questions or concerns, then please come and speak to Miss Gray or Mr Pitt in the first instance, and then to your team leader Mrs Budden, if you require further support.