January 2012: The Year of the Dragon

Dear Parents and Guardians

Happy New Year and welcome to the new term. This newsletter will give you some information about the content of the curriculum and additional information or general reminders.

• Communication, Language and Literacy

We will be encouraging children to share a variety of books, including fiction and non-fiction books. When reading we always use correct terms about books and encourage children to become familiar with using these terms; i.e. author, illustrator, title, cover, photographer, contents, characters etc. We encourage children to apply their own phonic skills when reading to decode unfamiliar words. We also encourage children to recognise on sight the words which we cannot sound out (we call these the tricky words i.e. to, into, the).

We will continue to have our daily phonics session, in which the children are taught the basic skills of reading and writing. We are now focussing on digraphs (two letters making one sound i.e. ch, sh, ee) and encouraging the children to read and write words containing these sounds.

In writing we are encouraging independent attempts, encouraging children to apply their phonic knowledge when sounding out and writing words. We will be looking at the different forms of writing i.e. lists, captions, sentences and labels. There is an emphasis on correct letter formation and correct pencil grip.

Speaking and listening skills are encouraged and developed through all activities. Children are introduced to a wide range of vocabulary and we aim to extend children’s use of language through play and role-play activities. Children are encouraged to speak in small groups and in front of a wider audience. Speaking and listening sessions i.e. carpet time, group work and ‘show and tell’ all develops skills in this area.

Children in year 1 are expected to learn their weekly spellings. New spelling lists will be sent out every Thursday in their orange spelling books. Please could children keep these books in their book bags and bring them to school every day.

Home support:

• Daily reading with your child, encourage use of correct terms i.e. author, illustrator, cover etc.
• Visits to a local library, discussing the range of books promoting the understanding of fiction and non-fiction.
• Weekly practise with word walls and sound books.
• Weekly practise with flashcards and tricky words.
• Short writing activities i.e. shopping lists, greetings cards.
• Year 1’s: practise of weekly spelling lists, encouraging children to look, cover, write and check
• Mathematical Development

In mathematical activities we will be focussing on an understanding of calculation. Through practical and problem solving activities children will be encouraged to use the skills and vocabulary involved in addition and subtraction. Number rhymes, stories and songs will help children to understand these concepts. Children will be encouraged to form numbers in the correct way when writing own number sentences. When involved in practical activities children will be encouraged to use the related vocabulary i.e. add, subtract, and, take away, equals, makes, totals, more and less.

We will also be focussing on ordering numbers from 1 to 10 and beyond. We will be comparing numbers and saying which is more and less. Children will use a number line to find the number which is 1 more and 1 less than a given number. When using a number line, vocabulary will be used to develop understanding i.e. more, less, before, after, 1 more, 1 less.

Understanding of shape and measure will be developed through practical and creative activities. Children will be expected to name both 2D and 3D shapes i.e. sphere, cuboid, cube, square based pyramid, triangle based pyramid, cylinder and cone. Children will be encouraged to discuss and describe shapes using the related vocabulary i.e. faces, sides, corner, curved, straight etc.

Home support:

• Through practical activities encourage an understanding of addition and subtraction i.e. five apples in the bowl, two are eaten, how many left?
• Compare two numbers, ask children to say which is more or less.
• Draw a number line for your child and ask them to identify the number that is 1 more or 1 less than a given number i.e. which number comes after 3? Which number is 1 more than 8?
• Naming and identifying shapes that are around the house.

Topic work

Our main topics for this term will be: Chinese New Year; Castles, Knights and Legends; Opposites and Easter. Through these topics all areas of learning will be developed and extended.

Home Support:

Encourage children to find out information about these topics by visiting a library or researching on the computer with adult support.

• Encourage speaking and listening skills by discussing these topics with your child.
• Develop art and drawing skills by asking your child to draw own pictures.
• Any work completed at home can be brought into school and shared with others. Please ensure that any work is clearly named.

General information

• Please send your child’s P.E kit to school each Monday and take it home on a Friday. Please check at the end of the week that your child has the correct kit. Can long hair be fastened back and all jewellery removed.
• Our non-contact time will be covered by Mrs Chatwin and Mrs Nuttall.
• Please make sure that all items of clothing, including coats and wellingtons are clearly named
• Water bottles can be brought to school each day. Please make sure the water bottle is clearly named and can we ask that only water is brought and not juice or flavoured drinks. Please do not put water bottles in book bags.
• A set of golden rules has been introduced across school. These are clearly displayed in the classrooms and cloak area. The golden rules are:
• Respect ourselves, each other and property.
• Take an active part in our learning and always try our best.
• Be honest.
• Treat people as we would like to be treated ourselves.
• Listen to each other.
• As you are aware, we have been trying to ease congestion when dismissing children at home time. Children in class 1 and 2 are now dismissed from the front door. As you are aware children are only dismissed when a known adult is seen. A few parents have raised concerns regarding the dismissal of children near to the road. Would you please let us know if you are happy to use this door at home time or would like there to be a change. We are very happy to listen to your suggestions and responses regarding this matter.
• Thank-you so much to those parents who have volunteered to come into school and help. This is very much appreciated and valued. Please let us know if you are interested in helping in school.

Thank-you to all parents for your support. We look forward to a happy, productive and enjoyable term. If you ever have any questions or queries, please come and see us straight away.

Yours sincerely

Mrs McQuillan and Miss Reeve