Hello and welcome to Year 1

We will do all we can to make the transition from Ladybirds to Butterflies as smooth as possible. We look forward to learning together in the year ahead. 

What’s it like in Year 1 

As the children move into Year 1, they will continue to learn in a practical and exciting ‘hands-on’ way. During the year, we will be encouraging a more independent approach to their learning, and gradually shifting the balance of ‘learning through play’ towards more ‘formal sessions’, as the children get more mature. 

Staffing 

Butterflies will be taught by Mrs Ellard (Monday & Tuesday) and Miss Fowler (Wed, Thurs & Fri). Our teaching assistant is Mrs Richardson (Monday - Friday).

Snacks 

We have a fruit snack every day and we do encourage children to try all the different fruits we receive. Children need to have a named water bottle which they can access all day. Milk is also available through Cool Milk.  

PE  & Forest school

Autumn 1

In Autumn 1 our indoor PE is on a Monday and outdoor PE is on a Tuesday. Please send your child in PE kit on these days.

We also have forest school on a Wednesday afternoon so please make sure your child has appropriate coat and shoes for the weather.

Home Learning 

We expect children to read at least 4 times a week. If your child reads four times a week, they will get a golden ticket and have the chance of winning a free book in our celebration assembly on a Friday. Reading books are changed every Monday and Thursday.

Every child has a Numbots login to support Maths fluency. Little and often is most effective, no more than 10 minutes a day.

Phonics home learning will be sent home every Friday and expected to be returned the following Thursday.

Curriculum 

We have different topics each half term to keep the children motivated and inspired to learn. Curriculum maps will be on the website and a copy will go home so you can keep up to date with the learning.

Please come and see the year 1 team if you have any questions or need to discuss anything.

British Values

We have talked about rules and why we need them. Together we created our own Butterflies class charter and discussed how rules are there for everyone. The children wrote the rules out for us to follow and drew pictures to represent them which went on a display to help remind us of the right choices.

We also all agreed;

• We all have the right to learn and to grow in confidence.
• We respect the culture and beliefs of others.
• We understand the consequences of our actions.
• We treat everybody equally.
• We listen to and respect other people’s opinions and values.

Phonics

In Year 1 phonics is very important. We practice our phonemes everyday in a very structured fast paced session. We assess our children so that they are in a 'stage not age' group so that their learning is appropriate to them. Phonics games are also sent home weekly to help support learning. We encourage children to use their sound mats in class to support sounding out and spelling. These are also sent home for children to practice with their parents.

Please have a look at an example of a phonics powerpoint used in a session.

Year 1 Phonics Screening Check Information for Parents

What is the Phonics Screening Check?

Children complete a word-reading check towards the end of Year 1 so that parents can be confident their children are being taught to read successfully. Children read 40 words. It takes between 15-20 minutes but children can read in their own time and not rushed. If they do not manage to read 32 of the words, they are given extra support in year 2, and repeat the check at the end of Year 2. The 'pass' mark of 32 is subject to change by the government and schools will be notified some time in June of this figure. Year 1 will take the Phonics Screening check during the summer term. We politely request that parents ensure children in Year 1 and those in Year 2 who have to retake the Check are in school during the administration of the phonics Screening Check.

How can you support your child out of school?

Support your child by sharing their home reading books at home and playing any phonics games that have been sent home. Please go through their sound mat and tricky words which are attached to their reading diary. An excellent website for phonic games is: http://www.phonicsplay.co.uk/ All phonics phases are covered on this website.

Read as much as possible to and with your child. When children become more capable readers they develop the skill of word recognition. However, it is important that children continue to practise good sounding out and blending.

Here is some information regarding the Year 1 Phonics Screening Check for you to read.

• https://www.theschoolrun.com/year-1-phonics-screening-check