Year 1 Curriculum Outline 2018-19
Our Learning Wheel explained Our learners
Our schools are small enough to ensure that each learner is known. By placing our learners at the centre of our approach, we create an education that allows individuality to flourish.
Developing character
Fostering a secure bedrock of self-esteem and a sure moral compass is essential preparation for a future in a complex world.
Learning segments
We group our subjects together into six curriculum areas. We teach subjects in an integrated way, because the future belongs
to those who can think way beyond narrow subject boundaries.
Learning to think
Education is not just about imparting knowledge. It’s about teaching young people how to think for themselves: critically, creatively and collaboratively.
Outer circle
We prepare young people to blaze a trail in whatever field they choose. They leave us equipped with a breadth of skills, ready to become responsible global citizens.
Form teachers 1L - Mrs Lodwig 1C- Miss Couchman
Teaching Assistants: 1L- Mrs Chrimes 1C- Mr Blackman
Curriculum areas and subject teachers Physical Education and Well-being Mr Evans (Games and P.E), Mrs Parkin (Games and P.E) Performing Arts Ms Hyland (Music) Modern Languages Ms Prowse (French) Mrs Foreman (Spanish), Mrs Fernández Smart (Spanish)
Thematic Learning Key Topics During the first half of the Autumn Term our topic will be ‘Into The Woods’ with a focus on plants and animals. The children will be visiting Wandlebury to find out more about woodland and grass habitats, finding out what plants and animals need to survive, looking at life cycles and food chains and discovering more about pond life. In the second half of the Autumn Term our topic will be ‘Digging Down’ where we will be looking at how we can find out more about the past through archaeology and the history of our planet, Earth. We will visit Saffron Walden Museum to find out more about rocks and fossils and how they were formed. In our RS work this term we will be learning more about Christianity and Judaism. The children will explore different festivals that each religion celebrate, focussing on Christmas, Harvest and Sukkot.
In PSHEE this term the children will be thinking about themselves, their relationships and exploring different emotions. They will also think about how they can keep themselves healthy and safe in different situations.
Language and Communication Key Topics The children will continue to work through the Read Write Inc programme at their own pace. Children will have daily lessons which include reading, writing, spelling, grammar and punctuation. In our thematic learning, the children will have opportunities to explore both non-fiction and creative writing and will be introduced to a range of text types. They will continue to take home ‘red word’ spelling lists every fortnight or so to support the work they have been doing in Read Write Inc. During this term the children will continue to work on their cursive handwriting and will begin to learn the different joins with a view to joining letters independently by the end of the year. During our ‘Into The Woods’ topic the children will be developing their creative writing skills by reading and writing stories with familiar settings. They will also look at how to label and add captions to non-fiction texts.
Assessment In order to support our knowledge of the pupils in our classes we run a standardised reading and spelling assessment at the start of term. This allows us to reflect on the skills the pupils already have, and identify confidence in completing this sort of work independently. Careful attention is paid to the behaviour of pupils to ensure that they see these as simply another part of their learning in class. ● Regular Read Write Inc assessments (usually every half term)
French Key Topics We will start the year by exploring different greetings and introductions when talking about oneself, building on conversation confidence and practising pronunciation through songs, games and role play scenarios. We will develop this into finding out about others and how we are feeling. Pupils will have the opportunity to respond to basic classroom language and key instructions. We will learn about the different days of the week, keep up the competence in basic numbers and explore French Christmas traditions towards the end of the term.
Spanish
Key Topics The primary focus for Spanish lessons is on listening and speaking. The children will learn through a range of songs, stories, rhymes and games. They will link their learning to the the thematic learning topics by looking at animals and plants in Spanish and using them as a starting point for counting and describing objects according to colour and size. Stories, such as The Enormous Turnip will offer an opportunity to participate in storytelling and learning a Christmas song will help them begin to memorise new vocabulary. They will have plenty of opportunity to learn about Spanish pronunciation and have a go at tricky sounds.
Mathematical Understanding Key Topics This term we will be working on developing skills within addition and subtraction. The children will also continue to develop an understanding of basic number concepts such as place value. We will explore sequences, number bonds, doubles, halves as well as reading, writing and ordering numbers. Plus the children will develop their skills with 2D and 3D shape. Pupils will be working at their own pace on their mental maths skills through our Maths Ladder system.
Assessment â—? Regular Maths Ladder assessments (done orally by the class teacher or teaching assistant)
Physical Education and Well-being Key Topics A clear focus towards developing agility, balance and coordination will be the focus of lessons this term. Development of key skills including throwing and catching and improving spatial awareness will be key elements within lessons. Small-sided games will allow pupils to integrate these skills into match-like situations. Our alphabet of opportunity provides children with the opportunity to understand and experience key skills and concepts related to sport which can be utilised as they grow older.
Encourage your child to stay active outside of school. Swimming lessons and joining of any other sports clubs will help develop coordination, confidence and the social skills of your child.
Creative and Performing Arts Key Topics In music we continue to sing familiar songs as well as extending our repertoire. We will learn the difference between pulse and rhythm, how to tap and feel both and how to “catch” the pulse of a piece of music. After half term we will learn about pitch and identify the high and the low notes in a song. We will transfer this onto pitched percussion instruments. Throughout the first half of the Autumn term the children will have the opportunity to explore clay and sculpture. They will use simple tools for shaping and mark making and use these skills to create their own clay minibeast and coil pot. In the second half of the term the children will look at levers and different mechanisms during their topic work on ‘Digging Down’.
Scientific Understanding Throughout our thematic learning and forest school sessions, pupils will identify and name a variety of common wild and garden plants, including deciduous and evergreen trees. They will learn how to recognise what a plant needs to grow and group living things according to observable similarities and differences. Pupils will use first-hand experience and simple information sources to answer questions and say what results show. They will learn how to draw conclusions from results and begin to use scientific knowledge to suggest explanations for them. After half term, they will Investigate pushes and pulls as forces.