Friday 14th July
This week in English we have been focusing on writing neatly and grammar skills. We have been learning about suffixes and adding -ed and -ing to root words.
In Maths we have been describing direction. We have learnt the words ‘clockwise’, ‘half turn’ and ‘quarter turn’. We have been practically moving in different ways and recognising turns in flat shapes. We have used the correct language to describe the position of objects too.
In Science we have been developing work on Materials and completed a floating and sinking experiment.
Have a lovely weekend.
Friday 7th July
This week in English we have written the story of the Robot and the Bluebird from the robot’s point of view. We thought carefully about how the character felt in different stages of the story and added lots of detail in our sentences.
In Maths we have been counting 2ps,5ps and 10ps. We have been making different totals too.
Friday 30th June
In English this week we have read the whole story of ‘robot and the bluebird’. We have retold the story by acting out each page of the story and discussing how the robot feelings change throughout the text. We have been focussing on spelling high frequency words correctly too.
In Maths we have been using coins to make different totals. We have counted how much money is in each purse by using 1ps,2ps, 5ps and 10ps. We have been comparing two purses and saying which purse has the largest total. We have also focused on different ways to make a total of 10p and 20p.
For Art week we have been taking inspiration from the artist Yayoi Kusama - Japanese artist. She used lots of polka dots in her artwork. We have looked around our environment to spot different shapes and made repeating patterns. We have also mixed colours of paint to make a 3d pumpkin inspired by her work.
Next week is sports day, please ensure the children have a named water bottle and a school cap.
Have a lovely weekend.
Friday 23rd June
This week for our Power of Reading text we have learnt that the bluebird helps the robot. We have written reports about bluebirds and written a letter to the robot to explain what we think it should do next. We have also practised adding a suffix ( ed ) to the end of a word to change its tense eg hunt – hunted, lick – licked.
In Maths we have been learning about coins and recognising different amounts using 1ps and 2ps. We have used the phrase there are ___ coins. The value is ______.
In Science we have been investigating materials for their absorbency. We put different objects in water to see if they absorbed the water or not.
Have a lovely weekend.
Friday 16th June
This week we have been looking at the illustrations in our power of reading book ‘The robot and the Bluebird’ and focused on the robots feelings. We have been freeze framing the illustration and writng in role , thinking about what the robot is feeling and imagining.
In Maths we have been measuring the length of objects. We have been estimating and using a ruler or tape measure to measure items accurately.
In geography we have started our new topic of the surrounding area of our school. We have located Brentwood on a map of the UK and then used google maps to find Sawyers hall lane and our school site. We then found different locations around Brentwood and thought of things that we would like to improve the local area.
Have a lovely weekend.
Friday 9th June
This week we have started our ‘Power of Reading’ book ‘Robot and the Bluebird’ by David Lucas. We have been looking at robots and thinking about how they are different to humans.
We practised all our phase 5 sounds ready for our phonic assessments next week.
In Maths we were remembering addition and subtraction equations to 20. We used our known facts within 10 to help us. We also solved word problems.
In Science we started our new topic ‘Materials’. We looked at the main materials plastic, rock, water, fabric, metal, wood and rubber. We explored our classrooms and outside area to label objects that were mostly made from those materials.
Have a lovely weekend.
Friday 19th May
This week we have been reading the Last part of ‘The Last Wolf’ by Mini Grey. We have predicted the end of the story and then written about our favourite part. We also wrote letters to Little Red to tell her what we think she should do when the animals want to eat her.
In Maths we have been doubling and halving numbers to 20 using numicon and tens frames. We have used this knowledge to then solve missing number equations.
In RE we learnt about Hinduism. We learnt about the story of Ganesha and Krishna and made rahki bracelets to give to someone to protect them.
In History we had a fun time exploring old fashioned seaside activities like donkey rides, punch and judy show and having an icecream.
Have a lovely weekend.
Friday 12th May
This week we have been learning about bears, lynxes and wolves in their natural habitat. We have compared them with the characters in the story and wrote sentences about how they were similar and different.
In Maths we have been partitioning teen numbers into tens and ones.. We have been using different models such as a bar model, part part whole model and tens frames to show how the numbers can be partitioned.
In RE we finished our topic of Holydays and Holidays and reflected on how the disciples spread the good news of Jesus on Pentecost day. We thought about how we can spread the news of Jesus in our own lives.
Have a lovely weekend.
Friday 28th April
This week we have been describing the setting of a forest for our 'Power of Reading' book The Last Wolf. We have been role playing the character of Little Red on a hunt to find and wolf.
In Maths we have been solving addition and subtraction equations within 10. We have been practising doubling, halving and using this knowledge to add and subtract near doubles too.
In RE we have learnt the story of Pentecost and thought about how the disciples felt when Jesus sent the Holy spirit as he remembered his promise to send a helper.
In History we have been looking at photos of seaside holidays and comparing them we the things that we do on the beach. We realised that the people wore different clothes as they didn't have swimming costumes and that horses pulled a cart into the water so that people could swim.
Have a lovely weekend.
Friday 21st April
This week we have been revising our phase 3 and phase 5 sounds in phonics. We have been remembering to sound button each sound correctly.
In English we have started our new power of reading book ‘The Last Wolf ‘ by Mini Grey. We have been looking at illustrations from the book to discover where the story is set and who the characters are. We have realised it is a story about Little Red Riding hood, so we retold this traditional tale using a story map.
In Maths we have been focusing on odd and even numbers and recognising patterns. We have been adding and subtracting 2 and 0 from any number and discussing what the pattern is.
In RE we have started a new topic ‘Holidays and Holydays’. We talked about the holidays that we have been on with our families and how we prepare for them. We also remembered holydays that we have celebrated with our school community this year.
Have a lovely weekend.
Friday 24th March
In English we have been writing in different styles. We have written a poem, descriptive sentences and facts.
In Maths we have been thinking about the inverse operations for addition and subtraction. We have been practising finding all possibilities. For example, 5 + 3 = 8, 3 + 5 = 8, 8-5=3, 8-3=5
In RE we have been learning about the different parts of the Easter story in preparation for Holy Week.
Friday 17th March
In English this week we have been creating a poem linked to our book '10 things I can do to save my world'
In Maths we have been subtracting by finding the whole amount, taking away a part and finding what is left.
In Geography we have been learning about the United Kingdom. We have learnt about human and physical features of Wales and Scotland. What are the four countries and their capital cities?
Friday 10th March
This week in English we have written factfiles about our learning at Barleylands. We thought about facts to explain how wheat is grown and harvested. We also drew pictures of things that contain wheat.
In Maths we have been working on addition and subtraction equations such as '5= 2+3'. '10-3=7'
In RE we have been reflecting on our Lenten promises and learning that during Lent it is a time to make a new start. We have learnt about forgiveness.
Have a good weekend.
Friday 3rd March
This week we have been making our own saving the world book called ‘4 things to help save the world’. We used ideas from videos, posters and books to help us write important things that we can do to save the planet. For World Book Day we read the book ‘What we’ll build – plans for our together future’ by Oliver Jeffers. We made our own models and talked about the importance of looking after our world.
In Maths we have begun to look at subtraction equation and finding the missing part of the equation.
In RE we have started our new topic of ‘Change’ . We have thought about how our lives have changed since we were babies. We have thought about other things in our world that change in nature too. We have retold the events of Ash Wednesday too.
In Geography we have begun to learn about the UK and the 4 different countries that are part of it. We have thought about places that we have visited in the UK.
Friday 24th February
In English we have started our new power of Reading book '10 things I can do to help my world' by Melanie Walsh. We thought about ways we can look after our world and made a persuasive poster.
In Maths we have been adding two amounts together by using an expression (3+4 4+3). We have introduced the = sign and also thought about equations where the total is at the beginning eg 5=2+3.
In RE for our Meals topic, we have been thinking about what happens during Holy Communion, discussing the meaning of the Our Father Prayer and thinking of special meals that we have all shared as a Parish family.
In Science we started our new topic of Plants. We went on a walk around the school to name different plants and we have been observing seeds and comparing them.
Friday 10th February
This week we have been making posters to finish our learning of the book ‘Lila and the Secret of the Rain’. We thought about how precious water is and then looked at features of a good poster. We then created our own posters to make them eye catching.
In Maths we have been continuing to work on partitioning the numbers 6,7 8 and 9 in different models.
In History we learnt about the effects of the Great Fire of London. We learnt about the Mounment and we hope the children might get to visit this in the holiday.
In RE we have learnt about Jesus special meal, the Last Supper. We enjoyed Class 6’s Assembly where this story was shared with us.
Have a lovely half term.
Friday 3rd February
In English we have been creating a fact file about life in Kenya. We learnt about a good fact file and tried to add bullet points, fun facts and pictures to make our factfiles interesting.
In Maths we have been thinking about the place value of numbers within 10. We have revised odd and even numbers.
In RE we started our new topic of Meals. We have been thinking about special meals that we have had at home and listened to a story about a special meal Jesus had.
In History we have learnt about the Great Fire of London and created a collage fire picture.
Friday 27th January
In English we have been retelling the story of Lila and the Secret of Rain using a zig zag book
In Maths we have been making amounts within 10 using a part part whole model. How many ways can you think of to make 7?we have also practise the '5 and a bit' rule using different models to show this.
In Science we have been grouping animals based on what they eat. We used the words carnivore (meat eater) herbivore (plant eater) and omnivore (meat and plant eater).
Well done Class 5 for the lovely assembly on Special People.
Have a lovely weekend.
Friday 20th January
In English we have been retelling the story of Lila and the Secret Rain
In Maths we have been thinking about 2D and 3D shapes, how many 2D/3D shapes can you spot at home?
Class 4 did a wonderful assembly on Special People. We have been thinking about the roles people have at church including cleaners, money collectors and flower arrangers.
Friday 13th January
The start of the Spring term has brought lots of new topics for us in Year 1.
In English we have started a new text ‘Lila and the secret of the rain’ by David Conway. We looked at the illustrations to predict where the story is set and wrote questions for Lila based on the front cover.
In Maths we have been revising 2d and 3d shape names and properties. We have been making different patterns and describing them using the correct vocabulary.
In RE we have been recognizing Special People in our lives at home and at school. We learnt about the key things that make all these people special to us.
Lastly in History we have started to think about London and compared it to pictures of London in 1666 to begin our topic of the Great Fire of London.
Have a lovely weekend.
Friday 2nd December
This week we have been focusing on our phonics and learning the sounds ‘oe’ as on toe, ‘ow’ as in snow and ‘o_e’ as in stone. We have also looked at ‘ew’ as in grew and ‘ue’ as in glue. These digraphs are trickier because we have already known a way to make the sound so please try to spot some of these sounds when out and about or reading books at bedtime to widen the children’s knowledge further.
In Maths we have been investigating numbers and finding totals for amounts up to 20. We have been working practically using counters and cubes to find ways to make different totals as well as using our number bonds knowledge.
In RE we have created an advent wreath and lit the first candle. We read our Advent promises and learnt about the importance of getting ready for the birth of Jesus.
Friday 25th November
This week we have celebrated Maths week by focusing on odd numbers. We have been finding different ways to make odd amounts and created artwork using only a 3 sided shape , the triangle. We really enjoyed dressing up in our ‘odd’outfits too.
In English we have retold the story of ‘Grace and Family’ and made mini books by ourselves.
In Science we have learnt about parts of the human body. We worked together to label different parts of the body and created alternative songs like ‘head, shoulders, knees and toes. ‘
Have a lovely weekend.
Friday 18th November
This week we have been learning about bullying for Anitbullying Week. We started off recognising that we can all be different by wearing our odd socks. We learnt that we should be kind and respectful to others. We then read a story where Topsy and Tim noticed that someone in their class was being bullied. Topsy and Tim told their Mum and they ‘Reached Out’ for support.
For Interfaith week we also learnt about the different faiths and theat we have to respect others even if they believe something different to us.
In English we have been learning about Africa and we visited a Gambian Market. We learnt that there are different things to buy and that the markets can get very busy and noisy.
In Maths we have been using our part part whole models to find the missing ‘part’. We are using practical equipment to help us.
Have a lovely weekend.
Friday 11th November
For our English work this week we have read the whole story of ‘Grace and Family’ and discussed the relationship that Grace has with her new family. We wrote a letter to Grace to tell her what we think family are and wrote about our families too.
In Maths we have continued to use our part part whole models to split an amount of objects. We read word problems and then solved them using our part part whole model.
In Science we have learnt about our sense of touch and the different parts that connect to make our hands.
On Friday we held a two minute silence for Remembrance Day. We wrote about the war and said prayers for the soldiers who have died.
Next week we will be starting work on our shoeboxes for our DT projects. Thank you to all the children who have already brought their shoeboxes in. We still need more shoeboxes and toilet roll tubes.
Have a good weekend.
Friday 4th November
This week we have started a new power of Reading book Called ‘Grace and Family’ by Mary Hoffman. We have learnt that Grace visits her family in Africa and we wrote a diary entry to show how she was feeling.
In Phonics we have learnt some phase 5 sounds ‘ay’, ‘wh’ and ph’.
In Maths we have continued our work on ‘part’ and ‘whole’ when describing a group of amounts.
We have practiced the sentences : There are ……. in the whole group. This part shows……. And this part shows …..
In RE we celebrated the end of our Baptism topic and made candles to remember that Jesus is the light of the world and that is a special sign used at Baptism.
Next week we will be organizing the reading parts for our Advent Liturgy. Please look in your child’s yellow reading diary for their words and help them learn them in a clear, loud voice so they can be heard in the hall.
Have a lovely weekend.
Friday 21st October
This week we have loved writing our own poems about Autumn to finish our topic ‘Out and about’. We thought carefully about choosing the correct adjective to describe the objects that we see in Autumn.
In Maths we have begun recognizing ‘whole’ and ‘part’ of an object. We have learnt the stem sentence ‘It is whole because I can see all of it.’
For Black History Month we enjoyed learning an African warrior dance on Tuesday and we hav=d peaceful protests around the playground to stop racism and treat everyone equally.
There are no new words for spellings this week, keep practising the ones that have already been sent over half term if you wish.
After half term the children will need to bring in an empty shoebox ready for their DT work nearer to Christmas. Please can you have a look to see if you have any at home as each child needs their own box.
Lastly, we look forward to seeing you at the phonic workshop on the 16th November at 5pm in the hall.
Have a lovely half term rest, the children have been working very hard , enjoy.
Friday 14th October
This week we have been exploring describing words and writing sentences to describe what we can see in a picture. We have been practising using our sounds carefully to write words.
In Maths we have recognised the days of the week and looking at events that we do in the morning, afternoon, evening and at night. See if your child can remember the days of the week song and keep practising the order of the days.
On RE we have been learning about Sacraments. We focused on the Baptism and acted out being a Parent, Godparent or a Priest in groups.
Have a lovely weekend.
Friday 7th October
In English we have been reading and performing poems from our ‘Out and About’ book. The children really enjoyed performing a poem as a class and in smaller groups. They added actions to help them to remember each line.
In Maths we have been comparing amounts using the greater than symbol ( >) and the less than symbol ( <). The children have really enjoyed working practically and saying the stem sentences aloud with a partner eg ‘6 is greater than 3. 3 is less than 6.’
In RE we started our new topic of Belonging. We thought about the different groups that we belong to at home and at school. We learnt that Jesus welcomes everyone to belong to his family.
In Science we learnt about the weather forecast and predicted patterns in rainfall over the week. We prepared rain collectors and looked at our results each day.
Please remember to check your parentmail and sign up for a Parents Evening appointment for 18th or 20th October.
Have a lovely weekend.
Friday 30th September
This week in English we have been performing the poem ‘Wind’ by Shirley Hughes. We have explored the wind, written describing words and joined in with the poem as a class.
In phonics we have been focusing on the digraphs ‘or’, ‘ar’, ‘ur’ and ‘oi’.
In Maths we have been comparing two or three sets of objects and saying sentences 6 cubes is more than 4 cubes. 4 cubes is less than 6 cubes.
In History we made a class museum with the toys from the past. We wrote labels so that everyone could see what the toy was and what it was made from.
Have a lovely weekend.
Friday 23rd September
This week in English we have written sentences about Sand. We have also looked at Shirley Hughes Poem ‘Mudlarks’ and written our own poems about Mud or Sand.
In Phonics we have been revising digraphs ‘oo’,’oa’ and the trigraph ‘igh’. We have been writing words which contain these sounds and writing sentences too.
In Maths we have been accurately counting amounts to 10. We have been crossing out the amount of items that we have and proving statements such as ‘Are there six cars in the picture? ‘ How can you prove it?
In RE we have been focusing on some psalms from the Bible which show God’s love and care for everyone. We have been exploring our school to find out what we should care for, how can we live more in God’s way.
In Science this week, we had a great time becoming Weather presenters and made items for a weather station. We enjoyed looking at different weather forecasts and learning about the weather symbols.
Have a lovely weekend.
Friday 16th September
In English this week we have focused on the illustrations of the poem ‘Out and About ‘, Mudlarks’ and ‘Sand’ by Shirley Hughes from her book ‘Out and About.’ We have looked at sand and thought of our own words to describe how the sand feels and looks.
In Maths we have been comparing objects by height, length and weight. We have been practising to use the sentence 'the ……. is shorter than the …….. ' or 'the scissors and the glue stick are the same length' to explain our ideas.
In History we have started thinking about toys. We looked at some old toys and thought about how we can tell if its an old toy or not. `
Friday 9th September
Welcome to Year 1! This week we have been creating our class rules and have been talking about how important it is to always try our best. We listened to the 'Colour Monster' story and talked about how we can feel different emotions and what we can do to help ourselves if we feel sad, worried or angry. We have also been counting to 100 every day and comparing numbers by noticing their tens and ones.
The week ended with a very special service for the whole school at the cathedral, marking the beginning of a new school year and reflecting on the death of Queen Elizabeth II.
Please look at our for a Parentmail with the spellings and homework for this week