Week ending 9th October

What a busy week, along with having our school photographs taken, the children have begun preparing for the Harvest Festival. 

Next week, we are planning to have a walk to the park to observe the changes that the season of autumn brings. In preparation for this, we will learn the scientific words evergreen and deciduous. 

In Maths we are learning how to use the part whole model to split a number into two parts visually. I will link a tool we have used on the whiteboard below so you can play with different numbers at home. Please ask your child if they can split the numbers 5, 6, 7 or 8 in different ways. 

I can't believe 6 weeks have already passed in year 1. I want to say thank you to each of our families for completing reading and phonics homework, and for checking this class page! I have extended the Science '2Do' on Purple Mash until the end of October if any of you would like to have a go at logging in, and labelling the parts of the body.

If you have any questions please speak to myself or Miss Ryde at the beginning or end of the school day. We have our first Parents Evening scheduled for the 11th and 12th November, bookings for this will open the week before, and you will be notified about this by email. 

Mrs O'Connell x

Friday 2nd October

The children had a fantastic time on our walk around the Stretford area today. We looked at all the different houses and buildings, then drew our route on a map. The children were so well behaved, we are so proud! A special 'thank you' to all the adults that volunteered to help on the walk too.

This week we have been reading This is the Bear, and practising writing words and sentences to do with the story. Here is a video below if you'd like to listen to it with your child at home. 

In Maths we have been comparing and ordering numbers, and using number lines. Here is a link to Paint the Squares which the children have enjoyed using in class. 

In Science we have been labelling parts of the body. I have added a '2DO' on Purple Mash if your child would like to log in and have a go to support their learning. Please email me if you have any trouble logging in or finding the 2DO. aoconnell@victoriaparkinf.co.uk

I hope you are enjoying the DT creations that your child is making and bringing home. We have been learning how to use different join techniques, as well as making stable structures and bridges. If you have any small (no bigger than half a standard cereal box please), clean, cardboard boxes or toilet roll tubes please send them in on a Monday or  Tuesday, ready for the week ahead. The children are really enjoying junk modelling and our stock needs replenishing. 

Thank you! 

Have a lovely weekend. 

Mrs O'Connell x

Tuesday 22nd September

Thank you to all of the parents who were able to come to our Meet the Teacher meeting tonight. It was lovely to see you all. Information about maths/ phonics games, as well as handwriting mats from the meeting will be sent home tomorrow, along with a reminder log ins for our subscription to Purple Mash. Please check your log in works and have a look around the website. We will be using it in school, and for homework in the future so please let me know if you have any problems logging in. 

Here is a copy of some of the slides from the meeting.

Here is a guide to where the class are up to in phonics. We have learnt level 1, level 2, and the highlighted sounds from level 3. 

This week we have introduced our new class text This is the Bear by Sarah Hayes. We have listened for rhyming words in the book and also in nursery rhymes. We are reading traditional tales at storytime.

We have also learnt about animals and how scientists group them. We introduced the words carnivore, herbivore, omnivore, as well as the animal groups: mammals, reptiles, birds, fish and amphibians. 

Next week

We are planning to go for a walk around the local area to look at the use of buildings that surround us. 

Have a lovely rest of your week,

Mrs O'Connell x

Wednesday 16th September

The children have settled brilliantly into life in Year One, and we have been busy practising our handwriting skills, counting and maths, PE, science to name a few. Thank you everyone for sending the children into school ready on PE days, and for completing the homework.

Reading books have been sent home today in reading folders. Please aim to read every day for 5-10 minutes – little and often is best!

The reading and phonics homework provides additional opportunities for children to consolidate the learning they have done in class as well as practise their segmenting and blending skills. With our phonics scheme there are also resources that can be used at home to support your child’s phonics learning. Click on the link below, then use the student tab.

We are planning to walk around Stretford and the park (different days, TBC) in October. The trips would be 9am to 10.30am and I wondered if any parents would like to help out on these trips? If you are interested in helping, please can you email me at the address below and let me know your availability.    

aoconnell@victoriaparkinf.co.uk

We are looking forward to seeing you at the Meet the Teacher Meeting on Tuesday 22nd September.

Mrs O'Connell x

Thursday 3rd September

Hello everyone! The children have had a fantastic start to Year One, being with friends and settling in to their new classroom routines. Thank you all for sending the children in on time and eager to learn. We have talked and written about our families, and shared news about our summer holidays. We have practised counting, sang songs, read stories, and explored the resources in our classroom. 

Miss Ryde and I are hearing the children read at school and will send home their reading books soon. We are available in the playground before and after school if you have any questions.

PE will be on Monday and Thursday starting next week (Monday 7th and Thursday 10th). Children can come to school ready in their PE clothes on those days. Don’t forget earrings need to be removed for PE days.

Please check this page for regular updates about our learning, as well as messages from the staff, and class newsletters. For more information about the staff in Key Stage One please click the link below.

Below, you will find our first curriculum update of the year.

Mrs O'Connell (Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays)

Miss Ryde (Thursdays and Fridays)