Year 1

Reading

In Y1, we send home 3 books for each child each week. The minimum expectation is for each book to be read once and the record signed 3 x per week. However, when possible,  we encourage parents to try to read each book twice each week, once for sounding out and blending practice and then a second read in which they get to practise their fluency and talk about their understanding of the book more. This really accelerates your child’s ability to read and enjoy reading. 

Homework

Homework in Year 1 is essentially - Reading and Spelling:

In Year 1, we have reading homework throughout the year (see above). We also introduce the children to spelling homework from Spring term in which they are given a small practise book to take home each week. The children receive between 5 and 10 words that follow a specific rule each week following the DfE statutory spelling requirements. 

All classes at the Deans currently use the White Rose Maths scheme for our main maths lessons, in which the maths learning is divided into 3-4 chapters/areas of maths to focus on each half term. In Y1 we complete 3 full lessons each week following the steps given by White Rose and completing pages in the workbook.

We also spend 1 day each week using our maths lesson time to consolidate the weekly learning through practical activities and games and to give staff a chance to spend more time working with any children who need more support before moving on to the next 3 lessons. 1 morning each week is spent with a 20 minute fluency lesson in which we go over prior knowledge using the White Rose Flashback resources.

In Year 1, we teach the children how to write a variety of genres/ styles of writing. We use high quality texts to support and inspire our writing tasks and these usually correspond to our class topics whenever possible. Each week the children have 4 Literacy lessons. Lesson 1 usually incorporates planning and Spoken language skills eg. oral retells and creating story maps/mindmaps. The next 3 lessons, the children write in their books starting with lots of teacher modelling, collaborative writing and ending with an independent lesson every Friday. The children are encouraged to use their Read Write Inc. sound mats to help them to sound out words with accuracy. We also teach handwriting using the Read Write Inc. handwriting scheme. 

We spend 30minutes every day reading in class. The children read their own homework reading books quietly to themselves to practise their skills whilst the teachers listen to individuals reading aloud. Then we spend 5-10minutes reading a book together for pleasure. 

At the end of Year 1, children in the UK take part in a National Phonics screening test so Phonics is a huge focus for children in Year 1. During the Spring term we will be having a phonics meeting after school to give you all the information you need to know in preparation for the Phonics screening test.

At The Deans, we follow the Read, Write Inc. Phonics scheme. At the start of Y1 the children are all individually assessed using the RWI assessment tool and then we group the children accordingly so they are with smaller groups of children who are focusing on a similar set of sounds to them. These assessments take place at the end of every half term to ensure children are making progress and in the most suitable group for their ability. Each group then has 4 x 30minute Phonics lessons each week to learn or review sounds, practise reading them within real and nonsense words and writing words and sentences using their skills. We use RWI story books during these lessons to help develop their accuracy, fluency and understanding.

In Y1 we have a weekly Science lesson to learn a range of knowledge and scientific skills such as measuring, recording, comparing and planning experiments. At the start of each half-termly unit we also begin by learning about a relevant significant Scientist or inventor that links to our topic or Science unit. Y1 Science units include;

• Seasonal Changes,
• Light and Shadows,
• Materials, Plants,
• Animals including Humans. 

Each half term, we have a different exciting topic to learn about. These topics usually impact our learning across multiple curriculum subjects including History, Geography, English, Music, Art, Design and Technology.

Our Y1 topics include:

1. Memory Box (What life was like in the past)
2. Moon Zoom (Astronauts/the moon)
3. Superheroes
4. Dinosaurs
5. Enchanted Garden (Plants, woodland and Fairies)
6. Paws, Claws and Whiskers (Animals)

Year 1 have a weekly PE session, the PE days are posted at the top of this page.

The children have their main 1 hour PE lesson with our Sports coach/ HLTA, Mr Carroll-Armstrong, each week on Wednesday afternoon.

On this day the children can come to school wearing their PE kits (plain white t shirt with plain black/navy bottoms and trainers). In these lessons, the children are taught a variety of skills and games to help them in all kinds of sports.

We also have an additional lesson that is led by class staff 1 x per week following the I-Moves scheme. Each year, the school has access to a swimming pool on site for one half term in which the children develop basic swimming and lifesaving skills. 

PE Kit consists of:

• Plain white t-shirt
• Plain black shorts, leggings or jogging bottoms
• For indoor PE: Plain black pumps (Trainers should not be worn, they are not suitable as they slip on wooden floors and apparatus.)
• For outdoor PE: Plain black pumps or plain, dark coloured trainers
• For cold weather: Plain black tracksuits may be worn, or plain black bottoms and a red Deans Primary School hoodie

Snacks:

Y1 receives free fruit to be enjoyed at break time daily. They can also opt in or out of milk which is ordered or cancelled via the office. In addition to this, children can bring in small change to spend on snacks such as crackers or breadsticks that are sold during afternoon break times. 

Water bottles:

All children at The Deans are encouraged to bring in a suitable water bottle every day. This should only contain water and is accessible in the classroom. We have water fountains around school so the children are able to refill water bottles when needed.