Year 1 Summer 2

Writing

As we head into our final weeks of Year 1, the children will be becoming "Master Writers!" We will be consolidating everything we have learned this year—from exclamation marks and question marks to those tricky suffixes (-s, -es, -ing, -ed). The children will be applying their skills to a huge variety of exciting formats, including newspaper articles, adventurous stories, formal letters, and personal recounts. It is going to be wonderful to see them writing with such independence and creativity!

Maths

Time is the theme for our Maths lessons this half term. We will be mastering the days of the week and months of the year, as well as learning how to sequence events using "time vocabulary" like before, after, then, and finally. We will continue our journey with the clock, focusing on o’clock and half past. To finish the term, we will get moving with position and direction, using terms like "above," "below," "left," and "right" to navigate through fun, practical challenges.

Science

Our final Science journey focuses on the wonderful world of Plants. The children will become young botanists, learning to identify and name common wild and garden plants, as well as distinguishing between deciduous and evergreen trees. We will be heading out into the school grounds to investigate what is growing in our local area and learning exactly what a plant needs to stay healthy and strong.

Geography

We are going to be comparing our home in Ashurst to the icy world of the South Pole! The children will look closely at the human and physical geography of both locations to see what makes them similar and what makes them very different. To bring this to life, we will be taking a local area walk to spot geographical features right on our doorstep and compare them to the Antarctic maps we've studied.

History

Ahoy, mateys! We are setting sail for an adventure into the world of Pirates. The children will explore events beyond living memory to discover what life was really like on the high seas. We will learn about famous pirates like Blackbeard and Anne Bonny and discover the different jobs people had on a pirate ship. The half term will culminate in a legendary Pirate Party, featuring a treasure hunt and a pirate-themed obstacle course!

Art

We will be continuing our work as sculptors this half term. Using clay, the children will experiment with texture and form to create 3D masterpieces. Inspired by the styles of Barbara Hepworth, Marela Zacarias, and Brendan Jamison, they will learn how to pull, pinch, and shape the clay to express their own artistic ideas.

DT (Design & Technology)

It’s time for the "Great Year 1 Race!" The children will be designing and creating their very own cars. They will use their knowledge of structures and mechanisms to build a vehicle that is both sturdy and functional. We can't wait to see their unique designs come to life on the move!

Music

In Music, we will be exploring the "opposites" of sound. The children will be experimenting with fast and slow tempos, as well as quiet and loud dynamics. They will learn how changing these elements can change the mood of a piece of music and will practice controlling these sounds using a variety of instruments.

Computing

In the computer suite, we will be using the ‘Pages’ app on the iPads to develop our digital communication skills. The children will be practicing their typing and layout skills to create professional-looking Plant Fact Files, combining their scientific knowledge with their new technical abilities.

RE

This half term, we are thinking about Community and why it is so important to look after one another. We will be linking this to the Sikh faith and the concept of Sewa (selfless service). The children will learn how Sikhs show kindness and help their community, and we will reflect on how we can do the same in our own lives.

RSHE

As we look back on our year, the children will reflect on their progress over time and celebrate how much they have grown. We will focus on the importance of being kind to each other and work together to create our very own "Kindness Rules" to ensure our classroom remains a happy, supportive place for everyone.

PE

The finish line is in sight! Our PE lessons will be dedicated to Sports Day practice. The children will be honing their skills in a variety of events, focusing on teamwork, resilience, and healthy competition as they prepare for the big day.

We are incredibly proud of everything the children have achieved this year. They have worked so hard, shown amazing curiosity, and demonstrated kindness and resilience every single day. While we will miss them dearly as they move up into Year 2, we know they are ready for their next big adventure. Well done, Year 1!