Iqra VA Primary School

 Year 1 

WHAT WE ARE LEARNING IN AUTUMN 1

ENGLISH

Year 1 will be exploring the timeless classic, ‘The Gruffalo’ by Julia Donaldson. This story takes readers on a journey through a deep, dark forest where a clever, humorous mouse encounters various scary woodland creatures. To avoid becoming a meal to them, the mouse creates an imaginary fierce beast. The story covers themes of bravery, friendship and wit. The story allows for many learning opportunities. Year 1 will engage in hot seating, role play and various written activities, such as character descriptions, setting descriptions, story retellings and the opportunity for the children to innovate the story and create their own version.

PHONICS

This term, the children will revisit and consolidate Phases 2, 3 and 4 of the ELS Scheme. We will then work on introducing Phase 5 to the children, along with learning to write and spell any common exception words. The children will be encouraged to independently write words and sentences using the phonic sounds they have been taught. It will be beneficial if this can be encouraged at home too.

READING

The children will have guided reading sessions every day. They will all have the opportunity to participate in 1:1 reading sessions once a week. The children will also be provided with a reading book each week, please read with them daily and leave a comment in their reading journals. Ensure your child brings their reading book and reading journal into school every day. Please make use of BugClub and Oxford Owl at home; this is an excellent tool the children can use in order to develop their phonic knowledge and reading fluency.

 MATHS

In Maths Year 1 will be familiarising themselves with numbers 1-10. They will be taught how to write numbers, order them, compare numbers and work on our knowledge of number bonds within 10. Year 1 will then be introduced to the concept of addition. We will look at various addition strategies, such as counting on and adding using a numberline. The children will work to complete number sentences, solve picture problems and create addition stories. 

SCIENCE

In Science this half term, Year 1 will be learning about the ‘Parts of Animals’. In this unit children will learn about their senses and how they use them to describe the world. Children will identify and name the basic external parts of the human body and recognise the functions of some body parts, including the sense organs. Children will describe and compare common animals, and will recognise and name a variety of animals and their body parts. They will construct and label a map of the human body and will draw comparisons between human and animal body parts. They will consider how to treat other people and living things with care and respect.

DT

This half term, Year 1 will be exploring freestanding structures. The children will be looking to answer the key question: How can we join parts together to build a structure? The children will be introduced to famous architects and buildings. Year 1 will explore different ways we can join parts together and the binding materials needed. By the end of the topic, the children will each have planned, designed, made and evaluated their very own freestanding structure using everyday materials.

HISTORY

In History, the children will be exploring ‘Homes from the past’’ We will compare and contrast the sort of homes people live in today as opposed to Victorian homes. We will explore and discuss the changes that can be seen to housing and buildings over time. We will engage in research exploration through the use of historical inquiry and investigative skills. 

Arabic and Islamic Studies

Year 1 will be taught Islamic Studies by Ustadh Kasujja three times a week. The children will learn about the importance of different Islamic values, how best to apply these in everyday life, Muslim identity in addition to learning and practicing new Surahs. Arabic is taught once a week, with a focus on the Arabic alphabet and reading simple words with the correct vowels.

PE

PE is on Thursday with the PE Coach. Please ensure that your child remembers their correct PE kit every Thursday.

HOMEWORK

Homework will be set every Friday and collected on Tuesday. Homework will consist of Maths, English and Spellings. Children will also be expected to complete homework on platforms such as Google Classroom, Purple Mash, Bug Club and Oxford Owl.

Ustadha Shah

Assalamu alaykum! I am Ustadha Shah and am excited to be working in Year 1 again!

Ustadha Khellal

If there is anything else you would like to see on our class page feel free to let me know.

Jazakamullahu khairan