Introduction

The main themes for the Spring term are traditional stories and toys.

Core curriculum areas

Literacy

This term we start off with an exciting look at traditional stories. We act out stories, make masks and puppets and the aim is to be able to retell a story both orally and in writing. As this stage we expect the children to look at characters, settings and the structure of a story. Information books are used in conjunction with history and science topics. The children will make their own non-fiction books.

Numeracy

The children will continue to develop their understanding of the number system, looking for pattern and exploring place value. The children are encouraged to record their own work in a variety of ways, asked to explain their thinking and develop problem solving skills.

Science

We start with forces, exploring pushes and pulls and finish the term looking at materials and their properties.

Information and communication technology (ICT)

The children will have access to floor robots and programs, which enable them to give instructions and see the results. They will use tape recorders to listen to and record their own stories. The interactive whiteboard will continue to support our cross curricular work.

Foundation subjects

History

The children learn about toys and homes from the past. They use time lines to show toys they have had at different ages and think about how toys have changed. Features and furniture of old and new homes are compared.

Geography

The topic studied this term is 'A train ride through Europe' which is an en exciting new topic for Year 1.  The children will discuss different landscapes and forms of transport developing their geographical vocabulary.  There will be opportunities to use maps and to ask and answer geographical questions.  Where possible this topic will be adapted to take into account pupils' experiences of other countries.

Religious education (RE)

During the first half of the term we will be learning about the Christian ‘Rites of Passage’. The children will re-enact a wedding and a christening. In the second half of the term we concentrate on the story of Moses, from the Old Testament.

Physical eduction (PE)

In gymnastics and dance we will develop the skills of working with a partner to form sequence of movements and perform to the rest of the class.

Personal, social and health education (PSHE)

‘Going for goals’ helps children understand what they can do and develop the ability to persevere at a task. We build self-esteem and confidence through helping children to achieve targets. ‘All about me’ distinguishes between being boastful and being proud, encouraging children to be proud of their achievements.

Art

The children will use a range of materials with different textures for collage work, make choices and use materials for weaving.

Design technology (DT)

The children will explore a range of moving vehicles and identify the different parts e.g. wheels, axle etc. We look at different types of axle and the children choose their preferred type to make a car. Through our history topic the children have experience of making war-time toys made from paper and boxes.

Music

The children will be working on pitch in music, linking their work to fairy stories and rhymes.

You can help at home

As our topic is toys it would be very helpful if you could play a range of games with your child e.g. board games and games you played as a child.