Here is a helpful guide to what we will be learning this half-term. 

Our topic this term is….

'Toys Through Time'

 

 

 

We are looking forward to an exciting half term in Year One. We will be continuing to learn about what life was like in the past as we explore how toys have changed over time. We will build upon our work on Antarctic animals as we learn about different types of animals in Science and work on our non-fiction writing in English.

English – ‘Elephogs'

This unit will focus on writing a non-chronological report. The children will create their own creature by combining the features of two animals and then make up some fantastic facts about them such as where they live, what they look like and how big they are. The children will then write their own non-chronological reports about their creatures. We will continue to support the children to use adjectives and simple punctuation accurately in their writing. We will also explore how to use connectives to link and add information.

Key vocabulary: full stop, finger spaces, capital letters, prepositions, and, but, many, some, most, mammal, rare, protect, predator, creature, search, if, because.

Maths

Shape & Place Value (Within 20)

In shape, we will recognise and name, sort and make patterns with 2D and 3D shapes.

In our place value work, we will develop a deep understanding of each number from 10-20, look at how 10 can be represented as a one base 10 piece, explore how numbers to 20 can be seen as 1 ten and some ones, find 1 more or less than numbers to 20, use number lines to 20 to solve problems and make estimates, compare numbers to 20 and order numbers to 20.

Key vocabulary: rectangle, square, circle, triangle, cube, cylinder, cuboid, pyramid, cone, sphere, side, corner, vertices, face, edge, curved, straight, flat, before, after, full, tens, ones, base ten, greater, less, same, different, digit, more, less, first, last, estimate, half-way, greater than, less than, equal to.

Science – Animals

In Science, we will be learning about different groups of animals such as mammals, birds, fish, amphibians and reptiles. We then use this knowledge to compare and group animals. We will also be learning about herbivores and carnivores.

Key vocabulary: animal, mammal, fur, pet, wild mammal, bird, wings, beak, webbed feet, feathers, flipper, fish, tail, scales, gills, fin, amphibian, frog, toad, newt, reptile, lizard, crocodile, turtle, carnivore, sharp teeth, herbivore, plant, vegetable, fruit.

Science - Planting

We will explore plant growth over time by growing plants inside.

Key vocabulary: roots, stem, leaves, flower, soil, water, light, sun, grow, change, height, plant.

Computing – Programming: Algorithms Unplugged

We will be using an unplugged approach to explore algorithms, decomposition and debugging in contexts that are familiar, such as dressing up and making a sandwich. We will be learning why instructions need to be very specific.

Key vocabulary: algorithm, bug, automatic, chunks, clear, code, debug, decompose, decomposition, device, directions, input, instructions, manageable, motion, order, organize, output, precise, programming, problem, robot, sensor, sequence, solution, specific, steps, tasks, virtual assistant.

Religion and Worldviews - What is God’s Job?

We will share our interpretations of what different names for God tell people about what God does. We will discuss opinions about belief about what God does while respecting others’ views. We will recognise that for many Jewish people, God is believed to have a special relationship with them and explore stories to understand this relationship. We will identify which of the 99 names are similar to how God’s job is described in the quotes. We will discuss why stories about miracles performed by Jesus are important to people who follow the Christian worldview. We will recognise that for some Hindus, God has many forms that help people understand what God does and explore stories to learn about these forms. We will compare Zoroastrian beliefs to other religious or worldview concepts of good and bad.

Key vocabulary: Abhraham, Ahura Mazda, Allah, Angra Mainyu, belief, caretaker, characteristic, Christian, Christian bible, creator, destroyer, generation, God, Jewish, life cycle, incarnari, incarnation, miracle, Muslim, negative, Old Testament, positive, promise, protect, quote, renew, role.

Design and technology – Structures: Making windmills

Inspired by the song, ‘Mouse in a windmill’, we will design and construct a windmill for a client (mouse) to live in. We will explore various types of windmill, how they work and their key features. 

Key vocabulary: axle, bridge, design, design criteria, model, net, packaging, structure, template, unstable, stable, strong, weak.

Music - All About Me

We will learn to identify the difference between the pulse and rhythm of a song and consolidate our understanding of these concepts through listening and performing activities. 

Key vocabulary: rhythm, pulse.

History – How have toys changed?

We will sequence toys into a physical timeline. We will have the opportunity to investigate artefacts from the past and begin to pose questions. We will learn how teddy bears have changed and ‘interview’ an old teddy bear before considering what toys may be like in the future. 

Key vocabulary: artefact, century, decade, different, evidence, living memory, memory, modern, now, past, present, remember, similar, source, special.

PE - Multi-skills/Dance Party Games

Outdoor PE: Multi-skills

We will learn how to move in a forwards, backwards and curved pathway whilst moving in a variety of ways such as hopping or galloping. We will throw objects underarm, kick a ball towards a target and catch a ball whilst stationary with increasing accuracy. 

Key vocabulary: forwards, backwards, curved, run, hop, gallop, throw, underarm, kick, catch, accurate, aim.

Indoor PE: Dance Party Games

We will learn to copy a range of movements and repeat them back. We will practice performing movements at a range of speeds. We will be able to link two or three movements together. We will perform to a clear beat in a piece of music. We will listen to a piece of music and then improvise. We will perform a series of movements learnt in a group.

Key vocabulary: beat, rhythm, link, perform, copy, repeat, fast, slow, speed, improvise.

PSHE - Health and Wellbeing

We will be exploring personal qualities and strategies to manage feelings. We will think about the impact of sleep and relaxation on wellbeing. We will learn the importance of hand washing and sun protection. We will find out about identifying and dealing with allergic reactions. We will talk about people in the community who keep us healthy.

Key Vocabulary: allergy, emotions, feelings, ill (poorly), qualities, relax.

Important dates:

Teacher Training Days (children are not in school) – Thursday 4^th and Friday 5^th January 2024

Term begins – Monday 8^th January 2024

Safer Internet Day - Tuesday 6th February 2024

Pancake Day – Tuesday 13th February  2024

Valentine's Day 14th February 2024

Random acts of kindness day – Saturday  17th February 2024

Last day of the half term – Friday 16^th February 2024