English
We began the week by learning what a postcard is and how to write one. The children wrote postcards describing a day at school, using days of the week to practise capital letters for names, days of the week, and subject names. The children really enjoyed this activity.
We then shared a much‑loved book (Miss Devenny’s favourite this year) Here Comes Mr Postmouse, which features beautifully detailed illustrations of animals living in imaginative and creative homes. The children wrote questions for a character from the story, practising how to punctuate questions using a question mark instead of a full stop. We also learnt that most questions begin with who, what, where, when, why, or how.
Next, the children wrote about where they would most like to visit and why, extending their sentences using the word because to explain their ideas. Their enthusiasm for the book made it easy for them to write thoughtful questions and detailed explanations.
On Thursday, we enjoyed a wonderful lesson writing thank‑you cards for members of the school community. The children were encouraged to think about people they might not see every day and how they could thank them for what they do. They wrote such thoughtful cards for people including Mr Wilkinson, our caretaker, our dinner ladies who make delicious lunches, and Miss Armstrong, who runs fun after‑school clubs. We are very much looking forward to sharing these cards with their recipients next week, when the children will deliver them themselves.
Next week, we will finish the unit by writing letters to children in Year 2, asking questions about what life is like there. This will bring together everything we have learned about writing questions and letter writing.
Maths
In Maths, we have been learning about mass and capacity. We started the week by exploring key vocabulary linked to mass, such as heavier and lighter, before comparing the weights of different objects. The children used balance scales and learned that when one side tips down, that object is heavier, while the higher side is lighter. If the scales balance, the objects are of equal weight.
We then applied this knowledge by measuring mass using non‑standard units (cubes), balancing the scales to calculate how much everyday classroom items weighed.
Towards the end of the week, we moved on to capacity, learning and using the terms full, empty, nearly full, and nearly empty. The children compared capacities using the vocabulary emptiest and fullest, as well as the mathematical symbols >, <, and = for more than, less than, and equal to. We have been incredibly impressed by how much the children already know.
We will finish our work on capacity early next week before beginning a new unit on counting in 2s, 5s, and 10s. Any practise at home would be greatly appreciated, as this is an important foundation for future learning, including times tables.
Phonics
This week we revised sounds the children already know, including those that may appear in the Phonics Screening Check:
- ie /igh/ – cried, fried, tried
- i‑e /igh/ – time, like, inside
- o /oa/ – post, both, open
- o‑e /oa/ – home, woke, explode
Tricky words: were, one, says, here, today
Topic Learning
Art
The children have loved Art this week, developing their collaging skills by tearing, scrunching, and ripping a range of papers to create abstract artwork. These techniques will be applied to a larger piece of artwork in the coming weeks.
Science
In Science, we carefully dissected flowers, identifying the petals, stem, roots, and leaves, before labelling the parts of a plant in our books.
Reminders
Please ensure that all of your child’s belongings are clearly named. As the weather gets warmer and children remove layers, we have collected many unnamed jumpers, which can be difficult to return to their owners.
We also kindly ask that your child brings a water bottle and a sun hat each day so they can stay hydrated and safe in the sun.
Finally, please make sure your child has spare clothes at school. Changes of clothes are often needed for a variety of reasons, including getting wet while playing with OPAL resources, and it really helps when children can change into their own belongings.
Thank you, as always, for your continued support.