Year 1 – Autumn Term 1

Welcome to Year 1!

This is an exciting year as children move from Reception into Key Stage 1. We will help children get used to new routines and become more independent, confident and curious learners.

We will continue to make learning fun and practical, while helping children develop the skills they need for Year 1. Your support at home is very important. Reading together, talking about your child's day and practising simple skills will all help your child feel happy and confident at school. Please find all the knowledge organisers and spellings for this half term at the bottom of the page. 

 

Art

This half term, we will be learning about colour and painting. Children will learn about primary and secondary colours and discover what happens when we mix colours together. They will also learn about warm and cool colours and how we can make colours lighter or darker.

We will look at artwork by artists such as Mondrian, Van Gogh, David Hockney and Monet. The children will then create their own artwork inspired by these artists.

  

 

                  

How can you help at home?

• Talk about the colours you can see when you are out and about.

• Mix colours together when painting.

• Ask your child, “What colour is this?” or “What happens if we mix these colours?”

• Look at pictures and paintings together and talk about what you like.

Computing

This half term, we will be learning about technology and how we use it every day. Children will identify different types of technology and learn about the different parts of a computer.

They will develop their mouse and keyboard skills, including clicking, dragging, selecting and typing. Children will also learn how to use technology safely and responsibly and understand why it is important to look after devices. 

                                                         

How can you help at home?

• Talk about the different types of technology you use at home.

• Ask your child to name parts of a computer, such as the screen, keyboard and mouse.

• Let your child practise using a mouse and typing on a keyboard when appropriate.

• Talk about how to use technology safely and carefully.

• Ask your child what they have learnt about being responsible when using technology.

English

This half term, we will enjoy reading Cave Baby and Leo and the Octopus.

      

Children will practise speaking, listening, reading and writing. They will retell stories, talk about characters and write simple sentences. They will also learn about different types of writing, including letters, stories, instructions and information texts.

We will practise using capital letters, finger spaces and full stops, as well as using the sounds they know to help them spell words.

How can you help at home?

• Read with your child every day, even for a short time.

• Ask your child to tell you what happened in the story.

• Talk about the characters and how they might be feeling.

• Encourage your child to write short sentences.

• Look for sounds, capital letters and full stops in books together.

If English is not your first language, please continue to talk, read and tell stories in the language you feel most comfortable using at home. Talking and sharing stories in any language helps children develop their vocabulary and understanding.

Geography

This half term, we will be learning about maps and places.

Children will learn how maps and pictures taken from above can show us places. They will use simple words to describe where things are, such as next to, behind, in front of, near, left and right.

They will also learn about the four main compass directions: north, south, east and west. Children will use what they have learnt to make their own simple maps.

                  

How can you help at home?

• Look at a map together.

• Talk about the route you take to school, the shops or the park.

• Use words such as left, right, next to, behind and in front of when talking about where things are.

• Draw a simple map of your home, garden or local area.

• Look at maps online and find places you know.

Life Skills

This half term, we will be learning about feelings, friendships and wellbeing.

Children will learn to recognise and name different feelings, such as happy, sad, worried, angry and excited. They will talk about how feelings can affect the way we behave and learn different ways to manage strong feelings.

We will also learn about being a good friend, showing kindness, understanding other people's feelings and celebrating what makes each of us special. We will talk about changes in our lives and how we might feel when things change.

               

How can you help at home?

• Ask your child, “How are you feeling today?”

• Help them find words to describe their feelings.

• Talk about what they can do when they feel angry, worried or upset.

• Talk about how other people might be feeling.

• Encourage kind and helpful behaviour.

• Talk about changes that happen at home or school.

Mathematics

This half term, we will build our number skills up to 10.

Children will practise counting, recognising numbers, comparing numbers and putting numbers in the correct order. They will then learn about addition, subtraction and number bonds.

               

We will use objects, pictures and practical activities to help children understand numbers.

How can you help at home?

• Count everyday objects, such as toys, socks or pieces of fruit.

• Practise counting forwards and backwards.

• Look for numbers when you are out and about.

• Ask, “Which number is bigger?” or “Which number is smaller?”

• Practise number bonds to 10, for example 5 + 5 = 10.

• Use everyday situations to practise simple maths, such as counting plates or sharing toys.

Music

This half term, we will be learning about music through the song Hey You! The children will explore old-school hip-hop and have lots of opportunities to sing, rap, move and play instruments.

Children will learn to find the steady beat of a song and copy and create simple rhythms. They will explore high and low sounds and practise singing and rapping together. They will also begin to use instruments such as xylophones and glockenspiels to play along with music.

Children will have opportunities to make up their own rhythms and simple tunes and perform music together as a class.

How can you help at home?

• Listen to different types of music together.

• Clap along to the steady beat of a song.

• Make up simple clapping rhythms for your child to copy.

• Sing songs together and experiment with high and low voices.

• Encourage your child to move, dance or make actions to music.

• Ask your child what they can hear in a song, such as voices, drums or other instruments.

You do not need to know lots about music to help. Listening, singing, clapping and dancing together are great ways to help your child enjoy music and build their confidence.

PE

This half term, we will be developing our movement and teamwork skills.

Children will practise running, jumping, balancing, changing direction, throwing and catching. They will also play games where they need to listen, communicate, take turns and work together.

How can you help at home?

• Encourage your child to run, jump, hop and balance.

• Play throwing and catching games.

• Play simple games together where children need to take turns.

• Encourage your child to listen to instructions.

• Talk about how we can be a good team member by helping and encouraging others.

RE

This half term, we will learn about religion and different beliefs.

Children will be introduced to Christianity, Judaism and Islam. They will learn about special places, important books, celebrations and people who are important in these religions.

We will also talk about how people may have different beliefs, traditions and ways of celebrating. Children will learn to respect and be curious about other people's beliefs and cultures.

How can you help at home?

• Talk about celebrations and traditions that are important to your family.

• Talk about special places that are important to you.

• Share stories about different celebrations and religions.

• Talk about how families may celebrate in different ways.

• Encourage your child to ask questions and learn about other people's traditions.

Science

This half term, we will be learning about the human body and our five senses.

Children will learn about our five senses:

Sight – seeing
Hearing – listening
Smell – smelling
Taste – tasting
Touch – feeling

Children will carry out simple investigations to find out how our senses help us learn about the world around us. They will also learn about Helen Keller, an inspiring person who achieved many things despite being unable to see or hear.

                                               

How can you help at home?

• Talk about what your child can see, hear, smell, taste and touch.

• Go on a walk and talk about the things you can notice using your senses.

• Ask, “What can you hear?” or “What can you smell?”

• Practise naming different parts of the body.

• Talk about how our senses help us understand the world and keep us safe.

Working together

There are lots of simple ways you can support your child at home. Little and often is best.

• Read with your child every day and talk about the story together.
• Practise phonics sounds, spellings and writing simple sentences.
• Practise counting, number facts and number bonds to 10.
• Use everyday activities, such as shopping, cooking and travelling, to practise reading and maths.
• Encourage your child to talk about their day, share their feelings and explain what they have learnt.
• Help your child become more independent by looking after their belongings, getting dressed and helping with simple jobs at home.