English - Story Writing
Usually in KS1, we will spend 2-4 weeks on a genre of writing in English. This enables us to fully explore the features of different texts within the genre and then apply them to our own writing at least a couple of times.
A big well done to everyone who had a go at the "Treasure Island" writing before half term. This week, we will try something a little bit easier - writing an extension to a story that has the beginning already written.
We will use another "Magic Stone" story as a familiarity with the characters and story set-up will help our own writing. Again, there are steps to do before we begin writing.
TASK - Read the first half of the story "Journey Into The Ground" here (it is also on the class page of the website):
To fully understand the flow of the story and its features we will story map the story so far. Remind yourself of the story mapping process in this edition of the blog:
https://dhps12.blogspot.com/2020/03/year-1-2-thursday-26th-march.html
It is important to note that a story map acts as a tool to remind the children of the sequence of events. The pictures, therefore, do not have to be amazing, merely sufficient to jog the memory.
Once you have completed the story map, look to annotate it with words that invoke the setting of the story. These setting specific words help give the story a sense of place and we can use them as we continue the story in the future. For example, on slide 3 the words worms, beetles, mole and tunnel are linked to the underground setting.
Here is a sneaky peak at a story map I did to help you see the rough outcome we would be looking for:
Good luck and enjoy!
Maths - Addition
As I mentioned in previous blogs, key skills in maths are revisited regularly every half term and gradually built up each time they are revisited. We will be looking to apply our maths skills into problem solving situations later this week but first we must blow off the dust on our strategies for solving addition calculations. The link below will remind you how to use the Top Marks website to help generate calculations to solve and also explains the number line and tens and ones partitioning method we use to solve them:
https://dhps12.blogspot.com/2020/03/year-1-2-wednesday-25th-march.html
It is only through the repetition of a skill that it becomes second nature. An example of this - when we looked at the "Adventure At Sea" story, I mentioned that I had learnt a new skill in embedding a slide show in blogger. Fast forward to today, I could not remember how to do it. I have not learnt to do it yet. Reminding myself and repreating the process has moved me on from truly learning how to do something so do not be discouraged if you feel your child "does not remember" how to do these strategies. They, like me, are merely on the journey to learning skills and just need more practice - this is natural!
TASK - Use the Top Marks website:
https://www.topmarks.co.uk/maths-games/daily10
Choose from the 3 drop down menus: Level 2; Addition; then either Up to 25 or Two Digit Numbers (if you want a challenge choose Two Digit Numbers with Carrying).
Set the timer to manual and then have a go at some addition calculations.
As a steer to how much you should do, in class the children would spend around 30 minutes working independently but because you are in a 1 to 1 situation this will be condensed down to around 20 minutes. Of course, be led by your child in this regard.
Have a lovely day - you are all stars!
KS1 Team
