Friday, 20 December 2024

Tulip, Bluebell & Daffodil Blog - Friday 20th December 2024

 Happy Friday, everybody! What an amazing week it has been for everyone in Key Stage 1 - we have performed our brand new Christmas Production of "The Fleece Force" to the whole school on Monday and all the parents on Tuesday and Wednesday. We are all so very proud of everybody - it has been tricky learning so many songs, lines and directions but all the children stepped up and did a fantastic job - WELL DONE!

Half Term Homework

As mentioned last week, we will not be sending home the homework books during the holidays - have a break and enjoy any new presents you get! It would be useful, however, if you keep up the reading, little and often, to ensure your child's continuing progress in this very important area. 

We would like to take this opportunity to wish you all an amazing Christmas and a peaceful New Year. We look forward to welcoming everyone back on Tuesday 7th January!

Much love

Mr Jude, Mrs Yuille, Mrs Holmes & Miss Smith

Friday, 13 December 2024

Tulip, Bluebell & Daffodil Blog - Friday 13th December 2024

 Happy Friday everybody! There is an expectant hush over Key Stage 1 today as we have all but finished our rehearsals of our Christmas Production. The children have worked hard and done so well in learning their lines, the songs, the musical instruments and how to put a performance together. They are all very much looking forward to sharing this with you next week!

Christmas Events

All the children looked amazing in their Christmas Jumpers on Thursday and we have raised money that will continue to sponsor Khadiza and her local community in Bangladesh. Its amazing to think that from such a small act on our behalf, we can make such a big difference for the young people who live such a long way away but share our right to an education. Thank you all so much!

Just a quick word on how amazing all the children were on Tuesday this week at the Pantomime. They had a great time in the theatre and were a credit to Down Hall. Although it was a long journey home, their resilience and good spirits made us all even prouder of them! Well done, everybody!

Christmas Homework

As there have been so many events going on at the end of this week and next week, we will be collecting homework books and Guided Reading books in this Friday and will not be sending them back to you until the new year. We will continue to send home the colour reading books, however.

In January, we will also be sending home a Reading Comprehension homework books as well to practice this important reading skill.

If you have any questions, please come and see us. We look forward to seeing you next week for our production!

Best wishes

Mr Jude, Mrs Yuille, Mrs Holmes & Miss Smith

Friday, 6 December 2024

Tulip, Bluebell & Daffodil Blog - Friday 6th December 2024

 Happy Friday, everybody! Rehearsals continue at a frantic pace in Key Stage 1 and we are getting close to sharing all our efforts with you soon! Lots will be happening next week, so here are a couple of reminders for you all:

Christmas Production Programmes

Our Christmas Production will be on Tuesday 17th December at 2:00pm and Wednesday 18th December at 9:30am. Entry to these performances will be with the show's programmes which you can get at the office on Monday 9th December from 2:45pm and Tuesday 10th December from 8:45am. Programmes are limited to 2 per family and you can get 2 for either day or, if you prefer, 1 programme for each day. Please bring these programmes on the day of the performance to help keep entry quick and simple. We are all very excited to see you there!

Christmas Jumper Day

Our Christmas Jumper Day is Thursday 12th December. On this day, the children can wear their fabulous festive jumpers and donate £1 which goes to our sponsorship of Khadiza in Bangladesh. The charity Action Aid use this money to ensure that Khadiza and the other children in her community enjoy their rights just like all of us at Down Hall. (Articles 28 & 29)

The children will also need their Christmas jumper for our performances (Monday to the rest of the school and Tuesday and Wednesday to parents) so consequently will not bring their jumper home on Thursday but keep them in school until the following Wednesday.

Please be mindful, therefore, on Thursday when you send your child to school about what they are wearing underneath their jumper to ensure that they won't be too cold when they come home. If the children could bring in a plastic bag with their name on it then this would be extremely helpful in keeping everything organised too!

Upcoming Events

A few notes for your diary for things coming up soon - more details will be on the newsletter as we get nearer to the time so keep a look out!

  • 10th December - KS1 Pantomime Trip
  • 12th December - Christmas Jumper Day & Christmas Dinner Day
  • 13th December - PTA Christmas Bazaar
  • 17th/18th December - KS1 Christmas Production

Maths Homework

This week, we would like you to look at pages 28 & 29.

For Year 1's this focuses on subtraction. As with all the different operations in maths, as much practice as possible is key in learning the approaches to solving these calculations. Try number lines, try concrete objects - toys, pencils, spaghetti - anything!

https://www.topmarks.co.uk/maths-games/5-7-years/addition-and-subtraction

For Year 2's this focuses on times tables. All Year 2 children are expected to know their 2, 5 and 10 times tables by the end of this academic year. This also includes the related division facts, so if we know that 4 x 2 = 8 will also know:

2 x 4 = 8

8 ÷ 4 = 2

8 ÷ 2 = 4

The more eagle-eyed of you will realise that this is just the same as addition and subtraction being the inverse of each other and, yes, we can represent it on a triangle!



And again, the game below is good for reinforcing this idea:

https://www.topmarks.co.uk/number-facts/number-fact-families

Don't forget to keep up all your fantastic efforts with your reading at home - it will make a huge impact on your child's reading development. Keep using the range of questions we have discussed previously as well!

If you have any issues or questions, please, please come and see us at the end of the day. Just come down the steps to see us!

Have a great weekend!

Much love

Mr Jude, Mrs Yuille, Mrs Holmes & Miss Smith

Friday, 29 November 2024

Tulip, Bluebell & Daffodil Blog - Friday 29th November 2024

 Happy Friday everybody and oh my goodness, it's December next week! Things are getting close to our Christmas Production so we wanted to share some of the arrangements that relate to this.

Christmas Production Programmes

Our Christmas Production will be on Tuesday 17th December at 2:00pm and Wednesday 18th December at 9:30am. Entry to these performances will be with the show's programmes which you can get at the office on Monday 9th December from 2:45pm and Tuesday 10th December from 8:45am. Programmes are limited to 2 per family and you can get 2 for either day or, if you prefer, 1 programme for each day. Please bring these programmes on the day of the performance to help keep entry quick and simple. We are all very excited to see you there!

Christmas Jumper Day

Our Christmas Jumper Day is Thursday 12th December. On this day, the children can wear their fabulous festive jumpers and donate £1 which goes to our sponsorship of Khadiza in Bangladesh. The charity Action Aid use this money to ensure that Khadiza and the other children in her community enjoy their rights just like all of us at Down Hall. (Articles 28 & 29)

The children will also need their Christmas jumper for our performances (Monday to the rest of the school and Tuesday and Wednesday to parents) so consequently will not bring their jumper home on Thursday but keep them in school until the following Wednesday.

Please be mindful, therefore, on Thursday when you send your child to school about what they are wearing underneath their jumper to ensure that they won't be too cold when they come home. If the children could bring in a plastic bag with their name on it then this would be extremely helpful in keeping everything organised too!

Upcoming Events

A few notes for your diary for things coming up soon - more details will be on the newsletter as we get nearer to the time so keep a look out!

  • 6th December - KS1 PTA Movie Night
  • 10th December - KS1 Pantomime Trip
  • 12th December - Christmas Jumper Day & Christmas Dinner Day
  • 13th December - PTA Christmas Bazaar
  • 17th/18th December - KS1 Christmas Production

Maths Homework

This week, we would like you to look at pages 26 & 27.

For Year 1's this focuses on addition. As with all the different operations in maths, as much practice as possible is key in learning the approaches to solving these calculations. Try number lines, try concrete objects - toys, pencils, spaghetti - anything!

https://www.topmarks.co.uk/maths-games/5-7-years/addition-and-subtraction

For Year 2's this focuses on how addition and subtraction are the inverse of each other and we can use this to check our calculations. So if we work out that 14 + 12 = 26 we also know (without needing to work out) that:

12 + 14 = 26

26 - 14 = 12

26 - 12 = 14

In class we look at this as a triangle to show the relationship between these 3 numbers:



The game below is good for reinforcing this idea:

https://www.topmarks.co.uk/number-facts/number-fact-families


Don't forget to keep up all your fantastic efforts with your reading at home - it will make a huge impact on your child's reading development. Keep using the range of questions we have discussed previously as well!

If you have any issues or questions, please, please come and see us at the end of the day. Just come down the steps to see us!

Have a great weekend!

Mr Jude, Mrs Yuille, Mrs Holmes & Miss Smith

Friday, 22 November 2024

Tulip, Bluebell & Daffodil Blog - Friday 22nd November 2024

Happy Friday everybody! We have begun to think about our Christmas Production this week and have discussed the general story and songs that will make up our show this year. This has been very exciting although we are at a very early stage! Look for a letter soon with all the details about how to reserve tickets.

Upcoming Events

A few notes for your diary for things coming up soon - more details will be on the newsletter as we get nearer to the time so keep a look out!

  • 6th December - KS1 PTA Movie Night
  • 10th December - KS1 Pantomime Trip
  • 12th December - Christmas Jumper Day & Christmas Dinner Day
  • 13th December - PTA Christmas Bazaar
  • 17th/18th December - KS1 Christmas Production

Maths Homework

This week, we would like you to look at pages 24 & 25.

For Year 1's this focuses on the signs we use in addition and subtraction calculations. Knowing the names for these signs is very important as is the fact that there are different words for each sign e.g. -, take away, subtract, minus. There are lots of fun games at the site below to further support your child's confidence with these operations.

https://www.topmarks.co.uk/maths-games/5-7-years/addition-and-subtraction

For Year 2's this focuses on subtraction of 2 two-digit numbers. We use the same approach as outlined last week for using lines and dots to represent the tens and ones but this time we make the first amount and cross out the second amount:


If we do not have enough ones to take away, then we exchange a ten for ten ones first:



Don't forget to keep up all your fantastic efforts with your reading at home - it will make a huge impact on your child's reading development. Keep using the range of questions we discussed last week too!

If you have any issues or questions, please, please come and see us at the end of the day. Just come down the steps to see us!

Have a lovely weekend!

Best wishes

Mr Jude, Mrs Yuille, Mrs Holmes & Miss Smith

Friday, 15 November 2024

Tulip, Bluebell & Daffodil Blog - Friday 15th November 2024

 Happy Friday everybody! We hope you have all had an amazing week!

Upcoming Events

A few notes for your diary for things coming up soon - more details will be on the newsletter as we get nearer to the time so keep a look out!

  • 19th/20th November - Parent/Teacher Consultations
  • 6th December - KS1 PTA Movie Night
  • 10th December - KS1 Pantomime Trip
  • 17th/18th December - KS1 Christmas Production
Maths Homework

This week, we would like you to look at pages 22 & 23.

For Year 1's this focuses on number bonds to 20. This continues to build on last week's number bonds to 10. We can apply the knowledge that 6 + 4 = 10 to help us know that 16 + 4 = 20. It is good to reinforce how we can spot patterns to help find all the number bonds to 20. Below is an app to explore these bonds by selecting a 10 frame or a 20 frame and then putting the blue and orange aliens in them. You can then use the key pad function at the side to enter your calculations.

https://www.coolmath4kids.com/manipulatives/ten-frame

For Year 2's this focuses on addition of 2 two-digit numbers. When we do this we do partition the number into tens and ones but then represent these by lines for the tens and dots for the ones. This is a progression from actually using the tens and ones apparatus from Year 1. See below for how we set this out to help support the solving of the calculations:


Reading Skills

Every week we encourage you to keep up all your reading at home as this makes such a huge difference. We wanted to spend a little time this week speaking more about reading skills because as the children move through Key Stage 1, particularly in Year 2, it becomes less about "Can you read this?" and more about "Do you understand this?"

Understanding what they have read (or comprehension) is vital for the children as they progress through Year 2 and we support this through our VIPERS reading skills. This stands for:

Vocabulary    Infer    Predict    Explain    Retrieve    Sequence

You can explore these ideas with your child after reading using some of the following question prompts:

Vocabulary - have a good range of vocabulary in order to understand the text

  • What does the word _____ mean in this sentence?
  • Find a word that means _____ on this page.

Infer - understanding reached through reasoning about what you have read

  • Why was _____ feeling _____?
  • Why did _____ happen?

Predict - what you think will happen based on what you have read

  • What do you think will happen next?
  • How will this character's action affect what will happen next?

Explain - what your thoughts and opinions are about the book

  • Who is your favourite character? Why?
  • Would you like to live in this setting? Why?

Retrieve - discuss the characters, events and setting of the story

  • Who did _____?
  • Where did _____?
Sequence - order the key events in the story

  • Here are 5 events from the story - number these 1-5
  • What happened after _____?
We hope this helps you discuss the books your child reads at home as the more they practice these skills the more fluent in comprehension they will become.

If you have any issues or questions, please, please come and see us at the end of the day. Just come down the steps to see us!

Have a superb weekend!

Much love

Mr Jude, Mrs Yuille, Mrs Holmes & Miss Smith

Friday, 8 November 2024

Tulip, Bluebell & Daffodil Blog - Friday 8th November 2024

 Happy Friday everybody! Welcome back to the second half of the Autumn Term!

Upcoming Events

A few notes for your diary for things coming up soon - more details will be on the newsletter as we get nearer to the time so keep a look out!

  • 11th November - Flu Immunisations 
  • 15th November - Children in Need Non-school uniform Day (Wear something bright!)
  • 19th/20th November - Parent/Teacher Consultations
  • 6th December - KS1 PTA Movie Night
  • 10th December - KS1 Pantomime Trip
  • 17th/18th December - KS1 Christmas Production
Maths Homework

This week, we would like you to look at pages 20 & 21.

For Year 1's this focuses on number bonds to 10. I don't think we can overstate how important this skill is. Being able to recognise pairs of numbers that make 10 underpins almost all mental maths calculations and will benefit the children in every area of their maths development. Once you've worked through the page treat yourself to the "Ten Thing Bowling" episode of the Number Crew - an oldie but a goodie!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J5R0QZfACbo

For Year 2's this focuses on number bonds to 20. This builds on the above Year 1 concept but simply extends this to 20. But really, all you are doing is focusing on the ones of the 2-digit numbers and applying your number bond knowledge to 10 again. We have also been exploring this week how addition and subtraction are the inverse of each other. So if we know that 14 + 5 = 19 then we know that these 3 numbers make up a number family and can also derive 5 + 14 = 19; 19 - 14 = 5 and 19 - 5 = 14. The link below is a good game to further explore this idea.

https://www.topmarks.co.uk/number-facts/number-fact-families

Don't forget to keep up all your fantastic efforts with your reading at home - it will make a huge impact on your child's reading development.

If you have any issues or questions, please, please come and see us at the end of the day. Just come down the steps to see us!

Have a lovely weekend!

Best wishes

Mr Jude, Mrs Yuille, Mrs Holmes & Miss Smith

Friday, 25 October 2024

Tulip, Bluebell & Daffodil Blog - Friday 25th October 2024

 Happy Friday, everybody! Wow! We have finished our first half term in Tulip, Bluebell & Daffodil Class! All the children have settled in so well and worked extremely hard in our first 7 weeks and we now want them to have a fantastic rest! We had Nikki from the Fire Service come in yesterday and talk to us about people who help us and how the fire service help keep us safe. She also led an assembly all about how we can keep safe this Halloween and Fireworks Night.

Cauliflower Christmas Cards

All the children will have come home this week with their Christmas card design attached to the order form. If you wish, these designs can be turned into not just Christmas cards but mugs, books and wrapping paper too! If you do want to have the design realised into any of these items you need to place the order online first. All the details about how to do this are clearly set out on the form that came home. Once you have placed the order online, you must tick the box indicated and return the artwork and form back to school by Tuesday 5th November so we can send it away to be printed. If you do not wish for your child's design to be made into items then you do not need to return the artwork.

Half Term Homework

As stated at the beginning of the blog, we are very proud of all the children's efforts this half term and would like them to have a good rest. To that end we do not send homework books home during the holidays. It would be useful, however, if you keep up the reading, little and often, to ensure your child's continuing progress in this very important area. 

We hope you have a fantastic half term holiday, whatever you are doing and look forward to welcoming everyone back on Tuesday 5th November!

Much love

Mr Jude, Miss Smith, Mrs Holmes & Mrs Yuille

Friday, 18 October 2024

Tulip, Bluebell & Daffodil Blog - Friday 18th October 2024

 Happy Friday, everybody! Well it's been another exciting week in Key Stage 1 with World Food Day happening on Wednesday. We had a range of activities that we took part in, from taste testing, making dough, making potato skins and making spring rolls. The children loved all the activities and enjoyed trying new foods out, some for the first time! We learnt about Goal 2 of the Sustainable Development Goals, No Hunger, and how the small actions we can all take at a local level can make a big difference! On this note, we are collecting food for Harvest so if you feel able to contribute, please do send in some food for our collection. There are lots of photos of this day in this week's newsletter.

Upcoming Events

A few notes for your diary in the coming months - more details will be on the newsletter as we get nearer to the time:

  • 25th October - PTA Halloween Disco
  • 19th/20th November - Parent/Teacher Consultation Evenings

Maths Homework

This week, we would like you to look at pages 18 & 19.

For Year 1's this focuses on ordinal numbers and patterns. Using the language first, second, third etc and then relating this to 1st, 2nd, 3rd is the main skill you will be looking to consolidate here. This language comes to the fore when describing and extending patterns. Have a go at creating your own patterns, practically and on paper. You can also try this game out as well: 

https://www.topmarks.co.uk/ordering-and-sequencing/shape-patterns

For Year 2's this focuses on solving number problems. The ability to apply all our understanding in addition and subtraction is the whole reason for us learning to become proficient in maths. We teach the children to spot the important pieces of information in a worded problem and notice the words that indicate if we need to add our numbers or take them away. Look carefully at the information on page 18. Maybe your child could also come up with their own worded problems for you to solve?


Don't forget to keep up all your fantastic efforts with your reading at home - it will make a huge impact on your child's reading development.

If you have any issues or questions, please, please come and see us at the end of the day. Just come down the steps to see us! 

Have a great weekend!

Kind regards

Mr Jude, Mrs Yuille, Mrs Holmes & Miss Smith

Friday, 11 October 2024

Tulip, Bluebell & Daffodil Blog - Friday 11th October 2024

 Happy Friday everybody!  We are currently recovering from our amazing science day on Thursday where we took part in lots of fun experiments! We looked at all sorts of effects of vibration as well as looking at dissolving and absorption in class. We had a great day - look for more photos in next week's newsletter!





Upcoming Events

A few notes for your diary in the coming months - more details will be on the newsletter as we get nearer to the time:

  • 16th October - World Food Day
  • 25th October - PTA Halloween Disco
  • 19th/20th November - Parent/Teacher Consultation Evenings

Maths Homework

This week, we would like you to look at pages 16 & 17.

For Year 1's this focuses on the number line. The number line is an important tool for identifying how numbers relate to each other, what is more or what is less. The games below focus on developing these skills, in particular being able to identify numbers that are 1 more or less than a given number:

https://www.topmarks.co.uk/learning-to-count/chopper-squad

https://www.topmarks.co.uk/maths-games/robot-more-or-less

For Year 2's this focuses on ordering and comparing numbers. Using the signs < (less than), > (greater than) and = (equal to) to compare numbers is an important part of the Year 2 curriculum. As well as comparing numbers we can use it to compare calculations e.g. 4+3 > 2+2.

The link below has a range of short games that we have used in class to support this idea:

https://www.mathbrix.com/skills/comparison

Don't forget to keep up all your fantastic efforts with your reading at home - it will make a huge impact on your child's reading development.

If you have any issues or questions, please, please come and see us at the end of the day. 

Have a great weekend!

Kind regards

Mr Jude, Mrs Yuille, Mrs Holmes & Miss Smith

Friday, 4 October 2024

Tulip, Bluebell & Daffodil Blog - Friday 4th October 2024

 Happy Friday, everybody! Time seems to be flying by as we whizz into October and the weather changes just as quickly too. Please ensure, as we move deeper into Autumn, that your child has a coat with them everyday and that all items of clothing are named. We have continued writing factual sentences this week, looking at Mountain Rescue 4x4 trucks!

Science Day - Thursday 10th October

On Thursday next week, we have invited Sublime Science to Down Hall to provide the children from the whole school with a day full of scientific experiments. In light of this, could we please ask that your children come into school wearing clothes that you don't mind getting a little messy.

Should you wish to embrace your little scientist further at home, the link attached will take you to their website, where you can access over 100 free experiment ideas.

Sublime Science activities

Maths Homework

This week, we would like you to look at pages 14 & 15.

For Year 1's this focuses on counting in 2's, 5's and 10's. Counting on in 2's is very important for helping children to identify even numbers and as mentioned before in previous blogs, counting on in 10's really helps develop the children's understanding of place value. This will all serve as a precursor to when the children start looking at times tables more formally later in the year and as they move into Year 2. The games below focus on developing these skills:

https://www.topmarks.co.uk/ordering-and-sequencing/chinese-dragon-ordering

https://www.ictgames.com/mobilePage/saucerSorter/

For Year 2's this focuses on partitioning numbers. Children are most used to partitioning numbers into their tens and ones (e.g. 38 = 30 + 8). However, we can partition numbers in many different ways - so if 30 + 8 = 38; 20 + 18 = 38 and 10 + 28 = 38 too. We encourage the children to look for patterns to help them find different solutions to the same answer. The link below has an app that lets the children create numbers using tens and ones equipment and then rearrange these to create different combinations of numbers that make the same amount. However, splitting the numbers into tens and ones can also be done practically by bundles of sticks or pencils to represent tens.

https://apps.mathlearningcenter.org/number-pieces/

Don't forget to keep up all your fantastic efforts with your reading at home - it will make a huge impact on your child's reading development.

If you have any issues or questions, please, please come and see us at the end of the day. 

Have a great weekend!

Kind regards

Mr Jude, Mrs Yuille, Mrs Holmes & Miss Smith

Friday, 27 September 2024

Tulip, Bluebell & Daffodil Blog - Friday 27th September 2024

Happy Friday, everybody! This week we have been looking at non-fiction books and their features. We have used this to help write our own facts about All-Weather Lifeboats. In science, we have been looking at how living things reproduce and matching baby animals to their adults. Next week, we will be using our own baby photos in class so if you have yet to send one in, please try to as having their own photo makes the learning much more personal to the children.

Maths Homework

This week, we would like you to look at pages 12 & 13.

For Year 1's this focuses on counting skills and comparing amounts. Developing accurate and reliable counting and then being able to say which of two or more amounts is more or less is an important aspect of the Year 1 curriculum. It is also important that the children understand that equal means the same as. There are also some games in the link below to help reinforce these ideas.

https://www.topmarks.co.uk/maths-games/5-7-years/counting

For Year 2's this focuses on the number line and making estimates as to where numbers lie on the number line. When doing this, it is important to firstly look at the numbers that we can see already on the number line - are they going up in 2's, 5's, 10's? From here, look at which 2 numbers the arrow is in between to work out a number that is more/less than the given numbers. The game below will help reinforce the ideas presented in the homework book:

https://mathsframe.co.uk/en/resources/resource/37/placing_numbers_on_a_number_line

Alternatively, you can draw out your own number lines, giving a starting point and an end point and asking your child to place numbers where they feel they would go between these numbers.

Don't forget to keep up all your fantastic efforts with your reading at home - it will make a huge impact on your child's reading development.

If you have any issues or questions, please, please come and see us at the end of the day. 

Have a super weekend!

All the best

Mr Jude, Mrs Yuille, Mrs Holmes & Miss Smith 

Friday, 20 September 2024

Tulip, Bluebell & Daffodil Blog - 20th September 2024

 Happy Friday, everybody! We have had a fantastic week in Key Stage 1 looking at the qualities it takes to be a firefighter, writing captions and making posters as well as looking at compass directions in Geography.

Baby Photos

Thank you to those who have sent in a photo of their child as a baby for our learning about life processes. If you haven't sent one in yet, don't panic - it is not too late! Please send in a photograph (not too big!) of your child as a baby with their name on the back and we will copy it and send the original back to you. Alternatively, if you would prefer to send it digitally then please do so using our KS1 email address below

Maths Homework

This week, we would like you to look at pages 10 & 11.

For Year 1's this focuses on counting to 100. This will continue to build upon the work on tens and ones from last week. Remember - having a clear understanding of what digits represent in numbers is such an important aspect of our maths learning. Reinforce how 24 is represented by the digits 2 & 4 but 24 is actually a 20 and a 4. Explore the hundred square on page 10 and look for the patterns you can see there. There are also some games in the link below to help reinforce these ideas.

https://www.topmarks.co.uk/maths-games/5-7-years/counting

For Year 2's this focuses counting on in different steps. This looks at the patterns that are present in counting on in steps of different amounts and how even numbers always have even multiples but odd numbers alternate between odd and even multiples. The hundred square app below is really good for creating these steps and spotting patterns. Alternatively, practice writing out sequences of numbers, in particular, the 2's, 5's and 10's and discuss any patterns that you can see.

https://www.topmarks.co.uk/learning-to-count/paint-the-squares

Reading At Home

Reading regularly at home will make a huge impact on your child's reading development and learning across the whole curriculum. Please read each week as often as you can and jot it down in the reading diary. Is is also important to talk about a book when you have finished your reading. Which is your favourite part? Did you like this character? Why? 

Always remember to have your child's reading book and reading diary in school everyday!


If you have any issues or questions, please, please come and see us at the end of the day. 

Have a superb weekend!

Best Wishes

Mr Jude, Mrs Yuille, Mrs Holmes & Miss Smith


Friday, 13 September 2024

Tulip, Bluebell & Daffodil Blog - Friday 13th September 2024

  Happy Friday, everybody! We hope you have had a great week. We have been busy in KS1 looking at the traditional tale of the Little Red Hen in English as well as looking for things that are living and non-living in the school environment for science.

Baby Photos

As mentioned above, one of the main themes of our science learning this half term is living and non-living things. In this, we look at how all living things grow and consider how we have all grown up from being a baby. To help us in this work, if you could send in a photograph of your child as a baby this would make their learning more relatable to themselves.

Please name the photo on the back and we will copy it and send the original back to you if you wish to have the original returned. Alternatively, if you would prefer to send it digitally then please do so using our KS1 email address below which we have reopened temporarily just for this purpose.

Maths Homework

This week, we would like you to look at pages 8 & 9.

For Year 1's this focuses on tens and ones. Understanding how 2-digit numbers are made up of tens and ones is fundamental to all the maths we do in Key Stage 1. Having a clear understanding of what digits represent in numbers is such an important aspect of our maths learning. Although we represent the number 12 with the digits 1 & 2, 12 is actually a 10 and a 2. Again, look at page 8 to understand the idea and then work through page 9. If you wish to extend your child's work in this, count objects and group these into tens so you can see how these larger numbers can be represented by tens and ones. There are also some games in the link below to help reinforce these ideas.

For Year 2's this focuses numbers to 100. Again, keep looking at these numbers in terms of their tens and ones - how is the number 24 different to 42? Look also at how each number can also be represented by words. When it comes to writing the words, encourage the children to be as accurate as possible in their spelling.

Place Value Games

Spellings Homework

This week, your child will come home with some spellings to practice at home. Please practice these spellings on the sheet inside the book. If you wish to use the following page to practice putting these spellings into sentences this will make their practice even more valuable.

Please ensure that all homework books are returned by Wednesday so we are able to mark and give out again on Friday.

Reading At Home

Reading regularly at home will make a huge impact on your child's reading development and learning across the whole curriculum. Please read each week as often as you can and jot it down in the reading diary. Is is also important to talk about a book when you have finished your reading. Which is your favourite part? Did you like this character? Why? 

We will send home the book that your child has been reading in their Guided Reading sessions during the week. Two additional reading books from the colour bands will come home and will be changed weekly if they have been read at home. Please note the reading you are doing at home in your child's reading diary so we can see each week if the children are ready for a new book.

Always remember to have your child's reading books and reading diary in school everyday!

If you have any issues or questions, please, please come and see us at the end of the day. 

Have a great weekend!

Much love

Mr Jude, Mrs Yuille, Mrs Holmes & Miss Smith

Friday, 6 September 2024

Tulip, Bluebell & Daffodil Blog - Friday 6th September 2024

 Happy Friday, everybody - it has been an amazing first week back in Key Stage 1! The children have all settled in so well and myself, Mrs Yuille, Mrs Holmes and Miss Smith have been very proud of how well all the children have done. Thank you for taking the time to look at our weekly blog - it will prove very useful as a means of communicating to you things that are happening in school and any times when the children will need to bring anything special to school with them.

It is important that your child brings with them a water bottle and their reading diary and reading book everyday. Please ensure any hats, cardigans and jumpers are all named!

Reading Books

Your child will have brought home 2 books from the old colour bands this week. This is to supplement extra reading practice alongside their Guided Reading books which will be going home next Friday. Please write in your child's reading diary about any reading they have done as regularly as possible. Little and often helps your child's development so much!

School Council Elections

Next week we will be holding elections in class to choose our class councillor who will become part of the School Council. If your child wishes to stand they might like to make a poster or write a short speech which will help them make their case to their class! We will hold elections in the middle of next week and the results will be revealed in assembly on Friday!

Maths Homework

Today your child will be coming home with a maths homework book. This week, we would like you to look at pages 6 & 7.

For Year 1's this focuses on numbers 1-20. Look through page 6 together with your child and practice counting the apples in the picture. Look at how the numbers can be represented by digits and words - both are important! Then let your child work through page 7, supporting them as needed. There is also a quiz on pages 2-5 which your child can do if they are super eager! There are further counting games on the website below to further extend these ideas:

Counting Games

For Year 2's this focuses on place value. Understanding how numbers can be broken down into tens and ones underpins all our work on addition and subtraction during Year 2. It is important that the children understand that 45 is not 4 & 5 but 40 & 5 as the 4 represents 4 tens. Let your child work through page 7, supporting them as needed. There is also a quiz on pages 2-5 which your child can do if they are super eager! There are further place value games on the website below to further extend these ideas:

Place Value Games

If you have any issues or questions, please, please come and see us at the end of the day. Just come down the steps to see us!

Have a wonderful weekend! Don't forget that Monday is our PE day, so the children come to school in their school PE kit.

Best wishes

Mr Jude, Mrs Yuille, Mrs Holmes & Miss Smith

Friday, 19 July 2024

Amethyst, Diamond & Emerald Blog - Friday 19th July 2024

 Happy Friday, everybody! We hope you all had a lovely time at Sports Day last Friday! It was so lovely seeing all the mums, dads, grandparents and other family members out together on the field for a picnic lunch and watching the children compete together! 

It seems incredible that we are already at the end of the year - it has flown by! We have all absolutely loved working with all your children this year and it has been a privilege to watch them grow, learn and flourish as the year has progressed. We are all sure that they will continue to be just as fabulous as they move on to being Year 2's and 3's!

Don't forget that we are celebrating the end of the term with a picnic on the field with parents and carers at 12:00 on Tuesday 23rd July and all children can go home at 1:00pm.

UNICEF Shoeshare Appeal

We are once again holding a collection for Shoeshare so now is the time to start rummaging around in your cupboards for old shoes that don't fit or you no longer wear! Shoeshare is a collaboration between UNICEF and Clarks Shoes which works towards improving Children's Right around the world. More than 1.6 million pounds has been raised by Shoeshare to help ensure that children all around the world have access to quality education.

You can read more about the scheme here.

It's hard to believe that together we can make such a huge difference by the very simple act of sorting out our shoes but really we can. Shoes need to be in pairs and if possible held together with an elastic band. There will be a drop off point at the office or you can just send shoes in with your child at any point during the last week of term.

Thanks in advance for your continued support in helping our children to learn about sustainability, the wider world that we live in and how to care for others.

RRS: Every child has the right to an education and a clean and healthy environment.

Book Collection

All children have had their reading books collected in this week. We have let the children keep hold of their reading diaries as there are lots of useful logins inside these. Please bring these reading diaries back to school on the first day back.

The children's school work books will be coming home on Monday. We will be keeping some English and Maths books until October half term so please be aware of this if you find some books are missing.

HAVE A GREAT SUMMER HOLIDAY!!!

We will be available on ClassDojo up until lunchtime on Tuesday 23rd July and then again from Monday 2nd September.

Remember: children return to school on Tuesday 3rd September.

All that remains is for everyone here in Key Stage 1 to wish you an amazing summer holiday. We would also like to give our heartfelt thanks for all your support and kind words over the year - it means so much to all of us!

Much love

Mrs Yuille, Mr Jude & Miss Smith

Thursday, 11 July 2024

Amethyst, Diamond & Emerald Class - Friday 12th July 2024

 Happy Friday (morning), everybody! It was lovely to see so many of you all at our Open School Evening last night and, of course, visitors from lower years who will be in Key Stage 1 next year! Fingers crossed for a fun-packed Sports Day today!

Shoeshare 2024

We are raising money for UNICEF by taking part in the Shoeshare scheme with Clarks of Rayleigh.  So, please search your cupboards for old pairs of shoes that you no longer need!  Send them to school and we will do the rest.  Shoes need to be in pairs and of a wearable condition.  Money will be used by UNICEF to support education projects around the world.  Every child has the right to an education (A28 &29 UNCRC) and as a Gold Rights Respecting School we are proud to be supporting UNICEF with this project.

Reading Books

In preparation for next year, we will be collecting in all reading books on Wednesday 17th July. If you know you will be away before this date, please hand in your reading book before this date. We would encourage you all to take part in the summer reading scheme at the library during the holidays to help keep up your child's reading fluency during the 6 week break.

Homework

We would like to thank you all for your hard work in supporting your child with their homework this year. We have returned their homework book to them but we are not asking for them to be returned again this year.

If there are some pages left, please work through them at your own pace. The maths homework book is also a useful tool for looking back over the ideas we have covered this year as a reminder during the summer holidays so your child does not get too rusty over the 6 weeks off.

Have a fantastic weekend!

Best wishes

Mr Jude, Mrs Yuille & Miss Smith

Friday, 5 July 2024

Amethyst, Diamond & Emerald Blog - Friday 5th July 2024

 Happy Friday, everybody! It is such a shame that the rain washed our Sports Day out today but we have everything firmly crossed for next week! Below are just a few reminders about the day.

Sports Day

This is now on Friday 12th July. Please see the letter on the website explaining the structure of the day.

Some key points to note:

  • Sports Day begins at 9:30am for all children. The gates for entry are open between 9:00 and 9:15am.
  • Children come to school on Friday in their PE kit but we would like your child to wear a colour t-shirt that matches their team colour: Brooklyn - Blue; Deepdene - Green; Hambro - Yellow; Teignmouth - Red.
  • There will be a picnic lunch between 12:00 and 12:45pm. Please collect your child from their classroom at 12:00pm as you would usually at the end of the day. The children will be collected from the field by their teacher at 12:45pm ready to begin the afternoon races.

Maths Homework

This week, we would like you to look at pages 64 & 65.

For Year 1's this looks at 3D shapes. This covers the names of the 3D shapes the children should know and it is important to discuss the mathematical properties of these shapes, that is the number of faces, vertices and edges.

Below is a link to some games to help support these ideas.

For Year 2's this looks at drawing shapes and patterns. Patterns can be repeating patterns, sequencing patterns (like at the bottom of page 64) or symmetrical patterns. Look around you and see where you can find shape patterns.

Below is a link to some games to help support these ideas:


Don't forget to keep up all your fantastic efforts with your reading at home - it will make a huge impact on your child's reading development. Keep using the range of questions we have discussed previously as well!

If you have any issues or questions, please, please come and see us at the end of the day - we would love to see you!

Have a lovely weekend!

Much love

Mr Jude, Mrs Yuille & Miss Smith

Friday, 28 June 2024

Amethyst, Diamond & Emerald Blog - Friday 28th June 2024

 Happy Friday, everybody! It has been another busy and hot week in Key Stage 1 and we are all very busy working on our textiles seaside animal felt toy in Design & Technology. Fingers crossed they will be ready for you all to see at Open School in a couple of weeks time!

Upcoming Dates

  • Friday 5th July - Sports Day
  • Thursday 11th July - Open School (3:45-5:30pm)

Maths Homework

This week, we would like you to look at pages 62 & 63.

For Year 1's this looks at 2D shapes. This covers the names of the 2D shapes the children should know and it is important to discuss the mathematical properties of these shapes, that is the number of sides and corners (or vertices).

Below is a link to some games to help support these ideas.

For Year 2's this looks at sorting shapes. This again helps the children to focus on the different shapes mathematical properties - faces, vertices and edges for 3D shapes and sides and vertices for 2D shapes.

Below is a link to some games to help support these ideas:


Don't forget to keep up all your fantastic efforts with your reading at home - it will make a huge impact on your child's reading development. 

If you have any issues or questions, please, please come and see us at the end of the day - we would love to see you!

Have a super weekend!

Much love

Mr Jude, Mrs Yuille & Miss Smith

Friday, 21 June 2024

Amethyst, Diamond & Emerald Blog - Friday 21st June 2024

 Happy Friday, everybody! It has been a very exciting week in KS1 as we enjoyed a visit from Chris the Punch and Judy man! He gave us all the things we needed to make our own mini-booths and puppets and then we went in the hall to watch the show. Chris talked to us about the history of Punch and Judy and how it has been performed in this country for over 350 years! All the children loved the show and it was lovely to see such happy faces and laughter!

Upcoming Dates

  • Friday 5th July - Sports Day
  • Thursday 11th July - Open School (3:45-5:30pm)

PSHE - Changing Me

This half term in Personal, Social and Health Education we are learning about how to cope with change. This includes learning about change in ourselves as we grow from a baby to how we are now. It also includes a lesson next week in which we will be noting the differences between male and female bodies, using the correct terminology. This lesson is very much laying the foundations for future Relationships and Sex Education, which is now a statutory requirement to be taught in schools. We see this as a crucial part of Safeguarding our children and keeping them safe. We are planning to deliver this lesson during the next couple of weeks.

Maths Homework

This week, we would like you to look at pages 60 & 61.

For Year 1's this looks at measuring time. Understanding how time is measured helps work out slower and quicker times and whether times are earlier or later than each other. Try timing your child doing different tasks and compare the times that it took. Also reinforce how 60 seconds make up a minute and 60 minutes make up an hour.

Below is a link to some games to help support these ideas:

Time Games


For Year 2's this looks at 3D shapes. This focuses on the names of the shapes the children should know and their mathematical properties - faces, vertices and edges.

Below is a link to some games to help support these ideas:


Don't forget to keep up all your fantastic efforts with your reading at home - it will make a huge impact on your child's reading development. Keep using the range of questions we have discussed previously as well!

If you have any issues or questions, please, please come and see us at the end of the day - we would love to see you!

Have a fantastic weekend!

Best wishes

Mr Jude, Mrs Yuille & Miss Smith

Friday, 14 June 2024

Amethyst, Diamond & Emerald Blog - 14th June 2024

 Happy Friday, everybody! It has been a lovely day today where we all took part in our Race for Life on the field. Look out for photos in next week's newsletter! A reminder of some important diary dates for our last half term together:

  • Friday 5th July - Sports Day
  • Thursday 11th July - Open School (3:45-5:30pm)
We are also looking forward to a visiting Punch and Judy show on Wednesday next week! Because of this visit, we will not be swimming this Wednesday but will make this week up before the summer holidays.

Maths Homework

This week, we would like you to look at pages 58 & 59.

For Year 1's this looks at reading and writing the time on an analogue clock. This can often be quite a tricky concept so take the time to notice how the hands of the clock are different from each other and they have a distinct role in telling the time. Practical reinforcement of reading the time to the hour and the half hour around the home will also help embed this concept.

Below is a link to some games to help support these ideas:

Time Games


For Year 2's this looks at 2D shapes. This focuses on the names of the shapes the children should know and their mathematical properties - sides, corners (vertices) and lines of symmetry.

Below is a link to some games to help support these ideas:


Don't forget to keep up all your fantastic efforts with your reading at home - it will make a huge impact on your child's reading development. Keep using the range of questions we have discussed previously as well!

If you have any issues or questions, please, please come and see us at the end of the day - we would love to see you!

Have a fantastic weekend!

Best wishes

Mr Jude, Mrs Yuille & Miss Smith

Friday, 7 June 2024

Amethyst, Diamond & Emerald Blog - Friday 7th June 2024

 Happy Friday, everybody! Welcome back to our last half term in Year 1 or Year 2! And what an exciting end of the first week it has been with everyone rocking out to their times tables! Keep an eye out for all the wonderful photos that will appear in the forthcoming newsletters.

Maths Homework

This week, we would like you to look at pages 56 & 57.

For both Year Groups, this continues to look at the area of time.

Keep practicing these areas as outlined in the homework books and relate them as much as possible to your child's everyday life. We will leave the same links as before to help support this learning at home.

Months Game 1

Months Game 2

Time Games


Don't forget to keep up all your fantastic efforts with your reading at home - it will make a huge impact on your child's reading development. Keep using the range of questions we have discussed previously as well!

If you have any issues or questions, please, please come and see us at the end of the day - we would love to see you!

Have a fantastic weekend!

Best wishes

Mr Jude, Mrs Yuille & Miss Smith

Friday, 24 May 2024

Amethyst, Diamond & Emerald Blog - Friday 24th May 2024

 Happy Friday, everybody! Phew - another half term done and the children have all worked extremely hard at all the learning opportunities presented to them in the last 6 weeks. It has been lovely to see everyone taking a keen interest in the work we have done as part of our "At The Seaside" project - be it finding out about our common seaside birds and animals or finding out more about geographical features of coastal locations.

After half term we will be looking more closely at how seaside holiday have changed over the last 200 years.

Essex Bioblitz 2024

Need something to do to get you out and about over the half-term holiday?  Find details of Essex Bioblitz 2024 in this week's newsletter. Join in and you can help The Essex Wildlife Trust better understand the effects of climate change in our local environment, working towards Global Goal number 13; Climate Action.


RRS:  Every child has the right to clean water, nutritious food and a clean and safe environment.

We would like all the children to have a relaxing week off, so we are not sending homework books home this week but if you can keep up the reading little and often this will have a hugely positive effect on their progress.

Have a wonderfully relaxing break!

Much love

Mr Jude, Mrs Yuille & Miss Smith

Friday, 17 May 2024

Amethyst, Diamond & Emerald Blog - Friday 17th May 2024

 Happy Friday, everybody! We have been busy this week in Key Stage 1 where we are beginning to look more closely at the parts that make up a story in English and exploring the animals of the sea in science! It is becoming increasingly summery so please can you ensure that names are on school jumpers as we are getting large piles to sort through at the end of the day and without names this can be problematic!

Maths Homework

This week, we would like you to look at pages 54 & 55.

For both Year Groups, this is looking at the area of time.

For Year 1's this looks at days of the week and months of the year.. Being able to sequence the days of the week and the months of the year is an important area in time and underpin all the later work that we do going into Year 2. Think about the different things you do on certain days and the key events of the year and in which month they happen.

Months Game 1

Months Game 2

For Year 2's this looks at reading the time on analogue clocks. Read carefully through the page which explains this concept and be patient - time can be a very challenging area of the maths curriculum! There are lots of time games on the link below to help practice your clock reading skills:


Reading Books

Please remember that we swap reading books every Friday so it is very important that your child has this book in school everyday but particularly Friday!

If you have any issues or questions, please, please come and see us at the end of the day - we would love to see you!

Have a fantastic weekend!

Best wishes

Mr Jude, Mrs Yuille & Miss Smith

Friday, 10 May 2024

Amethyst, Diamond & Emerald Blog - Friday 10th May 2024

 Happy Friday, everybody! It has been a short but very busy week this week and we have all been busy writing stories about being shipwrecked at sea! We have also been making progress in our seaside sculptures in art - look out in the next few weeks in the newsletter for photos of all our artistic endeavours! 

Maths Homework

This week, we would like you to look at pages 52 & 53.

For Year 1's this looks at money. The use of coins in shopping is becoming less and less common in our everyday lives but it is still part of the curriculum for the children to recognise the different coins we have and use different combinations of coins to make amounts. Dig out your change drawer and practise making amounts and counting money. There are lots of games in the link below that support the concepts of money in Key Stage 1.

For Year 2's this continue to look at money. Again, keep exploring this concept practically using real coins but also using the games featured in the link below:



Don't forget to keep up all your fantastic efforts with your reading at home - it will make a huge impact on your child's reading development. 

If you have any issues or questions, please, please come and see us at the end of the day - we would love to see you!

Have a lovely weekend!

Best wishes

Mr Jude, Mrs Yuille & Miss Smith

Friday, 3 May 2024

Amethyst, Diamond & Emerald Blog - Friday 3rd May 2024

  Happy Friday, everybody! Another week has flown by in Key Stage 1 and as Spring begins to finally decide to arrive we have been enjoying working on rockpool reports and learning all about the different animals that we can find in amongst the rocks at the seaside!

Message From Mrs Hurley

(Although this message relates to a course about maths in Key Stage 2, there may be parents who are interested for future reference).

Dear Parents/Caregivers,

KEY STAGE 2 10th, 17th & 24th May

Are you someone who feels they need some support with maths? Perhaps your own experience in school wasn’t a good one. Well fear not, we have the solution to this!

Multiply courses are free and fully funded by Essex County Council as part of their Multiply Maths programme.


Each course is 10 guided learning hours, 6 hours face-to-face in school, 4 hours of activities to try in between sessions and ongoing. The ideal group size is between 8-12 parents per session. There is a link below for you to register your interest.

Maths Course

A £10 Amazon voucher will be awarded to each parent who completes the course.

Maths Homework

This week, we would like you to look at pages 50 & 51.

For Year 1's this continues to focus on volume. Continue to try some of the practical activities discussed last week - look at the volume of different bottles and cans around the house to compare and order them or use an egg cup to see how many cups it takes to fill different containers. Below is a game that builds upon this idea:

Bubble Bath Game

For Year 2's this focuses money. The use of coins in shopping is becoming less and less common in our everyday lives but it is still part of the curriculum for the children to recognise the different coins we have and use different combinations of coins to make amounts. Dig out your change drawer and practise making amounts and counting money or bribe incentivise your child to do jobs around the house for a set "wage." Below is a link to lots of games that support the concepts of money in Key Stage 1:


Don't forget to keep up all your fantastic efforts with your reading at home - it will make a huge impact on your child's reading development. 

If you have any issues or questions, please, please come and see us at the end of the day - we would love to see you!

Have a lovely Bank Holiday weekend!

Best wishes

Mr Jude, Mrs Yuille & Miss Smith

Friday, 26 April 2024

Amethyst, Diamond & Emerald Blog - Friday 26th April 2024

  Happy Friday, everybody! We are now fully in the swing of our new project "At The Seaside" where we have been learning about rockpools and the different features of the seashore. We are looking forward to finding out even more as this term progresses!

Maths Homework

This week, we would like you to look at pages 48 & 49.

For Year 1's this focuses on volume. Many of the practical activities discussed around length and mass in previous blogs hold true here - look at the volume of different bottles and cans around the house to compare and order them or use an egg cup to see how many cups it takes to fill different containers. Below is a game that builds upon this idea:

Bubble Bath Game

For Year 2's this focuses on comparing measurements. This gives another opportunity to using greater than (>), less than (<) and equals (=) signs to compare amounts, ordering values and linking units of measure to length, mass and capacity. Below is a game to help read amounts on a labelled scale - start off with the simple challenges and build up to scales where not all the numbers are labelled:


If you have any issues or questions, please, please come and see us at the end of the day - we would love to see you!

Have a lovely weekend!

Best wishes

Mr Jude, Mrs Yuille & Miss Smith

Friday, 19 April 2024

Amethyst, Diamond & Emerald Blog - Friday 19th April 2024

 Happy Friday, everybody, and welcome back to the Summer Term! We started this term with World Art Day on Monday and had an amazing day of lots of different art activities. Please be sure to check this week's newsletter to see what was going on.

New Reading Scheme

Today your child will be bringing home their new reading book from our new Anima Phonics reading scheme. These books are closely matched to our teaching of phonics and all the books are fully decodable which will help the children practise their phonics skills at home. Please read these books little and often at home during next week and record their progress in their reading diary as normal. Please do not be concerned if initially the books seem easier/harder than the books your child used to come home with as it may take a couple of weeks to fully establish the correct pitch as we introduce this new scheme to the school.

As the children will be reading these books in school as well as at home, can you ensure that the book remains in their bag every day, especially on Friday when we collect the books in and give the children their new book. 

New Spelling Scheme

Anima Phonics also provide a spelling scheme to go alongside the reading books so in order to be fully consistent, we will be moving to this scheme this week as well. Along with their new reading book, the children will bring home a spelling sheet of words to be practised throughout next week. Please use the sheet to practise on and bring it back into school with the other homework books. We will test the children on their spelling each Friday and issue them with a new set of words to work on.

Key Stage 1 Email

Just a reminder that the KS1 email account is now closed so any emails sent to this will not be seen. If you need to contact us for any purpose please either see us at the end of the day or use Class Dojo. If there is a change of collection arrangements during the day, please still contact the office.

Maths Homework

This week, we would like you to look at pages 46 & 47.

For both Year 1's and Year 2's this continues to focus on mass and ways to measure. This is a fantastic opportunity to do a spot of baking as it will involve lots of practical measuring and reading of marked scales. Take a photo of any of your wonderful efforts (or of course bring us in a slice!) we would love to see them all.

If you have any issues or questions, please, please come and see us at the end of the day - we would love to see you!

Have a lovely weekend!

Best wishes

Mr Jude, Mrs Yuille & Miss Smith

Thursday, 28 March 2024

Amethyst, Diamond & Emerald Blog - Thursday 28th March 2024

 Happy Thursday, everybody! Wow! We find ourselves at the end of the Spring Term! Everyone has worked so hard and achieved so much already this year. We are now looking forward to our last project of the year - "At The Seaside!" Have a look at our knowledge organiser to see the areas we will be covering in the Summer Term:

At The Seaside

Key Stage 1 Email

The KS1 email account will be closed as of today and will no longer be monitored. If you need to contact us for any purpose please either see us at the end of the day or use Class Dojo. If there is a change of collection arrangements during the day, please still contact the office.

New Reading Scheme

As mentioned in our Class Dojo announcement, we have collected in everyone's reading book this week to make way for the new reading scheme we are using after Easter in EYFS and Key Stage 1. The children will have a book which they will use in Guided Reading during the first week back and then on Friday 19th April, they will be bringing this book home as their home reading book. We will also be looking to align our spellings to this new scheme too so we will give you details of this in the first blog back after Easter.

Art Day

Our first day back after the holidays, Monday 15th April, is a special Art Day! On this day, the children will be taking part in a wide range of artistic activities. All the children will not be wearing normal school uniform but some old clothes that you do not mind getting a bit messy! Key Stage 1 will still be doing PE on this day so if they wear comfy clothes that will still be suitable for PE this will be great!

We would like all the children to have a relaxing Easter Holiday, so we are not sending homework books home this week but if you can keep up the reading little and often with books you have at home or at the library this will have a hugely positive effect on their progress.

Have a wonderful Easter!

Much love

Mr Jude, Mrs Yuille & Miss Smith

Friday, 22 March 2024

Amethyst, Diamond & Emerald Blog - Friday 22nd March 2024

 Happy Friday everybody - what an exciting week we have had in Key Stage 1! 

Colchester Castle

We all had a fantastic day on Tuesday - there was so much to do! We explored the different challenges in the Activity Room - exploring medieval medicines and food, looking at medieval writing and looking at the different people who would have lived in the castle almost 1000 years ago.

We had a story tour of the castle by a costumed guide who took us to places where the public can't go. We even went up on the roof!

We had time to look around all the exhibits and enjoy the hands on experiences - everyone had a great day and the children were extremely well behaved; we are all so proud of them. There are more photos of our day on our newsletter this week.



Termly Update

On Monday, your child will be bringing home a "How is my child doing this term?" sheet. This lets you know how your child is progressing towards their end of year expected levels. There will be an opportunity to discuss this sheet at Parent/Teacher Consultations on Tuesday and Wednesday next week.

Spelling Frame Homework

Spelling Frame

This week we are looking at Spelling Rule 4. This is the /ay/ vowel digraph for Year 1's and the /s/ sound spelt as c for Year 2's.

Maths Homework

This week, we would like you to look at pages 44 & 45.

For Year 1's this continue to focus on mass or weight (we do not make a distinction between the two terms in Key Stage 1). Again, explore this idea practically - get a range of toys and see if you can compare them in terms of how heavy they are. Order these from lightest to heaviest, reinforcing the different language as you go.

For Year 2's this focuses on ways in which we measure. Explore how we use different units to measure different aspects of an object. Try measuring different objects using a ruler to the nearest cm, look at food and drink packaging to see the weight and volume of different objects and use a weather website to see how we measure temperature in degrees Celsius. If you record any of these ideas, pop them in your homework book - we love to see all your efforts at home!

Don't forget to keep up all your fantastic efforts with your reading at home - it will make a huge impact on your child's reading development. Keep using the range of questions we have discussed previously as well!

If you have any issues or questions, please, please come and see us at the end of the day - we would love to see you!

Have a super weekend!

Best wishes

Mr Jude, Mrs Yuille & Miss Smith