We have had a fantastic week in KS1. In English, we have been writing our own acrostic poems about the emergency services, while in Science, we created care plans for animals. In Geography, we have been exploring atlases to name the countries of the UK and the surrounding seas.
Cauliflower Christmas Cards
On Monday, the children will be coming home with their Christmas card design attached to the order form. If you wish, these designs can be turned into Christmas cards, mugs, books and wrapping paper too! If you want to order any of these items you need to place the order online first AND then return the artwork to school please. All the details about how to do this are clearly set out on the form that the artwork is attached to. Once you have placed the order online, you must tick the box indicated and return the artwork and form back to school by Friday 16th October 2026 so we can send it away to be printed for you. If the artwork is not returned to school, the company will be unable to complete the order. If you do not wish for your child's design to be made into items then you do not need to return the artwork.
Maths Homework
This week, we would like you to look at pages 36 & 37.
For Year 1's this focuses on halves. It is helpful when discussing fractions to relate it closely to division. So when discussing finding half, relate it to the same as dividing it in 2.
For Year 2's this focuses on doubling and halving. As usual, relate these mathematical concepts back to the basic operations of maths - doubles as times by 2 and halving as divide by 2.
Times Tables Rock Stars (TTRS)
This week, your child brought home their brand-new Times Tables Rock Stars login details, and the children have been buzzing with excitement to get stuck in. In KS1, our main focus is on mastering the 2, 5, and 10 times tables and their related division facts. By the end of Year 2, children are expected to know these fluently, and we are starting by focusing on the 2 times table.
Frequent, short sessions work best! Just 3 to 5 minutes of practise a few times a week is far more effective for embedding these facts into long-term memory than a single long session once a week.
Reading
Your child’s phonics reading book is now in their bag, ready to be shared! Reading together at home is one of the single most powerful ways to boost your child's confidence, vocabulary, and overall academic progress. Regular home reading significantly strengthens comprehension, enhances listening skills, and builds a lifelong love for books.
Did you know that children who read for just 5 minutes a day are exposed to roughly 282,000 words a year? For children who read for 20 minutes a day, this jumps to 1.8 million words a year!
Forest School
Next week is Forest School week! To ensure the children stay warm, dry and comfortable during outdoor learning, please keep the following in mind:
Clothing: Children should come to school wearing long sleeves and trousers that you don't mind getting wet or muddy.
Spare clothes: Please pack a set of named spare clothes in their bag, just in case they need a change after our outdoor learning.
Puddle suits & wellies: Because the children do not head over to the Forest School area until mid-morning, please send puddle suits and wellies in a separate, clearly named bag rather than sending them to school wearing them first thing in the morning.
World Food Day
Looking ahead, next Friday is World Food Day! We have some exciting activities planned, and further information will be shared with you early next week—keep an eye out for updates.
Thank you so much for your continued support with home learning and school activities. As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please drop us a message on Dojo or speak to us at the classroom door.
Have a fantastic weekend,
The KS1 Team X
