Key Stage 1

Welcome to Key Stage One.

Our driver project this Autumn term is “The Great Fire of London”.

English

During this term, we will be exploring a variety of genres in both reading and writing, as well as sharing books by a range of authors. We will start the year, continuing with Drawing Club, before moving on to Talk 4 Writing, in the Spring Term. 

Maths

This term the children will explore mathematical concepts focussing on addition and subtraction and shape.

The children will deepen their mathematical knowledge and understanding through the use of concrete apparatus, as well as using pictorial and abstract methods and become more confident in forming numerals correctly.

Science/Forest School

Human Senses

In this science project, children learn that humans are living things belonging to a group of animals called mammals. They learn that all animals, including humans, use their senses, breathe, feed, sleep, get rid of waste, grow and move to stay alive. They learn that humans are the same in that they have the same body parts, but also that humans are different in that they have different hair colours, eye colours, and heights, for example. They label a diagram of the human body, identifying common body parts. They observe and compare and report their findings, identifying similarities and differences.

Children revisit learning from EYFS about the five senses. They identify the body parts associated with each sense and describe what their senses can do; for example, their ears are used for hearing and can hear loud, quiet, low and high sounds. They explore how their senses support them in understanding their environment and  keep them safe from danger.

Music

My Musical Heartbeat

Every piece of music has a heartbeat – a musical heartbeat. In music, we call it the ‘pulse’ or the ‘beat’ of the music. When they are listening and singing to the music and songs in this unit, the children try to find and keep the pulse or steady beat together. They might march, clap or sway in time finding a movement that helps them to keep the beat. We will be introducing glockenspiels to our lessons too, and learn the importance of playing instruments in time, together. 

Art and Design

Funny Faces and Fabulous Features

In this art and design project, children are introduced to the theme of portraiture. They explore the meaning of the term ‘portrait’ and look at and talk about examples from different artists and genres. They are introduced to the term ‘collage’ and use paper, fabric and digital software, to make ‘funny faces’ imaginative projects. They explore how facial features and expressions make a portrait interesting, and use a range of textural materials to compose a self-portrait with details like eyebrows, teeth, lips and hair.

Design and Technology

Shade and Shelter

In this design and technology project, children learn the names and functions of different shelters and observe their similarities and differences. Children revisit the names and properties of materials, introduced in the Everyday Materials project, and decide why they have been used to build a variety of shelters.

Children are introduced to design criteria. They design and create a prototype shelter to fulfil given criteria. They then design a play den to a set of design criteria and work with a supervised group to build their play den, constructing, strengthening and fixing materials carefully and safely. They evaluate their construction verbally and make changes and improvements to their design before evaluating their final product.

History

The Great Fire of London

This project will help children to answer the question: Why was the Great Fire of London a significant event?

Children will learn what London was like in the 1600s when the Great Fire of London began. Children will then use a timeline to sequence the main events. They will also learn why the fire spread so quickly and look at historical sources to find out how Londoners fought the fire. In addition, children will learn about Samuel Pepys and listen to extracts from his diary. Finally, they will learn how the Great Fire changed London forever.

Geography

The Great Fire of London

In this project children develop their geographical knowledge of picture maps. They apply their understanding to make comparisons about a place changes over time and begin to consider the causes and consequences of change. They revisit their learning about human features and name and locate them on a map.

PE

Ball Skills

In Reception and Year 1, children build on the basic ball skills they developed in nursery and begin to show more control, coordination, and understanding of how to use equipment in different ways. Their learning focuses on improving both individual ball control and team-based skills.

Working With Others

In Reception and Year 1, PE activities that involve working with others help children develop both their physical coordination and their social and emotional skills. At this stage, children begin to understand teamwork, cooperation, and the importance of communication during physical play.

Spanish

The children will attend their weekly Spanish lessons with Fen from Kidslingo learning lot of new words and songs in Spanish.

RE

This half term, the children will be exploring our unit questions 'Who is a Christian and what do they believe? and 'How and why do we celebrate special and sacred times?'
These lessons will consist of writing activities, reading, and using secondary resources such as the internet and books, to explore key concepts of the religion and how these compare with other beliefs and faiths. 

PSHE/British Values

Celebrating Difference

The children will be exploring and celebrating differences including, physical appearance, religions, cultures, hobbies and talents, through assemblies and cross curricular lessons such as RE.

The British Values are incorporated throughout the children's daily routine and this is highlighted on a day to day basis, from being a nice friend, following instructions and using our manners to having responsibilities, understanding boundaries and looking after ourselves and doing what makes us happy. Although the children are regularly reflecting each value, we always have one or two that are a main focus. The focus values this half term are is “Democracy and Respect”. 
Each of the British Values are incorporated through the children’s PSHE lessons and they lay the foundations for discussion during our weekly class assemblies. Our student council meet and suggest ways of how we can filter the understanding of these values throughout school, they talk to the other children and bring their feedback back to the meetings, promoting a voice for all the children at Combs.