Key Stage 1

Welcome to Key Stage One.

Our main theme this Autumn term is “Childhood”.

The children will be enjoying a range of fiction, non-fiction and poetry texts based around our theme.

Literacy

The children have settled in to the term, exploring our main topic of 'Childhood'. 

During this topic we will be exploring a variety of genres in both reading and writing, as well as sharing books by Roald Dahl, our focus author of the term.

Numeracy

This term the children will explore mathematical concepts focussing on place value and addition.

The children will enjoy deepening their mathematical knowledge and understanding through the use of concrete apparatus, as well as using pictorial and abstract methods. 

Science/Forest School

Habitats  

In this science project children revisit learning from the year 1 by identifying animals and plants and the things they do to stay alive, and by using the terms Carnivore, Herbivore and Omnivore. They learn what a habitat is, that habitats contain both living and non-living things and what a habitat provides for the plants and animals that live there, including food, water, shelter and space. They identify living things using the seven life processes and sort non-living things in to two groups; those that have lived and those have never lived. Children learn about food chains. They learn about animal and plant adaptations that help prey animals and plants avoid being eaten, such as warning colouration and camouflage.

Use of Materials

In this science project, children revisit learning about materials and their properties. They identify and classify materials and describe the properties that make them suitable or unsuitable for a specific use. Children learn how materials can be shaped by bending, stretching, twisting and squashing and carry out a simple comparative test. They look for patterns in their results and identify that a materials use can be determined by whether it can be shaped. Children draw labelled diagrams to identify objects, materials and how their properties determine their use. They also investigate different paper types, comparing them for strength, texture and absorbency and ranking them before selecting papers for specific papers. Children learn how to live more sustainably and generate scientific questions linked to materials, recycling and sustainability.

Music

Musical Spotlight:  Playing in an Orchestra

In music this term, the children will continue to follow our music scheme Charanga. This unit teaches children that playing together is a very important part of learning music. They learn that there are many ensembles, bands and groups people can play in and that one of these groups is an orchestra. This unit features the orchestra - what can you learn about the orchestra?

Inventing a Musical Story

This unit teaches the children that music is used for many reasons and can help us to tell a story and express our feelings. Music can be loud or soft, fast or slow, smooth and connected, or short and detached. We can also use instruments with different sounds to help communicate a story and different emotions. This unit encourages the children to connect their feelings with what they hear.

Art and Design

Still Life

'Still Life' which teaches about the work of significant still life artists and still life techniques. They explore a wide variety of still life and learn about the use of colour and composition. They create still life arrangements and art work.

Flower Head

In this art and design project, children build on their understanding of sculptural forms through the subject matter of flowers and build on their earlier experiences of sculpture. Children draw from direct observation, both in and out of the classroom and study floral art from different artists and genres, focusing on how artists use visual elements to create interesting pieces. In practical activities, children explore the properties of shape, form, texture, colour and pattern and use various materials to make simple 3D forms. Children are introduced to the Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama and her giant flower sculptures. They use paper or clay to make 3D flower sculptures, in her style.

History

This term, the children will be learning history through exploring historically significant people and their impact on life today.

Geography

Coastline

In this geography project, children study the geographical features of the United Kingdoms coastline. They identify physical features of the coast and are introduced to new terms, including pier, coast and headland. They revisit positional and directional language, and identify physical features, size, location and position, and begin to ask and answer questions about how they were formed. In their classroom based studies, children explore detailed maps of the united kingdom and revisit map keys, using the cardinal compass points to describe the direction of travel. Children build on learning about how places can change over time, looking at how the physical process of coastal erosion is changing the coastline and prevention strategies. Children study the traditional coastal town of Whitby and explore and identify its human and physical features by analysing a map with a key. They make comparisons between Whitby and their surrounding area. Children study how and why Whitby’s human and physical features have changed from the past to the present. They explore the dangers of the coastline and find out about the RNLI.  The children use their knowledge of coastal environments to design a coastal town with a range of human and physical features and describe it by using a map and key.

PE

The children continue to enjoy their twice weekly PE sessions with our sports coaches from PAS. 

This half term, the children will be covering dodgeball and football to support the children in developing:

• Show control of a ball with basic actions. Develop and practise ball handling skills
• Send/pass a ball and successfully catch/stop a ball

Spanish

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

Computing

Digital Photography

In this unit, children will recognise that different devices can be used to capture photographs and will gain experience capturing, editing, and improving photos. Finally, they will use this knowledge to recognise that images they see may not be real.

Programming A – Robot Algorithms

This unit develops learners’ understanding of instructions in sequences and the use of logical reasoning to predict outcomes. Learners will use given commands in different orders to investigate how the order affects the outcome. They will also learn about design in programming. They will develop artwork and test it for use in a program. They will design algorithms and then test those algorithms as programs and debug them.

RE

This half term, the children will be exploring our unit question 'How should we care for others in the world and why does it matter?'.
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

Dreams and Goals

In this Puzzle the class talk about setting realistic goals and how they can achieve them. They discuss perseverance when they find things difficult as well as recognising their strengths as a learner. The children talk about group work and reflect on who they work well with and who they don’t. They also talk about sharing success with other people.

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 “Rule of Law and Tolerance”. 
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.