Grange Valley Primary & Nursery School

Welcome to our Year 1 Blog

W/B Monday 18^thJuly 2016

Well done to this week award winners!

Progress Award – Daniella P

Merit Award – Jack M

Well it’s arrived… The last day of the school year! How did we get here so quickly?

This week in English we have been focusing on the story of Little Red Riding Hood. The children wrote some lovely character profiles based on the three main characters. We used lots of adjectives to describe the characters, their traits and their overall role in the story. I especially loved Byron’s piece of writing all about the Big Bad Wolf, so well done!

In Maths we have been learning about whole, half, quarter and three quarter turns, the children loved getting up out of their seats and practicing for themselves. We then linked this back to our topic on time and completed a review in our workbooks to highlight our overall learning over our Year 1 journey.

We have really let out our artistic side this week and have created some lovely pieces of work to end our art topic nicely. Lots of the children really loved the vegetable printing activity and were able to create a range of different colourful patterns on their paper. Some of the children also collaged their own flip flops using feathers, tissue paper, pens and sequins.

Lastly, I’d just like to say how much I have enjoyed working with the children over the last couple of months. Your smiley faces, cheeky personalities and kind and caring nature is what makes it all so worthwhile! You really are one in a million Year 1 and I’d like to wish you the best of luck for all your upcoming adventures. Stay safe and have a fabulous summer – Miss Mcguire (Student Teacher).

School reopens on the 5^th September.

Have a fantastic summer and see you all in September!

W/B Monday 11^thJuly 2016

Well done to this week award winners!

Gold award winner – Annabelle

Silver award winner – Ellis B

Bronze award winner – Megan

Writer award winner – Libby

Last full week in school. I can’t believe how quickly this year has gone! I am really looking forward to our last three days together as Year 1.

In English we have been learning about acrostic poems. The children wrote their own poems about seaside animals and the season of summer. It is lovely to see how much progress the children have made since their first week in Year 1.

In Maths we have learning about position and space. At the beginning of the week the children learnt about key vocabulary and how to describe positions of objects (next to, behind, around, near to, in front of, top, middle, bottom). We then look at how to describe movements (up, down, forward, backward, inside and outside). The children looked around the room and school for objects they could describe. Next week we will be finishing the last of our maths sessions looking at turns (whole turn, half turn, quarter of a turn and linking it to time).

In DT the children got a letter from Mr Grinling asking Year 1 to design a boat that he could put all his fishing equipment and lunch in. The only challenge was that the boat must float. The children used a variety of materials and designed their own boats. It was lovely to see the children discussing together ways to improve their boats and problem solve if something they designed didn’t work.

See you all next week for the final week.

School finishes for the Summer on Wednesday.

Mrs Dolman and Mrs Steele

W/B Monday 07^thJuly 2016

Well done to this week award winners!

Gold award winner – Daniella P

Silver award winner – Reece K

Bronze award winner – Lucy B

Writer award winner – Lola F

In our English lessons this week the children have been looking at poems about nature. We have linked this into our topic ‘Seaside.’ The children have been learning about the structure of haiku poems and have written their own using animals from the seaside as a topic. Later in the week we improved them by adding adjectives and punctuation including question marks and exclamation mark.

In Maths we have learning about mass. We have had lots of fun exploring with balance scales to measure the weight of objects around the classroom. We first learnt key vocabulary to use when we are describing the weight of objects. We then used this vocabulary to compare different weights of objects with non-standard units. The children were challenge to half and quarter the amount the objects weighed in word problems.

In Geography we learnt about islands. We used atlases to learn the names of the islands around the mainland UK.

This week the children have been visiting their new classroom. Mrs Mathers has been coming into our class to teach the children for the last 4 weeks. However this week was special as they got to find out where they will be sitting in their new classroom and what they will be learning about!

On Thursday we had our summer disco. I can’t believe this time of year is nearly here!!!! The children had a fantastic time with Reception and Year 2 in the hall.

I hope you all have a great weekend.

Mrs Dolman and Mrs Steele

W/B Monday 27^thJune 2016

Well done to this week award winners!

Gold award winner –

Silver award winner –

Bronze award winner –

Writer award winner –

Summer Fair will be held tomorrow evening 3:30-5 in the school hall. Children will first be seen out of classes to parents to ensure their safety and then the fair will be opened.

Well done to Ebony who was delighted to show us all her Morris dancing jacket and all of her medals she has achieved over the last few years and her recent achievement. Keep up all the fantastic dancing Ebony!

After reading the Lighthouse Keeper’s Lunch last week we decided to do some research into lighthouses. The children read a variety of non-fiction texts and some children researched using the internet. We gathered lots of facts and in our writing sessions created our own non-fiction books about Lighthouses. On Friday we learnt about how to use the plural s and es correctly in words. In Art we made our own lighthouses.

In Maths we have learning about volume and capacity. We have had lots of fun exploring with water, a variety of containers and non-standard units of measure. The children started to gather a range of vocabulary we could use to describe the volume like full, empty, less than, more than, half full, nearly full and a quarter full. We then used this vocabulary to compare different amounts of water.

In Geography we have continued to learn about the seaside. The children watched a video clip to compare Blackpool in the past and present. We discussed the features of the town and describe the physical and human features we could see.

In Computing we have been learning about photography. The children have used a range of technology to take photographs. After uploading them we learnt about to improve, adapted, crop and rate the pictures we liked. The children are working together making a class photo album.

7^th July KS1 school disco 2-3:30pm.

I hope you all have a great weekend.

Mrs Dolman and Mrs Steele

/B Monday 20^rdJune 2016

Well done to this week award winners!

Gold award winner – Olivia

Silver award winner – Joshua

Bronze award winner – Ava

Writer award winner – Abigail

Sadly on Friday Sports Day had to be cancelled due to the weather. Hopefully it should be rescheduled. I will keep you updated!

In English we listened to the fantastic story ‘The Lighthouse Keeper’s Lunch and The Lighthouse Keeper’s Picnic’. In our writing sessions we wrote a cartoon strip with speech bubbles. The children used exclamation marks and question marks in their writing. On Friday we wrote our own versions of the story. The children had some fantastic ideas for other animals and locations were they might have their food taken from them. I loved Ellis's story idea of two boys roasting marshmallows when on a camping trip and a bear came and took their food! He decided the ending to his story would be that the boys put sherbet on them as it would be too sweet for the bears.

In Maths we have learning about money, recognising coins, notes, comparing the pound to euros and solving money problems. The homework tonight is linked to money.

The phonics screening is now completed and the results will be reported in your child’s report.

In Geography we have been learning all about the seaside. The children wrote postcards describing what they could see and do when they visit a seaside time.

Please could any parents who would like to bring in cakes for the summer fair cake stall on Friday. Thank you.
Bounce castles will be in school all day on Friday in the run up to the summer fair. It will be £2 per child to use through-out the day. Please have your child bring it into school with them on Friday morning.
7^th July KS1 school disco 2-3:30pm.

I hope you all have a great weekend.

Mrs Dolman and Mrs Steele

The Queen's 90th birthday celebrations!!!!

W/B Monday 23^rdMay 2016

Well done to this week award winners!

Gold award winner – Olivia M

Silver award winner – Molly B

Bronze award winner – Jack M

Writer award winner – Lola F

This week in school we have celebrated our cultural week ‘Around the World.’ On Tuesday Mrs Threlkeld talked to the children about Save the Children charity. The children are all making kites for kids to raise awareness of the charity. The kites will then be used in our science investigation lessons. On Thursday Dylan’s Reptile Time came into school to teach us about reptiles from countries all over the world. The children got to hold an African frog a variety of snakes, a tarantula and two beautiful tortoises.

In English we have been looking at various types of letters and how they are laid out. We listened to the story of Zahra a little girl who lives in Africa and has difficulty getting plants to grow. We wrote letters pretending to be Zahra and described the area she lived, the weather and how it is different to the UK. On Tuesday we watched the 1967 Jungle Book and listened to the story. We created postcards pretending to be Mowgli and explain his adventures.

In Maths we have started learning about time, how to read and draw o’clock and half past times. We also looked at what activities we do at different times of the day.

The phonics screening is starting to get closer. We will be doing lots of phonics work in class during next few weeks. Please keep encouraging your children to go on education city and practising the sounds of phase 3 and phase 5. If you have any concerns or questions please come and see me.

First week back on the Friday it is the Queens Birthday Picnic and Bake for the Queen Sponsored event on the 10^th June our PFTA will be holding a sponsored event which involves cake and baking! Children can enter a cake for £1 which they pay on the day. There is an opportunity for parents and carers too.
Now that we are having all the beautiful weather. Can you please make sure you apply sun cream to your child before they come to school and send in a hat if required. Staff are not permitted to apply sun cream. There are plenty of areas of shade on the playground and field available if your child wants to sit out of the sun.
On sports day there will be a raffle to win a signed football shirt along with other sports related prizes.

I hope you all have a great weekend.

Mrs Dolman and Mrs Steele

W/B Monday 16^th May 2016

Well done to this week award winners!

Gold award winner – Lucy S

Silver award winner – Daniella P

Bronze award winner – Byron S

Writer award winner – Rowan H

In English we went on a walk on Monday morning around the school grounds. We visited our garden area, bug house and forest area. In our forest area we found a golden key hanging from a tree!! We wondered what it could have been for. After a while we then found an old wooden door that was at the bottom of a tree! Where does the door go? Back in class we wrote our own fantastic stories about secret worlds behind the door. We are hoping these stories show just how much our writing target rockets are flying high!

In Maths we continued to look at numbers to 100. We learnt about what the numbers in a 2 digit number stand for (tens and ones). We then used this knowledge to compare numbers to 100. Later in the week we explored a hundred square looking for patterns in the numbers.

In History we carried out research on the internet to learn more about Tim Peake and Neil Armstrong. The children then created a fact file about each astronaut.

Reminders

Year 1 will be going on a local walk on Friday 27^th. Weather permitting. Please can you return the letters ASAP. Thank you.
Now that we are having all the beautiful weather. Can you please make sure you apply sun cream to your child before they come to school and send in a hat if required. Staff are not permitted to apply sun cream. There are plenty of areas of shade on the playground and field available if your child wants to sit out of the sun.
The summer school dinners menu is now being served in school.
On sports day there will be a raffle to win a signed football shirt along with other sports related prizes.
Bake for the Queen Sponsored event. On the 10^th June our PFTA will be holding a sponsored event which involves cake and baking! Children can enter a cake for £1 which they pay on the day. There is an opportunity for parents and carers too.

I hope you all have a great weekend.

Mrs Dolman and Mrs Steele

W/B Monday 9^th May 2016

Well done to this week award winners!

Gold award winner – Ellis S

Silver award winner – Max B

Bronze award winner – Ava D

Writer award winner – Abigail F

This week Jessica and Ellis went to a multi skills sports tournament. They has such great fun! Well done for being excellent sport people.

On Monday we had an exciting day visiting the World Museum in Liverpool. The children first took part in workshop learning about Tim Peake, his mission and what it is like on the spaceship. We then visited the planetarium and learnt about the different planets and whether there could be aliens!!! In the afternoon we explored the museums space, dinosaur, colour exhibitions, the bug house and the aquarium.

In English we were set a challenge by Mrs Holfcroft to write our own stories with a hidden moral. The challenge was that it had to be centred around an animal. In year 1 we choose to write a story about a peacock. We called our story Peter the Proud Peacock from Pakistan. We looked at how beautiful the peacock is but also how other animals have talents or are special in other ways. Our moral is that we all have our own talents but we should also celebrate the talents of others.

In Maths we completed our fractions unit by halving and quartering numbers. Then we started looking at numbers to 100. We learnt how to count and write numbers to 100.

In History we looked at Neil Armstrong’s journey to the moon. We watched an interview about his favourite memories of the mission. We learnt his famous words and key facts about what he did when he was on the moon.

Reminders

Now that we are having all the beautiful weather. Can you please make sure you apply sun cream to your child before they come to school and send in a hat if required. Staff are not permitted to apply sun cream. There are plenty of areas of shade on the playground and field available if your child wants to sit out of the sun.
The summer school dinners menu is now being served in school.
Everton coaches are unable to do multi skills this week therefore there will be no after school multi skills this week.
On sports day there will be a raffle to win a signed football shirt along with other sports related prizes.
Bake for the Queen Sponsored event. On the 10^th June our PFTA will be holding a sponsored event which involves cake and baking! Children can enter a cake for £1 which they pay on the day. There is an opportunity for parents and carers too.

I hope you all have a great weekend.

Mrs Dolman and Mrs Steele

W/B Monday 2^ng May 2016

Well done to this week award winners!

Gold award winner – Ellis B

Silver award winner – Lucy S

Bronze award winner – Maisee A

Writer award winner - Daniel B

Reader award winner - Ebony M

Mathematician award winner - Lucy B

I hope you all had a lovely bank holiday weekend. As we have only had 4 days in school this week we have been very busy.

In English we have continued our topic fantasy stories. We continued to look at stories set in space. After listening to the funny story of Aliens Love Underpants last week we decided to write our own versions of the story. We had stories called Aliens Love Pearls, Aliens Love Nappies, Aliens Love Smelly Socks. Below is one of the children’s fabulous work.

In Maths we have been looking at fractions. We started looking at how we halve a shape and what halving means. We then moved on to quartering. This can be a tricky concept for children to grasp. Halving and quartering is linked into this week’s homework please keep encouraging your child to explain their answers when they are completing it.

In our Computing sessions we looked at how to create a PowerPoint. This week the children created their title slides focusing on importing a clip art, resizing the image and changing text style, size and font.

In Science we have been learning about the names and order of the planets. The children have really enjoyed this session. Encourage your children to explore the planets further at home.

On Friday the whole school had an art day. In year 1 we looked at the art work of Kandinsky. We created our own versions of his famous painting 'Concentric Circles.'

Reminders

9^th May – Year 1 trip to the world museum. Children to be in school uniform with a packed lunch in a carrier bag if you have chosen to provide them one.
PE Kits- At this time of year the children will be doing PE outside and you may wish to send in outdoor PE kit for school.

I hope you all have a great weekend.

Mrs Dolman and Mrs Steele

W/B Monday 25^th April 2016

Well done to this week award winners!

Gold award winner – Callum Mc

Silver award winner – Annabelle Mc

Bronze award winner – Paddy K

Writer award winner - Libby M

Mathematician award winner - Byron S

Reading award winner - Joshua S

Where has this week gone! We must have been so busy in Year 1.

In English we have continued our topic fantasy stories. This week we started to look at stories set in space and about aliens. We first listened to the very funny story Here Come the Aliens! The children wrote their own verses of the rhyming story concentrating on exclamation marks and rhyming words. We have some fantastic writing. Below is some of the children’s fabulous work. Later in the week we read Aliens Love Underpants. We had a class debate about our favourite fantasy books and why we liked them.

In Maths we started looking at division and how we can split a number into equal groups. The children then created their own division number stories for their friends to solve using a variety of maths equipment. Division is linked into this week’s homework.

In our Computing sessions we looked at internet safety and how to stay safe when on the net.

Reminders

9^th May – Year 1 trip to the world museum. Reply slips in as soon as possible please.
PE Kits- At this time of year the children will be doing PE outside and you may wish to send in outdoor PE kit for school.

I hope you all have a wonderful bank holiday weekend.

Mrs Dolman and Mrs Steele

W/B Monday 28^th March 2016

Well done to this week award winners!

Gold award winner – Jack

Silver award winner – Noah

Bronze award winner – Daniel

Writer award winner - Lola

Welcome back everyone. I hope you have all had a lovely break.

It has been such a lovely first week back. First of all well done to Daniel and Byron for gaining your red belt in Ju Jitsu.

This week in Year 1 we have been celebrating The Queen on her 90^th birthday celebrations. In class we made birthday cards and in our art lessons drew portraits of the queen. We are creating a new whole school display so I will post a picture once it is completed with all our drawings. We are planning to have a garden party on the 10^th June to continue the celebration, I will keep you updated.

The weather has been fantastic! I love this time of year when Year 1 can start to fully use our outdoor learning area.

In English this week we have started our new topic fantasy stories. We looked at a range of story books and explored the different settings and magical objects in the story. On Tuesday we look at the story the Lion the Witch and the wardrobe. The children wrote excellent descriptions using interesting vocabulary. On Friday we listened to the story The Sorcerer’s Apprentice and the children retold the story in their creative writing sessions using a variety of sentence openers and conjunctions.

In Maths we have continued to look at counting in 2’s,5’s and 10’s and how to apply it to word problems.

Well done to all the children who brought in Space projects. It was so hard for me to pick the winners they were all fabulous!!!

Winners were Ellis B and Libby M

Runners up were Jessica P, Byron S, Noah D, Ellis S, Summer B, Joshua S

Reminders

9^th May – Year 1 trip to the world museum.
PE Kits- At this time of year the children will be doing PE outside and you may wish to send in outdoor PE kit for school.
The book fair raised £343 to spend on new books for school. Thank you to everyone who came.

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend.

Mrs Dolman and Mrs Steele

W/B Monday 28^th March 2016

Well done to this week award winners!

Gold award winner – Maisee

Silver award winner – Abigail

Bronze award winner – Joshua

Mathematician award winner – Ebony

Reading award winner – Daniel

Thank you to everyone who responded to the multi-skills club to start in the summer term. A letter has gone out this evening to say whether your child will be involved next term.

In English this week we have been learning all about Fairtrade. The children have read two books based in Africa and created poems and fact files about fair trade foods and what it is like to live in certain parts of Africa.

In Maths we have been equal groups of numbers and counting in 2’s,5’s and 10’s. The children are very good at this but can we please keep practising counting in 5’s at home over the holidays.

The homework I have sent home is very open ended. Please feel free to create a fact file, poster or pieces of art to show learning about Space and Tim Peake. The best two research projects will be awarded a prize when we come back next term

I hope you all have a wonderful week. Year 1 certainly deserve a rest after all their hard work this term. I am so excited for next half term there is so many lovely things planned!!! See you soon.

Mrs Dolman and Mrs Steele

W/B Monday 21^th March 2016

Well done to this week award winners!

Gold award winner – Kiea

Silver award winner – Summer

Bronze award winner – Rowan

Writer award winner – Paddy

Mathematician award winner – Daniella

Reading award winner – Libby

Thank you to everyone who came to the Easter bingo. It was a great evening and so lovely to see all the children enjoying the games! Great for learning numbers with the little ones. The profits will be going to fund the new outdoor reading area.

In English this week we have been looking at exclamation marks and how to use them in our writing. On Tuesday we looked at the Easter story and wrote about the main key points in our creative writing sessions. On Thursday I set the children a phonics challenge. Easter eggs where split up with pictures and words. Using their phonics knowledge and blending skills the children had to match the Easter eggs up! Well done to Squirrels who were the first group to complete the challenge. We are still having a focus on handwriting, if the children show consistent improvement in their letter formation and handwriting they could receive the special handwriting pencil to use in class.

In Maths we have been looking how to solve word problems. The children had to look at the vocabulary used and decide if it was an addition or subtraction problem. We then explored a variety of ways to solve the problem using number bonds and bar modelling.

To finish off the week we of course had an Easter egg hunt around school.

Reminders.

School opens back up on Tuesday 29^th. The children are in for 4 days and then finish on the Friday for Easter.
Please can you ensure your child is in the correct uniform and school shoes for after the Easter holidays. PE kits will be sent home to check the size of shoes and their kits.

Have a great weekend everyone! See you on Monday!

Mrs Dolman and Mrs Steele

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W/B Monday 14^th March 2016

Well done to this week award winners!

Gold award winner –

Silver award winner – Lucy S

Bronze award winner –

Writer award winner – Tilly

Mathematician award winner – Reece

Reading award winner – Abigail

Thank you to everyone who came to parents evening! It was lovely to chat to you about your child’s progress. Please come and see me if you have any further questions.

In English this week we have read the lovely stories of Paddington Bear. We have been concentrating on using question marks, time adverbials and conjunctions. We wrote questions to ask Paddington Bear and wrote a diary about his day at the fair. Using past tense and a capital letter for the pronoun I. We are still having a focus on handwriting, if the children show consistent improvement in their letter formation and handwriting they could receive the special handwriting pencil to use in class.

In Maths we have been looking at comparing numbers to 40, finding 1 more and 1 less than a number to 40 and identifying a number pattern. The children explored a variety of ways to compare by partitioning the tens and the ones. At home please keep continuing to practise counting in 2’s, 5’s and 10’s.

On Monday we went for a visit to the church to listen to the Easter story and take part in the Easter crafts. The children love this trip and had lots of questions to ask about Christianity so we wrote them all down and took them to the church to be answered when we were there.

Reminders.

Easter Bingo 23^rd March. Doors open at 5:30 to start at 6pm.
Please can you ensure your child is in the correct uniform and school shoes for after the Easter holidays. PE kits will be sent home to check the size of shoes and their kits.

Have a great weekend everyone! See you on Monday!

Mrs Dolman and Mrs Steele

W/B Monday 7^th March 2016

Well done to this week award winners!

Gold award winner – Abigail

Silver award winner – Ebony

Bronze award winner – Megan

Writer award winner – Byron

Mathematician award winner – Summer

Reading award winner – Lucy S

A huge congratulations to Lola who won a trophy for netball at the weekend. Well done!

In English this week we have been looking at non-fiction texts. A couple of weeks ago we looked at what non-fiction books are, the features and how to use them to locate information. We continued our learning by creating our own non-fiction books all about healthy living. The children included chapters, a contents page, a glossary, an index, pictures, labels, captions and a blurb. They are fantastic! You will see them in their books next week!

On Friday the children tried to get their target rockets a little bit further by showing off all they have learnt this term in writing. We read the story ‘The Three Billy Goats Gruff’ and recalled the story in our creative writing session. We looked story language, extending sentences, capital letters and variety punctuation. We are still having a focus on handwriting, if the children show consistent improvement in their letter formation and handwriting they could receive the special handwriting pencil to use in class.

In Maths we have been looking at counting and writing numbers to 40. The children have explored a variety of ways to count including counting in 1’s, grouping into 10’s, grouping in 2’s and 5’s. On Friday we look at partitioning of numbers into tens and ones.

In our Computing sessions we have begun looking at algorithms. This week the children used beebots and a beebot app on the Ipads. Before moving the beebot and programming the app the children had to predict the route by using prompt cards and then test their algorithms. If the beebot didn’t move the path they created they had to debug the algorithm and change the prompts. The children were very good a debugging and correcting their mistakes.

Our Art work this week we linked into our Geography topic ‘How Wonderful is Our World’ and what better place to base our art work on than our beautiful own school field. The children created collages to include the Grange Valley tree and school field. The children decided what materials to use and how to create the collages. See pictures below. I think there fantastic!

Reminders.

Parents evening is next week. Letters will be sent home on Friday about time slots.
Year 1 trip to the Christ Church. Monday 14^th March 9:00-12::00.
Book Fair 14^th February to 17^th February. 3:30 – 4:00

Have a great weekend everyone! See you on Monday!

Mrs Dolman and Mrs Steele

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W/B 29th February 2016

It has been such an exciting week this week!

On Tuesday we had a visit from Dylan's Reptile Time. The children had great fun and very so brave in holding all the reptiles that came into our class. They found out lots about the reptiles and asked millions of questions. I even cracked my own fear of holding snakes after some pressure from the children!!! Check out the pictures below.

On Friday we celebrated World Book Day 2016. The children all looked fantastic and stepped right out of so many wonderful story books. Thank you to all the parents for their support in getting the costumes.

In English this week we have been learning all about poetry. On Monday we looked at our senses and how we can use these to create poems. We wrote a very funny poem about smelly people using adjectives and a poem about reptiles using touch and our sight to describe the animals. Our poems were fantastic as the children created their own similes!

In Maths lessons we have been learning about length and height. We started off the week measuring with units (blocks, paper clips, hands) Later in the week we learnt how to measure with ruler and discussed vocabulary linked with height and length. From next week we look at addition, subtraction, counting, writing and solving using numbers up to 40. Please practise at home counting to and back from 40.

In Geography the children used atlas and maps to locate the countries of the UK and identified the flags. The children loved this lesson and created some fantastic work.

Thank you to everyone who came to the phonics screening meeting. Packs to support your child have been sent home today. Please come and see me if you have any questions.

I hope you all have a great weekend.

Mrs Dolman and Mrs Steele

Newsletter -

http://grangevalley.sites.schooljotter2.com/newsletter/41870

Dates for the diary

14th March - Year 1 visit to the church.

14th -17h March - Book Fair

14th -18th - Parents Evening Week

W/B 1st February 2016

To celebrate National Story Telling Week we had a visit from a local author Steve Hartley. He read some of his wonderful books to the children. They found them very funny. For the rest of the week the children followed in his footsteps and were story tellers for the week, writing and reading to the class their stories.

On Thursday Year 1 went to Sankey Valley to learn about the local history of the area and the importance of the coal mining. We also went on a little walk around the park finding robins and feeding the ducks and swans.

This week the children stayed behind school for our Harry Potter Reading Night. The children listen to stories and had a hot chocolate and marshmallow treat. The children completed a reading treasure hunt. They had to find all the items the wizard wanted to put in his potion. The children had great fun looking for the last item! Dragon poo!

W/B Monday 25^th January 2016

Well done to this week award winners!

Gold award winner – Jack M

Silver award winner – Olivia M

Bronze award winner – Lucy B

Writer award winner – Ebony M

Mathematician award winner – Summer

Reading award winner – Megan

In English this week we began our new topic learning about Traditional Tales. The children listened to the classic story The Three Little Pigs. We looked at the characters, setting and the children wrote about their favourite parts of the story. We also watch the Walt Disney film clip and compared it to the book. In our creative writing sessions we created our own versions of the story. The children thought about putting funny twists on their stories. Some examples included The Three Little Crocodiles and the Big Bad Rat and the Three Little Water hogs and the Big Bad Tiger! Keep a look out for our new writing display in the classroom to read these exciting and funny stories. The children were encouraged to use a variety of conjunctions and story language to use in their writing. This week we have started our new merit for handwriting, if the children show consistent improvement in their letter formation and handwriting they could receive the handwriting certificate and special handwriting pencil to use in class. Please keep encouraging your child to form capital letters correctly at home when completing their handwriting homework.

In Maths we have been looking at addition and subtraction methods. The children have explored a variety of ways to add and subtract including counting on and back, adding and subtracting by understanding partitioning and adding/subtracting from the 1’s. I then challenged the children to solve my subtraction and addition word problems. On Friday some of children surprised me by saying they were now challenging me and created subtraction word problems of their own for me and their friends to solve! Well done Year 1!

In our Computing sessions we continued to look at different artists. This week we discussed the artwork by Monet and The Water Lily Pond. The children found key differences between other artist work we had seen in the previous week from Mondrian and Polloch. We created our own version of the art focusing on a variety of different drawing tools and we learnt how to open and save our work.

In Geography we continued to learn about our local area. After our local walk we followed up this session by exploring the variety of homes people live in. First we looked homes from around the world and in other cultures, then closer to home and what types of houses we have in our area. We collected data on the different types of houses the children in Year 1 live in. Our results showed that the majority of the children lived in a terraced house with some in flats, semi-detached and detached houses.

Reminders.

Next week is National Story Telling Week. We are celebrating by having a Harry Potter Reading Night! This is on Thursday 4^th February 3:30-5:00pm. Children should bring PJ’s in a labelled bag. Children have been encouraged next week to bring in their favourite books into school to share and read with their friends during wet play times and story time.

Year 1 trip to Sankey Valley. Thursday 4^th February 1:00-3:00pm.
Valentines Discos Thursday 11^th February. Please bring clothes in a labelled bag.

Have a great weekend everyone! See you on Monday!

Mrs Dolman and Mrs Steele

W/B Monday 11^th January 2016

Well done to this week award winners!

Gold award winner – Daniel B

Silver award winner – Libby M

Bronze award winner – Lucy S

Writer award winner – Ebony M

Mathematician award winner – Abigail

Reading award winner – Daniella P

In English this week we have continued our learning about non-fiction texts. We compared the difference between fiction and non-fiction texts and explored how we use a dictionary. In our creative writing session on Friday the children wrote some fantastic recounts about our local walk. Keep encouraging children to use capital letters at the beginning of sentences and for names and places when doing writing at home.

In Maths we have been looking at number patterns to find the next number. I am setting a challenge for all children. If they bring in a list of number patterns for a friend in class to complete they will receive 3 class dojos. They must of course must have the answers to check their partners work. E.g 19, 18, 17, __ 15 or 100, 90, 80 __, 60. Next week we will be starting to look at different methods to add and subtract.

In our computer sessions this week look at a different artist, Jackson Polloch and compared the work to Mondrian’s from last week. We created our own version of the art focusing on the colours and patterns and learnt how to save our work.

In Geography we continued to learn about our local area. This week we went on our local walk to use our fieldwork and observational skills. It was such a beautiful afternoon, however it was very cold! The children looked for physical and human features, used a map to follow a set route and identified different types of houses. The children collected information by recording what they found on observation sheets and took photographs on the IPADs.

This week we have been discussing British values and the importance to listen and help others, respect all faiths and beliefs and protect and support each other. Year 1 have created our own British value representation face, which will be displayed in the corridor outside our classroom with all the other Year groups faces. Check it out you will be able to see it from Y1’s drop off courtyard!

I have had some enquiries about a tuck shop that is being held in school. There is a healthy tuck shop held in the afternoon break ran by the Year 6 children. Year 1 children are able to bring in money to buy healthy snacks. A maximum of 50p is required. This is optional and children do not need to bring money in every day.

The Sugar Smart App has seemed to be a great success in our class. Everyday children have been telling me the healthy options of food by using the APP at home. If you haven’t had chance to have a look at it yet, see the information below.

On Friday 22^nd January the Year 6 children will be holding a cake sale in school. They will be raising money for Willowbrook Hospice and Zoe’s Place. Cakes ranging from 10p to 45p.

Have a great weekend everyone! See you on Monday!

Mrs Dolman and Mrs Steele

W/B Monday 4^th January 2016

Welcome back everyone! I hope you all had an amazing Christmas break. This term is very busy but very exciting. I have sent home a copy of the overview for the term and a trip letter about a walk around the local area for next week. Can you please return this as soon as possible? Thank you.

In English this week we have been looking at instructional writing. The children have been following, ordering and writing their own sets of instructions. On Thursday they wrote some fantastic instructions about how to wash your hands after our visit from the school nurse last term. These will be displayed around school to help all children to wash their hands correctly. We also made our own fruit kebabs by following a detailed set of instructions with imperative verbs.

In Maths we have been concentrating on the numbers 11-20. We have been writing them in words, ordering and comparing them with key vocabulary (more, less, fewer, greater, smaller), finding number patterns and using them in word problems.

In our computer sessions this week we have studied the work of artist Mondrian. We created our own version of the art using a drawing programme. I was so impressed with the children’s designs. Check them out below.

In Geography we have begun our new topic “What would Travelling Ted find exciting about our town?” This week we looked at physical and human features and used the IPADs to research on Google Earth and Google Maps to find where we are in the world.

Can you please ensure you child has returned their PE kit back into school as the PE lessons have begun for this term. Thank you.

Have a great weekend everyone! See you on Monday!

Mrs Dolman and Mrs Steele

Today the children were really excited! We got to watch the Space launch live on TV. After we made rockets and posters to support Tim Peakes.

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W/B Monday 30^Th November 2015

Each week in school we will be focusing on a set of spellings from the spelling list for Year 1 (sent home in welcome packs) and a set of spellings with different spelling rules. These will be sent home as homework spelling. Please practise the weekly spellings at home!

This week

Spellings of the week: when, went Spelling rule of the week: oo (u)

Yes! I love this time of year and finally all of our Christmas celebrations can begin. This week has been such a fun and busy week. On Wednesday the children watched the fantastic pantomime Beauty and the Beast in the school hall. We had our annual tree lighting ceremony on Thursday. We apologise to all parents and school friends or having to cancel the main carol sing along event due to the weather, however the children still enjoyed the lighting of the school tree in our school hall. The children’s singing was so amazing, that we had a very special visitor into school and listen. Let’s hope even the teachers singing was good enough to be put on the good list! In class we now have our own Santa toy workshop, the children have been having lots of fun in the role play area.

In class this week we have read the Christmas Story and retold it in our creative writing sessions concentrating on capital letters for names, start of sentences and places. Later in the week we wrote letters to Santa. The children then had to use their knowledge of capital letters in their letters but also focused on adding question marks in their writing by asking Santa a question they have always wanted to know! In Science the children have continued their learning about forces. They had great fun investigating how different materials can affect the movement of a toy car after a force has acted upon it. We made predictions and talk about how we could make it a fair test.

Reminders

Next week it is Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 Christmas Play. If you have any items of clothing to bring in for your child’s costume please can you bring these in ASAP. Any items needed where on the letter sent home a couple of weeks ago.

Tuesday 8th December – 9am for YR Parents,2.30 pm for Grandparents and Heyeswood

Thursday 10th December – 9am for Y1 and Y2 Parents

Friday 11th December – Christmas Party Infants (R, Y1 & Y2) In school hours. Please can you bring your child’s party clothes in a bag with their name. Mrs Steele has a list of items if you would like to sign up to bring food for their party. Please see her at the door in the mornings. Thank you

Friday 18th December – Final Christmas Assembly - Parents Welcome

Have a great weekend everyone! See you all next week.

Mrs Dolman and Mrs Steele.

W/B Monday 16th November 2015

A huge congratulations to this week’s winner

Gold Merit Winner – Jessica

Silver Merit Winner – Joshua

Bronze Merit Winner – Bronze

Writer of the week – Reece

Reader of the week – Noah

Maths Superstar of the week – Olivia

This week

Spellings of the week: full, by Spelling rule of the week: ar,ee

Can I please apologise for not having an entry on the blog last week, as we had some technical faults. It was such an exciting week to share, so in the photo gallery I have included some of the Children in Need day photos of what heroes the children came dressed as from last week.

This week in English the children have been reading the lovely repeating text Monkey and Me. The children have wrote their own versions of the story using the repeating pattern. We have been looking at where capital letters should go in our writing.

In Math’s this week we have started looking at subtraction. We began the week looking at the vocabulary and symbols and compared it to addition. We then looked at different methods to help solve subtractions within 10. This weeks homework is linked to subtraction. Encourage your child to use a number line or their number bond knowledge to complete the subtractions. Some children will find it beneficial to have objects to count and take away when you are doing their homework.

We have also started practise for our Christmas Nativity. On Friday the children will come home with a list of an extra items they might need to complete the costume which will be provided by school and a list of songs to practise at home.

This week in school it has been anti bullying week. In Year 1 we discussed different situations (calling someone names, not letting people play etc) and discussed how that would make people feel. The children worked in partners to come up with ideas how to prevent this situation happening or how to deal with it. The children then all signed our Grange Valley anti bullying policy to go up in our classroom.

Have a great weekend everyone.

Mrs Dolman and Mrs Steele

Reminders

Next week is Walk to School week.

The newsletter has all the Christmas dates you need up to half term.

It is own clothes day on Friday and the following few Fridays. If possible please can you bring in a bottle of something this Friday for the Christmas Fair. Thank you.

W/B Monday 2nd November 2015

Reader of the Week - Abigail

Maths Superstar of the Week - Reece

Each week in school we will be focusing on a set of spellings from the common exception list for Year 1 (which can be found in your welcome packs) and different spelling rules (homework spellings). Please practise the weekly spelling at home!

This week

Spellings of the week in school : with, went Spelling rules in homework: igh

Welcome back everyone! I hope you have all had a lovely break.

In English this week we started our new poetry topic. We explored different poems by looking at the patterns and vocabulary used. The children then learnt and practise a performance in small groups of one of the poems. The children then performed them to the class and we did some peer assessment on each others performance. Later in the week we then wrote counting bonfire poems and bonfire safety posters.

In our computer sessions we created our own bonfire pictures using different tools on a painting program. We have also been using the computers to support our phonics and maths learning.

In Maths the children were given missing number problems to 10. The children love exploring and finding the different methods to complete the challenge. In their journals they then had to explain the methods that they used.

We had a visit from the fire brigade to talk to the children about how to stay safe on bonfire night. If you are going to any bonfires this weekend, please have lots of fun but stay safe.

We spent some time on Thursday making poppies for a Weeping Willow tree.

Reminders

Parents evening is next week. The children have come home with their appointment times tonight. I have tried to fit them in with siblings appointments in other classes.

Children will be getting the flu immunisations on Tuesday. They will only get them if the form has been completed and returned to school.

Have a great weekend

Mrs Dolman and Mrs Steele

W/B Monday 20th October 2015

A huge congratulations to this week winners!

Gold Merit Winner - Maisee

Silver Merit Winner - Jack

Bronze Merit Winner - Daniella

Writer of the Week - Rowan

Reader of the Week - Noah

Maths Superstar of the Week - Olivia

This week

Spellings of the week in school : with, went Spelling rules in homework: ck and nk

This week we have had our Ugly Bug disco. The children had a fantastic time, see some pictures below.

In English we listened to the fantastic story Winnie the Witch. The children then produced some amazing writing using adjectives to describe Winnie and her creepy house. This week we have been concentrating on our handwriting and spelling.

Sadly we have come to the end of our History topic 'Would the Beatles have won the X Factor?' In PE the children have been learning 60's dance moves and the last few weeks have put these all together to create a short dance to help, yellow submarine and the song from Hairspray. Below is a video clip of the children practicing in PE.

We finally had our 1960's day to finish off the whole topic and learning. Below are some pictures.

Have a great holiday everyone! Keep yourself safe and I will see you all in a weeks time.

Mrs Dolman and Mrs Steele

W/B Monday 12th October 2015

A huge congratulations to this week winners!

Gold Merit Winner - Tilly

Silver Merit Winner - Max

Bronze Merit Winner - Summer

Writer of the Week - Kiea

Reader of the Week - Maisee

Maths Superstar of the Week - Jack

This week

Spellings of the week in school : pull, push Spelling rules in homework: ck and nk

This week the children have been trying so hard with their maths skills. The children have really been enjoying the school's new approach to maths teaching. This week we have been looking at number bonds to 10. The children have been exploring what two smaller numbers can go together to make 10. We then wrote number stories for pictures of objects using the number bonds. Well done to Noah, Rowan and Jack who were fantastic in our Maths lesson this week.

In English this week the children have completing writing assessments, they wrote a recount about our school trip using time adverbials. As a treat later in the week went for an Autumn walk, in the school grounds. We discussed the Autumn season and what changes they expect to find within our environment. The children collected items to bring back to class and wrote descriptions about what they saw on our walk using capital letters, full stops and their challenge to use adjectives in their writing. The children tried so hard and produced some fantastic pieces of writing.

In PE we have been exploring 1960's dance moves. The children have linked movements together to create a short dance to many popular songs from the decade, including of course The Beatles. Next week the children will be completing their dance sequence after all their learning across the term. I will post the video on the blog next week.

We had a visit from the school nurse on Thursday. The children learnt what the Flu is, how it can spread and why it is important to wash our hands. The children were fascinated with the hand machine which shows how clean their hands where.

See link below to help explain to your children about the flu.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1jHWwm8NQUw

During October and November children across St Helens will be offered the nasal flu vaccine. Children aged 2-4 years will be offered this at their GP practice and children in Years 1&2 will receive this in schools. In addition all children over the age of 6 months who have a medical condition will be offered the vaccine. Below this is a leaflet provided by St Helens MBC

Reminders:

Ugly Bug disco on Tuesday. Can all children please bring in their clothes in a name plastic bag on the day.
Last day of term is next week Thursday 22nd October.
There will be no multi-skills next week.
HARVEST - This year we would like to ask all children to donate an item of food, such as a tin or dried food for eg. pasta or rice. This will be collected and sent to a local charity, The St Helens Trussel Trust Food Bank who will benefit tremendously by your gesture of good will. Thank you for your kind support!
Please can you ensure you are reading with your child as much as possible at home and sign their reading record book.

Have a great week everyone!

See you all for the final week of the first half term! Can't believe it.

Mrs Dolman and Mrs Steele

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W/B Monday 5th October 2015

A huge congratulations to this week winners!

Gold Merit Winner - Rowan

Silver Merit Winner - Libby

Bronze Merit Winner - Ebony

Writer of the Week - Reece

Reader of the Week - Daniella

Maths Superstar of the Week - Max

This week

Spellings of the week in school : is, no, go, put Spelling rules in homework: ll,ff,zz and ss

Well done Ebony for winning her Morris dancing awards!

In English this week we read the story 'The Aliens Are Coming' The children created their own aliens and learnt how to write labels with adjectives. Later in the week we linked our writing into the theme day 'Keeping Healthy' The children wrote acrostic poems about how we look after our bodies, we also learnt to recite a healthy poem and recorded it using the Ipads. The children had great fun watching them back! We also got some time to complete a sport challenge outside. The children had to see how many jumps, throws or spinning of hoops they could do in 2 minutes. We talked about what happened to our hearts when we excerise. In our circle time we discussed the different clubs and types of exercises the children do outside of school. On Friday we wrote about our trip to Liverpool in our creative writing sessions.

In Maths this week we have been looking at how a number to 10 can be split into two smaller numbers, building on our number bond knowledge. The children created number bond towers with cubes and expressed different ways to make a number to 10 in diagrams and number sentences. The homework links into our number bond work.

It was very exciting this week as we had our first class trip of the year. Through-out the week the children were counting down the days until on Thursday we went to Liverpool to visit the Beatles Story to link into our topic 'Would the Beatles Have Won the X Factor' It was such a great day and the children absolutely loved it. We did lots of fun activities including visiting the exhibition to learn more about the Beatles and could see what the cavern looked like. We played the songs Yellow Submarine, Help and She Loves You on a giant floor keyboard. The children got to visit a vinyl shop and dress up in 1960s clothing and to finish the whole day off the children used their maps skills and guided our walk from the docks to the Pier Head to watch a 4D theatre show.

Here are some of the comments from the children through-out the day that really made me smile!

"This is the best day ever. Can we come back tomorrow!" Ellis B

"Why were all the girls screaming when the Beatles played. I think they must have been very good!" Rowan

"I would like to learn the guitar to be just like Paul McCartney" Joshua

"Our Cavern in class just looks like this, tomorrow can I write my own song to perform." Abigail

"Mrs Dolman did you know that Ringo Star was the voice in Thomas the Tank?" Max

Have a look below at the pictures from our exciting day!

Have a great weekend everyone!

Mrs Dolman and Mrs Steele

W/B Monday 21st September 2015

A huge congratulations to this week winners!

Gold Merit Winner - Maisee

Silver Merit Winner - Abigail

Bronze Merit Winner - Paddy

Writer of the Week - Noah

Reader of the Week - Lucy S

Maths Superstar of the Week - Lola

This week

Spellings of the week in school : has, his, to, Spelling rules in homework: sh and ch

A huge happy birthday to Megan, who turned 6 on Thursday!

In English this week the children have wrote some amazing stories. After reading the story The Tiger Who Came to Tea last week we wrote own versions of the story. The children had to pick an animal who would come and knock on their door and write about what they would do in their house. Their ideas were brilliant, we had mice who just wanted all the cheese in the fridge, monkeys who jumped on beds and made a big mess and a crocodile who just wanted to bite your legs when you were watching TV! Fantastic Year 1 you all tried so hard to achieve your writing targets!

On Wednesday we had a lovely day bringing in our favourite teddy bears from home. The children wrote about their favourite bears and listened to the story This is Bear. It is a lovely story about a little boy who lost his bear in a rubbish dump. In our SEAL time we talked about looking after things that our precious to us and how to make your friend feels better if they are upset, like the little boy in the story. In Art we painted pictures of our bears to make a new classroom display.

In Maths we have been comparing sets of objects and numbers. The children helped me solve a problem about a magician who loved to pull animals out of his hat. The children had to say which groups of animals he had more, less or just as many of. The homework this week is linked to comparing sets of groups and numbers.

In Science the children have been learning all about sound. We created an investigation to see how to make the best string telephone. We discussed what we could change to compare, made predictions and learnt how to record the results in a simple table. We decided to compared different materials, the size of the cups and different lengths of the string. The children had great fun making and testing the telephones.

Reminders

Our class trip is on 8th October. Please can you get your reply slips in as soon as possible. Thank you.

Have a great weekend everyone! See you all next week.

Mrs Dolman and Mrs Steele

W/B Monday 14th September

Gold Merit Winner - Joshua

Silver Merit Winner - Callum

Bronze Merit Winner - Libby

Writer of the Week - Daniel

Reader of the Week - Paddy

Maths Superstar of the Week - Kiea

Class school trip 8th October 2015 - Please return your reply slips ASAP.

Can you ensure your child has spare underwear in their PE kits incase of any accidents.

Where has this week gone! The children have really enjoyed collecting our class dojos and have been trying to get as many as they can. This week we have received lots of class dojos from the midday staff for showing excellent manners at lunchtime and for playing and sharing on the playground. Well done Year 1! It has been lovely to hear about outside achievements on the messaging section of the parents class dojo. If children have completed any awards or received certificates outside of school let me know and they will receive a outside achiever dojo.

It was lovely to meet you all at the Year 1 ahead meeting this week. If you couldn't attend I will be sending the welcome packs home on Friday and if you have any questions please come and see me. I will be arranging another meeting soon to discuss the phonics screening assessment that will take place in June for all Year 1 children.

In English we have been reading the fantastic story The Tiger Who Came to Tea by Judith Kerr and watch clips from the West End theatre show. The children have been retelling the story using picture clues and then wrote about what happened in the beginning, middle and end of the story in our writing sessions. We have also made tiger masks and use a computer drawing programme to create pictures of the story.

In Maths we have been looking at how to count objects accurately, improving our number formation and started learning how to write numbers in words. This is tricky for the children as some aren't phonetically plausible, please keep practising these at home if possible. If anyone brings in any extra practise of writing numbers in words into school they will receive 2 class dojos.

We have also started our computer topic this week. The children are exploring how to use the Ipad and will be comparing a variety of APP's. Today we discussed what rules we should have when using the Ipads. The children discuss why it is important to use the Ipads safely and with care. They had great fun exploring the educational APP's and once they had discovered how to take pictures and videos were changing the quality and effects of them using a variety of APP's.

In our History topic "Would the Beatles have won the XFactor?" we had a class debate and compared the difference between One Direction and The Beatles. We pretended to be Simon Cowell and Cheryl to decide what we liked and disliked about both groups and what was similar and different. We have also started learning some Beatles songs ready for our school trip.

Have a great weekend everyone

Mrs Dolman and Mrs Steele

W/B Monday 6th September

We are all starting to get settled into our daily routines now. Year 1 have had a busy week learning all about Roald Dahl and listening to the story Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. We have described the setting of the story and created our own magical sweets in our creative writing sessions.

In Maths we have been learning about missing numbers and looking for patterns and solving problems involving counting objects of a similar type.

This week we have also started our new topic " Would the Beatles have won the XFactor?" The children will be learning about the 1960's and the Beatles. We now have our own Cavern in the classroom. The children have had great fun dressing up and performing on the stage. A letter has gone out about the trip to Liverpool on the 8th October. Please can you return these as soon as possible.

We have had some really nice days this week so the class have been enjoying the outdoor learning area.

Year 1 won the attendance award this week. Let's hope we can keep it up.

Reminders

Next Thursday there is a parents welcome meeting at 5pm. If you can't attend all welcome packs will be sent home.

W/B Monday 31st August

Welcome back! I hope you have all had a relaxing and enjoyable summer holiday!

This week has been fantastic as I have got to meet my new class, who are all such little stars and seem to have grown up so much!! It was lovely to hear how excited they were to come back to school and tell me all about their summer holidays. They look so smart in their new uniforms!

Over the summer the Year 1 classroom has undergone a huge make over. We have had new flooring, ceiling, heating system, doors, new blinds and all walls have all been painted. It is now such a lovely environment for the children to begin to create their new classroom environment. I look forward to showing you it at the parents welcome meeting.

The children were very excited to see their self portraits they painted with me in the summer term all on display. They have given me great ideas about how they want their new classroom to look. This week has been a time for the children to become settled and given them a chance to explore their new learning environment. This year we have introduced a new system called Class Dojo's. A letter has been sent home on Friday to explain it. Please make sure you sign up to get regular updates and see your child's behaviour in class. Below is a few pictures from this week.

Happy birthday to Rowan who celebrated his birthday this week!

Reminders:

Can we please make sure all children have a PE kit in from Monday as PE lessons will be starting next week.

If any children have had their ears pierced over the holidays, plasters must be worn coming into school on Mondays (PE days) for health and safety. Once they are healed the earrings must be taken out for school.

Welcome meeting for Year 1 parents will be on Thursday 17th September at 5pm, you will be given a welcome pack at this meeting.

A letter has been sent home on Friday about the children drinking milk in class. If you wish your child to have milk on a daily basis please send the letter back to class as soon as possible.

Keep checking the blog and Class dojo's app for updates!

Have a great weekend.

Mrs Dolman and Mrs Steele.