Spring Update
In January we began our topic on the history of toys. The children bought in a range of toys and teddies to compare and discuss in class. The children also asked their parents and grandparents what type of toys they used to play with when they were younger. As part of the topic the children also visited the toy museum on Cannock Chase. As part of their visit they got to watch a Punch and Judy show, which was very entertaining.
We then moved on to our materials topic, looking at different types of materials and how we can change them by bending, twisting, stretching, heating and cooling. The children took part in lots of practical activities and recorded down their observations.
After half term we have begun our topic on pets. The children are looking at a range of different pets and how to care for them. Hopefully Mrs Fellows and Mrs Bennett will be bringing in some of their special pets to show the children.
At the end of the term, the children will be visited by Presto Puppets for a very special puppet show, which will start off next terms topic of puppets.
Autumn Update
Welcome to Key Stage 1! Thank you for taking time to attend our meeting. We hope that you will find it useful. The information is to help you remember some of the points discussed tonight.
Daily routine
Independence – we strive for this in Key Stage 1. Please help them by:
• Checking that all of your children's clothes are clearly labelled (we will then put 'found' items back on the appropriate peg
/ in the draw).
• Provide a 'super loop' for their coats as this makes the coats stay on the pegs.
• Provide dinner money in a named, sealed container.
• Provide a reading book folder to keep their books and homework together.
• Provide a named water bottle; which the children can refill throughout the day.
• Ensure PE kit is in school on Monday (for that week).
• Mrs Douglas/Mrs Bennett's children are to be collected from the top infant playground. Miss Warren's and Mrs Barnes's children
are to be collected outside the year 2 door, between Mr Fergasons mobile and the Key Stage 2 playground.
PE kit
The children need to have their full PE kit on these days, hair needs to be out of the way and ALL jewellery removed. Indoor PE kit is usually with bare feet. Outdoor PE takes place as often as possible so appropriate kit should be provided on these days e.g. a tracksuit, jumper, trainers and T-shirt.
Show and Tell
Show and Tell is on a Wednesday morning. The children are asked to bring/ tell things of interest e.g. recent achievements and certificates, souvenirs collected from days out, programmes from places they have JUST visited, recent things they have made at home. Talking to your child about what they will tell the rest of the class before Wednesday will build their confidence and help them get facts correct. Toys should not be brought in – thank you.
Reading
To keep this safe, we have already mentioned that a reading folder is important. Each child will have
• Their main home reading book, which is a levelled choosing book.
• A green reading diary – which are checked every Monday in school and signed.
• Possibly a group reading book from the school schemes.
• An orange spelling book or reading activities.
Home readers are for the children to read to you. Time is set aside for the children to change their home readers on a daily basis, but some forget so please give them a prompt. The children will earn 'bookmark' awards for reading at least five times a week over a six week period. After they complete 6 weeks they will receive a bronze bookmark, the next 6 weeks silver and then gold. This means that they are on target to receive a book prize if they reach gold 2!
When reading, please encourage your child to build up unfamiliar words. Also encourage children to be good word detectives, especially if they are reading words incorrectly e.g. Does it sound right?(makes sense) Does the word look right?(The 'said' word makes sense but doesn't match the word on the page).
Homework
During the year, your children will be bringing homework of either spelling (Year 2) or reading activities. Spellings will be weekly and homework spelling will alternate fortnightly with reading activities (Year 2). Spellings are in sound family groups e.g. ay – play, way etc; with some high frequency words (sight words e.g. said, was, the etc). A little practice each day is better than a long session the day before the test. Reading activities will be explained in the book. Please check that your child understands what they have to do and encourage them to work independently, preferably using a pencil. All work will be sent home for the weekend and needs to be returned by the Tuesday.
Topics
Our topic in the Autumn term is 'Me, Myself and I'. Initially we will be looking at My body around the world, different food groups and where we get food from. If you could talk to them about different foods, food they ate on holiday and locate this on a world map – that would be great. They will be asked to bring in a postcard or photograph showing where they went. From time to time children will be asked to find things out or bring things in to support our topics. These will not be seen in show and tell but used as appropriate and will be returned a.s.a.p. An information leaflet will be sent out at the end of every term to inform you of our new topic.
SATs
SAT's (Statutory Assessment Tests) are carried out in Year 2 for reading, writing, spelling, and numeracy, during May and June. As this is highlighted in the school attendance procedures and policies, we would be grateful if children did not take holidays during this time. We DO NOT highlight that the children are doing SATs and as we strive for excellence and enjoyment throughout the year, we would appreciate if you also took the same view. Our judgements are taken from the children's work that they have completed over the year as well as what they produce on the day. Remember your children are only six and seven.
We are here to help!!
If you have any issues, worries or concerns please feel free to contact us – we are approachable. If you need to discuss anything with
any of the year 2 staff please pop in at the end of the day. If it is urgent of just a message to get to the teacher for that morning please see Mrs Cope or
Mrs Clark at the main office. This message will then be passed on to the relevant member of staff.
Mrs Barnes - Key Stage 1 teacher
Mrs Bennett(am) and Mrs Douglas - Key Stage 1 teachers
Miss Warren - Key Stage 1 teacher
And Year 1/2 support staff – Mrs Fellows, Mrs Astle and Mrs Brookes.
We are looking forward to the year ahead – we hope you are too!