We have been very busy in Year 1 this week. We have enjoyed some more sunshine as well as some rain, but whatever the weather we still love spending time outdoors. This week in Geography we have been moving around the school grounds looking for human and physical features in our environment. Whilst we were out doing this, we were lucky enough to see butterflies feeding on the apples that have fallen from the trees in the orchard. We got pretty close to them and the children loved having a closer look.

During Art this week we have used rollers and acrylic paint to print our own animal designs. We had to roll the paint onto Perspex plastic before using a cotton bud to scratch out our pattern. Finally we pressed our pages onto the wet paint and when we pulled it back – there was our animal print design!

We have also welcomed Claire to the class who has made a fantastic start and everyone has been so welcoming. The children have enjoyed doing challenges in the classroom and getting busy in the provision.

In Science we worked as a team to sort out the statements relating to groups of animals. ‘Has feathers and wings’, ‘Is warm blooded’, ‘Give birth to live young’.

After a rainy start to the week, the sunshine came back and we have enjoyed spending more time outside. Mrs Whittaker is working with our year 1 children on a Monday and Tuesday – specifically working in the outside area and school grounds. If your child comes home talking about forest schools or outdoor learning at the beginning of the week – it is likely Mrs Whittaker!

We have filmed our first Talk 4 Writing story and the children have been so excited to perform it, and for you to see it! Please have a watch!

We have enjoyed looking at animal prints in Art and even having a go at painting one ourselves.

In Geography this week we looked at a globe and a map of the UK. The children had some brilliant questions and we look forward to learning more in the next few weeks.

We have been grouping animals in Science. Learning the characteristics of birds, fish, mammals, reptiles, insects and amphibians. We also drew around Mat and labelled his body parts!

Wow – what a week we have had! The children have been absolute superstars in 1F. You would never guess that this is their first week in Year 1.

We have been practicing ACE walking – hopefully the children would be able to tell you what this means and show you what this looks like (smart walking – lips locked, walking feet, facing forward). The children have also done an amazing job lining up with a Year 1 adult at the front gate every morning and walking into class on their own. Lots of them have said they feel so grown up!

This week we have been spending time with the children in provision to really get to know them and to see where their interests lie. It has been so lovely having some time this week to really settle into our new routines and classes. There has been so many activities going on in our classrooms – painting, drawing, writing, acting, reading, counting, building, dancing and so much more. It has been so hot and the children have coped so well, hopefully next week will be much cooler! We went to the orchard today to collect apples to wash, smell and taste.

We have had 3 new children join us this week and they have settled in incredibly. Our existing children have been so excited to play with the new children and have been really inclusive. Welcome to Kelly, Rosie and Charlie T!

Enjoy some photos from this week.