Year 1

Upcoming Events

(Spring term)

Celebration Assemblies – Whole School – every week (currently virtual – looking to go LIVE soon)

Break up for February half term – Friday, 12th February, 2021

Break up for Easter holidays – Friday, 26th March, 2021

N.B. Due to the Covid-19 situation, we are unable to be clear about future dates.  

We will continue to communicate with parents via email, Facebook and our Weekly Word. 

This half term our curriculum topic is… The Great Fire of London (History)

Homework

Due to the closure of school for the majority of pupils, we are not currently setting homework, as we usually would.  Instead, our pupils at home are expected to engage in online learning between normal school hours, without the added pressure of extra work.

When the school re-opens to all pupils, the curriculum homework, based around our topic, will be posted on Google Classroom and is in a ‘Take Away Menu’ format.

Pupils are encouraged to choose 1 starter, 1 main and 1 dessert and complete these at their convenience over the half term.

The tasks are linked to our curriculum and also set with personal development and community spirit in mind.

Unfortunately, we are still unable to allow pupils to bring their ‘creations’ into school, but we’d love to see photos of them on the Google Classroom.  Here is an example:

N.B. All online platforms are still available to pupils during the school’s partial closure.

Our homework is based around our topic and is in a ‘Take Away Menu’ format.  Please choose 1 starter, 1 main and 1 dessert and complete these at your convenience over the half term.  The tasks are linked to our curriculum and also set with personal development and community spirit in mind.  Here is an example:

In addition, we have a number of online resources, to help you to practise your skills when at home.  These are linked below.  Please see your teacher if you need a reminder of your log in.

Phonics

All pupils in reception and year one are taught to read using the Read Write Inc. scheme.  Read Write Inc.is a programme developed by Ruth Miskin, and is taught in over 5000 schools in the United Kingdom. The programme systematically teaches all of the common sounds in the English language, helping pupils to recognise the sounds and then to ‘sound-blend’ them into words for reading. Children become fluent readers and confident speakers as a result of this method of teaching.

Reception and year one pupils receive 30 minutes of RWI each day.  Children in year one are required to take a statutory check to assess their phonic ability.

Although we have year group bubbles where possible, there may be limited occasions when children in year 1 and 2 mix for their phonics lessons.

 Please rest assured that a robust risk assessment has been carried out and will be adhered to, to ensure that the children within the different year groups are not in close contact with each other, if ever they are within the same bubble. Phonics bubbles have been created to ensure that your child makes the best progress possible.

The risk assessment has been checked and agreed with Durham County Council Health and Safety department and the new safety measures have been sent to parents.

Reading

In addition to their phonics lessons, pupils in Year 1 will hear a class novel at least 3 times per week, as well as having access to the library every week to choose a book for pleasure.

English lessons are also themed around story books, such as The Tiger Who Came to Tea, The Gingerbread Man, Goldilocks and the Three Bears, to constantly increase the number of stories that pupils are exposed to.

Year 1 pupils are read with, 1:1, every week.

P.E.

Year 1 PE sessions are on a Monday.  PE kit is white t-shirt, black shorts and trainers or PE shoes.  If you don’t have this, casual sport clothes are also acceptable.  We ask that pupils come to school in their PE kit into school every Monday.

Forest Schools

Year 1 have Forest School lessons every Wednesday.  They should come to school wearing warm, outdoor clothes.  Pupils will be provided with water proof trousers.  These trousers are never shared outside of the bubble.  Staff are well-trained and understand the need to choose weather appropriate tasks, to avoid pupils sitting in wet clothing all day.  It is very important that they bring a water proof coat.

Get in touch…

If you have any questions or queries about learning or homework, or general enquiries about school, please do not hesitate to get in touch.  easington.colliery@durhamlearning.net

Please download our SIMs app.  Your child’s class teacher will communicate with you via the app, giving reminders about what they need to bring to school, and also to share positive moments and celebrate your child’s achievements.

 If you require help with how to sign up to the SIMs app, please call the office and ask for Mrs Burton.