Hello everyone,

Welcome back to Year 1 for Spring 2!

Our topic this half-term is Enchanted Woodland, a lovely theme full of exciting learning opportunities as we move into spring.

English and Science
In Science, we will be learning about plants, exploring how they grow and what they need to stay healthy. This learning will link to our English lessons, where the children will be writing instructions on how to plant a seed.

Religious Education (RE)
In RE, we will be learning about the season of Lent. The children will make simple connections between Jesus’ time in the desert (Luke 4:1–13) and how Christians pray and fast for forty days during Lent. We will also explore the importance of giving to others through the story of the widow’s mite (Luke 21:1–6), thinking about kindness and generosity during Lent.

Maths
We will continue following the NCETM mastery approach, focusing on addition and subtraction within 10 and then extending our learning to numbers within 20. Children will practise number bonds to 10, develop fluency with addition and subtraction facts, explore numbers as “10 and a bit,” and begin learning about odd and even numbers, doubling and halving.

Phonics
In Phonics, we will be revising Phase 5 sounds, focusing on alternative graphemes (different ways to spell the same sound). We will also begin preparing for the Phonics Screening Check, practising blending skills using both real and alien words to build confidence and fluency.

Supporting Learning at Home

Maths:
White Rose 1-Minute Maths – https://whiteroseeducation.com/1-minute-maths
Topmarks Maths Games – https://www.topmarks.co.uk/maths-games/5-7-years
Numbots – https://play.numbots.com
BBC Bitesize Maths – https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/subjects/zjxhfg8

Teacher tip: Short, regular practice (5–10 minutes) helps children build confidence and quick recall of number facts.

Phonics:
PhonicsPlay – https://www.phonicsplay.co.uk
Teach Your Monster to Read – https://www.teachyourmonstertoread.com
BBC Bitesize Phonics – https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/topics/zcqqtfr

Teacher tip: Encourage children to sound out unfamiliar words and practise little and often.

Class Reminders

• PE and Forest School: Thursday

• Book Changing Day: Thursday

• Show and Tell & Homework shared on Seesaw: Tuesday

We are looking forward to a busy and exciting half-term of learning!