Literacy
This week, the children will be writing their very own versions of Traditional Tales. We will be looking for evidence of all the things they have learned this half term to improve their writing. One exercise we have been trialling across the school, is the use of a memory technique to help write the setting of story. The children SHOULD be able to talk to you about this by the end of the week.
HOW DOES IT WORK?
First, the children will learn a rhyme, where they associate pictures/objects with the numbers 1 to 9. (in red) Ask your child if they can remember the actions to go with this. Then we add an element of a story setting to each number (in green)
1 – SUN – a location
2 – SHOE – something close by
3 – TREE – something in the distance
4 – DOOR – a sound you can hear
5 – HIVE - something you can touch
6 – STICKS – a smell
7 – HEAVEN – something moving or moving somewhere
8 – GATE – emotions or feelings
9 – WINE – a different viewpoint
The children then take all of these elements and use them to help them remember the order of the sentences to write the opening of their story...
Once upon a time, in a land far, far away, there lived a beautiful young girl named Cinderella. She lived in a small, thatched-roof cottage, with her stern, wicked and cruel stepmother and her two ugly stepsisters, who were always mean to her. Close by to the cottage, there was a stream, where silver fishes darted in the light of the moon each night. In the distance, through her small bedroom window, Cinderella was able to see the royal palace, where she had longed to visit since she was a little girl. She could hear the sound of birds singing happily in the garden and the bees humming around the silky, fragrant flowers which had just bloomed. As she wandered downstairs in her dreary clothes, sweeping brush in her delicate hands, she dreamt of going beyond the cottage gardens to the palace. Would she ever get there? The answer, she assumed, would always be NO! Until that is, a special delivery landed gently onto the doormat...this was to be the day that would change a humble servant-girl’s life forever!
Because...How many times have we all said that as a response to a question?? Well, we shall be encouraging the children to use this word lots this week during our writing activities BECAUSE we would like them to start extending their sentences. This is a target for them, designed to improve their writing and extend beyond simple, short sentences.
The children will also be assessed on their knowledge of the spelling patterns that we have been focussing on. They will need to be able to both read and spell words containing the patterns learned this half term.
This week’s question: Are there any letter patterns that make the same sound?
The children will be set a series of spelling challenges, in which they will have to try and work out the spellings to a number of words. Sound simple? Well, they will have a few words which don’t fit the patterns they have been given and they will have to work out what other letters can make the same sound.
http://www.ictgames.com/cluster.html spelling game based on the initial sounds they can hear
http://www.ictgames.com/hybrid.html it took me a while to figure out how to play this game! To select a word in the wordsearch, click on the first and the last letter of the word you wish to highlight, and the cow will ‘MOO’ if you are correct! A great way to investigate spelling patterns.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/wordsandpictures/longvow/snap/snap.shtml click SNAP when the sounds match the word written on the right hand side
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/wordsandpictures/longvow/spelling/spelling.shtml drag and drop the correct spelling pattern into the gaps before the time runs out.
Numeracy
We will be assessing the children on their knowledge and understanding of the topics covered this half term.
The children have done really well, but there are a couple of areas where some extra practice would really benefit them:
ODD and EVEN numbers – can they recognise that an even number ends in 2 4 6 8 or 0? Can they recognise that an odd number ends in 1 3 5 7 or 9? Emphasise the fact that however big the number is, it is only the LAST number which tell them whether it is odd or even.
In numeracy, there are a number of key objectives which the children are expected to achieve by the end of the year. They are making rapid progress towards these at the moment and we shall be updating our records this week, by checking the following:
· Count reliably at least 20 objects
· Read/write/order numbers from 0-20.
· Understand and use vocabulary of comparing/ordering these numbers
· Understand the operation of + and – and use related vocabulary
· Know by heart all pairs of numbers with a total of 10
· Use mental strategies and appropriate operations to solve simple problems
· Say the number that is 1/10 more/less than any given number to 30
· Compare/measure lengths using direct comparisons or suitable standard/non standard units.
· Use everyday language to describe features of familiar 3D shapes· Count on/back in 1’s from any small number and in 10’s from and back to 0
· Begin to count in steps of 5 from 0-20 or more and back again
· Work out how to pay an exact sum using smaller coins
· Begin to count in steps of 3 from zero
· Understand and use vocabulary related to time
· Solve problems by sorting/classifying/organising information using a simple table
http://del.icio.us/mathslinks/Addition_Mental lots of links for supporting addition
http://del.icio.us/mathslinks/Subtraction_Mental lots of links for supporting subtraction
http://www.ictgames.com/newduckshoot10s.html counting in steps of ten
http://www.ictgames.com/fishy2s.html click on the fish that gives the next number in the sequence of 2’s.
http://www.ictgames.com/rabbit2.html read the words and click on the numbers that correspond to the questions
http://www.crickweb.co.uk/assets/resources/flash.php?&file=ncmenu greater than or less than – remember the crocodile eats the biggest number!
http://www.ngfl-cymru.org.uk/vtc/ngfl/maths/dinas_powys_sian_mansfield/venn_2.htm a great site which gives step by step instructions for how to use a Venn diagram
http://www.ictgames.com/funkymum20.html%20number%20bonds%20to%2020
http://www.wmnet.org.uk/resources/gordon/Hit%20the%20button%20v9.swf the old ones are the best!
http://www.wmnet.org.uk/wmnet/custom/files_uploaded/uploaded_resources/853/numberlinev2.swf the children will use this in school to help find out how much each of the divisions on a number line are worth. This will also help them when they come to read numbers on a scale.
http://www.ictgames.com/mostlyPostie.html drag the parcel onto the scales and then read the scale to see how heavy it is. Enter the amount on the till and click check. If you are correct, then the postvan will drive off.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/starship/maths/aliencookbook.shtml this is quite challenging, as it ask you to measure not only weight, but capacity as well, but the children will get experience of reading a variety of scales, not least to make an upside down cake!
http://www.crickweb.co.uk/assets/resources/flash.php?&file=simplescales2 a simple way of introducing how to read scales, by weighing how much each toy weighs.
http://www.ictgames.com/weight.html
http://www.crickweb.co.uk/assets/resources/flash.php?&file=fruitbalance3 this is good for developing the vocabulary of which is heavier or lighter. See if you can find out which is the heaviest fruit?
http://www.crickweb.co.uk/assets/resources/flash.php?&file=scales3 a very similar site, but this time, the children have to try and guess which is the heaviest alien! Very funny!
Science
We complete our topic on Light this week and the children will complete a quiz in class to see how much information they have remembered.
The links from previous blogs will support this area of learning.
FOSV
Many thanks for your response to the Go 4 Gold scheme. The closing date has now been extended to 7th April to allow you to ask friends and grandparents if they have any 'old gold.'
The Friends have now organised the Bag 2 School scheme. You will have received a blue plastic bag on Friday, which we would like you to fill with clothing, bedding, curtains, soft toys, shoes, belts, handbags etc. Please could we ask that the bag DOES NOT contain any BRIC-A-BRAC. The bags then need to be returned to school ON WEDNESDAY 29TH APRIL. As we have no storage space for these in school, please could we ask that they are not returned before this day. Many thanks for this.
STRIPES and SPOTS day
This Friday, we will be having a stripes and spots day, arranged by Mrs Walker. We are asking all the children to dress in STRIPES or SPOTS and for this, to donate £1. Mrs Walker is currently 'in training' for The Great North Run in September and she is raising money for the Arthritis Research Campaign and hopes that we can all support her in this cause. Ooh, the children might even support her running training this week in our PE lessons!Some advance notice...
You will have received a letter a few weeks ago, informing you of our Easter celebrations. Just as a reminder –
EASTER BONNETS – the children will be having their annual Easter bonnet parade in the last week, so start getting creative now! Prizes will go the bonnets which display both creativity and evidence of the children’s own work.
EGG ROLLING – this too will take place in the last week, but please try to do this just one day in advance – 120 children – one hall – 120 hard-boiled eggs...mmm...need I say more!!
And finally...
I hope you managed to have a look at the Children’s Work section on the Year 1 pages of the school website? They worked so hard on making a Photostory of the story of Cinderella and they will be using this to form the basis of their writing this week.
The children have asked me (mmm...begged may be more apt!) to tell you where you can download the masks from and the Photostory software, so...
Photostory -
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/digitalphotography/PhotoStory/default.mspx
Masks for role play – These can be laminated, or stuck on the back of some cereal box card and stuck on a lolly stick. http://www.sparklebox.co.uk/cll/index.html Scroll down to Traditional Tales and click on the Fairy Tale you want the masks to.
You could have a go at e-mailing us some of the finished products, by clicking on the ‘e-mail us’ button, again on the website. http://www.stvincentsprimary.co.uk/
Have a good week.
Year 1 team. x
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