Years 1 & 2 – Robins Class

Welcome to Robins Class page:

On this page you will be able to find information about the work which Year 1 and Year 2 pupils are undertaking. You will also find information of ways in which you can help and encourage pupils in their learning to enable them to fulfil the school values ‘To Nurture, To Grow and To Flourish’.

To enable you to be fully involved with your child’s learning we hold half termly consultation meetings which provide an opportunity for pupils and parents to meet with the class teacher to discuss progress, celebrate achievements and discuss the next steps. 

Our topics this term are as follows:

Autumn Term 1- Robins Class

  • Teacher – Miss Purseglove (Assistant Headteacher)
  • TA – Mrs Lee (Mental Health Lead)
  • TA – Miss M Wrightson
  • TA – Miss Gillett
  • Wednesday/Friday
  • n/a
  • n/a
  • n/a
English

Our half term starts with The Owl Babies, a familiar story and one that we enjoy. We then move onto Arabian Nights with stories about Aladdin and the magic lamp. We will learn to read and write simple sentences and understand how sentences are constructed correctly using the correct grammar.

Our main text in the second part of the term is A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens, a wonderful and much loved archaic text. We will be working hard to achieve tidy handwriting and spelling words in line with our phonics. In addition, we will build on our sentence writing to include conjunctions and expanded noun phrases.

Maths
In Maths:
This term will be very much focussed on counting, number, place value and some addition and subtraction. It is important that we develop secure number skills including the composition of number and how we can use number facts for remembering number bonds which help us with mental methods of addition and subtraction.
Science

Animals including humans is the first topic in which we will look at the different systems in the body and what we need for survival.

We move on to Living things and their environments. We learn about carnivores, herbivores and omnivores and discover how scientists group animals according to their features.

History / Geography

We start this term with spatial sense and a look at the local area. We will explore maps and learn what the symbols, key and compass directions tell us. We will also learn about the physical and human features of the world.

The second half term introduces our History learning and we will delve into a unit about ‘The Romans in Britain’. It is the first exposure to the concept of empire and an interesting unit about Roman civilisation.

Art/DT
Our first unit is all about Colour and shape. We will develop brush skills and colour mixing as well as studying artwork by Klee, Picasso, Monet and Kandinsky.
This is followed by a unit about Colour, Shape and Texture, studying artwork by Matisse. We learn to draw clothing of different textures by looking at a variety of artists’ portraits of children, which compliments the learning from last year.
RE
We will think deeply about what it is to be a Christian and how Christians worship in different ways. We explore how Christians might give thanks to God.
In the second half of the term we will be engaging in a unit about Why Christmas is important to Christians. We learn about the meaning of the Christmas story, and how the birth of Jesus is important to Christians all over the world.
PHSE
Rights, rules and responsibilities within the school community and beyond is the unit of work we begin with. We learn how rules help everyone feel safe and valued within a community, and what it means to have responsibility.
We will move on to explore our emotions, naming, understanding and recognising different emotions and how to cope with them. We will also learn about bullying; how it makes someone feel and what to do if we witness bullying in our community or amongst friends.
PE
PE will continue with Premier Sport and Kick.
Premier Sport will be working on sending, receiving, attacking and defending with the children.
On the run up to Christmas the children will be involved in a unit of gymnastics. They will use their bodies and the equipment to make shapes and develop their gymnastic skills.
Computing
Understanding technology and how to interact with it in school is our introductory topic. We will build knowledge of the parts of a computer and develop basic skills to effectively use a keyboard and mouse.
We continue using the computers to paint. Children are introduced to and develop skills using Microsoft paint to draw lines, add colour and create digital artwork.
Music
We will be listening to, and appraising music as well as learning about the pulse, rhythm and tempo of a piece of music. This will of course involve listening and perhaps some singing and dancing too!

Autumn Term 2- Robins Class

  • Teacher – Miss Purseglove (Assistant Headteacher)
  • TA – Mrs Lee (Mental Health Lead)
  • TA – Miss M Wrightson
  • TA – Miss Gillett
  • Wednesday/Friday
  • n/a
  • n/a
  • n/a
English
In English, we will be looking at the book ‘Monty the Hero’. The children will use the ‘Talk for Writing’ process to learn a diary entry of Monty’s dream and create a story map. We will then innovate the diary entry by changing part. Then the children will have a go at writing their own diary entry with a focus on using time words and adjectives to describe.
In Phonics, Year 1 will be looking at different ways to spell the /oe/, /er/, /e/ and /ow/ sound while Year 2 will be looking at different ways to spell the /oe/, /n/ and /er/ sound.
Maths
In Maths:
Year 1 are continuing on with the unit addition and subtraction with 10. We will then move onto to unit 2D and 3D shape before finishing with numbers to 20.
Year 2 are carrying on with a unit of addition and subtraction before moving onto a unit on money
Science
In Science, we will be learning about animals and their needs. We will start by learning about the different ways animals can be grouped. (fish, amphibians, birds, mammals and reptiles or carnivores, herbivores and omnivores) Then we will look at animals as pets and what they need before learning about how we can describe animals.
History / Geography
In History this half term our topic is discovering history. Within this topic we will learn about the difference between past and present. We will think about how historians can use family trees to look at the past and how an archaeologist can discover more about the past. We are lucky to be having a zoom session from the London Transport Museum who will show us objects from the past and look at how transport has changed over time in London.
Art/DT
In Art this half term our focus will be line. The children will learn about the different types of line: straight, curved, zig-zag and wavy. Children will look at artwork from Rembrandt, Miro and Klee. They will consider how these artists have used line in their work. We will also think about how lines can be made using different materials before the children use lines to create their own piece of art.
RE
In R.E. our focus will be on Christianity. We will be learning about how Christians believe the word was created. We will learn about each of the seven days and the order in which Christians believe the world was created. We will discuss how Christians believe that this shows God’s greatness.
PHSE
In PSHE our topic is Anti-bullying. In the first unit children will learn to describe bullying and recognise some examples. They will think about things that happen in friendships and how you should react. We will also think about how people who are bullied might feel and ways in which school prevents bullying.
PE
This half term we are lucky enough to have a dance specialist teaching the children. She will base her dance lessons around the topic of animals to link to our Science!
Our other PE session will be led by KICK and we will be doing the sport basketball/netball.
Computing
This half term in Computing our unit of work will be Digital Photography. Within this unit we will learn what devices take photographs and how to take a good photograph. We will move onto looking at ways we can edit a photo on the computer.

Spring Term 1- Robins Class

  • Teacher – Miss Purseglove (Assistant Headteacher)
  • TA – Mrs Lee (Mental Health Lead)
  • TA – Miss M Wrightson
  • TA – Miss Gillett
  • Wednesday/Friday
  • n/a
  • n/a
  • n/a
English

In English, we will be looking at the book ‘Six Dinner Sid’. The children will use the ‘Talk for Writing’ process to learn part of the story and then create a story map. We will then innovate the story by changing different parts. Then the children will have a go at writing their own story.

In Phonics, Year 1 will be looking at different ways to spell the m/oo/n, /ie/ and b/oo/k sound while Year 2 will be looking at different ways to spell the /v/, m/oo/n and /j/ sound.

Maths
In Maths:
Year 1 are continuing on with the unit 2D and 3D. We will then move onto the unit numbers to 20 and start to look at addition and subtraction within 20.
Year 2 are carrying on with the unit on money. We will then move onto several units of multiplication and division.
Science
In Science, we will be learning about the seasons and weather. We will start by learning about the four different seasons. Then we will look at weather and different tools that are used to gather information about weather. We will then explore different types of cloud before finishing by learning about certain types of weather that can be dangerous.
History / Geography
In Geography this half term our topic is the United Kingdom. Each lesson will be a focus on one of the four countries that make up the United Kingdom. We will find out about their flags, their capital cities, where they are located on a map and facts about the country.
Art/DT
In Art this half term our topic will be architecture. We will start by learning what architecture is and look at the dome of St Paul’s Cathedral. Then we will look at the features of different buildings with a focus of Southwark Cathedral. Finally we will design and make our own building.
RE
In R.E. our focus will be on Christianity. We will be learning about incarnation. We will find out about the birth of baby Jesus and the role that plays in the nativity. We will learn about how Christians believe Jesus is God in human form.
PHSE
In PSHE our topics are Working Together and Financial Capability. Within our first unit we will learn to recognise and develop our own strengths and skills. We will also work on developing our communication skills and group work skills. In our second unit we will learn about money and where our money may come from. We will learn about things that we need to buy and things we may choose to buy as well as know what charities are for.
PE

This half term our unit will be gymnastics. We will start by learning how to carry and place the apparatus. We will then learn to travel safely in different ways and at different speeds and levels. We will also learn to make and hold different shapes before starting to link actions to make a sequence.

Our other PE session will be led by KICK and we will be doing the sport netball.

Computing
This half term in Computing our unit of work will be Robot algorithms. We will start by learning about how a series of instructions can be described as a sequence. We will find out what happens when we change the order or instructions as well as making predictions about the outcome of a sequence. We will end by designing our own algorithm.

Spring Term 2 – Robins Class

  • Teacher – Miss Purseglove (Assistant Headteacher)
  • TA – Mrs Lee (Mental Health Lead)
  • TA – Miss M Wrightson
  • TA – Miss Gillett
  • Wednesday/Friday
  • n/a
  • n/a
  • n/a
English

In English, we will be looking at the book ‘The Three Billy Goats Gruff’. The text will be used to create a set of instructions. The children will use the ‘Talk for Writing’ process to learn a set of instructions and then create a text map to help. We will then innovate the instructions by changing different parts. Then the children will have a go at writing their own set of instructions.
In Phonics, Year 1 will be looking at different ways to spell the /u/, /s/ and /l/ sound while Year 2 will be looking at different ways to spell the /g/, /f/, /m/ and /or/ sound

Maths
In Maths:
Year 1 are continuing on with the unit addition and subtraction within 20. Then we will move onto numbers to 50. We will end with an introduction to length and height.
Year 2 are carrying on with the unit on multiplication and division. Then we will move onto a unit on statistics. We will end with a unit on length and height and properties of shape.
Science
In Science, we will be learning about taking care of the Earth. Children will discover different ways that they can take of the Earth. They will find out about which resources are natural and which are manufactured. The children will also learn about logging, pollution and recycling.
History / Geography
In History this half term our topic is ‘Kings, Queens and Leaders’. We will start by learning about what a king/queen is and what their job is. We will then look at some key kings from the past including King John I, Henry III and Charles I. We will also learn what a parliament is and learn more about Oliver Cromwell.
Art/DT
In Art this half term our topic will be ‘Style in Art/Narrative Art’.
During the unit we will be looking at the artists Seurat, Van Gogh, Tintoretto, Uccello and Moreau. The different styles and techniques we will be learning about are pointillism and brushstrokes. The children will practice these techniques themselves. Children will also explore the concept of narrative in art and how artists depict characters in their work. They will sketch a scene from the story ‘George and the Dragon.
RE
In R.E. our focus will be on Christianity. The topic we will be focusing on is ‘Salvation’ and thinking about the question ‘why does Easter matter to Christians?’
The children will be able to recognise that Incarnation (covered last half term) and Salvation are part of the ‘big story’ of the bible. They will listen to stories of Holy Week and Easter from the bible and recognise a link with the idea of Salvation (Jesus rescuing people) and that Jesus gives instructions about how to behave. Children will be reminded that Easter is an important part of the bible and that Easter (spring) signifies ‘new life’.
PHSE
In PSHE our topic is SRE.
Year 1 will be learning the main external parts of the bodies of humans, including the names for sexual parts. They will also learn to describe what their bodies can do and how to keep themselves clean/the importance of basic hygiene practices.
Year 2 will be learning about the human life cycle. They will consider the ways they have changed physically since they were born and the responsibilities they now have. They will also learn how the needs of babies and young children are met by their families.
PE
This half term we will finish out unit on gymnastics. Then we will move onto OAA. Our gymnastics will finish by learning about different types of rolls and creating a sequence of movements.
Our other PE session will be led by KICK and we will be learning about the sport tennis.
Computing
This half term in Computing our unit of work will be pictograms. We will be learning how to use a tally chart to record and represent data as well as how to compare tally charts. Then we will learn how to record and present data as a pictogram on a computer as well as answering questions such as ‘most’ and ‘least’.

Summer Term – Robins Class

  • Teacher – Miss Purseglove (Assistant Headteacher)
  • TA – Mrs Lee (Mental Health Lead)
  • TA – Miss M Wrightson
  • TA – Miss Gillett
  • Wednesday/Friday
  • n/a
  • n/a
  • n/a
English

In English, we will be looking at the fairy-tale story ‘Rapunzel’. The children will use the ‘Talk for Writing’ process to learn a shortened version of the story and then create a story map to help. We will then innovate the shortened version of the story by changing different parts. Then the children will have a go at writing their own fairy-tale.

In Phonics, Year 1 will be looking at different ways to spell the /or/, /air/, /ue/, /oy/ and /ar/ sound while Year 2 will be looking at different ways to spell the /h/, /k/, /r /t/ and /z/ sound.

Maths
In Maths:
Year 1 are continuing on with the unit numbers to 50. Then we will move onto an introduction to length and height as well as an introduction to weight and volume.
Year 2 are carrying on with the unit on length and height. We will then move onto the properties of shape and start to look at fractions.
Science
In Science, we will be learning about plants. The children will learn about the different parts of a plant and what a plant needs. We will also learn about evergreen and deciduous trees as well as learning about some of the plants we eat!
History / Geography
In Geography this half term our topic is the seven continents. We will first look at what a continent is and learn the name of the seven continents. Then each week we will discover more about each continent.
Art/DT
In Art this half term our topic will be ‘paintings of children’.
During the unit we will be looking at the artist William Hogarth and his painting called ‘the Graham children’. The children will study this painting and compare clothes and toys/games from the past with the present. They will do the same with the paintings Little Girl in the Armchair by Mary Cassat and Children’s Games by Pieter Bruegel.
Finally, we will revisit cubism in a bit more depth and study this through ‘the scrabble game’ by David Hockney.
RE
In R.E. our focus will be the Gospels. We will learn how Christians believe that Jesus brought good news (friendship, peace and forgiveness) because he was a friend to the friendless. We will find out about the instructions that Jesus gave on how to behave.
PHSE
In PSHE our topic is managing safety and risk. We will think about situations which may entail risk and how this makes us feel. We will also talk about strategies to have in risky situations. We will then discuss safety contexts and familiar places the children enjoy and how to keep safe there. Finally we will look at basic first aid and how to reduce risk.
PE
This half term we will be learning the skill ‘striking and fielding’. We will learn how to develop our balance and co-ordination when holding a racket, hitting a ball or beanbag and when using a cricket bat.
Our other PE session will be led by KICK and we will be athletics.
Computing
This half term in Computing our unit of work will be making music. To start with we will listen to pieces of music and talk about how they make us feel. We will then move onto learning about rhythm and patterns and moving towards creating digital music.