Year 1

African Drumming

On Monday, our Year 1 students embarked on a vibrant musical journey as they participated in an African Drumming incursion. The children were introduced to the djembe, an African drum you play with your hands. Odai, the presenter had our Year 1’s playing to a range of different beats that also involved body movements and actions. As the children were playing, you could see their focus as they tried to listen and play along. While there were some tired hands at the end of the session, there were plenty of smiles. 

This incursion came at great time, linking in with Harmony Week beautifully. It was an opportunity to be exposed to a different cultural experience, promoting the idea of inclusion and respect. 

Here’s what some of our Year 1’s thought of the incursion!

‘It was good! I was doing loud bangs! My hands were sore at the end!’   Liam (1M) 

‘It was fun because I like the drumming sounds. It makes a different noise at the side and on the middle of the drum.’   Rubin (1M) 

‘I was excited because the drumming was so fun!   Lilian (1H) 

‘It was fun, I liked banging the drums.’   Yuheng (1WB) 

‘The best part was learning how to play the drums!’   Olivia (1P) 

Using Chalk to inspire our writing!

During Week 7, the Year 1 children went outside and drew their own picture with chalk. This was going to be the inspiration for their writing. When we went back into the classroom, the children wrote about what they had drawn and why. 

Maths in Year 1

We practiced our counting skills, by making our names out of linking cubes. We required a lot of concentration to make it and then count the blocks. Some of us even did our last name!

Ai for snail … here they come!

To introduce the ‘ai’ sound, we made own very own paper snails. By the end, we have a whole class of snails. They were so fun to make! 

Positive Affirmation chains

The Year 1 children created their very own Positive Affirmation chains. We discussed the importance of positive self-talk and brainstormed different positive affirmations that we could say to ourselves. It was so wonderful to see so much ‘teamwork’ during this activity, as the children assisted each other in attaching their hearts to the string.