Grade 1

Reading

This fortnight in Reading, our Year 1 students have been developing their phonics knowledge and reading fluency by exploring a range of spelling patterns. Students have been learning to identify and read words containing the split digraphs e_e (as in eve) and u_e (as in tube), while also reviewing previously taught split digraphs. They have been strengthening their ability to recognise common spelling patterns, blend sounds together, and read unfamiliar words with increasing confidence. Students have also been revising the /ir/, /er/ and /ur/ digraphs and applying this knowledge when reading words and texts. Alongside phonics practice, students have continued developing their comprehension skills by answering questions about texts and sharing their ideas, thoughts and connections.

Writing

Over the past two weeks, students have been learning a range of writing skills to help them become more confident and effective writers. They have been exploring the difference between precise and vague verbs and practising using strong, specific verbs to make their writing more interesting. Students also have been learning to use the conjunctions before and after to show the correct order of events in complete sentences, as well as time connectives such as first, next, then, after that, and finally to organise their ideas clearly. As part of our writing lessons, students have learnt how to write procedures by explaining a process step by step, including all the important information in the correct order.

Maths

Over the past two weeks, students have been exploring length using informal units of measurement. They learnt to choose suitable measuring units, such as Unifix cubes, paper clips, and pop sticks, and measured classroom objects by placing the units end-to-end with no gaps or overlaps. Students compared objects as longer, shorter, taller, or the same length, predicted which objects were longer before checking their ideas by measuring, and ordered objects from shortest to longest. They also discovered that the size of the measuring unit affects the number of units needed to measure an object.

Students enjoyed creating their own Measurement Monsters, measuring horizontal and vertical lengths with different informal units, and comparing their results. As part of our learning, we read How Big Is a Foot? by Rolf Myller, which highlighted the importance of using a consistent unit of measurement. Students then selected an informal unit to measure their own shoes, recorded their measurements, and worked collaboratively with their table groups to compare and order the shoe lengths from shortest to longest. Through these engaging, hands-on investigations, students developed confidence in selecting appropriate measuring tools, accurately measuring objects, recording their findings, and using mathematical language to compare and describe length.

Home Learning

Reading: Alongside reading for 10–15 minutes each night, students can practise their literacy skills through simple activities at home:

Find and read words with our focus sounds and spelling patterns in books or around the house.
Talk about the book they have read by asking questions about the characters, events and important details.
Practise reading tricky words and familiar sounds to build confidence and fluency

Writing:

Encourage your child to use strong, specific verbs when speaking and writing (e.g. sprinted instead of went).
Ask your child to explain how to complete an everyday task using first, next, then, after that, and finally.
Practise using before and after in everyday conversations (e.g. "What did you do before dinner?" or "What happened after school?").
Read together and look for adjectives that describe people, places, or things.
Encourage your child to write a simple procedure, such as how to make a sandwich or play a favourite game, making sure the steps are in the correct order.
Play sequencing games by asking your child to retell the events of their day in the correct order using time connectives.

Maths: Students can continue practising their measurement skills at home with these fun activities:

Measure three objects at home using informal units such as paper clips, blocks, LEGO bricks or spoons. Record how many units long each object is.
Compare two household objects and describe which is longer, shorter, or taller, or whether they are the same length.
Measure the shoes of different family members using the same informal unit and order them from shortest to longest.
Go on a measurement hunt around your home or backyard. Find something that is longer than your shoe, shorter than your hand, and the same length as a pencil.
Predict and check! Before measuring two objects, guess which one is longer. Then measure both objects to see if your prediction was correct.
Create your own Measurement Monster by drawing or making a monster, robot or animal. Measure its height and width using an informal unit and record your results.