Class 2 - Miss Billson
A BIG welcome to class 2,
I am very excited to teach you all when you return after the summer. I hope you and your families have had some exciting adventures this summer holidays and a nice rest before we start working hard again. I enjoyed meeting you all and I am sure we will have a super year together.
Year 1 is often a big leap for the children as we move away from continuous provision to a more structured approach with formal lessons. Children will still receive time to play however this becomes more of a reward as we move through the year. All lessons are taught with the children in mind and I aim to make them as fun and practical as possible.
For those who have not seen the classroom, it is smaller and a different layout to class 1. Your child may explain that we have the quiet room and main classroom. Just to expand on that further, we have a small room where the input (main teaching) of the lessons will take place, the children then move into the main classroom where their tables are to complete tasks. The quiet room also has a small reading area for children to develop their love of reading.
Key things:
What to bring : Water bottle, healthy snack, wellies, waterproof coat, indoor shoes (to leave at school) all named please.
What to wear: School uniform on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. PE kit on Tuesday and Thursday.
What I expect: As a part of our class, I expect everyone to join in, make friends, look after one another, work hard and have fun! I am always here if you ever need to speak me about anything or want to tell me something amazing.
Things to know (Parents):
Testing - In year 1, we have our phonics screening check which is a government test focusing on children's blending skills and knowledge of sounds.
Church - We will have visits to the Church throughout the year for events such as Harvest and Christmas, you will be updated on these events. Children may need to practise songs etc at home for performances.
Homework - Children will be set spelling shed every week that must be completed, any problems please speak to me at pick up.
Staff - Currently it will be myself as the main class teacher (Miss Billson), we will also have Miss Townend (Mrs Scarborough) who the children are familiar with from last year. In addition the children will be taught PE by Mr Riddell (who also may assist in class during other lessons) and will be taught music by Mrs Evans.
Clothing - If your child has accidents please send them with a set of spare bottoms and underwear as we do not have many spare clothes in school and struggle with the correct sizes. PE kit should be worn Tuesdays and Thursdays unless you are told otherwise. I will contact you when we have forest school in regards to what children will need to wear on those days.
Have a look at what we do in Class 2...
What we will cover this year in Class 2...
English
Book/ writing focuses this term:
Cave baby
Astro girl
I want my hat back
Billy and the beast
In our classroom, each child has a writing pack on display, this shows their progress of writing throughout the year starting with their very first piece of writing for me when they return after summer. I encourage all parents to have a look at these when in the classroom for parents evening etc.
I am always excited when children bring me writing they have done at home and love reading some stories you come up with. It is always great to keep practising at home.
Phonics
This year, we begin a new phonics scheme called Little Wandle. This is a whole class approach meaning all children are taught phonics by 1 teacher at the same time. Children who need further support will have structured interventions outside of phonics lessons.
In year 1 children have to sit a government phonics screening test, this requires all children to attempt at reading 40 words (a mix of nonsense and real words). Children are allowed to segment (sound it out) however they must be able to blend. These words include sounds from phase 2,3 and 5 so it is key children are secure in all of these to pass. It is vital that children practise their phonics outside of school to develop their reading and speaking.
Reading - Following the Little Wandle program, children will have group reading sessions with an adult at least twice a week. (This may vary due to events)
Children will bring books home to read that are a suitable level for them, they must be reading fluently and show good comprehension skills before they can progress.
Reading fluently - Remind children to use their magic finger to follow the words, children should be segmenting (sounding out) the words in their heads and reading without separating the sounds we call this blending. Children will get used to doing this the more you read with and encourage them to do these things.
Phonics websites:
https://letters-and-sounds.com/index.php/phase-4-resources/
https://www.phonicsplay.co.uk/
Reading suggestions:
24 Must-Read Books For 6-9-Year-Olds | Children's Fictional Stories (penguin.co.uk)
Children's Book Reviews, Recommendations and Free Opening Extracts | Lovereading4kids UK
Book/ writing focuses this term:
Cave baby
Astro girl
I want my hat back
Billy and the beast
In our classroom, each child has a writing pack on display, this shows their progress of writing throughout the year starting with their very first piece of writing for me when they return after summer. I encourage all parents to have a look at these when in the classroom for parents evening etc.
I am always excited when children bring me writing they have done at home and love reading some stories you come up with. It is always great to keep practising at home.
Phonics
This year, we begin a new phonics scheme called Little Wandle. This is a whole class approach meaning all children are taught phonics by 1 teacher at the same time. Children who need further support will have structured interventions outside of phonics lessons.
In year 1 children have to sit a government phonics screening test, this requires all children to attempt at reading 40 words (a mix of nonsense and real words). Children are allowed to segment (sound it out) however they must be able to blend. These words include sounds from phase 2,3 and 5 so it is key children are secure in all of these to pass. It is vital that children practise their phonics outside of school to develop their reading and speaking.
Reading - Following the Little Wandle program, children will have group reading sessions with an adult at least twice a week. (This may vary due to events)
Children will bring books home to read that are a suitable level for them, they must be reading fluently and show good comprehension skills before they can progress.
Reading fluently - Remind children to use their magic finger to follow the words, children should be segmenting (sounding out) the words in their heads and reading without separating the sounds we call this blending. Children will get used to doing this the more you read with and encourage them to do these things.
Phonics websites:
https://letters-and-sounds.com/index.php/phase-4-resources/
https://www.phonicsplay.co.uk/
Reading suggestions:
24 Must-Read Books For 6-9-Year-Olds | Children's Fictional Stories (penguin.co.uk)
Children's Book Reviews, Recommendations and Free Opening Extracts | Lovereading4kids UK
| t-l-90101-phase-2-to-5-high-frequency-words-word-mat-_ver_4.pdf |
Maths
At Wymeswold we follow White Rose Maths.
In the Autumn term, children are taught the following:
Place Value within 10
Addition and subtraction within 10
Shape
It is really important for children to learn their number bonds to 10 and to 20 as this supports their learning all year in many areas of maths.
If you wish to practise maths at home, I would recommend writing numbers the correct way, spelling numbers, counting forwards and backwards from different starting points and number bonds. As we do more maths in school, I will be able to assess areas that your children may need more support in if you wish to contact me about these before discussions at parents evenings.
Maths websites:
https://www.topmarks.co.uk/Search.aspx?q=year%201%20maths
https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/subjects/zjxhfg8
https://home.oxfordowl.co.uk/?s=maths+PDF+download&fwp_post_types=activities
What should we be doing at home?
In order for your child to improve academically, socially and mentally it is important that work is being done outside of school too. These are just a few things can make a huge difference and don't have to be time consuming.
1. Read with your child. Every child is given a reading book for home, once they have finished the book it can returned to school and exchanged for a new one. Children should be practicing their reading skills and working on fluency. Please try and listen to your child read their book even if it is just a few pages each night.
2. Practice their spellings. Children are set spellings to practice each week. They are expected to practice these at home and will be expected to use these in their writing. Children should practice these on spelling shed.
3. Encourage independence. Although your children are only 5/6 years old, it is important to encourage them to do tasks independently such as filling up a water bottle, getting dressed, putting shoes on the correct feet and taking care of their own belongings.
1. Read with your child. Every child is given a reading book for home, once they have finished the book it can returned to school and exchanged for a new one. Children should be practicing their reading skills and working on fluency. Please try and listen to your child read their book even if it is just a few pages each night.
2. Practice their spellings. Children are set spellings to practice each week. They are expected to practice these at home and will be expected to use these in their writing. Children should practice these on spelling shed.
3. Encourage independence. Although your children are only 5/6 years old, it is important to encourage them to do tasks independently such as filling up a water bottle, getting dressed, putting shoes on the correct feet and taking care of their own belongings.
If you have any questions or concerns please email Miss Billson - class2@wymeswold.leics.sch.uk |
