Squirrel Class

Welcome to Squirrel Class

Hello and welcome to Squirrel Class web page.

Squirrels are a Year 1 class taught by Mrs Louise Parfitt and supported by Mrs Claire Howe and Miss Jaeger O'Sullivan.

Mrs Louise Parfitt

Mrs Claire Howe

Miss Jaeger O'Sullivan

What is it like in Year 1?

In Year 1 we support children to develop their social and emotional skills, when children feel safe and happy they are more motivated and ready to learn. Children are encouraged to have a go, mistakes are celebrated as part of the learning process and we encourage children to support their peers.

In Year 1, we offer a range of practical, hands-on learning activities, drawing and building on children’s experiences, to support their learning. Sessions usually start with a whole class learning input, children then take part in a focused learning activity working with an adult or independently, they are challenged to apply their new knowledge and skills, Whether working with an adult or not, children are offered provision that supports everyone to access the curriculum.

Our Learning

Reading & Writing
Your child is learning to read with Read Write Inc. Phonics, Your child will learn to:
1. Read letters by their ‘sounds’

2. Blend these sounds into words

3. Read the words in a story.

By the end of Year 1, we aim for all children to be secure in their knowledge of all set one, two and three RWI sounds. In phonics and across the curriculum, we aim for children to develop their reading fluency and comprehension and begin reading with intonation.

Year 1 children also learn to read and spell the expected common exception words.

In Year 1, we enjoy books throughout the day, as well as stories, books are used to support our areas of learning across the curriculum, encouraging children to read and write for different purposes. In Year 1, we appreciate the value of good quality texts to expand our vocabulary, model a variety of writing styles, learn new information as well as to entertain us. As well as reading at school, children are encouraged to read at home at least five times a week.

Mathematics

In Year 1, we follow the NCETM programme, a sequence of Units designed to progress children’s knowledge and understanding, helping them to develop their Mathematical skills so they are ready to progress. Children are supported through new knowledge being carefully sequenced and linked to existing knowledge, adults modelling and thinking out loud their approaches to problem solving and having access to a range of manipulatives available to them to support their learning.

Additional Support for Learning at Home

Phonics, Spelling and Reading for Pleasure

Phonics Play: https://www.phonicsplay.co.uk/
Spelling Play: https://www.spellingplay.co.uk/planning-and-resources/year-2/learningnew-words-and-revisiting-phonics/strategy-shop
Books for topics https://www.booksfortopics.com/storytime-online

Maths

Numbots: https://numbots.com/
Numberblocks https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episodes/b08bzfnh/numberblocks

Supporting Spelling, Grammar and Punctuation

https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/topics/zd63xyc/articles/zdp4pg8

Science

https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/subjects/z6svr82/year/zjpqqp3

Termly Curriculum Overviews

In Squirrel Class we recognise that every child is a wonderfully unique individual. We are proud and privileged to play a part in helping them to reach for the stars and achieve their dreams. We believe that all children have the ability to achieve their aspirations through developing a 'can do' attitude and a growth mind-set through engaging in a stimulating and challenging learning environment. Our aim within this is for the children to become confident, resilient and self-assured learners who are proud of theirs, and others achievements.

Within the classroom we have Maths, English, RE and Wider Curriculum working walls, as well as an English, Phonics and Maths creative station. Each area has been designed to help scaffold the children's learning and to ensure that all learners are challenged to suit their individual needs. We also have a reading chart on which daily reading at home is recorded and rewarded.

Our Classroom

Phonics

Phonics

At St Michael's C of E First School we use the phonics scheme Read, Write Inc. To find out more about Phonics at St Michaels', how to support your child and information about the Phonics Screening please follow the link.

How to pronounce pure sounds

Learning to blend

Read Write Inc. eBooks RWI offer a selection of eBooks via their website. You will need to create an account (it is free to do so)

Year 1 Recommended Reads

Year 1 Common Exception Words

Year 1 Common Exception Words.pdf

All children are expected to know and spell the Year 1 Common Exception words by the end of Year 1.

Year 1 Expectations and Parent Partnership

In order to help your child reach their full potential please support them with these four key areas at home:

Reading - Children should read every night for 15 minutes to an adult. Any reading should be recorded in the reading log book.

Maths - Marvin the Maths monkey will be choosing 1 person from Squirrel Class to come home with every weekend to learn and practice Maths skills.

Homework - Activities are sent home every Tuesday, to be brought back to school by the following Monday. They will focus on objectives taught in class to consolidate the children's learning, as well as spelling activities which will focus on Year 1 common exception words.

Wherever possible, please encourage your child to have a go at new concepts and challenges as this will develop their growth mindset.