Class 1 2024 - 2025

Hello and a very big welcome to Class 1!

In class one we strive to create a happy, safe, caring and stimulating environment where we can all learn and grow together.

We follow the Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum and enjoy exploring activities across the different areas of continuous provision. (Please visit the following website for more information on the EYFS curriculum - https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/early-years-foundation-stage-framework--2 )

During the Autumn Term our focus was building relationships with those around us and developing our understanding of routines, expectations and boundaries. We are now settled into Class 1 and school life at Hillside Having established positive relationships within the classroom environment, we will now focus on developing our listening, attention and communication skills. We will be learning how to follow simple verbal instructions with visual support within daily activities. Some examples of visuals used daily in class include Now and Next boards, visual timetables, choice and theme boards. We will continue working on our self-care and independence skills, and learning how to stay healthy and keep safe. Most importantly, we will be learning through play and will have fun exploring activities within our brilliant classroom and outdoor area!

Our theme for Summer 1 is ‘In the Jungle’ and our children will be enjoying exploring a range of activities planned around this topic! Firstly, we will be reading the story ’Rumble in the Jungle’, (Giles Andreae and David Wojtowycz), then we will enjoy ‘’Animal Boogie’ (Debbie Harter, Barefoot Books). In Maths we will learning about addition and subtraction and will explore these concepts through hands on practical activities. We will also be learning about money and 3D shapes. We will be learning some new jungle themed songs in our music and movement sessions. We will also be experimenting with different materials and being creative and expressive whilst completing a wide variety of arts and crafts, malleable, and sensory play activities! For example, we will be making paper plate snakes, printing with leaves, collaging lion masks and exploring different jungle themed messy play; jungle slime, dough and frozen peas to name a few! This half term we will continue with our weekly PE sessions in the hall and our focus will be learning to dress with greater independence. We will also continue with our daily phonics work following the Twinkl DFE accredited scheme. All pupils will engage with level 1 activities, which focus on developing speaking and listening skills. We will continue with level 2 and 3 work, whereby letters and their sounds are introduced and children learn to blend and segment.

We also enjoy tac pac, which is a sensory communication approach combining touch and music (https://tacpac.co.uk/ ), and our daily dough disco sessions which support development of fine motor skills. Communication is key to everything we do in class – visuals and Makaton are used to support and reinforce children’s understanding throughout the day and children are provided with opportunities to request and make choices for themselves wherever possible. We work hard to promote children’s confidence and self-esteem, supported through the development of caring relationships and secure attachments to key adults in class. In class 1 our aim is prepare our children for year 1 through teaching them the valuable skills and knowledge they will need to progress through school, and into adult life.

If you have any questions please do not hesitate to get in contact – we are always happy to help. We believe strong parent-school partnerships are crucial to our children’s success and really appreciate your feedback and continuing support.

Thank you so much,

Chantelle, Marie, Amanda and Annabelle