Autumn 2
Hello and welcome.
Here is a helpful guide to what we will be learning this half-term.
Our topic this term is….
'Winter'
We will be focusing on the season of Winter. Children will practise their Christmas performance and learn about the Christmas story through this.
English – Instruction writing
The model text that we will learn is called ‘How to spin straw into Gold’. We will practice verbally retelling these instructions and also have opportunities to act them out to deepen our understanding. We will learn about the key features of instructions and then write our own set of instructions such as 'How to play duck duck goose’ and 'How to make a hand puppet'.
Key vocabulary: instruct, instructions, steps, ingredients/what you will need, title, first, next, after that, finally, imperative verbs.
Math - Add and subtract within 10
We will learn and consolidate number bonds to 10, add numbers within 10, learn parts and whole, subtract parts, work on fact families, practising taking away (subtracting) and use a number line to subtract and add or subtract 1 or 2.
Key vocabulary: add, subtract, take away, minus, number line, fact families, part, whole.
Maths – Geometry
We will learn to name simple 3-D shapes such as cubes, cuboids, cylinders, pyramids, cones and spheres as well as simple 2-D shapes, such as triangles, squares, rectangles and circles. We will think about the properties of each shape. We will think about the differences between 2D and 3D shapes. We will sort and group 3-D and 2-D shapes according to simple properties, including type, size and colour. As well as sorting shapes into groups themselves, we will also identify how given groups of shapes have been sorted. We will use both 2-D and 3-D shapes to complete and make simple patterns, focusing on different shapes, sizes and colours.
Key vocabulary: 2-D shapes, 3-D shapes, rectangle, square, circle, triangle, characteristics, cuboids, cubes, cone, spheres, curved, straight, flat, group, sort, sides, corners, properties, pyramids, faces, pentagon, hexagon, cylinder, octagon, hollow, solid, roll, stack.
Science - Materials
We will be learning all about 'Materials'. Children will explore materials such as wood, plastic, glass, metal and rock. We will investigate their properties - melt/freeze/float/sink/absorb water.
Key vocabulary: material, soft, hard, shiny, dull, wood, plastic, glass, metal, rock, heavy, light, rough, smooth, object, material, melt, freeze, solid, liquid, melt, freeze. ice, float, sink, absorb, transparent, opaque
Science – Seasonal changes - Winter
We will also learn about the changes in Winter and collect and record data of the amount of rainfall within this season.
Key vocabulary: season, Winter, daylight, night, weather, rainfall, rain gauge
Computing - Internet Safety
We will discuss what the internet is and how it can be used, recognise the internet may affect mood or emotions and internet use can affect and upset others. Finally, we will identify which information is appropriate to share and post online and which is not.
Key vocabulary: app, appropriate, device, digital footprint, feelings, going online, in-person interactions, internet, kindness, offline activity, online activity, online experience, online interactions, online safety, personal information, pop-up, posting online, report
Religion and Worldview - What do some people believe God looks like?
To express ideas about God, explain how some Muslim people use art to express their ideas about God, recognise some different forms of God in the Hindu worldview, recognise some Christian people believe Jesus is the son of God and God on Earth, discuss different ways to refer and represent God, recall some of the different names people use for God.
Key vocabulary: Allah, belief, believe, Brahman, Christian, Christian Bible, Christmas, God, Hindu, idea, Jesus, Muslim, Religion, Respect, Worldview
Art - Painting and mixed media - Colour splash
We will learn about primary and secondary colours, colour mix these colours and apply the skills to painting and printing creating a painted plate in the style of an artist.
Key vocabulary: blend, hue, kaleidoscope, pattern, mix, primary colour, print, secondary colour, shade, shape, space, texture, thick
History - How am I making history?
Looking at personal chronology and finding out about the past within living memory. By examining photographs and asking questions, children investigate chronology. Beginning to look at a simple timeline extending back to before they were born.
Write about a personal memory from a photograph from home.
Key vocabulary: artefact, decade, evidence, living memory, modern, century, different, historian, memory, now, past, present, remember, sequence, similar, source, special
Outdoor PE: Team games
Children will be introduced to team games where they will pass and receive, move into space, change speed, follow basic rules and develop team work.
Key vocabulary: rules, team, teamwork, pass, receive, space
Indoor PE: Multi-skills
Children will learn to travel in different ways e.g. jog, crawl, hop, skip. They will practice jumping forwards and sideways. They will practice throwing beanbags at targets. They will learn to make controlled movements in space.
Key vocabulary: jog, hop, crawl, skip, travel, run, jump, gallop, side step, pathway, forwards, backwards, sideways, throw, catch, balance, underarm, target, stationary.
PSHE – Health and Wellbeing
The children will explore personal qualities, strategies to manage feelings, the impact of sleep and relaxation on wellbeing, the importance of hand washing, identifying and dealing with allergic reactions, people in the community who keep us healthy
Key vocabulary: allergy, emotions, feelings, ill (poorly), qualities, relax.
Important dates:
Term begins – Monday 3rd November 2025
Parent/carer consultation evenings – Monday 17th and Wednesday 19th November 2025.
Children in Need – Friday 21st November 2025
Christmas Jumper Day – Thursday 11th December 2025
Year 1 Christmas performance – Friday 12th December 2025
Christmas Lunch – Wednesday 17th December 2025
Term ends - Friday 19th December 2025