Hello and welcome.

Here is a helpful guide to what we will be learning this half-term. 

Our topic this term is 'Winter'.

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 pencil pot”.

Key vocabulary: instruct, instructions, steps, ingredients/what you will need, title, first, next, after that, finally, imperative verbs.

Math - Add and subtract within 10 (continued)

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 - Online 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 - Drawing – Exploring line and shape

Children will explore line and shape; work and experiment with different materials through observational and collaborative pieces inspired by artists. 

Key vocabulary: artist, control, line, pressure, shape. 

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 – My Happy Mind Plus – Places (continued)

Children will learn how to notice and name a range of feelings in themselves and others. To be aware of their thoughts and feelings to help manage them, feelings can affect how someone behaves, ways to manage strong feelings, actions and responses, things to make people feel good and simple strategies to manage distraction and strong feelings. Who they can ask for help. 

Key vocabulary: feelings, emotions, facial expressions, body, heart, strategies, Happy Place, Middle Place, Busy Place, Team H-A-P 

My Happy Mind Plus – Friendships and showing respect (bullying)

The children will learn the definition of bullying, using the acronym B.U.L.LY to help them remember key points. They will explore effective strategies to use if they or someone they know experiences bullying, as well as discuss poor decisions that could be made inthese situations and understand their potential consequences. 

Key vocabulary: bullying, feelings, kind, online, hurtful, trusted adult.  

My Happy Mind – Celebrate 

The children will learn what Character Strengths are and how they make them unique and special. They will learn about the 5 Character Strengths and what they mean: They will learn that the best way to learn more about their strengths is to notice them. They will learn that our strengths are like superpowers, and when we use them, it helps us to be our best and feel happy. They will learn that it is nice to tell other people when they use their strengths, as it makes them feel good. 

Key vocabulary: Character Strengths, love, kindness, bravery, honesty, exploring, learning, teamwork, friendship, love of life and our world, unique, special, strengths, spotting.

Important dates:

Term begins – Monday 2^nd November 2026

Parent/carer consultation evenings – Monday 2^nd and Wednesday 4^th November 2026

Bonfire Night – Thursday 5^th November 2026

Children in Need – Friday 13^th November 2026

Christmas Jumper Day – Thursday 10^th December 2026

Year 1 Christmas performance – Friday 11^th December 2026

Christmas Lunch – Wednesday 16^th December 2026

Term ends - Friday 18^th December 2026