Class 1 2023 - 2024

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.

In Class 1 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 ).

Autumn update:

We had a busy, but brilliant first term settling into our new class! We have now developed a good understanding of class routines, expectations and boundaries. We are following simple instructions well with visual support, and are becoming more familiar with the visuals used in the classroom, such as objects of reference, Now and Next, theme boards and visual timetables. We are sitting for short activities daily with our peers at the group table and are completing some short 1:1 tasks too. We have had fun exploring a range of play activities across the provision, with the support of class 1 adults. We continue to grow in confidence as we learn and play in Class 1

Spring 1:

This half term our topic is ‘food’. In our daily Literacy lessons will be exploring the story ‘The Gingerbread Man’. We will be focusing on anticipation of repeated phrases within the story (Run, run as fast as you can, you can’t catch me, I’m the gingerbread man!’). In phonics we continue to follow the Twinkl Phonics scheme and will focus on developing our listening skills through a variety games and activities and will also be learning our letter sounds too. In Mathematics we are developing our understanding of number and numerical patterns, through exploring a range of counting songs and finger rhymes, but on a ‘food’ theme! ie 5 gingerbread men lying on a tray, 10 fat sausages, 5 currant buns in a bakers shop etc. On our ‘wow’ table we will looking at measures and will be exploring big and small, long and short and heavy and light objects.

In the afternoons we will be enjoying a range of ‘food’ themed songs in our daily Music and Movement sessions. We will continue to spend time exploring different musical instruments and how different sounds are made. We will also be experimenting with different materials and being creative and expressive whilst completing a wide variety of arts and crafts, malleable, and messy play activities on our ‘food’ theme!

Spring 2: 

This half term our topic is ‘helping hands’. In Mathematics we will begin by exploring the counting rhyme ‘5 little firemen standing in a row’ and our sensory story will also be based around firefighters! Each week we will be learning about different people’s roles in society and how they help us. We will be starting with firefighters but then will be moving onto doctors, police and vets. 

In the afternoons we will continue to enjoy a range of songs, arts and crafts, malleable and sensory play activities planned around our ‘helping hands’ theme. For example, we will be making handprint flame pictures, using water spray bottles to put out pretend fires and will be exploring fire slime! We will also be learning about Easter and how this is celebrated. We will be completing a range of Easter related crafts and messy play activities, for example making our own Easter cards and decorations, and will have fun mixing cornflakes and chocolate to make chocolate nests! 

We continue to enjoy our daily tac pac (https://tacpac.co.uk/ ) and dough disco sessions which support development of our fine motor skills.

This half term we will continue working on our listening, attention and communication skills. We will have fun exploring activities within continuous provision, both inside and outside the classroom. We will continue to spend time developing self-care routines and independence, and learning how to

stay healthy and keep safe. We will continue having fun exploring new rooms and different areas of school. Recently we have enjoyed play/ interaction sessions in both the sensory room and interaction room. We love these sessions! As always, 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 ongoing support.

Thank you so much

Chantelle, Debra, Maria and Susan