Sycamore Class

Welcome to Sycamore Class

Classteacher: Miss C. Clark

2025-26

Tuesday 14th October 2025

Tuesday 14^th October 2025

Dear Parents/Carers,

In our English lessons this week, we completed our shared writing activity. Together, the children created an innovative text map, incorporating a snake instead of a wolf! Next, they will write each section of the text map, emphasising correct punctuation and the key features of instructional writing.

In maths, we are exploring addition within 20. To support this learning, we are using base 10 equipment to reinforce the concepts of tens and ones, helping us visualise and understand addition better.

Next week, we will assess the sticky words we have been focusing on this half term, as well as conduct writing assessments from memory. Additionally, there will be a written assessment on number bonds, called Maths Badges.

I am looking forward to parents' evening next week to discuss how Sycamore class has settled into Year 1, especially as we approach the end of the first half term! Please ensure you have booked your appointment.

Thank you for your continued support!

Miss Clark

Tuesday 7th October 2025

Dear Parents/Carers,

This week in English, our focus has been on "bossy verbs," which are essential for giving clear instructions. We are also learning to enhance these instructions by incorporating adjectives for added detail. The children are practising how to lay out their instructions clearly, using numbers to list steps and starting each instruction on a new line.

In Maths, we are exploring addition within 20. To support this learning, we are using base 10 equipment to reinforce the concepts of tens and ones, helping us visualise and understand addition better.

In Design Technology (DT), we are excited to be making our "revolting pizzas." Please look out for a list of ingredients that we will send home, so you can check them before your child enjoys their creation.

In history, we are comparing the reigns of Queen Elizabeth I, Queen Victoria, and Queen Elizabeth II in preparation for our upcoming POP task. This comparison will help us to understand the historical significance of each queen and their contributions.

Thank you for your continued support!

Miss Clark

Tuesday 30th September 2025

Dear families,

In English this week, we are focusing on following instructions carefully. The class is also beginning to learn a new text map and we are exploring different writing features, including rhetorical questions and time openers. We have now introduced our first set of letters in handwriting. Set 1 includes - c o a d g f s q e. Please find some additional resources at the bottom of our class page to support this further at home.

This week in our learning, we have been focusing on addition within 10 in Maths, using different resources and methods such as part–whole models, tens frames, and number lines.

In History, we are learning about Queen Victoria and finding out why she is important. In Science, we are thinking about the importance of exercise and how it helps to keep our bodies healthy. In Computing, we are discussing how to stay safe online and make good choices when using the internet.

Thank you for your ongoing support.

Miss Clark

Tuesday 23rd September 2025

Dear families,

In English, we are completing our first piece of shared writing together. As a class, we will be innovating the text map for Little Red Riding Hood and writing our own adapted version of the story. This shared process helps the children understand how to change and develop a familiar text, supporting them when it is their turn to innovate independently and create their own stories. In Maths, we are learning to compare numbers. We are focusing on key vocabulary such as more, less, greater, and fewer. The children will also be introduced to the comparison signs <, >, and = to help them show their understanding in a mathematical way.

In History, we are learning all about Queen Victoria and exploring what life was like during her reign. In Science, we are thinking about the food pyramid and discussing why a balanced diet is so important for our health and energy. In DT, we are continuing our exciting food project. Last week we tasted different bases and this week we will be exploring toppings – all in preparation for designing and making our very own revolting pizzas!

Thank you for your ongoing support.

Miss Clark

Tuesday 16th September 2025

Dear Parents,

This week in English, we are exploring the features of our model text, focusing on the rule of three (using three ideas together to make writing more effective) and using adverbs to describe how a character moves. In Maths, we are learning about finding one more and one less, which links directly to our KIRFs (Key Instant Recall Facts) for this half term. To support our learning, we will be using a range of resources including number lines and base 10 equipment.

In science, we are learning about our five senses, while in history we are finding out about Queen Elizabeth I. The sticky knowledge for these subjects has been uploaded to our class page on the website (at the bottom of the page with other useful documents), and at the end of each unit we will see how much of this knowledge the children can remember.

Thank you for your ongoing support.

Miss Clark

Tuesday 9th September 2025

Dear Parents,

We are excited to share that the first week of Year 1 has been a wonderful success! The children have settled in beautifully, adapting to the new environment and routines. They have shown great enthusiasm for their own maths books and engaging lessons, like science and Design Technology (DT).

In maths, we have been exploring the concept of partitioning numbers. The children are discovering the various ways to make a number and are also learning how to break down two-digit numbers into tens and ones, such as identifying that 15 consists of 1 ten and 5 ones.

In English, our focus is on fiction stories. We are beginning with the classic tale of Little Red Riding Hood, where the children are learning to create a text map. This exercise emphasises understanding the main characters and their roles in the story.

Our PE Days are Wednesday (Sports Coach) and Friday (Miss Clark). Please ensure your child’s PE kit is in school and earrings are removed on this day. If they do have earrings in or do not have their PE kit, the children will be unable to participate.

How can you help at home?

Reading
KIRFS
Sticky words
Numbots and TTRS

Reading

The children will bring their phonics book home every evening. The children will also be able to choose a library book and this will be changed every Friday. This can only happen if they bring their old book back in.

KIRFS

This half term, our KIRFS focus is one more and one less. By the end of this half term, children should be able to answer ‘one more than ___ is ____’ and ‘one less than ___ is ____’ within 20. The aim is for them to recall these facts instantly, without using resources such as cubes or a number line.

Numbots and TTRS

These are free websites that the children are able to use to practise their fluency skills. These can also be downloaded as an app on tablet devices. The logins will be put inside the home school diary for you to use at home with your child.

Sticky words - spellings

In Year 1 we will learn new sticky words each week. At the end of the half term, the children will be assessed on writing these without any prompts. We will teach and practise these in class, but it would be wonderful if you could support your child with these at home also.

Autumn 1 – Sticky Words
Revisited each week	September October Monday
WB 8^th September	I me
WB 15^th September	do every
WB 22^nd September	all are
WB 29^th September	was my
WB 6^th October	once said
WB 13^th October	to you
WB 20^th October	Assessment

Thank you for your ongoing support.

Miss Clark