Welcome to Year 1

Mrs Gemma Harrison

Year 1 Teacher

Hello! I’m Gemma Harrison and I teach Year 1 at Castlefort.  We like to learn through practical and fun activities. Glitter is our favourite resource in Art! We are at the very start of Infants so we are working hard to improve our independent learning.

Our current Cornerstones topic…

Our Cornerstones topic for Spring 2  is called 'Paws, Claws and Whiskers'. This is a Science based topic. Below is a list of some exciting activities planned:

• Identifying animals according to what they eat - carnivores, herbivores and omnivores.
• Using different materials and techniques to create animal skin/fur patterns.
• Creating an animal habitat.

For the Summer term, our new topic is called 'The Enchanted Woodland'. This is a Science and Geography focused topic. Below is a list of some exciting activities planned: 

• Visiting the local woodland to use our 'super senses' to observe nature's beauty and magic. 
• Sorting trees into groups to show those that are evergreen and those that are deciduous.
• Making our own woodland crown using twigs and other woodland treasures. 
• Sorting animals into those which live in a woodland habitat and those which live in their homes, and local environment. 

Homework Ideas

To help the children continue their learning at home, they can carry out these activities. It would be fantastic if the children could bring in any extra work they do at home and it will be displayed in the classroom with the rest of our work. Plus, they will earn bonus ILP and the points add up to prizes! Other bonus homework ideas are listed on the front page of your child's homework book.

• Take your family for a woodland walk near your home. Take photographs of interesting flowers or trees to show your friends at school. 
• Have fun building a den with your friends or family! 
• Write a 'Who am I?' riddle for family and friends to solve. Write clues about a woodland animal, plant or tree. 

Useful Websites

Below is a list of useful websites to help the children’s learning in all areas of the curriculum:

http://www.ictgames.com/ This website contains lots of games to develop numeracy and literacy skills

http://www.topmarks.co.uk/   This website contains games and electronic resources for all areas of the curriculum

http://www.bbc.co.uk/education  This website contains games and activities for all areas of the KS1 curriculum.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround This website contains current news stories that have been written for children. This website is usually used in class for 'News of the Week' on Wednesday mornings. 

http://www.crickweb.co.uk/ks1numeracy.html This website contains mathematics games and activities. You can also find a link for English activities too.