I hope you have all had a wonderful Christmas break, and you're feeling ready to tackle Spring 1 - I know I am!

Our topic this half-term will be: Bright Lights, Big City.
In this geography topic we will learn all about our capital city, London. This topic will build on the knowledge we acquired last term in our Street Detectives unit. I have attached some fun home learning ideas which you could complete over the course of the half-term. If you manage to complete any tasks I would love to see!
Additionally, if you have any photographs or memorabilia from your own trips to London, please bring them into school, so we can show the class!

Take a look at the 'Spring Term' letter below for more information about the curriculum coverage for this half-term. This week I will send home the knowledge organisers for our geography and science units. These contain the information all children are expected to know by the end of the half-term. 

Phonics
Before Christmas, Mrs King assessed all Year 1 children in phonics. Lots of children have made good progress, and we are now starting to see your children shape into little readers. To help your child progress even further, it is really important they read a minimum of 3 x a week and this is signed off in their home school books. 
Our main goal this half-term is for all children to increase their reading speed. Over the coming week, Mrs King and I will share a video on the reading blog modelling how you can help your child develop speedy reading at home.

Spelling
Below you will find the spelling list for this half-term. This list contains words children are expected to be able to read and spell by the end of Year 1. These are what we call 'tricky words' so they cannot be read with Fred talk or spelt using Fred fingers. It is helpful to practise these with your child using a rhythm (ask me for more information if you are stuck for ideas!). 
We will start our spellings on Friday 13th Jan. 

General Information
- Our PE days have changed, and we will now be doing PE on a Wednesday and Thursday. 
- You can now start completing your silver reading awards! Most of you achieved your bronze award half-term which was amazing to see. Don't forget to tick these off every time you read. 
- We expect all children to read to an adult at least 3 x a week.
- Children should stay in the green zone on Doodle Maths. The best way to do this is by working on Doodle Maths for 5 minutes a day - little and often! It is important your child completes the assigned extras on Doodle Maths. I have assigned these individually based on the knowledge gaps shown on their assessments.  
- We are on the hunt for some reading volunteers. If you are interested, please check out the reading blog here. 

I am looking forwards to welcoming you back to school tomorrow and hearing all about your Christmas holidays!