As we step into the festive season, Beech Class has been bustling with excitement and creativity! Here’s a closer look at what we’ve been up to and the wonderful progress your children have been making.
English the Year 1 children have been learning how to write letters, focusing on their very own letters to Father Christmas! They followed the writing process step-by-step:
- Plan: First, they brainstormed ideas about what they wanted to ask for and how they would greet and thank Father Christmas.
- Draft: Next, they wrote their letters, practicing neat handwriting and using full sentences.
- Edit: Then, the children checked their letters, ensuring they included capital letters, punctuation, and their kindest wishes.
- Publish: Finally, they created their final versions, beautifully written and decorated with festive cheer!
In Year 2, the focus has been on improving comprehension and spelling. The children have been reading short passages, answering questions to demonstrate their understanding, and discussing tricky vocabulary. For spelling, we’ve practiced breaking words into syllables, spotting patterns, and using them in sentences to reinforce their meaning.
Additionally, across both year groups, we’ve been working hard on tricky/common exception words—reading them fluently and writing them accurately in sentences.
In maths the year 1 children have been investigating numbers from 20 to 100. They’ve explored:
- Recognising and ordering these numbers.
- Using number lines and hundred squares to identify patterns.
- Practicing counting in 2s, 5s, and 10s, laying the foundation for early multiplication skills.
Our Year 2 mathematicians have been solving word problems, focusing on how to interpret a question, identify the operation (addition, subtraction, etc.), and work through the solution step-by-step. They’ve been using drawings, number lines, and written calculations to explain their thinking.
Our Christmas crafts have been a highlight this term!
- The children used clay to sculpt snowmen, practicing fine motor skills and expressing their creativity.
- They also created beautiful paper decorations, bringing extra festive spirit to our classroom.
Year 1
The children explored different types of lines—straight, wavy, zigzag, and more—using pencils and crayons to experiment with texture and design.
The focus for Year 2 has been on mastering different brush strokes with watercolours. They’ve learned to use soft, flowing strokes for blending and bold strokes for emphasis, creating stunning works of art.
We were thrilled to participate in a Zoom session with the National Gallery! The children learned about mythical creatures and used parts of various animals to sketch their own imaginative creations. A huge thank you to Bethan, the artist, for her inspiring guidance.
Christmas Show
Our rehearsals are in full swing! The children have been practicing their lines, songs, and dance moves with great enthusiasm.
Costumes: We have costumes ready for all the children, but please check their reading diaries for specific information about the clothes they will need to wear underneath.
It has been a joy to see the children’s excitement and engagement this week. Thank you for your continued support, and we look forward to seeing you at our Christmas show!
The Beech Class Team
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