Introduction to Year One (Age 5-6)

After a year in the Reception Class, the children are confident in the school environment. New children will, of course, need time to settle and adjust to IBIS. We respect the previous learning that each child brings to the school situation and consider each child as an individual. Initially, there is a balance between child-initiated and teacher initiated activities. The children work as a class, in small groups and individually. We encourage the children to take responsibility for their actions and to be able to make choices and decisions. The classroom is set up with developmentally appropriate learning opportunities. The progress of the children is continually assessed by the teacher, through observation and discussion.

Year 1 provides a happy, purposeful and well-managed environment. The children learn in a relaxed and stimulating atmosphere where the excitement of learning is evident.

Literacy

Each day starts with literacy. This begins with a shared text or book and is followed by word and sentence activities for the whole class including spelling, punctuation, reading and writing tasks. After this the children divide into groups for guided and independent activities. There is a balance of 'guided' activities, a group working with a teacher, and 'independent' activities, where the children are encouraged to work on their own, with a partner or in a small group, developing their concentration and work habits.

Numeracy

After playtime, the numeracy session begins with whole class oral work and mental calculation to sharpen skills and is followed by the main teaching objective for the day. The children then complete activities in small groups, pairs or individually. Children who need extra support work with the teacher or classroom assistant. Those who are able to work more confidently are encouraged to extend their learning through extension activities.

Information Technology

The children learn basic computer skills in the classroom and in the computer room: simple word-processing including saving, loading and printing their work; using an art package; data handling and working with the Roamer, a programmable toy.

Topic Work

After lunch the children are involved in integrated activities, i.e. topic work that includes Science, History and Geography.

Year 1 Topics

• Who am I?
• My family now and then
• Birthdays and how we celebrate them
• Where do I come from?
  
• Nationalities, flags and facts about our countries
  
• What am I?
• My body and how it works, dental care and healthy eating
  
• What is it made from?
  
• Materials: paper and clay
• What do we play with?
• What did our parents play with?
  
• Toys now and then
• How does it move?
  
• Toys that move
  
• What do our class pets need?
  
• Looking after gerbils: nutrition and care
  

German

The children have two lessons of German per week and are grouped according to their ability.

Physical Education

There are two lessons of P.E. per week. The children continue to develop fine and gross motor skills. They develop co-ordination: hand, eye and body movements. The hall is used for movement sessions, large and small apparatus and team games. They learn to share, take turns and become aware of basic safety when moving around and using the apparatus. The playgrounds on the Heiderhof are also used.

Art and Design

The children learn to record what they observe, remember and imagine in pictorial and 3D form. They use a variety of techniques to encourage their creative development and become aware of the work of artists and illustrators.

Music

We have two Music lessons per week with a specialist teacher.

Personal, Social and Health Education

There is a separate assembly for Key Stage 1 during which a moral or ethical topic is introduced. Many other topics are also discussed during the year.

Homework

Reading books are taken home in a book bag three times a week. Library books are taken home once a week. Each week a numeracy and a literacy activity are also taken home.