2022-2023
Welcome to St Clare's Class
Class Teacher - Mr Fishman
Teaching Assistants - Miss Taylor and Mrs Fausta
Updated 21.7.23
Thank you Year 1!
Wishing you all a wonderful summer break!
Thank you for an amazing year - it has been a pleasure teaching you all and getting to know you! We hope these memories stay with you forever.
With love,
Mr Fishman, Miss Taylor and Mrs Fausta
:-)
Updated 12.7.23
A Fantastic Finish to our Flight Topic
Today the children in Year 1 enjoyed a whole day out of school on a trip to Stanmer Park.
The day started by us walking to the local train station and then onto to the park itself. It was very fun being on the train as some of us had never been on one! We then tested our kites that we made in school and had a great time running and watching the wind take them up into the air! After that, we loved playing in the newly built playground before eating a well earned lunch. Then, we explored the nature area of the park and collected flowers and plants to create our very own sticky bookmarks. Finally, we all enjoyed playing some games with a parachute before boarding the train back to school.
It was a wonderful day out and thank you especially to all of the adults who joined us.
Updated 28.6.23
Hot Air Balloon Reports!
This week the children used their imaginations to think about what it might be like to travel in a hot air balloon. We started the session by going on a 'virtual flight' and thinking about what we may see from the balloon and how it would feel. We then imagined what questions we would ask someone if they had been on a hot air balloon themselves and how this form of travel is different to others. We then used these questions and pretended to be 'new reporters' for a Year 1 News channel!
It was very fun to pretend that we were high up in the sky overlooking vast open fields and clear blue skies! Here are some photos from the lesson:
Updated 21.6.23
Learning about litter and recycling
This week in our PSHE the children in Year 1 learnt all about what litter is and why it is bad for the planet. This led onto a lovely class discussion about why we should recycle and how we can help protect our beautiful earth. The children were then asked to create a poster that promotes recycling.
Here are some questions to promote conversations at home:
1. Do you have recycling bins at home?
2. Does your child know what they can recycle and how to do so?
3. Why are we trying to reduce use of plastic?
Here are some examples of the posters:
Updated 9.6.23
For our last outdoor learning of the school year we fully embraced the sunshine! After we greeted nature we learnt about the different trees in our outdoor area by going on a leaf hunt, looking carefully at the different shapes, colours and patterns on the leaves of each of the trees. We discovered that the most common tree in was a sycamore. After playtime we enjoyed a carousel of activities including: salt trail painting, making (and racing) leaf boats and of course the mud kitchen!
After lunch, we learnt how to tie knots by making our very own dream catchers. Finally, we ended the day by enjoying a nice cold ice lolly to cool us down after a long day out in the sunshine!
It was another fun filled and day with some wonderful outdoor learning to practice new skills.
Updated 6.6.23
Zacchaeus the Tax Collector
Luke 19: 1-10
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5BjtbJFz2ug
This week the children in Year 1 heard the story of Zacchaeus to help them understand the importance of changing our ways when we have made mistakes and the power in saying sorry.
After hearing the bible story the children then used drama to freeze frame different parts of the story. The children were very reflective and learnt that even though Zacchaeus was not liked in his home town, Jesus loved him and this unconditional love allowed Zacchaeus to make amends.
Here are some photos of our frozen pictures...
Updated 24.5.23
An enormous thank you to all of the children (and adults) who spent the time to work on a project for our new topic of flight. We had some wonderful creations come into the classroom and here are a few of the incredible hot air balloons, birds and rockets that some of the children made.
More pictures of Activity Passport to follow...
Updated 24.5.34
For this term's design and technology week the children revisited a previous topic of mechanisms by recalling how to use a split pin to create a moveable part.
This time, the children designed their own 'worry monsters' in keeping with our Personal and Social Health Education and last week's Mental Health Awareness week. The children created a wonderful collection of 'monsters' that had a wide variety of moving parts! The children loved both creating, making and evaluating their designs to create something that they could use at home and share their worries too!
Here are some photos of the process...
Updated 16.5.23
Maypole Dancing
To get the week started off with a swing, the children in Year 1 took their hands to some traditional maypole dancing.
They took it in turns to create patterns with the coloured ribbons by walking both in circles around the pole and in circles around each other!
The children loved seeing how these actions made the ribbons create pretty patterns and made for a different and fun start to the week.
Updated 10.5.23
This week in maths the children in year 1 were introduced to arrays for the first time. This concept is their first steps into understanding multiplication and groups of numbers. After learning the difference between rows and columns the children were tasked with making arrays out of cubes and then writing the corresponding repeated addition sentence to match.
Perhaps you can ask your child the difference between a row and a column and then consolidate this learning by making arrays at home with some household objects or fruits and vegetables?
Updated 5.5.23
Coronation Cucumber Sandwiches!
Children throughout the school celebrated the upcoming Coronation of King Charles III today, donned in their royal attire! Amongst many different activities in Year 1, the children enjoyed both decorating their own party bag for our afternoon celebrations and making the King's 'favourite' cucumber sandwiches!
Here are some pictures from the day...
Updated 28.5.23
For our 5th outdoor learning this year the children braved the early morning rain and put on their raincoats to be at one with nature! We started in the same way as we always do by greeting nature and describing how we feel about the day ahead. We then collected and sorted sticks that we would use later in the day.
After that we gathered together to discuss the different seasons and the children then went on a 'Spring Hunt' to find signs that we are in a new season. After playtime the children were then challenged to use natural materials to design a game, inspired by the character of Noi in our class novel. The children then had to teach each other how to play their games.
After lunch the children then used sticks that we collected earlier to make Noi's house whilst the other children played in the mud kitchen. After the groups swapped we then played some circle games and sang a few songs.
It was another fabulous day and fun was had by all!
Updated 25.4.23
As part of the Department for Education's scheme, today the children were given the list of suggested activities for children in Year 1 to complete. These experiences are designed to inspire and provoke the curiosity and imagination of children whilst allowing them to explore the outdoor world around them.
Please take photos of the activity you choose and email them to:
myhomework@st-josephs.brighton-hove.sch.uk
(put your child's name and class as the subject line)
For an electronic copy of the list please click HERE
Updated 21.4.23
A Stunning Start to our new topic - Flight
To launch our new topic of flight, the children made their very own bubble wands! Using simply two plastic straws and some string, the children worked together to make a structure that would then be used outside to make bubbles! After everyone had made their wand the children had so much using their bubble wands to create some rather marvellous bubbles.
We all enjoyed watching them fly way...
Updated 18.4.23
SUMMER TERM CURRICULUM OVERVIEW
Please click HERE for an overview of all the wonderful learning planned for the Summer Term.
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NEW TERM, NEW PROJECTS!
To 'launch' our new topic of flight for the Summer term, please click HERE for a wide range of different project ideas that you can complete with your child throughout the term.
I look forward to seeing all the different creations and some fantastic flying machines :-)
Updated 28.3.23
Palm Sunday Processions
As part of our learning in RE about the Easter story, the children in Year 1 this week learnt the end of the Lent season in Palm Sunday, when Jesus returned to Jerusalem and rode through the streets on a donkey. The children then made their own palm crosses and decorated them with the same chants that Jesus would have heard including: 'Hosanna', 'praise to the King', 'welcome to Jerusalem.' They then went into the playground and formed two lines into a procession as the children enjoyed walking through as the crowd cheered and roared!
Updated 24.3.23
The sun held out for us today as the children in Year 1 enjoyed their 4th outdoor learning this term. We started the day as we always do by collecting sticks and greeting nature. We then learnt how to tell the age of a tree based on its circumference and we tested this by measuring each tree with a piece of string. After some fruit and a story we had fun playing in the mud kitchen, planting our very own seeds and chopping wood for the fire. We then practiced how to safely move around the fire by playing 'red dragon, green dragon'.
After lunch we were so excited to see the fire being lit, sing some songs and played some games whilst we waited for the popcorn, which we all thoroughly enjoyed with a cup of hot chocolate.
Finally, to bring the day to a close we each poured water over the extinguished fire to recall one thing we enjoyed during the day.
Updated 21.3.23
Celebrating St Joseph's Day
Yesterday the children throughout the school celebrated the feast of St Joseph's day. In the morning we all came together for a whole school mass led by Father Kieron and then in the afternoon the children made these beautiful lilies for our prayer table.
The children learnt that St. Joseph is associated with with lilies because they symbolize integrity and indicate the purity of his wife Mary in their white colour.
Updated 10.3.23
Exploring Food Chains
As part of our science learning, this week the children in Year 1 learnt all about food chains, acting out how different animals eat each other to show how living things depend on each other for food.
The children had to act out a living thing, starting with a plant and ending with an animal showing how the energy is transferred between them.
I wonder if child can tell you what living thing they were pretending to be and who they were eaten by?
Updated 3.3.23
The children in St Joseph's celebrated our World Book Day today with a wonderful variety of costumes. The children in Year 1 took part in some special book themed book activities including a dramatic re-enactment of our favourite story so far 'I want my hat back'. After lunch the whole school came together for a costume parade to share and see each classes different costumes.
Thank you to all the adults who went above and beyond in putting together the costumes. An amazing day was had by all!!
Updated 28.2.23
This week the children in Year 1 took part in a special workshop facilitated by Perform Theatre Arts. The children were told of a clown who had lost his smile and they were challenged to make him smile by performing circus tricks, pulling funny faces and even eating his pizza! The children loved taking part in this drama activity and brought out the silly in all of us!
Updated 23.2.23
The Lord's Prayer
This week the children learnt all about the special prayer that Jesus taught us at the Last Supper. We spoke about what some of the words meant and then practised saying it as a class. The children then used water colours to paint patterns and images over the prayer for them to take home.
Please read through this prayer with your child and help them learn it by heart!
Here are some examples of the children's work...
Updated 8.2.23
Design and Technology Week
For our third design and technology week, our focus this time was food and nutrition.
The children were tasked with designing a fruit smoothie that could be part of a healthy packed lunch. Before they made their own smoothies the children investigated some existing products to gather ideas as to what fruits they would want to put in theirs.
Next, they designed their smoothies while thinking about the different textures of fruit and which ones would match well together - paired with either milk or orange juice as the base. Before the making of the smoothies, they learnt about some basic health hygiene rules when preparing foods and how to safely use equipment including: knives, juicers and peelers. Finally, they evaluated their products, with most saying that they would have used either different fruits to balance the sweet or sour tastes or even blending them for longer to create a smoother taste.
Overall, it was a wonderful project and everyone had fun and learnt lots along the way!
Updated 3.2.23
Year 1 visit Hollingdean Park
Today the children took their outside learning outside of the school grounds into the beautiful surroundings of Hollingdean Park. The day began with some pre-learning in school about the difference between deciduous and evergreen trees. We then explored out own outside area to identify these trees in our own playground. We then got ourselves ready and off to the park we went!
Once we arrived, we split into 3 groups each tasked with a different activity. The first was a tree identification sheet to spot which ones were in our local area, the second was to create some transient art inspired by the artist Andy Goldsworthy and the final was an collecting activity where the children had to use their design technology skills to create 'journey sticks.'
After lunch the children then put their science hats back on and used their knowledge of forces to discuss the different forces they would need to use the fun equipment in the children's playground.
It was a really fun day all round and the children loved taking their learning not just outside, but outside of school!
Updated 26.1.23
Jesus is the most special person in the Parish
To continue with our learning about Special People in the Parish, this week the children learnt about Jesus being the most special person. We used this scripture from Luke 2: 41-52 to learn more about how special Jesus was a child.
In groups, the children were tasked to create a frozen picture like in the example and we then brought the pictures to life incorporating dialogue with what the characters might saying to each other, using the scripture for our answers.
For a video of this story that we watched in class please click here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ho_3gvIWzbw
(start at 1:46)
Updated 19.1.23
This week the children in Year 1 learnt all about electrical circuits. They learnt how metal conducts electricity and allows it to flow around a circuit in order to make the lightbulb work.
After giving them time to explore the different components, they were then able to work in pairs to follow some simple directions to connect the equipment. There was a wonderful buzz in the classroom environment hearing the children become successful in their 'lightbulb' moments!
Updated 13.1.23
Thank you to all the children who have completed some of the Power Projects already so far. They are proudly on display in our classroom.
Updated 13.1.23
A 'mysterious' and stunning start to our new topic
Today the children in Year 1 came back after lunch to find a surprising lump of ice in the classroom! After breaking it apart we found a hidden message from 'Sakari', an Inuit from the Arctic. She asked the children to help her make an igloo' because her hands were tired and cold. The children then learnt a little bit about igloos and watched a video of a real one being made before having fun making their own one out of a paper bowel, cotton wool and glitter!
Updated 10.1.23
Spring Curriculum Overview 2023
Please find an overview of the Spring Term coverage HERE
A hard copy of this will be sent home with the children this afternoon.
Updated 15.1.22
Introducing our new topic - 'Poles Apart' with some optional projects
Here are some suggested activities that you can do with your child over the Christmas holidays.
All children will be given a paper copy of this in school or you can download an electronic version HERE
Updated 14.12.22
For our second Design and Technology week, the children in Year 1 were learning about freestanding structures. We started off by looking at some existing structures including: chairs, bridges and even the Eiffel Tower. We then went out into the playground to look at some of the freestanding structures we have there. The children enjoyed looking at the climbing frame (instead of playing on it!) to identify the different shapes within the structure and to also recognise the different materials used in the construction and why they were used in this way. This linked in beautifully with our learning about the properties of materials. For example, we discussed why the slide was made out of plastic and came to the conclusion that it was the most suitable material for a slide because it hard but it also can be molded into different shapes.
Our next lesson was a 'paper folding challenge' - the children were challenged to create a freestanding structure (bridge) to support as many pencils as possible by using only a piece of paper. After many (failed!) attempts, the children learnt that a piece of paper can be made stronger just by folding it in different ways, especially by using a concertina fold. The children then evaluated their bridges by discussing how they could improve it next time by creating even more folds.
Updated 6.12.22
Annunciation
This week the children have been learning about when Angel Gabriel visited Mary to inform her that she was going to have a baby. This moment is called the Annunciation. The children the acted this scene out using scripture from the bible. We looked at some famous paintings of the Annunciation and the children were given the opportunity to paint their own versions using these as inspiration.
Updated 25.11.22
Today the children in Year 1 had their second day of outdoor learning this term. We started the day by greeting nature and welcoming each other to the circle. After that the children had time to explore the mud kitchen or go on a mini beast hunt. We then had our fruit and story outside in the sunshine!
After playtime, we practiced our tool skills in using a peeler, a hand drill and even a saw! It was great fun to see the children using tools they may never have had the chance to use.
After lunch it was time to put those skills into good use by our very own 'pull-along toy competition.' To complement our learning of toys, the children were put into groups of 3 to design toy similar to those used in the Victorian age. The children were really ingenious and came up with some brilliant designs, some of which were even stable enough to carry a plastic animal!
We ended the day with some delicious hot chocolate topped off with one of Mr. Fishman's home-made meringues!
Updated 16.11.22
Let's get dramatic!
The children have been learning a 'call and response' drama game to help support their understanding of our hilarious class story 'I Want My Hat Back.' by Jon Klassen. They were challenged in learning both actions and speech to retell significant moments in this story. The children loved this exercise and after only a few rehearsals they managed to commit all of their lines to memory! Earlier in the week they even wrote it out in their English books.
Here is a video for you to see:
Updated 10.11.22
Gymnastics
This week the children continued their learning of gymnastics by learning how to form different shapes with their bodies. The children learnt how to develop their agility, balance and coordination in making these shapes whilst also watching each other to provide support and encouragement. It has been wonderful to watch the children's core strength grow and improve over the past few weeks.
Updated 4.11.22
Year 1 Visit the Hove Toy Museum!
Today, the children in Year 1 visited the Hove Toy Museum as part of their learning about toys. The children traveled there in the school mini bus (which was a new experience for some!) and then enjoyed seeing some very old toys displayed in the Wizard's Attic. After that, the children participated in a special lesson where they learnt about the history of the museum and saw some old toys that were used by the Vallance family who used to live on the property where the museum now stands.
The highlight of the day was definitely getting to play with lots of different toys and dressing up some wooden spoon dolls. The children loved learning about and playing with toys that children played with a long time ago.
We ended the day with our delicious packed lunches outside in the sunshine!
Updated 18.10.22
Half Term Projects
To complement our learning about toys, here is a list of suggested projects that you can complete with your child over the Half term holiday.
Have fun and be creative! I can't wait to see what you all create!
The children will be sent home with this leaflet tomorrow or you can download an electronic copy of it now by clicking HERE
Updated 18.10.22
This week across the school children in all year groups have been expanding their creativity and learning new skills in our schools 'Design and Technology Week'. Year 1 have been looking at different mechanisms in particular a slider mechanism that uses a split pin to move different parts.
The children first looked at some existing books that have split pins in them and we discussed why they are used. They then made their very own 'Day and Night' wheel by using a split pin to carefully attach the two pieces of card together. The children then reflected on their work and we spoke about other things they could use a split pin and the children had so many different ideas, including: butterflies wings, a spider moving it its web, the flying wings of an airplane, a moving jaw of a dinosaur or the rotating propellers of a helicopter.
It was a very fun afternoon and the children loved learning how to use this new resource and are excited to use them again!
Updated 13.10.22
Dear adults,
It gives me great pleasure to confirm that the Year 1 school trip to the Hove Toy Museum has now been booked and the children will be visiting on Friday 4th November 2022 - the first week back after the half term!
Children will be given this letter tomorrow with all the information, however if you would like to download a copy yourself please click HERE
Please note that there is a voluntary contribution of £3 that can be made using Parent Pay. Please return completed consent forms to either myself or to the school office as soon as possible.
With thanks,
Mr Fishman
Updated 10.10.22
In acknowledgement of Black History Month in the UK, today the children in Year 1 learnt about the incredible heroism of Rosa Parks. To help the children understand segregation, a 'bus' was made in the classroom with each child given a ticket to board. Little did they know, however, that the children had been segregated into boys and girls, with the boys forced to sit at the back of the bus and the girls at the front. This then led onto a great discussion about fair and equal rights. This activity was repeated but using hair colour and shoe type to determine where the children sat.
After this activity, the children then learnt about segregation during the 1900's when black people had to sit at the back of buses and how Rosa Parks famously stood up for what she believed in.
Updated 7.10.22
Today the children in Year 1 had their first outdoor learning day of the school year and what a fun and busy day it was! We started the day by using sticks to tap together and greeted nature! Then the children were challenged with exploring our outside area to collect items of different textures, including shiny, scratchy and smooth. We then sorted those items into the different groups and discussed the different types of leaves in around us. After playtime we had a piece of fruit in the sunshine whilst listening to a story. We then had lots of fun both in the mud kitchen and making our very own diablo toy.
After lunch, we collected more leaves to be used for printing patterns in clay. Finally, we sang some circle time songs and then everyone chose their favourite part of the day - it seemed that the leaf printing was very popular!
Updated 6.10.22
Family meal like Jesus
In our final lesson of our current RE topic of 'family' the children named the members of Jesus’ family and we then looked at pictures of where he lived. We spoke out the importance of having meals as a family so we sat in small circles and tried different foods that Jesus would have eaten including olives, feta cheese and flat bread!
We made a list of words to describe the foods as we tasted the different foods! It was very fun to try new things, some that we liked and others that we didn't!
27.9.22
Happy Grandparents' Week
Today the children in Year 1 welcomed grandparents into the classroom to observe and participate with their learning. The grandparents loved seeing how phonics was taught and helped the children write sentences. After a short brain break, we then continued with our class book and made some 'frozen pictures' based on one particular page in the story. It was so wonderful to see all the grandparents join in and how welcome the children made them in our classroom.
Updated 22.9.22
Learning about Sound
This week for science, the children built upon their learning of our 5 senses as we focused our learning on the sense of hearing. The children learnt that when an object vibrates it moves particles in the air which move as sound waves towards our ears. To help the children learnt this further we acted this out with someone making the sound, other children pretending to be the vibrating particles and of course another child being the 'ear' to receive the moving vibrations.
Updated 14.9.22
"If you go down to the woods today...."
Today the children in Year 1 had a stunning start to their new topic of toys with a Teddy Bears' Picnic!
We started off by sitting in a circle and each child introduced their special teddy bear that they had bought in from home. The children spoke about who bought the teddy for them them, why they are special and how it makes them feel. It was unanimous amongst the whole class that their bears made all them feel safe and cozy.
After that, they learnt the famous Teddy Bears' Picnic Song and we then played 'musical (bears) statues' and 'Mr Bear's Honey Pot' which tested the children's listening and concentration skills whilst having fun!
Next, we exercised our bodies by doing the famous gummy bear dance before finally enjoying some delicious biscuits and a story.
It was indeed a wonderful afternoon and the picnic was enjoyed by all...
…especially the bears!
Updated 13.9.22
Please join me after school this Thursday 15th September 2022 in the Year 1 classroom shortly after 3pm.
This is your chance to see your child's classroom and ask me any questions. I will be discussing the Year 1 expectations, PE Days, reading diaries, Dojos, school trips and will be handing out curriculum overviews for learning in the Autumn term.
If you are unable to make it you may download a copy of the Autumn Overview HERE
I very much look forward to seeing you all on Thursday.
Mr Fishman
Updated 7.9.22
Teddy Bear's Picnic - Wednesday 14th September 2022
To introduce our first topic 'toys' the children have been asked to bring in a cuddly toy for our very own teddy bear's picnic during the school day next week.
For a copy of the letter handed out please click HERE
Updated 7.9.22
Class Information
PE
PE will be on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
It is crucial for health and safety that your child has a full PE kit in school at all times.
PE kits are available for purchase from the school office.
PLEASE ENSURE YOUR CHILD'S NAME IS WRITTEN IN ALL CLOTHING!
Reading Diaries
Reading diaries have been handed out along with a book specifically selected for your child. The book will be one they are familiar with and have read in class. Your job - as the listener - will be to simply support them and guide them through reading this familiar text to promote their fluency and speed of reading.
As a friendly reminder, you must try to read with your child at least three times every week and then write comments in their reading record on how you felt the reading went.
Was your child able to read all words accurately?
Did they segment and blend the sounds properly?
Were there any tricky or new words?
Could your child recall what they read?
Were they able to relate to the characters in the story?
These diaries will be collected in and checked on a regular basis.
Updated 7.9.22
Dear children, parents and carers,
It gives me great pleasure to welcome you and your child to St Clare's Class and to a new school year. I feel honored to be your child's teacher this academic year and please be assured that I will do my very best to ensure they are safe and happy at all times.
Please do not hesitate to catch me before or after school if you have any questions, concerns or problems about your child's learning. Check this web page regularly for updates from inside the classroom!
I look forward to meeting you all and getting to know you better over the coming year.
Take care and stay safe,
Mr Fishman and the Year 1 team