Reading in year 1
In Year 1, our children are taught to read using the high quality systematic synthetic phonics programme Read Write Inc (RWI). Children are taught consistently to use phonics as the route to reading unknown words. At this stage, we introduce the opportunity for pupils to have sufficient practice in reading and re-reading books that match their progress level both at home and in school. We will send RWI books home that match your child's progress level. Children will need to re-read a book three times at home to ensure accuracy, then fluency and finally comprehension. Please go to the Oxford Owl website to find eBooks that are relevant to your child's age and RWI colour group.
When children have become fluent and confident readers, they will now read to learn. They will learn comprehension skills using a high-quality whole class guided reading programme, increase their reading fluency through daily practice, listen to high-quality books read by an adult every day and read for pleasure in school and at home.
Reading fluency is an essential pre-requisite to reading comprehension once children have a sound knowledge of phonics. Children should be able to read quickly and accurately with good intonation and phrasing so that their attention can focus on comprehension and meaning.
Maths in year 1
Daily maths lessons are taught in small steps using the White Rose Hub scheme of learning. We provide children with practical equipment to secure their understanding of each small step. As they develop as mathematicians, they are expected to use both pictorial and written methods as outlined in our whole school calculation policy. To help children succeed in maths, there is a strong focus on developing maths fluency and arithmetic skills.
Fluency is promoted through IT programs such as Numbots, MyMaths and daily fluency sessions. This allows children to monitor their own progress, motivate themselves and practice essential elements. By being fluent and developing automaticity, pupils spend more time learning to reason with complex maths questions.
You can support your child at home:
Encourage your child to use Numbots for 5 minutes each day - little and often is more effective.
Home learning is set on MyMaths every week to embed what we are learning in class.
Encourage maths learning in fun ways e.g. cooking, play shop keeping, using songs for timetables etc.