🧩 Problem Solving Fridays
This term, the children have absolutely loved our Problem Solving Fridays. One of our favourite sessions involved exploring paper dominoes.
The class experimented with different ways to sort them, created repeating patterns, and even challenged themselves to build long “domino snakes.”
They shared what they noticed, talked about which dominoes didn’t fit their ideas, and investigated pairs that could make a total of five. It was wonderful to see so much mathematical thinking happening through play and discussion.
💭 P4C – Creative Thinking
In Philosophy for Children, we focused on becoming creative thinkers. The children explored the concept of loneliness through pictures and thoughtful discussion.
They considered whether they preferred playing in a big group or with one special friend, and they explained their ideas with growing confidence.
We also evaluated ourselves as creative thinkers by reflecting on how well we listened, shared ideas, worked together, and showed friendliness during our discussions.
🔢 Maths – Exploring Patterns
In maths, we revisited repeating patterns, building on what the children remembered from Reception.
They identified AB patterns, explained how they knew what would come next, and practised spotting mistakes in sequences. Their confidence in describing and creating patterns has really grown.
✏️ English – Alliteration Poems
Our English work this term has been full of creativity. Inspired by the poem Zany Zoo, the children wrote their own alliterative poems linked to our topic, Fantastic Farm.
They carefully chose words that started with the same sound and proudly shared their finished poems. We can’t wait to display the photos of them holding their brilliant work.
🎨 Art – Exploring Texture, Line and Sculpture
🍃 Texture Rubbings
The children explored texture by making rubbings around the school grounds. Using leaves and branches, they discovered which surfaces created the most interesting patterns and learned that the veiny side of a leaf gives a clearer texture.
✍️ Experimenting With Media
We experimented with a wide range of drawing materials – pencils, crayons, pastels, felt tips, charcoal, chalk and more. The children learned how different tools can create different types of lines and effects.
➿ Exploring Line
We continued our work on line by practising how to draw lines of different thicknesses and styles. The children enjoyed experimenting and noticing how each type of line could change the feeling of their artwork.
🏺 Clay Pinch Pots
To finish our art unit, the children created their own clay pinch pots. They learned how to roll clay into a smooth ball, press their thumbs into the centre, and pinch the sides to make the walls thinner. After shaping and flattening the base, they decorated their pots in their own unique style. This was a highlight of the term – lots of proud smiles and messy hands.
We are incredibly proud of everything Year 1 has achieved this term. The children have shown curiosity 🌟 and creativity 🎨 in every lesson. It has been wonderful to see their confidence grow. We’re looking forward to another exciting term of learning ahead 🚀.
All the best,
Goldsworthy!