Children begin learning to write and read by first learning the sounds in the language before moving from the sounds to the written word. In doing so, they engage with stories, drawings, and paintings that support them in their journey.

Children create attractive, orderly and balanced pages in their lesson books. They are at a stage of beginning literacy, reading and writing simple sentences, and enjoying looking at books.

They explore simple phonics, word play, writing simple, yet beautiful sentences, reading their own writing, writing stories using mainly phonetic spelling for unknown words.

The Maths Main Lesson begins with ‘Quality of Number’.

Through stories, the children discover that numbers and mathematics are all around us

The four processes (Addition, Subtraction, Multiplication, Division) are introduced through number games, bean bag exercises, movement and stories.

Using stories brings an imaginative but relatable and practical picture of each of the processes. The experience of problem solving and finding more than one path to a solution engages the imagination and encourages flexibility in thinking

This leads to the opportunity to record using numeral systems recognisably derived from the human body as reckoner, e.g. Roman Numerals, Chinese Rods Numerals, Mayan Numerals. This then progresses to the more abstract and familiar arabic numerals.

Rhythmical counting, the synchronisation of speech and step, will lay the groundwork for the learning of tables in Class 2.

Listening, Speaking, Recitation.

We develop a feeling for the rhythm of speaking and listening in different situations, e.g. during classroom talk, conversations, stories etc.

Children experience a rich and ambitious vocabulary, exploring connections between new and known words.

Children have the opportunity to orally communicate their ideas, thoughts and memories in a logical and structured way to make the meaning clear for the listener.

They may know several verses/poems by heart, and can use their knowledge of sound/spelling correspondence to read and write simple sentences formed of initial code, in lower case.

When writing, their spellings are phonetically plausible and they use some punctuation.

Foreign Languages is introduced through songs, rhymes and drama.

Children can ask and answer simple questions, participate in simple dialogues and respond to simple commands.

They begin to experience how to introduce themselves, and know some greetings and goodbyes.

They begin to use a range of simple vocabulary in context, including, for example, some colours, numbers, parts of the body, clothing items, classroom items, weather descriptors, food items and animals.

The class enjoy learning through nature walks, nature table, exploration and observation and imaginative stories.

Linking to Maths, children gain an understanding about the changing seasons, the weather and the effect on the local environment.

Children draw pictures and write about what they have seen and experienced, using the geographical term for and name of some local features, e.g. local river, town/street name.

Children do woodwork, making their own knitting needles and begin learning to knit, creating practical yet beautiful objects.

Painting, Beeswax Modelling, Crayon Drawing. Building a practical relationship to colour and form, developing an understanding of aesthetics and form drawing supporting literacy and maths.

As part of Main Lesson children explore straight lines and curves through movement and drawing. This supports dexterity, spacial awareness and handwriting skills.

Form drawing or dynamic drawing is an activity that transforms bodily movement in space into inner movement in ways that transposes the external orientation into inner orientation, weaving the three dimensions (up/down, right/left and behind /in front) into a dynamic relationship between point and periphery, centre and circumference.

It is a creative process, free-hand process, requiring control and sense of proportion that builds on archetypal forms, point, line, surface and volume.

Imaginative and Co-operative Games.

The children become accustomed to following games and movement lessons that follow a set routine with clear instructions that they can respond to.

They include a range of activities including:

Musical, singing, clapping, stamping, marching and skipping games.

Circle-based games. Seasonal games.

Running, jumping and balancing games.

Simple Tag games with safe spaces to run to. Ball games. Simple obstacle courses – indoors or outside. Simple, easy exercises with hand apparatus, e.g. hoop, rope, ball, balloon, feathers, cloths

Singing and introduction to the Recorder.

Linking to Literacy, children enjoy singing in a group, following the words, rhythm and tune of the song.