Year 1
WELCOME TO YEAR 1
In Year 1 our teachers encourage us to reach for the stars and always try our best.
Our Year 1 Team
1JR – Miss. Ruglen, Miss. Ronak and Miss Wilson
1CP/BK – Mrs. Power (Mon-Wed) Mrs. Kelly (Thur & Fri) Miss. Hall
Information for Parents
Click here to view our Autumn Term Overview 2024
Click here for Mrs Power and Mrs Kelly’s timetable
Click here for Miss Ruglen’s timetable
PE
PE kit consists of navy shorts or leggings, a sky blue polo shirt and trainers or pumps.
Year 1CP/BK have PE every Friday.
Year 1JR have PE every Thursday.
Reading
We hope to become super readers but we need your help! Please try and read with your child every night. Really focus on asking questions about their book as this will help them with their reading comprehension.
Books will be changed in Year One every Thursday/Friday.
Homework will be given out each Friday.
Homework
Chatter
Keep up to date with our latest news by following us on the school app and on our Year 3 page of the school website
Year 1 Chatter
Puppet Making!
Thank you to our parents for joining us this afternoon to make our puppets. We loved it! Thank you also to our Year 5 helpers.
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Exploring Puppets
This morning we have been investigating different types of puppets. We looked at what they are made from and how they move.
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Local Area Walk
1JR have had lots of fun this afternoon on our walk to our local park. We looked at what we could see when looking north, east, south and west. We also looked at how our environment has changed for winter.
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Welly Walk 02/12/25
Y1 PK enjoyed a Welly Walk to Crown Street Park. We investigated what we could see travelling North, East, South and West. We also looked for signs of Autumn and how Autumn was changing into Winter.
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Music
We made our own story and added musical instruments.
We could also use the key vocabulary Presto, Largo,Tempo and Moderato.
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Welly Walk
Y1 PK went on a Welly Walk to Crown Street Park. We followed directions – North, South, East, West and spotted what we could see. We also looked for signs of Autumn and that Autumn is changing into Winter.
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Largo and Presto
In music we have been looking at largo (slow tempo) and presto (fast tempo). We have been using our voices and bodies to move/sing in this way. Today we enjoyed using our bodies as instruments and changing tempo to match the beat.
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Emotions
We were learning all about our emotions today and looking at the different inside out characters to support our understanding.
Toys from the past (then)
We loved investigating (and playing) with toys from the past.
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Where The Wild Things Are
We made crowns to be like the character Max from our story Where The Wild Things Are. Max is the main character from our story and he is king of all the wild things. 
Clicking skills
Y1 have been developing skills of mouse clicking and dragging by exploring sketchpad.
Facial features

Y1 have been exploring, identifying and naming facial features. We labelled diagrams, created our own facial monsters and practiced vocab with our Mr. Potato heads. We’ll be lining this to our senses soon!
Spiral Artwork
This afternoon we created artwork inspired by Yinka Shonibare. We worked so carefully!
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Comparing more or less
Today we built towers using different cubes and compared them using the ‘greater than’ ‘less than’ and ‘equal to’ symbols.
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Cake Sale
Thank you so much for all your donations towards MacMillan Cancer Support. Children had a lovely time – a lot of cake was enjoyed : )
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The Very Hungry Caterpillar
We made our own Hungry caterpillars practising writing days of the week and drawing pictures of what the caterpillar ate each day.




Autumn
In science we have been looking at Autumn. We had lots of fun making leaf people, hedgehogs and leaf rubbings.

Body parts
Lots of fun in science this afternoon exploring the names of parts of our body. We drew around outdoors with chalk, labelled diagrams and worked scientifically to measure how many cubes/paper clips our hand length was. We then compared this with our friend’s measurements.
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Spirals
We practised drawing artwork like Yinka Shonibare’s on our whiteboards today. Next week we will recreate this piece of art in our books using pencil and chalk.
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The Very Hungry Caterpillar
We have had a fabulous week in English learning all about the very hungry caterpillar. We have made predictions, rehearsed a story map and have started to write our own sentences!
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What are seasons?
We kicked off science in Y1 by thinking about what seasons are. We sang the months of the year song to understand which months are in which season. We realised we are currently in Autumn! If anybody spots any signs of autumn outside of school, please bring in to share with the class. We spent the afternoon observational sketching pumpkins, adding seasonal features on our play dough mats, practising cutting skills to make our own season picture and painting some season signs.
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PE – Jumping
We have worked so hard in PE practising our jumping skills and using this to help us skip. Keep it up Y1!
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Longer or Shorter?

Y1 have been exploring the school to find objects longer or shorter than a piece of string.
Hands Sign Language

How lucky are we in Y1 to be learning sign language with Hands. We have practiced some greetings this week.
Y1 Computing
Y1 took a walk to the computer suite today to practice switching the monitors on and off again safely. We then explored using the mouse to click. We even got to play a bubble game!
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Year 1 loved celebrating Smithdown Primary Schools birthday! We enjoyed our cake and party games!
Year 1 have been learning about the Great Fire of London! We thought about how the fire would have been put out!
We had butterflies in our class and released them on Friday! We watched our caterpillars grow and loved watching them fly away.
We learnt about a man called Samuel Pepys and wrote some questions to find out more information!
We looked at some images and thought about what we already know about the Great Fire of London.
150 year celebration picnic
Thank you to everyone wo helped make our family picnic such a success, from the generous items on our community table to the fantastic Henna work in aid of Alder Hey hospital to the very generous sharing of food with staff, the day was fabulous.
150 Year Celebration
What a lovely picnic this afternoon! A big, huge thank you to all children, parents and staff for all the work and effort everyone has put in for our 150 year celebration. Thank you everyone for coming to celebrate this afternoon.
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To celebrate 150 years of our school, Year 1 have made our school using Lego and blocks.
In Year 1, we have been comparing toys from 1874 to now and looking at how they are different.
To celebrate our school turning 150 years, we have been looking at toys and how they are different from 1874 to now.
In Geography , we looked at a hot continent . We found it on google maps and then sorted some features of the continent.
In Geography, we have been looking at Antartica and looked at how penguins gave adapted to living there.
Year 1 had a visit from a police officer to help investigate what happened to our classroom. He needed our help to find out who did it!
We made some predictions and thought about what happened in our class and who might have done it.
Year 1 walked into a surprise this morning! Someone had been in our classrooms and made a big mess!
In Year 1, we have been learning all about Kitty Wilkinson and other famous figures who have been inspirational and helped change how we live. We have learnt so much!
Today Year 1 have celebrated Earth Day! We picked up litter, then using recycled materials we wrote Earth Day!
We have had lots of fun this morning making rice crispy cakes. We hope you have a lovely break!
Year 1 have loved celebrating Eid today in school! We enjoyed our special school lunch!
Year 1 have been learning all about Kitty Wilkinson. We discovered how she helped create the first wash house and how people used to clean clothes!
Year 1 loved crazy hair day. Thank you everyone for the chocolate donations, they will be used for our easter bingo!We are also looking forward to comic relief next Friday!
On Safer Internet Day, Year 1 made some online safety superheroes. We made some amazing characters and learnt a lot about keeping safe from scams.
Year 1 have been looking at where food is from and we looked at where different fruit came from!
Year 1 celebrated Chinese New Year
We were visited by some Chinese dragons. We had a great time!
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We loved having the parents in last week for our Winter Craft morning! Thank you to everyone who came!
In History, we have been looking at old toys. We had fun playing with them and thinking about how toys have changed!
City Finalists
Our Year 1 boys did us all so proud today. We finished fifth in the whole city! You are all superstars! Your played so well and your behaviour was exceptional! #teamsmithdown
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Year 1 loved our camp fire today! Thank you to everyone who came along! A big thank you as well to Miss McFarlane!
In computing we loved using the laptops to explore and used our knowledge of computer terminology.
In Year 1, we have been looking at computers and went around school to find different types of computers!
We are city finalists!
Year 1 we are so proud of you. The boys represented school for the first time and made it all the way to the city finals!
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Super Reading!
We are enjoying our new phonics groups and have worked so hard on our fluency this week.
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Black History Month ‘24
Some AMAZING entries for the Merseyside Police competition! Children have worked hard creating lovely pieces of work with great messages as well. Well done to everyone who has submitted already. Last day tomorrow (Friday 13th September).
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Cheque Presentation
A massive thank you to all parents and children who donated money to Alder Hey. The children on the school council were very lucky to be invited down to Alder Hey for a cheque presentation.
The money raised is going to help brighten the lives of children and their families, all over the country, who require the help of Alder Hey.
Fantastic Family Picnic
A fantastic community picnic. The sun shone.
An amazing community food table with so many lovely dishes to share.
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Year 1 have been on a nature hunt
For our first lesson about plants we have been on the playground to look for plants, seeds and animal evidence.
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Santa Dash 2023 ??????♀️????♂️
This Friday, 8th December 2023, we will be having our very own Santa Dash! A chance to squeeze in an extra fitness session whilst having some festive fun ??♀️????♂️?????
Watch this space! ?
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year 1 Zoolab visit
Year 1 had a visit form lots of animals today to celebrate our learning in science.
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Year 1 had a visit from zoolab
Year 1 were very excited to have a visit from lots of animals today!
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Predictions about our new story
Wow 2GH, I am so impressed with your predictions about our new story. You also asked some really inquisitive questions @misshath2 @SmithdownPr
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We walked around our local area today and took pictures of different
We walked around our local area today and took pictures of different, important places of interest #smithdowngeog
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Artwork inspired by Yinka Shonibare
Look at this amazing artwork inspired by Yinka Shonibare #smithdownart
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Donating food to the Harvest food bank
These superstars enjoyed donating food to the Harvest food bank #smithdownextra
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Thank you to @NFUEducation for Harvest Live 2023!
Thank you to @NFUEducation for Harvest Live 2023! We learnt a lot and we especially enjoyed the visits to the farm.
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This morning we learnt a Harvest song in our music ? assembly
This morning we learnt a Harvest song in our music ? assembly. We are really enjoying practising this song about this special time of year #smithdownmusic
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Harvest donation table…
We visited the Harvest donation table to see what food and toiletries we could donate!
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Little Red riding hood and the Wolf
We really dressing up and getting in role as Little Red and the Wolf #smithdownreaders
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We enjoyed using Google Earth ?
We enjoyed using Google Earth ? to explore the school and the local area from an aerial view #smithdowngeog
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Making some spirals out of play dough!?
After looking at spirals in art, these superstars decided to make some spirals out of play dough!?
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Eating apple dipped in honey…
On Friday we celebrated Rosh Hashanah by eating apple dipped in honey #smithdownre
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In PE, we have been looking at different ways of running…
In PE, we have been looking at different ways of running. We ran like Soldiers, Penguins and Sonic the Hedgehog!
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This superstar worked all on her own to make a new class jigsaw.
This superstar worked all on her own to make a new class jigsaw.
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We have been learning to draw spirals
We have been learning to draw spirals. This superstar made a spiral using the Lego #smithdownart
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1MS had a go at drawing spirals for our new art topic!
1MS had a go at drawing spirals for our new art topic! We had lots of fun?
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Before starting our new Art topic ‘Spirals’…
Before starting our new Art topic ‘Spirals’ – we had a quick practise drawing them on the playground with chalk. What do you think? Are we ready to start creating them in lots of different ways? #smithdownart
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Today we explored an adult Bible and children’s Bible
Today we explored an adult Bible and children’s Bible. The Bible is the special Christian Holy Book #smithdownre
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Thank you to all the families who came to our stay and learn session today
Thank you to all the families who came to our stay and learn session today.
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Well done reception!
We have got ready for PE. Well done reception! We can’t wait for our lesson. #smithdownpe @SmithdownPrimR
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Labelling human body parts today with year 1
We’ve been having lots of fun labelling human body parts today #smithdownsci @SmithdownPrimY1
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Science activities for you today Year 1!
Lots of exciting science activities waiting for you today Year 1! #smithdownscience @SmithdownPrimY1
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Year 1 have had great fun labelling the body parts in science today…
Year 1 have had great fun labelling the body parts in science today. Well done! #smithdownscience @SmithdownPrimY1
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Year 1 have been naming the body parts in science…
Year 1 have been naming the body parts in science this week. #smithdownscience @SmithdownPrimY1
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Tidying up in Year 1 today
Thank you to these helpful children who were the best at tidying up today! @SmithdownPrimY1
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First music lesson with Mrs Naylor!
We are enjoying our first music lesson with Mrs Naylor! #smithdownmusic @SmithdownPrimR
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