Welcome to Squirrels Class!

We want to start off by saying a huge WELCOME to our Year 1/2 Class! 

After Reception, the children will begin to make the transition from play-based learning, towards a more structured learning style with a different curriculum which includes subjects such as English, Maths, Science, History and Art. As the children build on their their existing skill set, they will also aquire and develop a range of other skills, through exciting learning opportunities and independent challenges. Whilst the children begin to take on more responsibility and ownership of their own learning, we still incorporate aspects of play and continuous provision within our lessons. This is because we recognise and appreciate that the children still require the freedom of child-led learning opportunities and play for their personal development, cognition and understanding, as well as continuing to develop their social skills and important life skills too. 

We cannot wait to see all the amazing progress your children will make this year, and look forward to all the fun, happiness and learning that this year is going to bring! 

Meet the Team

Hello, I'm Miss Cleary! I like reading, swimming and travelling. My favourite book is Tiddler. I love teaching Phonics, Maths and Computing.  

This is Miss Green, one of our wonderful Teaching Assistants!  

This is Miss Louise, another amazing member of our team! 

We also have the magnificient Mrs Reihani! 

Creative Curriculum

Autumn Term

The Great Fire of London

In the Autumn Term, we learn all about the UK and The Great Fire of London. We begin by looking at different human and physical features around the UK and discussing whether the UK is a good place to live or not. We then learn about the consequences of The Great Fire of London and how it impacted the way in which houses are designed today. We will be visiting Staircase House for a GFOL workshop and also building our own free-standing structures in DT. 

Spring Term

Sensational Stockport

 In the Spring Term, we will be studying our local area and debating whether or not Stockport is sensational to live in. We will go on a field trip around Stockport town centre, using a route that we will plan together to spot different geographical features. Then, we will learn about how shopping and Stockport high street has changed since the 1950s. The children will be doing PE with the MU Foundation and also engaging with some sessions of Yoga.  

Summer Term

Going on Safari

In the Summer Term, the children will begin to make comparisons between a non-European country (Africa) and the UK. Our children will focus on human and physical geography, the locational knowledge of Africa and it's history, landmarks and culture. We will compare the similiarities and differences between Africa and our own local area, and learn about the achievements of significant individuals, such as Sarah Forbes Bonetta. 

Important information for parents 

The children will have PE twice a week, once with the class teacher and once with Mr Rowe. The children will have PE on Thursdays and Fridays. The children should come to school already wearing their PE kits. PE kits must be a white t-shirt, black shorts/joggers/leggings and trainers/pumps. We also change reading books on Tuesdays and Fridays.Please ensure that you have signed your child's reading record. 

Newsletter and Programme of Study

Autumn newsletter

/uploads/527/files/Squirrels newsletter Autumn.pdf

Spring newsletter 

/uploads/527/files/Squirrels newsletter Spring.pdf

Summer newsletter 

/uploads/527/files/Squirrels newsletter Summer.pdf

Year 1 Statutory Spellings

Below is a list of spellings children in Year 1 should know how to read and write by the end of the year. Please practice these with your child where possible. 

Year 2 Statutory Spellings

Useful Websites

BBC Bitesize: https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/primary

Topmarks Maths Games: https://www.topmarks.co.uk/Search.aspx?AgeGroup=2

Phonics Play: https://www.phonicsplay.co.uk/

Phonics Bloom: https://www.phonicsbloom.com/

Purple Mash: https://www.purplemash.com/login/

Numbots: https://numbots.com 

TRRS: https://ttrockstars.com/

Rewards

In Squirrels, we always give lots of stickers out for great work and super behaviour, and the children can then put them on their own individual sticker charts. When the children reach 20 stickers, they can choose a prize out of the prize box and then begin a new sticker chart. We also reward children every week by choosing a superstar who has worked particularly hard, and they will then recieve a certificate in assembly. We select one child every week who has shown one of our core values (Respect, Responsibility or Resilience) and they are then able to go and have hot chocolate with the headteacher. Attendence is very important here at Abingdon, so we do Beat the Bell twice per half term, as an incentive for the children to be in school on time every day. 

Contact / Class Dojo

At Abingdon, we use Class Dojo which is embedded within every year group. We use Class Dojo to engage with parents by sharing photos and videos of exciting moments we have in the classroom and around school. It is also an effective way for parents and teachers to communicate, via the app. 

email: chelsea.cleary@abingdon.stockport.sch.uk