Class 1 - Mrs Stephens
Welcome to Class 1
At Hamsterley Primary School, our children in the Early Years Foundation Stage and Key Stage 1 are taught in Class 1. Our class teacher is Mrs Stephens and Miss Mawson is our Teaching Assistant.
In Class 1, we follow a weekly timetable that ensures that we cover all aspects of the National Curriculum (for Key Stage 1) and Early Years Framework (for our EYFS pupils). We follow a 'topic based' approach which allows the children to make links with their learning across lots of curriculum subjects (such as History, Geography, Art and Design Technology). We also have a daily phonics session, maths lesson and English lesson for all children in Class 1. The children enjoy playing and working together while developing their independence and love of learning.
Our classroom has two teaching areas that each have an interactive Promethean smart panel. This allows us to split our class into smaller groups and have quieter working spaces for times when we do our independent work. We also have lots of continuous provision areas within our classroom that are accessed by all the children. This includes a small-world area, art & craft area, a home corner (with role-play resources), a sand & water area and a construction area. We also have a large outdoor area (that is only used by Class 1) where we have outdoor sand and water provision, large construction and loose parts, a woodwork area and a mud kitchen. We also have a fortnightly Forest Schools session. Here, where we learn about nature, develop our confidence and independence, and learn to take risks.
Our Topics For The Year 2023-2024:
Autumn Term – ‘Childhood’
This project teaches children about everyday life and families today, including comparisons with childhood in the 1950s, using artefacts and a range of different sources.
Spring Term – ‘Movers and Shakers’
This project teaches children about historically significant people who have had a major impact on the world. They will learn to use timelines, stories and historical sources to find out about the people featured and use historical models to explore their significance.
Movers and Shakers knowledge organiser
Summer Term – ‘Coastline ‘
This project teaches children about the physical and human features of coastal regions across the United Kingdom, including a detailed exploration of the coastal town of Whitby, in Yorkshire.
Our Topics For The Year 2024-2025:
Autumn Term – ‘School Days’
This project teaches children about their own school and locality, both today and in the past. They compare schooling in the Victorian era to their experiences today.
School Days knowledge organiser
Spring Term – ‘Bright Lights, Big City’
This project teaches children about the physical and human characteristics of the United Kingdom, including a detailed exploration of the characteristics and features of the capital city, London.
Bright Lights, Big City knowledge organiser
Summer Term – ‘Magnificent Monarchs‘
This project teaches children about the English and British monarchy from AD 871 to the present day. Using timelines, information about royal palaces, portraits and other historical sources, they build up an understanding of the monarchs and then research six of the most significant sovereigns.
