Welcome to Year 1

ICT programming from A to B(eebots)

This term in ICT we have been looking at reading, following and writing our own algorithms. Yes, it might be a big word, yet we now know it means a set of sequenced instructions for a computer program or code for a programmable toy (such as a beebot) / software application package to follow.

We applied carefully thought out logic to instruct a digital beebot to make their way around a garden path to get to the flower on the iPads, directed the beebot to a chosen letter (picked by our partner) on an online emulator using a laptop then programmed a physical (real) beebot toy to successfully navigate around a maze on our classroom floor.

We all had lots of fun and learnt that it’s ok if you get the sequence wrong as we can retrace our steps to work out what we need to do to correct it for the next time we set the beebot off on another adventure.

Also we have been shooting videos of ourselves performing various movements thinking about keeping the camera steady, the distance we need to stand and/or using the zoom function efficiently, down to even what is in the background of our filming. 

People who help us

As part of our ‘Marvellous Me’ topic we have been looking at people who help us to have better lives. Whether it be from scientific contributions in the past e.g. Louis Pasteur and the discovery of vaccines, which make us better when we are poorly to everyday and often unsung heroes like doctors, police men and women, firefighters, vets, nurses and lollipop people who assist us with crossing the road safely.

Year 1 discussed together about how these amazing folk go above and beyond the call of duty to make sure everyone can live in a safe, secure world and get the help they required when it is most needed.

The children then chose one role model to make a cone puppet of and wrote an explanation as to why they’d selected that person.

Here are a few reasons they gave:

I picked the firefighter because ‘They put out fires and save cats’

I chose the policeman because ‘They chase baddies’

I nominated the builder because ‘My Daddy is a builder and helps make houses for people to live and be warm in'

I selected the vet because 'They help animals when they are poorly'

Our Trip to Whipsnade Zoo

On Wednesday 4th July 2018, year 1 went to Whipsnade Zoo. Our topic this term is ‘Our Wonderful World’ and we have been learning all about animals, their habitats and what animal group they are in. Throughout the day we got to see many different animals such as, a crocodile, a penguin, giraffes, brown bears, penguins, and many more.

We also went to a workshop called ‘Fur, Feathers and Scales’. The children discussed the differences between reptiles, mammals and birds. They then had the opportunity to handle real objects from the natural world, from a lion skin to an ostrich egg. They used descriptive words to label and sort the animals into groups. At the end of the workshop they had a surprise guest which was Cornelius the corn snake. This was very exciting and we had some brave children who were not afraid to pet the snake.

Our topic this term is Eye on London. The children have been learning all about London and have particularly enjoyed learning about ‘The Great Fire of London’. On Monday 29th January Year 1 & 2 had a Great Fire of London workshop. The hall was set out as Pudding Lane, where the fire had started. There were different activities the children could take part in which included:

Barber Surgeons, Apothecaries, Leather Workers, Chandlers, and Weavers.

While the children were taking part in their activities some children were chosen to act out different parts of the event such as putting out the fire, or collecting and killing the rats. All the children were completely engaged and took on their responsibilities very seriously. They had to be responsible for putting out the fire and pass a bucket to each other quickly before the fire got worse. This was an experience the children will never forget and it helped enhance what they already knew about the fire and also taught them many more facts that they didn't know.