Clifton College Website

Year 1

Staff
Head of Year 1:	Mr Jay Giebus
Teachers:	Miss Andrea Jarvis
	Miss Fiona King

In the Michaelmas Term, Year 1 study Houses and Homes as their topic. We go on a trip to St Fagans Welsh Folk Museum on the outskirts of Cardiff. It is a good way to introduce the children to many different types of houses. Gradually they become expert at identifying differences between old and new buildings through visiting the Celtic village, the cottages and the farms in the museum. This year we also met Betty Bwt, a washerwoman who told the children all about starching lace, blue bags and bloomers! They also managed to try out a ‘washing dolly’. These practical experiences provide them with a vivid introduction to living history.

During the Lent Term, we always have an exhilarating day when the children bring in their bikes for the Wheels topic. The playground resembles a racetrack for these days, as children cycle or scooter around a ‘circuit’. As well as remembering to look out for and obey the road signs as part of the Highway Code, they can improve their cycling prowess.

For the Summer Term, after preparations for the exhibition for Celebration Day (this year, Year 1 painted pictures in the style of the Australian artist Ken Done), we got down to the study of Native Americans. This is always a most successful topic as it really captures the imagination of the children. We visit the American Museum in Bath, and as well as several children dressing up in an authentic costume as a squaw or an Indian Chief, we try our hand at writing stories. These ideas are very inspirational for the children, and form the basis of some excellent literacy work back at school. We usually finish this topic with a Pow Wow and this year was no exception. A traditional dance and a short play were performed and the gathering ended with a picnic around the campfire. We also had a local veterinary surgeon visit which the children thoroughly enjoyed. They had the opportunity to learn about the care of animals (in some cases their own family pets) and were very excited to meet Eeyore the labrador!

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