In Key Stage 1 (KS1) English curriculum, children typically build upon the foundational skills they developed in the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS)/Foundation Phase in Wales. The primary focus is on developing their reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills. During this crucial stage of education, children aged 5 to 7 (Years 1 and 2) engage in various activities and lessons to enhance their understanding and use of the English language.

In KS1 English, children continue to develop their phonics skills, which play a vital role in learning to read and write. Phonics is the method of teaching children how to recognise and manipulate the sounds that make up words. It helps them understand the correspondence between letters and sounds and how they blend together to form words.

The teaching of phonics in KS1 English often follows a systematic approach. Children are introduced to a set of phonemes (individual sounds) and graphemes (written representations of those sounds), starting with the basic ones and progressing to more complex ones. They learn how to blend sounds together to read words and segment words into their individual sounds for writing.

Phonics lessons in KS1 English typically involve interactive activities such as:

• Phoneme Recognition: Children are taught to identify and distinguish between different phonemes. They learn to recognize the sounds by using actions, rhymes, and multisensory techniques.

• Blending: Children practice blending sounds together to read words. For example, they might be given the sounds /c/ /a/ /t/ and encouraged to blend them to say "cat."

• Segmenting: Children learn to break words into their individual sounds. They might be given the word "cat" and asked to identify the sounds /c/, /a/, and /t/.

• Tricky Words: Children encounter common words that don't follow regular phonics rules, such as "said" or "the." They learn to recognise these words by sight.

• Decodable Books: Children read books specifically designed with words that match the phonics skills they have been taught. These books help them apply their phonics knowledge in a meaningful context.

Aside from phonics, children in KS1 English also focus on building vocabulary, developing reading comprehension skills, and improving their writing abilities. They explore a wide range of texts, including stories, non-fiction books, and poetry, to enhance their reading fluency and comprehension. They learn to interpret and infer meaning from the texts and engage in discussions about the content.

In writing, children begin to develop their sentence structure, punctuation, and grammar skills. They learn to write simple narratives, instructions, and descriptive pieces. They are encouraged to express their ideas, use appropriate vocabulary, and apply the basic rules of spelling and grammar.

Overall, KS1 English aims to provide children with a solid foundation in language skills, equipping them with the tools they need to communicate effectively, understand written texts, and express themselves confidently. The combination of phonics instruction, reading practice, and writing activities helps children progress in their language development and sets them up for future success in their education.

If you feel your child is falling behind or that they are needing more challlenge, then I can help with this.  I have an excellent understanding of how children need to build upon previous skills to allow them to master reading and writing.  Whether the session be face to face or online, I use resources that will engage and interest your child, as well as questioning, prompting and refining their learning.

The KS1 Mathematics curriculum focuses on developing a solid understanding of numbers, calculations, shapes, measurements, and problem-solving skills. Through a combination of hands-on activities, practical tasks, and structured lessons, children develop their mathematical fluency and problem-solving abilities.

The key areas covered in KS1 Mathematics include:

• Number and Place Value: Children learn to count, read, write, and order numbers up to at least 100. They develop an understanding of place value, recognising the value of each digit within a number (e.g., tens and ones) and apply this knowledge to solve addition and subtraction problems.

• Addition and Subtraction: Children learn basic addition and subtraction facts and develop strategies to solve calculations mentally or using concrete objects. They practice using number lines, counting on or back, and understanding the inverse relationship between addition and subtraction.

• Multiplication and Division: Children are introduced to the concepts of multiplication and division through practical activities and grouping objects. They begin to understand the relationship between multiplication and repeated addition and division as sharing or grouping. They learn to solve simple multiplication and division problems.

• Measurement: Children explore and compare different measurements such as length, height, weight, capacity, and time. They learn to use standard units of measurement, such as centimetres, meters, grams, litres, and minutes, to measure and estimate quantities. They also develop an understanding of basic time concepts, including reading clocks and understanding the sequence of events.

• Geometry: Children identify, describe, and compare 2D and 3D shapes, such as squares, circles, triangles, cubes, and spheres. They learn to recognize and use the properties of shapes, including sides, vertices, and symmetry. They also explore patterns and sequences, identifying and extending simple patterns and number sequences.

• Statistics: Children begin to interpret and present data using graphs, charts, and pictograms. They learn to collect and organize information, answer questions based on data, and draw simple conclusions.

Throughout KS1 Mathematics, children are encouraged to develop problem-solving skills and apply their mathematical knowledge in real-life situations. They engage in activities that require logical reasoning, critical thinking, and mathematical discussions. They learn to explain their thinking, use mathematical vocabulary, and justify their answers.

I can help your KS1 child with maths if you feel they are struggling and need more help or if you feel they are not meeting their potential through inadequate challenge.