Year One in Action A Month-by-Month Guide to Taking Early Years Pedagogy into KS1

Children are ‘hard-wired’ to learn and they learn best by being active and autonomous – exploring, discovering, creating and taking risks, in other words, by playing. However, formal, subject specific lessons and a focus on data, targets and unrealistic expectations are causing young children to be bored and stressed and this is stifling their learning. Year One in Action reveals the remarkable progress children can make when they are allowed to pursue their own interests, ideas and challenges in a superb and enabling environment supported by responsive, skilled and empathic staff. Demonstrating how a child-led approach supports the development of purposeful, calm, confident and independent children, this book offers a unique month-by-month insight into the workings of a highly successful Year One class. It covers all aspects of practice from timetabling, adult roles and transitions to the organisation of the classroom and outside area. It tracks the events of each month in the year, paying close attention to the physical environment and the learning that is taking place. Interactions between staff and children are recognised as, and exploited as, teaching opportunities. Throughout the book, Anna Ephgrave gives the reasons behind each decision made. She also explains what the outcomes have been for the children, emphasising that a child-led approach, with planning in the moment, enables rich learning across the curriculum for all children within a meaningful context. Key features include: over 150 full colour photographs to illustrate practice; photocopiable pages of planning sheets, record keeping sheets and sample letters to parents examples of individual learning journeys and planning in the moment; guidance on what to look for when assessing children’s progress; advice on risk/benefit assessments; suggestions for managing transitions and minimising stress. The achievements of these children have been remarkable and they have remained the enthusiastic, independent, happy and unique individuals that they were when they came into Year One. Written by a leading consultant teacher, this book will inspire teachers to be brave and do what is right for children – let them take the lead, trust that they want to learn and above all let them play!

ForewordAcknowledgements IntroductionPedagogyBrain development and progressOrganisation of the bookTheory into practice Chapter 1 SeptemberOrganisation Day oneTimetable Environment An enabling environment Organisation Behaviour managementConflict resolution DiaryCakesThe solar systemMending mum’s toyBingoA new pondCrocodiles Chapter 2 OctoberOrganisation The weekly routine - focus children and parental involvementLearning journey sheetsParent meetingsPlanning for the rest of the class EnvironmentSand area outdoorsCooking units indoors DiarySand and cookingLearning journey details Chapter 3 NovemberOrganisation Individual foldersStory scribing EnvironmentWoodwork area outdoors DiaryNew petsDiwali and bonfire nightMathematics everywhereSurfingBuilding a zooStory scribing Chapter 4 DecemberOrganisation ChristmasAssessments EnvironmentPhysical developmentCreative and physical development DiaryFamily itemsCreative projectsFootball Chapter 5 JanuaryOrganisation A4 learning journey sheetsSpecialist areasTelling the timeSelf-assessmentsClass monitors EnvironmentSpecialist creative areaMusic and stage area DiaryAmbitious endeavours in the new creative areaOther interesting eventsEqually interesting outdoors! Chapter 6 FebruaryOrganisation Timetable changesThe role of the adultCurriculum coverage EnvironmentSpecialist science area indoorsScience outdoorsWater investigation area DiaryThe human bodyGrouping animalsNon-fiction booksMixtures and potionsFunky fountainClayElectricityTechnological toysThe science of soundBee-Bot challengeIce Chapter 7 MarchOrganisation Assessments and moderationReview of timetable and structure of the day EnvironmentSpecialist cooking areaSmall construction and ‘small world’ equipmentLarge construction outdoorsSnack area outdoors DiaryVolcanosFruit smoothiesPyramidsWind sockBlue Batman maskHow strong is a Bee-Bot?Paper boatsWhat is inside a dinosaur? Chapter 8 AprilOrganisation A new structure to the dayChallenges are optionalNew approach to focus children and parent meetings EnvironmentHistoryGeography DiaryAnother dead mouse!A wormeryInterests persist – sewingChicks in ReceptionMoney, money, moneyMathematical wow momentAnimalsRuth and MaisieBeegu Chapter 9 MayOrganisation Speech and language EnvironmentThe growing area DiaryGymnasticsResponsibilities are enjoyedThese children are still so youngBeegu challenges continueThe Beast needs a friend! Chapter 10 JuneOrganisationTimetable remains unchangedPhonics screening test EnvironmentMid kitchenTransition from Reception to Year One DiaryThe Lonely BeastPSE focus in many challengesObstaclesAdult-led but still engagingA new arrival in the gardenA trip to the zoo Chapter 11 JulyOrganisation TransitionProgress EnvironmentReview and reflect DiaryHarvest and eat!Young children don’t always need to sit and writeDen buildingEscape!Woodwork skills developOther materials available Conclusion Appendix A Ferre Laevers' levels of involvementAppendix B Cooking design sheetAppendix C Autumn Term focus child letterAppendix D Learning journeyAppendix E Cake recipe bookAppendix F Story scribingAppendix G Story mapAppendix H Woodwork design sheetAppendix I SuppliersAppendix J Spring term focus child letterAppendix K Science design sheetAppendix L Report sheetAppendix M Creative design sheet Bibliography

Anna Ephgrave has been teaching for over 27 years. Her most recent post was Assistant Head Teacher responsible for the Early Years and Year One at Carterhatch Infant School, which was graded as Outstanding in its most recent inspection. Anna is an independent consultant, trainer and author, supporting practitioners both in the United Kingdom and abroad. She has written two very successful books for David Fulton, Routledge: The Reception Year in Action and The Nursery Year in Action.