What’s happening in Year 1 – Week 5

This week, Year 1 have been taking part in their next unit of Diverse Britain, learning all about the impact of immigration on Britain. In Lesson 1, the children learned that immigration means moving from one country to another to live, and that immigrants come to Britain for reasons such as work, family, and safety. They explored these ideas through the story Coming to England by Floella Benjamin, which helped them understand the feelings someone might experience when arriving in a new country. The class then discussed how immigrants can be treated differently and emphasised the importance of kindness, respect, and making people feel welcome.

In Lesson 2, they focused on geography skills by exploring Ridley Road Market in Dalston. The children learned how to read and use maps, identify key landmarks, and understand symbols through a map key. They also practised using basic compass directions—north, south, east, and west—to describe and follow routes. Additionally, they compared different types of maps and discussed how each can be useful in different situations.

In the final lesson, the class revisited the concept of immigration, reinforcing their understanding of why people move countries. They also explored the positive impact immigration has on Britain, including the sharing of cultures, foods, languages, and skills, helping to build a more diverse and enriched society.