EYFS to Y1 transition - ideas please!

[pennygallops]

I'd love ideas and opinions from teachers, teaching assistants and parents...
I'm being moved to KS1 leader in September (fromY3/4 leader), basically to sort out the current practice - which Ofsted criticised. My head and I want to see a transition stage where the Y1 children can still access EYFS pedagogy, such as role play and learning through play/hands on activities. There is currently a lot of formal teaching and sitting in the same ability groups all the time (some I oppose).
I'd love to hear about your current practice, experiences and ideas...

[Cyb]

I'm moving from reception to year one for my NQT year and am planning to have at least the first half term very similar to reception

Our reception children already work in differentiated guided groups and we have started to do a bit more whole class writing as the transistion approaches, mainly in phonics.

I will have a small outdoor area the children can access with a builders tray, junk modelling etc but I am planning to do more structured activity pockets where there is a learning objective IYSWIM . I'm planning a role play and book area which will merge as more whole class writing takes place and I need room for tables!

But I'm planning it to be really hands on and practical as much as possible - I've worked in a Year 1 class which was very work sheet based and it wasn't very inspiring

[pennygallops]

Thanks cyb, those are the sorts of things I'm thinking of. Like your thinking. I have never taught in KS1! I'll be in Y2, but the Y1 and 2 Team Leader - very excited.
I work in a new build, with a fantastic grounds - I like the idea of outdoor play. We have a (very boring) shared areas, that would be great for activities you are planning. Y1 will have a complete new staffing change.

[MillyMoo1113]

I've been ks1 leader and year 1 this year for first time, having been year 3 previously and we had a much more Eyfs approach at the beginning of the year which ofsted liked in November when they appeared.
At start of year I had two tables for group work, didnt do loads of whole class teaching. Have role play or small world which I change every three weeks depending on theme of topics, play dough, book corner, maths area with challenges, and construction. Have had creative area on and off too.
Usually a focused challenge or task in each area. And four computers for mathletics or phonics activities.
I've made classroom more formal as year progressed and children were ready for it - had three group tables from about February, to encourage more independence which my bright ones handled fine. When we go back after half term there'll be four tables and it'll be a lot more formal in prep for year two. Not sure they are going to like it tho
Very long post, but hope it helps

[freetrait]

talk partners
text maps- eg of fairy tale
role play story before writing own version and illustrate
home corner that they paint themselves and it changes every half term or term
class assemblies where parents of class are invited, every member of class has something to do in assembly.
use IT resources for phonics and lots of other things
grow something and monitors to water it.
creative homework, choice from a sheet, one per week.

DS has enjoyed all of above in Y1 and I think the teaching is very much transition between informal and formal.

[pennygallops]

Great ideas thanks. I am slowly moving down the ages, I've done loads of Y5 and 6, (in all my schools), a bit of Y4, a couple of years in Y3 - next Y2.
We are in area of social advantage and high achieving, but the head and I still believe there needs to be better transition.
We all do class assemblies in our school - huge deal! Parents invited etc.

[freetrait]

I am not a teacher, but I see how they still play in many countries at this age and how it is valued, so teaching approaches that take this into account and respect the whole child are good in my book!