Spring Term 2023

Our topics this term are CASTLES and DINOSAURS.  A flavour of some of what the children will be learning and experiencing during these topics is given below.

CASTLES

In Literacy, we will begin by learning how to use a comma within a list to enable us to write a list poem about dragons. As part of our fictional work on fantasy stories, we will spend three weeks exploring and comparing M.P Robertson’s texts ‘The Egg’, ‘The Great Dragon Rescue’ and ‘The Dragon Snatcher’. Within our work on ‘The Egg’, we will be using our knowledge of our senses to support us with writing a setting description full of intriguing vocabulary choices. For ‘The Great Dragon Rescue’, we will plan and write our own fantasy story ending and we will then use the front cover of ‘The Dragon Snatcher’ as a point of inspiration for writing our own fantasy story. Toward the end of the first spring term, we will also explore non-fiction where we will learn about and write our own non-chronological report on castles.

In Numeracy, we will be learning to read analogue clocks looking at reading and making, o’clock, half-past, quarter past, quarter to and 5-minute interval times. We will also be applying this knowledge to word problems and reasoning questions. We will continue to review and consolidate our place value and number work. We will add and subtract numbers using concrete objects, pictorial representations, and mentally, including: a two-digit number and ones, a two-digit number and tens, two two-digit numbers and adding three one-digit numbers. We will recognise and use the inverse relationship between addition and subtraction and use this to check calculations and solve missing number problems. We will also learn how to identify halves, thirds and quarters of shapes, amounts of objects and numbers. Within all the areas, we will be problem solving and reasoning. We will use practical resources to consolidate our learning.

During Science, we will be exploring living things and their habitats. We will explore and compare the differences between things that are living, dead, and things that have never been alive. We will identify that most living things live in habitats to which they are suited and describe how different habitats provide for the basic needs of different kinds of animals and plants and how they depend on each other. We will identify and name a variety of plants and animals in their habitats, including micro-habitats.

In Geography, we will be exploring aerial photographs and designing our own floor plan of a castle.

In History, we will explore the different types of houses. We will look at how houses have changed over time and who may have lived in a castle in the past and present.

In Computing, our topic will be robot algorithms. We will use logical reasoning to predict the outcome of sequences of commands and test our prediction with floor robots. We will then create different algorithms to reach the same outcome.

As part of our ongoing ability to give an opinion in Art, we will begin this term by exploring artwork of, or inspired by, castles where we will be encouraged compare the artwork thinking about how, for example, the shapes and colours used effect our emotional responses and subsequently our opinions. We will then demonstrate our sketching skills that we previously developed earlier in the year to create an observational painting of a castle after being inspired by the work of John Piper. As part of our sticky knowledge in art, we will also be revisiting and refining our ability to collage after being inspired by Paul Klee’s ‘Castle and Sun’ abstract artwork. This piece of artwork will also enable us to revisit our knowledge around 2D shapes as part of our cross-curricular learning. Toward the end of term, we will also be revisiting the knowledge we acquired around printing within the first term as we will be creating a castle relief tile. Within this piece of artwork, we will explore how we can use slip to join clay and prevent it from cracking and breaking.

Our Music topic this term is Musical Me. In this topic, children learn to sing the song “Once a Man Fell in a Well” and to play it using tuned percussion, with sound effects. Through this ensemble work, they will start to use the sounds to develop their understanding of timbre, and also start to use letter notation to write a melody.

During PE, our indoor sessions will be dance. We will explore space and how their body can move to express an idea, mood, character or feeling. We will expand our knowledge of travelling actions and use them in relation to a stimulus. We will build on our understanding of dynamics and expression. We will use counts of 8 consistently to keep in time with the music and a partner. We will also explore pathways, levels, shapes, directions, speeds and timing.

During our outdoor PE sessions, we will be developing the basic skills involved in net and wall games. We will develop our understanding of the principles of net and wall games such as using the ready position to defend our space and sending the ball away from an opponent to maximise our chances of scoring. We will learn to play games honestly, abiding by the rules and showing respect towards our opponents and teammates.

In PSHE, our ‘Working Together & Citizenship’ unit focuses on developing children’s self-esteem and the ability to value their individuality by recognising their positive traits and achievements.  This unit encourages the children to strive to be the best version of themselves and how they can set targets for themselves throughout the curriculum. We will also look at how to be a good, active listener, to have the ability to express themselves as well as how to be a good team player ensuring everyone recognises the strengths each individual brings.

In RE this term we are looking at Special books. We will look at the similarities and differences between different religions and beliefs and find out why some have special books and what they called. We will look at why the books are special and how the books are treated in different religions.

DINOSAURS

In Literacy, we will explore a range of traditional texts which will include, retelling traditional tales through drama and writing, writing alternative versions and showcasing our ability to write character descriptions. We will then move onto looking at poetry where we will be exploring a range of dinosaur poems. Toward the end of this half-term, we will also explore information texts as part of our cross-curricular history work.

In Numeracy, we will continue to practise our mental skills and learn our 2, 5 and 10 x tables. We will recall and use multiplication and division facts for the 2, 3, 5 and 10 multiplication tables. We will solve problems involving multiplication and division, using materials, arrays, repeated addition, mental methods and multiplication and division facts, including problems in contexts.

During Science, we will continue exploring living things and their habitats. We will describe how animals obtain their food from plants and other animals, using the idea of a simple food chain and identify and name different sources of food.

As part of Geography, we will be identifying continents of the world and focusing on where dinosaurs may have lived in hot and cold climates.

In History, we will focus on when dinosaurs existed and when they became extinct, as well as William Walker’s discovery. 

In Computing, our topic will be programming animations. We will begin to understand that sequences of commands have an outcome and make predictions based on our learning. We will use and modify designs to create our own quiz questions in ScratchJr and use blocks of code. Finally, we will evaluate our work and make improvements to our programming projects.

During Art, we will revisit how we can use slip to join clay and prevent it from cracking and breaking. We will design and create our own clay dinosaur. We will also recap our work on repeating patterns from earlier in the year and will use at least one repeating pattern when designing and creating a detailed dinosaur eye from plasticine. Toward the end of the spring term, we will create a paper loom as part of our textile work around weaving.

Our topic in Music this term is Traditional Western Stories. Through listening and practical work, students will be introduced to the different instruments of an orchestra. They will be able to identify them and start to understand how they work. They will then play a piece as if they are following a conductor, as part of a “classroom orchestra”.

During PE, our indoor sessions will be based around fitness. We will take part in a range of fitness activities to develop components of fitness. We will begin to explore and develop agility, balance, co-ordination, speed and stamina. We will be given the opportunity to work independently and with others.

During our outdoor PE sessions, we will develop our sending and receiving skills including throwing and catching, rolling, kicking, tracking and stopping a ball. We will also use equipment to send and receive a ball. We will be given opportunities to work with a range of different sized balls. We will apply our skills individually, in pairs and in small groups and begin to organise and self-manage our own activities.

In PSHE, we will look at ‘Healthy Lifestyle’. During this unit, we will be focussing on understanding our body. This will look at naming body parts and understanding their function as well as how these change as we get older. This unit also teaches the children how to keep our bodies healthy and clean and how this can help to prevent illness. 

In RE we will be looking at how different religions celebrate festivals. We will look at what the different festivals are called and how they are celebrated. The children will be asked if they celebrate any festivals themselves and if they could share with us what they do.