Maths

This term, we shall be consolidating what we have already
learned about place value, the four operations, and fractions before
tackling the areas of ratio and algebra. We will be paying close
attention to the relationship between fractions, decimals and
percentages and will also venture into the realms of
measurement, geometry and statistics. During this Spring
term, through the consistent cycle of assessment and revision, we
will endeavour to prepare the children as much as possible for the
SAT’s tests that will occur early in the Summer term. In
many ways, this will be child-led, focusing on the areas that cause
the greatest amount of difficulty in order to boost fluency
and confidence across all areas and across all of the
children.

English

For the first half of this term, both our writing and reading stimuli
come from the mind of the great Victorian writer Oscar Wilde. In our
writing lessons, the children will be inspired by the tale of The
Selfish Giant, and will build up to writing a
narrative retelling of the story, from either a first person or
third person perspective, and a characterful diary entry.
The focus of this narrative will be to firstly write cohesively so
the story makes sense (cohesion is king!) and to distinguish between
the language of speech and the language of narration, choosing
vocabulary carefully in order to manipulate the reader’s
opinion of a character, place or situation.

In a similar way, through our Guided
Reading sessions, we will be analysing the tale of The Happy Prince
for the language features mentioned above – inferring characters’
feelings and motives based on their actions and vocabulary choice of
the author.

We shall learn spellings and read for pleasure,
every day, and will have regular handwriting practice until the
children have developed a joined clear handwriting style.

Humanities (Geography Focus)

By adhering to our geography Golden Threads: Location, Human
Features, Physical Features, Economy and Climate, the children
will explore, analyse and discover as much as they can about the
country of Mexico, the continent that it belongs to and how it
contrasts with the UK and similar European countries.

The children will consider the significant human and physical features
that attract tourists to its shores; the energy and produce that
it exports across the globe, and will delve deeply into its
culture through the lens of language, food and the idiosyncratic
practice of Christianity through its celebration of
the festivals of Día de Muertos and Cinco de Mayo.

Science

This term, we will finish off our unit on the natural systems
of the body by exploring the make up of blood, as well as enjoy a
workshop with Xplore Science on the topic of magnets.
We will
then begin a unit on electricity and light, discovering what these
phenomena (including our experience of colours) actually are,
and carrying out experiments involving circuitry and shadows.

Linking with our geography topic, we will also complete a number
of stand-alone lessons on the extinction of the dinosaurs and why
Mexico is significant to this. We are also looking forward to our
'Mine to Magnet' Workshop from Xplore Science in January!

Creative

Our Art topic this term will focus on the medium of photography. We
will cover various skills in order to produce
montages, abstract art at the macro level, recreations of
paintings, and self-portraits.
In D&T we will be learning to programme a navigation device of
our own design, creating a 3D image of our design and
then developing a pitch to help sell our product to potential
investors.

Later on in the term, we will also be creating a three course meal inspired
by the cuisine of Mexico.

RE

After kicking off the first day of term looking at Epiphany, we shall study the
practical application of Christian values through an exploration of
Christian charities. We will consider the parallels between the philosophies and
actions of these organisations and the teachings of Jesus within
the gospels, such as loving thy neighbour and forgiving
others as many as "70x7" times.

In the second half of the term, we will be revisiting Islam. We
will learn and analyse the Five Pillars; consider the lives
of famous Muslims and how they practise their faith in the
spotlight; compare Muslim wedding ceremonies with those of
Christians and secular beliefs; and debate how Islam has been
portrayed in the media both historically and currently. As
always, our RE lessons with contain a healthy
dose of self-reflection and philosophical independent thought. The
children’s own beliefs and worldview are an integral part of
this process and the children will become increasingly able to
express and justify their ideas.

PE

In P.E. we shall have the pleasure of SCG's company. Their excellent PE
coaches will teach the children on a Wednesday morning and Friday afternoon.
Children should wear their full school PE kit on that day, making sure
they have warm layers and jogging bottoms when it the weather is cold.

Later in the year, the children will participate in Forest Schools with Mrs Smith,
focusing on geographical fieldwork skills. Children will need to come to school
in their outdoor clothes and shoes or trainers, but bring their wellies for the
afternoon (ideally in a carrier bag in case they get muddy before bringing them home).

Computing

In Computing, we will be learning to use MS
Excel and how spreadsheets can not only help with the
organisation of data, but can be used to perform
complicated calculations for us and turn the data we have
inputted into charts and graphs.

The children will learn to write helpful formulae to this end, and
will use Excel to help them organise an event they
have created (including pricing, number of guests, items needed etc.)

We will then create blogs about our own
interests using PurpleMash.

Mr Blenkiron