Spring 2

This term in our English lessons, we have continued to develop our story writing. We learnt a version of Cinderella (a ‘Rags to Riches’ story) and used this model to create our own independent stories. Our toolkit focused on dialogue, which built upon learning from the previous term.  The children have gained confidence in using dialogue with an added stage direction within their writing. In addition to this, we have explored instruction texts and learnt a model text of ‘How to Catch a Troll’. The children enjoyed searching for trolls in the classroom as a hook for their writing.

In maths, the children developed their understanding of length, measuring in metres, centimetres and millimetres. They learnt how these units of measurement relate to one another and converted between single and mixed units. They also applied their knowledge of number to compare, order, add and subtract measurements of length and calculate the perimeter of 2D shapes. Following on from this the children learnt about fractions. Throughout the unit children used a variety of key representations, including the bar model and the number line, to help their understanding as they made a whole out of two fractional parts, explored tenths and fractions as a number, and calculated a unit and non-unit fraction of a set of objects.

In science this term, we completed learning about plants. Children developed a strong understanding of seed dispersal and drew conclusions on what is needed in order for a plant to grow successfully. Furthermore, during science week the children enjoyed making slime and planting trees to develop the outdoor environment.

In design and technology, the children designed and made a money container. They explored different examples and experimented with different stitches. The children showed resilience when threading needles and sewing for the first time. They then went on to make their own money container from their chosen material. Children then evaluated their finished product.

In art, children explored the work of Claude Monet with a focus on water lilies. This linked to our work in science as we have spent time looking at how waterlilies have adapted to their environment. 

In Geography, we learnt about Europe and its landscapes with a focus on rivers. Our enquiry questions were ‘Which landmass is the continent of Europe part of?’ and ‘What are the five primary rivers in Europe?’ In order to answer these questions the children used a range of maps to locate countries and rivers in Europe before completing a comparison between the Uk and their chosen country. The children also used IPads to research key facts such as the number of countries in Europe and the official languages that are spoken.

In RE the children continued to explore and discover how the Hindu religion is practiced. Children listened to stories, explored artefacts, and carried out simple research. Children learnt about the practice of Hindu worship and celebration, and were encouraged to think about living in a diverse society.  This unit focused on what it is like to be a Hindu, exploring beliefs about God; about how ideas of God are expressed in art, movement, and action; about worship, and about the great festival of Diwali.

Spring 1 

We began the spring term with a visit from Peter Murray, a local author, who entertained and thrilled us with his latest book. The children had a fabulous time meeting him and having the opportunity to get their books signed. Our class text for the term was ‘Mr Stink’ by David Walliams. This text gave us the opportunity to discuss key themes around homelessness and the kindness of others.

In our English lessons, we continued to develop our story writing. The fiction model text that we learnt Pie Corbett style was an Anansi Story. We explored the ‘meeting story’ structure where one character meets another. Anansi is known to be a trickster so we explored similar texts and their features. The children learnt how to develop their writing of opening and endings.  The children have developed consistency in writing by using a range of sentence types, which included questions and exclamations to hook the reader’s interest.

We also explored recount texts. Children learnt a model text, which recounted key events and modelled the structure. Following this, the children wrote their own recounts based on an Anansi story before writing their own independent piece. The children have shown they are able to link paragraphs effectively using a range of connectives.

In mathematics, our focus for this half term has been further work on multiplication and division. This unit has developed the children’s multiplicative and divisive reasoning by linking their prior knowledge to 2-digit calculations which involve the expanded method and partitioning to divide. They have developed their understanding of multiplication facts to link this knowledge to related multiplication and division calculations. Following on from this, the children learnt about money. Children converted between pounds and pence for the first time and used the important skill of working with money in a context. They found this unit challenging however, they have gained confidence in solving addition and subtraction problems.

This half term, our history focus was the Bronze Age and Iron Age. We explored how life changed for early humans during this time and made links back to our previous topic, The Stone Age. Children learnt that the Bronze Age is the period immediately after the Stone Age and is the time when metals like bronze started to be commonly used. As part of this learning, children explored how to make pottery. They enjoyed experimenting with clay.

In PE, the children developed balance and agility with a focus on balancing on a line. Additionally, children worked on their coordination and ball skills. During these sessions, the children developed cognitive skills as we worked on the cognitive cog. Throughout the unit, the children identified specific parts of their performance which they needed to work on and developed understanding of ways in which they could judge a performance. A highlight in PE this term has been how their confidence has grown in gym using the low apparatus to perform a number of jumps and balances.

In RE, children have explored how the Hindu religion is practiced.  The children have had opportunities to explore how religious artefacts and texts can be a source for learning and for beliefs. Children have explored how Hindus worship at home and in the Mandir.

We have had a successful spring term and we are looking forward to seeing what the next term brings!