Spring 2
This half term, children have consolidated their place value knowledge by learning numbers to 50. We have partitioned numbers into tens and ones, which the children really enjoyed. We have also continued to add and subtract numbers within 50 and compare them using greater than and less than. To finish off the half term, children have learnt about weight and capacity; comparing the weights of different objects and discussed vocabulary such as heavier and lighter.
In English, children have learnt the story of ‘The Ugly Duckling’ which is a rags to riches tale. Children spent lots of time looking at the structure of the text and identifying capital letters, full stop, exclamation marks and adjectives.
The children have really engaged in their Science unit, Plants, this half term. They had lots of knowledge about different types of garden and wild plants, as well as the structure of plants and trees which they built on further by classifying and sorting and identifying trees at Sheffield’s Botanical Gardens. During the trip to the Botanical Gardens, children displayed exemplary behaviour and represented Redscope to such a high standard. They were enthusiastic and actively participated in every part of the trip. It was a great opportunity to consolidate their learning about plants and they really wowed the volunteers with their knowledge and understanding.
Additionally, in Geography, the children have been learning about their local area; Kimberworth Park. We discussed how Kimberworth Park is a suburb in a town called Rotherham. Children have used aerial photos and maps to describe the human and physical features of Kimberworth Park. They then discussed how there are lots of local amenities like a butchers, hairdressers, church, dentist and a doctors.
Finally, children have learnt about Yayoi Kusama, a Japanese artist who loves dots. Children have created clay sculptures of pumpkins and painted these in the same style as the artist.
Spring 1
The children have settled back into school after the Christmas holidays.
In English, the children have started a grammar unit, The Place Value of Punctuation and Grammar. The unit has focused on nouns and verbs and using them to build single-clause sentences. The children have used their new knowledge to write their own poetry.
As readers, the children have continued to develop their individual reading skills in guided reading sessions, focusing on word-decoding strategies and comprehension. The children have continued to practise their reading level keywords so that they can build up the number of words that they can read automatically on sight.
In Maths, we have continued to consolidate place value by looking at numbers to 20. The children have used concrete apparatus and pictorial representations to add, subtract and compare numbers within 20. The children have used their knowledge of number bonds to 10 to solve problems involving numbers to 20.
In History, children have learned about the lives and times of two very significant individuals: Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth II. They were able to recall lots of facts about each Queen and how they changed the role of the monarchy.
In Computing, the children have really enjoyed using Purple Mash to learn about pictograms and how they can be used to represent data.
Finally, in Design and Technology the children have researched what a structure is and how to make it strong and stable. They have taken inspiration from structures in the real world to design their own throne.
Autumn 2
This half term, in Maths, children have consolidated their understanding of numbers to 10. We have completed number sentences and part-whole models, which the children really enjoyed. We have also continued to add and subtract numbers within 10 and compare them using greater than and less than. To finish off the half term, children have learnt about 2D and 3D shapes; naming, sorting and identifying shapes in their workbooks and in the classroom environment.
In English, children have been writing about the characters in the film ‘Toy Story’. Children spent lots of time learning the words and actions as well as looking at the structure of a sentence, identifying capital letters, full stop, exclamation marks and adjectives. Then, they innovated the story to create their own main characters who transformed into their favourite toys.
In Geography, we built on last terms science work on seasons by looking at weather. We went on a walk to Barkers Park to observe our local environment and the effects that the seasons/ weather has on all things living, including nature, people and animals. We were joined by some of our wonderful parents/ carers on what was a lovely Autumnal day. Luckily for us we did not have any of the extreme weather we have been learning about such as floods, blizzards or hurricanes!
The children have really engaged in their Science unit, materials! They gained lots of knowledge about different types of materials and built on this further by classifying and sorting every-day materials. We concluded our work with an experiment to see which material would be waterproof.
Finally, children have learnt about Jeff Kroon’s, an American artist who used a variety of materials including wood, glass, stainless steel and ceramics. The children were introduced to the technique of ‘shading’ and put their newly acquired artistic skills into practice to draw a picture of a toy.
As Christmas grew closer we were busy practicing for our Key stage nativity. The children amazed us with their confidence, performing in front of a big audience. We definitely have some stars in the making. Reverend Sam held an advent assembly and the children enjoyed opening our class calendar to count down to Christmas. We also visited the Christingle service at the local church. A magical term was rounded off with a Christmas Party and a visit from the big man himself on the last day of term.
