Our Theme
Our driver theme this term is ‘Why is Birmingham called the Venice of the North?’, which is a History theme. The children will be looking at the history of canals and their impact in the local area. They will be comparing what canals were used for in the past and what they are like now. They will be looking at why Birmingham has so many canals too. As well as this, they will be finding out more about James Brindley who was responsible for building the canals in Coventry and Birmingham.
English
In English this half term, we will be finish reading ‘Ocean meets the sky’ where we will be completing a lot of descriptive writing. Following this we will look at the book ‘What really happened to Little Red Riding Hood-The wolf’s story’ which tells the traditional story but from a different perspective. The children will then use this story to write their own story based on this one, but this time from a different perspective again.
Reading, as always, will be a crucial part of the children’s learning. The children will continue to use Accelerated Reader for their daily reading books, which they will also bring home. The children will also have whole class reading comprehension lessons using a variety of books and focusing on different domains such as retrieval, prediction, vocabulary and author’s choice.
Maths
In Maths, we will be looking at time. The children will be consolidating their understanding of the 12 hour clock and will be introduced to the 24 hour clock. They will also answer word problems to do with time. The children will then move on to decimals. The children will be using a variety of representations to understand the value of tenths and hundredths. They will then be comparing and ordering decimals as well as rounding and calculating using decimals. Following this, the children will be looking perimeter and then will be introduced to area by counting the amount of squares in a shape.
Science
This half term, in Science, we will be starting our unit ‘In a state: Melting, freezing and evaporation’.
They will be looking at the properties of liquids, gases and solids. The children will look at the changes in state. Their learning will also link to the water cycle where they will learn about the process modelling it in different ways.
RE
In RE, we will be finishing our unit on Buddhism where the children will be finishing their focussed enquiry question: Can Buddha’s teachings make the world a better place?
We will then move on to our new focussed enquiry question: Is forgiveness always possible for Christians?
Design and Technology
In DT, we will be looking at pneumatics. The children will explore various pneumatic systems before designing one of their own for a toy for a young child involving pneumatics.
PE
This term the children will be learning skills to support them to play Hockey with the coaches from Onside. They will learn the skills to build up to playing a game.
For their second PE session, the children will be having a Thursday afternoon for their Forest Schools session. Please see below for details of what they will need to wear on this day.
Computing
We will finishing our unit on Writing for different audiences.
We will then be completing a unit of ‘Animation’ where the children will be using 2animate to create their own animations. They will then be adding backgrounds and music to their animations. As well as this, they will be creating their own ‘stop motion’ animation.
PSHE
In PSHE this half term, the theme will be ‘Healthy Me’. The children will be looking at healthier friendships, group dynamics, the dangers of smoking and alcohol, being assertive, peer pressure and celebrating inner strength.
Important information
https://www.themathsfactor.com/times-tables-check/#/
https://mathsframe.co.uk/en/resources/resource/477/Multiplication-Tables-Check
How you can help at home
We work with a company called SEND Supported at school and they are releasing newsletters each week offering support and guidance to parents of children who many have additional needs in school. Please find below a link to these newsletters:
There are also lots of other resources and information available on their website. The 'Things to do Issue 2 - Resources' file has some lovely activities for all children regardless of whether they have additional needs or not. There are lots of great visual puzzles and games for children to play so please have a look if you can. There are also resources available now to support with developing children's memory skills in 'Thing to do Issue 3 - Resources.'
Look out for information being sent to you with login details to use this at home!
Daily half an hour workouts Monday - Friday 9 a.m (Don't worry if you missed it, they are all saved)