Spring Term

Welcome back to a new term year at St James and to Class Two.

I hope the children are feeling rested after the holiday and ready for a new term of learning.

We're looking forward to our new adventures together learning new routines and topics in our friendly, caring class.

Writing

As writers we will be –

-Stories from other cultures

We will write a short story based on the theme of a story studied.

- Non-chronological reports

We will write reports related to our science topic, using different sentence types, subheadings and present tense.

- Formal invitations

We will recognise the difference between formal and informal writing and use different sentence types.

Handwriting and spelling will be a key area of focus throughout the  term.

Reading

As readers we will be reading –

- The Quangle Wangle’s Hat – Edward Lear

- Coming to England

- The Street Beneath my Feet

We will be focusing on our comprehension skills and vocabulary development through book talk sessions as well as developing our retrieval and inference skills.

Computing

As computer software developers-

Robot algorithms

We will create routes and program bee-bots so they follow our instructions.

Geography

As Geographers we will be comparing-

fieldwork and map skills

We will use simple compass directions to describe the location of features and routes on a map.  We will use aerial photographs and plan perspectives to recognise landmarks and basic human and physical features; devise a simple map; and use and construct basic symbols in a key.

Maths

As Mathematicians we will be-

We will recap counting forwards and backwards in steps of 2, 5, 10 and 3.

We will continue adding and subtracting one and two digit numbers.

We will also continue our daily arithmetic sessions where we will visit prior learning and be introduced to new concepts.

PE

Our PE lessons will be on Thursday afternoons this term. Children will need to come to school in their PE kit. 

As athletes we will be learning to –

Gymnastics and Dance.

We will be using our bodies in different ways and creating routines to music.

Music

As musicians we will be working on –

Rhythm and Pulse

We will learn about the origins and style of stomp music. We will have the opportunity to compose rhythm patterns and perform these creatively using movement.

DT

As designers we will be learning about

Mechanisms ‒

Are bigger wheels always better?

In this unit will learn how

wheels and axles work together, and will build simple wheel mechanisms.

We will explore how the size of the

wheel and position of the axles affects

the movement of simple vehicles.

Science

As scientists we will be investigating –

Uses of Everyday materials

We will identify and compare the suitability of a variety of everyday materials for particular uses.

We will find out how the shapes of solid objects made from some materials can be changed.  We will explore the properties of materials and learn about Charles Macintosh.

Art

As artists we will be learning about

Print making

In this unit we will build on previously acquired printing skills. We will make

prints using natural objects and learn

how to make a collagraph printing block. We will combine printing techniques to create repeated patterns,

inspired by the work of William Morris.

History 

As historians we will be learning about

Our local area

We will find out about historical events, people and places in our local area.

RE

As theologians we will be investigating-

Who is a Muslim and How do they live?

We will revisit and continue our topic.  We will be learning about Islam and understanding who Muslims are and that they believe in God (Allah).

PSHE

Dreams and Goals

We will be discussing our Dreams and Goal, and how to be successful in fulfilling them.