Our topic this term mixes history and geography with a study of Manchester and the UK. We will explore this magnificent city and the UK through all our subjects. The pupils as ever will be encouraged to research and explore their areas of interest within this topic.
Please keep checking the school newsletters for ‘Covid-19’ school risk assessment updates. In school we will remain in our Pods, respecting social distancing, washing hands and maintaining our extended cleaning routines as before school break.
All dinner and snack money should be paid via the school system. Details for this are available from Mrs Yoxall in the office.
If your circumstances have changed recently and you think you may be eligible for Income Related Free School Meals please get in touch and I will help you to organise this.
Thank you as always for supporting learning at home and please contact me via Class Dojo with any questions regarding home/ digital learning.
Maths: Our programme of work for maths has been adapted to reflect the findings from the assessments completed before the spring break. We will continually revisit all four operations (addition, subtraction, multiplication and division) during the term paying particular attention to two step problems. We will cover fractions in detail and also cover measures. We will complete a unit of work around time. Before the break we practiced telling the time daily and the children were becoming more confident.
English: Our English lessons will allow pupils to explore some excellent texts from abridged versions of classic texts; Oliver and Mary Poppins to a study of ‘The Dancing Bear’ by Morpurgo. Our non-fiction units will cover arguments and persuasion. Critically, over this term we will be following the ‘plan- write- edit’ process, enabling pupils to develop strong, independent writing skills.
We will also complete a digital creative writing project with Pie Corbett for 10 weeks based around ‘ The Nowhere Emporium’.
Reading: In school we will be using the ‘Pathways to Reading scheme’ focusing on two books – The Morning I Met a Whale by Michael Morpurgo and The Usbourne Atlas of the UK and Ireland These texts will be used to explore a range of reading skills from basic decoding words and vocabulary exploration to inference and prediction.
Spelling: Please check ‘Google Classroom’ These will be learnt at home weekly. We will also use IDL, Nessy and Individual ‘Look Cover Write Check ‘ sheets to support individual spelling needs.
Science: We have some investigations to complete using magnets and to explore magnetism before moving on to exploring plants.
During our study of plants we will learn about the life cycle, including pollination, seed formation, seed dispersal and germination. We will observe seeds and think about their methods of dispersal. While studying our final unit of science we will investigate light, particularly looking at shadows, reflection and prisms.
History/ Geography: Our study of the UK and Manchester will allow pupils to learn about human and physical geography. We will be comparing Congleton with Manchester. We will study the period of time from mid Victorian- Edwardian eras exploring the impact of industrialisation on our towns and cities. We will also look at some of the famous historical figures who have statues in the city; including musician Chopin, Emmeline Pankhurst and Ghandi.
Art and DT: We will work on a range of skills during this unit; firstly experimenting with colour mixing and different medium to replicate Lowry’s work. We will also be creating a 3D scaled model of Manchester using Mod-Roc. We will be sewing Manchester bees and finally will sketch some of the most famous landmarks.
P.E: We will be doing some PE each day. We will cover athletics, tennis, dance and fitness.
Music: We will be spending time listening to and appraising pieces of music from Chopin to Oasis during our study of Manchester music. We will also use scratch to compose pieces with an industrial theme. We will also sing and perform ‘Songs from the musicals’ outside.
PSHCE: Please see the information about the My Happy Minds project sent out with the newsletter.
RE: We will be exploring three faiths this term including: Christianity, Islam and Judaism.
Homework: Each week there will be work set on ‘Google Classrooms’ for your child to complete. Alongside this please use the Collins ebooks, TTRockstars, Nessy/ IDL as usual. I will be reviewing homework with pupils on Monday mornings.
