Our Topic question: Where in the World?

Topic Theme: Around the World in 80 days

This term our Science topic is ‘Forces’ which will give us plenty of opportunities to work

scientifically, exploring how forces are working all around us in our everyday lives. We will be

investigating forces that make things move, get faster or slow down; exploring friction and how it

slows or stops moving objects. Also we will explore the effects of levers, pulleys and simple

machines on movement. As part of this topic, we will also research how particular scientists helped

to develop the theory of gravitation.

This term we will build on the great progress of last term and further develop our

skills. In particular we aim to improve our confidence when solving multi-step

problems in contexts. Now that we have learnt all the multiplication tables and

related division facts, we will consolidate and extend our skills with facts beyond

12 x 12.

We will be revising our calculation skills for all four operations then, in fractions,

learning to identify, name and write equivalent fractions of a given fraction, represented

visually, including tenths and hundredths. We will move on to learning how fractions,

decimals and percentages are different ways of expressing proportions.

Kensuke’s Kingdom, by Michael Morpurgo, will be the focus for our learning this term. This links mostly with our theme, ‘Around the World in 80 days’ but there are also many links across all curriculum areas. Through this text, and other specific skills ses-sions, we will:

explore and evaluate how different authors use language for effect

write narratives which describe settings, characters and atmospheres

take part in discussions about our text and other topic books

continue to extend our understanding of core grammatical concepts

We will continue to improve our handwriting and presentation in all our learning.

Mat

hs

Eng

lish

How vicious were the Vikings? We will be looking at the wider World and the impact that the Vikings had on different countries. In particu-

lar we will be looking at the weapons of the Viking warriors and some of their raiding strategies. Our class novel will lead us to develop our knowledge of the World and the location of continents and countries. We will be looking in detail at the travels of the Viking warriors.

History and Geography

Through research tasks for various curriculum areas, we will be

exploring Digital Literacy and how to select the most relevant information during searches. As part of our Geography learning we will be using databases, such as timetables, to plan a journey.

The Vikings are our focus for creative learning this term—textiles, clothing

and tapestry in DT and Viking helmet designs in Art.

Our theme this term is ‘What do we know about the Bible and why is it important to Christians?

This term we explore the theme ‘Going for Goals’. This will give us opportunities to improve the skills and dispositions that make an effective learner.

Now that we are almost experts on the Solar System and the Planets, we are using that knowledge to help extend our skills in French. We will be learning how to describe the colour, size and temperature of each planet whilst also learning to give opinions with reasons. The main aim of our learning is to develop fluency and understanding through listening, repetition and con-versation. We have also begun exchanging simple information with a school in northern France. This is a great opportunity for us to try out our skills with the reward of a ‘real’ response.

Art and Design

Computing

French

RE

PSHE

PE is on Monday and Friday this term. We are lucky to be working with a coach on Mondays on the Dance Topic — What’s so funny? On Fridays we will be doing an Invasion Games Topic.

Music will continue on a Thursday afternoon with the Music Specialists. The children who take home their instruments must remember to bring them in for the lesson. They also need to re-member to practise at home between lessons.

Spellings will continue to be given out on a Monday along with Handwriting and Times Tables in the Home Learning Books. There will then be a quiz on the Friday.

Home Learning (English and Maths) will be given out each Friday and must be back in school by the following Wednesday. Mathletics and Reading are also part of our Home Learning pro-gramme and are monitored for completion. All Home Learning participation builds towards the Reward time at the end of the half-term.

Other Important Information