Term 2

Welcome back to Term 2! We have an exciting term ahead, packed with new learning, creative challenges and preparations for the festive season. The children have settled brilliantly into the routines of Key Stage 1, and we are looking forward to building on the progress they have already made this year.

Expectations

Please continue to support your child by reading with them regularly at home and recording this in their reading record. Reading little and often makes a huge difference to children's confidence, fluency and comprehension skills.

Our PE days are Tuesday and Wednesday. Children should come to school wearing their PE kit on these days.

Please also ensure that all clothing, water bottles and lunchboxes are clearly named to help us return misplaced items quickly.

English

This term, our writing will be inspired by three wonderful texts:

• Step Inside Homes Through History by Goldie Hawk and Sarah Gibb
• The Bear and the Piano by David Litchfield
• Mog's Christmas by Judith Kerr

Through these rich and engaging texts, the children will develop their reading comprehension, vocabulary and writing skills. We will explore a range of writing outcomes, including information texts, character descriptions, narratives and retellings. Children will be encouraged to use ambitious vocabulary, apply their phonics knowledge, improve sentence structure and develop their ability to edit and improve their work.

As always, we will continue to focus on handwriting, spelling and reading fluency throughout our English lessons.

Maths

In Maths, we will be strengthening our understanding of number and developing confidence with addition and subtraction. The children will deepen their knowledge of number facts, place value and number relationships through practical activities, games and problem-solving tasks.

We will encourage children to explain their mathematical thinking, use different strategies to solve calculations and apply their understanding to real-life problems. Developing fluency and confidence with number will be a key focus throughout the term.

History

Our History learning this term links closely with our English text Step Inside Homes Through History. We will be exploring how homes have changed over time, comparing homes from different periods of history with those we live in today.

Children will investigate what homes were made from, how people lived in them and why homes have changed. They will learn how historians use evidence to find out about the past and begin to understand how daily life has evolved over time.

Design and Technology (DT)

In DT, we will be investigating the question:

"How can we create a Kenyan traditional village home that incorporates an African-style material roof?"

Children will explore a range of materials, structures and joining techniques before designing and creating their own model homes. They will evaluate different materials and consider how to make their structures strong, stable and suitable for their purpose.

Computing

In Computing, we will be developing our digital presentation skills through the enquiry question:

"How can I create a presentation on PowerPoint?"

Children will learn how to create slides, add text and images, change layouts and present information clearly. They will also develop their understanding of online safety while using technology appropriately and responsibly.

Music

Music lessons this term will have a special focus on preparing for our Nativity performance. The children will learn songs, practise actions and work together to develop their confidence as performers.

Alongside singing, we will continue developing listening skills, rhythm and musical expression. We very much look forward to sharing our Nativity with families later in the term.

Religion and Worldviews

This term we will be exploring the question:

"Why do Christians believe God gave Jesus to the world?"

Children will learn about the Christian story of Christmas and the significance of Jesus' birth. Through discussion, storytelling and reflection, they will explore why Christmas is an important celebration for Christians and consider themes such as giving, hope and love.

Science

In Science, our topic is Materials.

We will investigate a variety of everyday materials, including wood, metal, plastic, glass and fabric. Children will learn to identify and describe different materials and investigate properties such as strength, flexibility, transparency and waterproofness.

Through hands-on investigations, they will begin to understand why particular materials are chosen for different purposes and how materials help us in our everyday lives.

Term 2 is always a busy and exciting term, filled with new learning, creativity and festive celebrations. We are looking forward to seeing the children continue to grow in confidence and independence. Thank you, as always, for your continued support at home, and please do not hesitate to get in touch if you have any questions.

Mrs McKenna

Term 1

We have lots of exciting learning planned for this term! Here’s a little glimpse into what we will be getting up to in our different subjects.

Maths
In Maths, we are developing our understanding of place value and numbers within 20. We will be learning how numbers are made up and how to represent them in different ways. We will then move on to addition and subtraction, using practical resources, drawings and number sentences to help us solve problems and explain our thinking.

English
In English, we are enjoying a range of wonderful books, including I Want My Hat Back. We will use our books as inspiration to innovate stories, create our own characters and write new endings. Alongside developing our creativity and vocabulary, we will be working hard to make sure our writing is accurate, with a particular focus on using capital letters and full stops correctly. We will also continue to develop our letter formation, handwriting and presentation.

Geography
In Geography, we are exploring our wonderful world and finding out why some places are hot and some places are cold. We will learn about different parts of the world, compare places with different climates and begin to understand how their location affects the weather they experience.

PE
In PE, we are developing our ball and racket skills. We will be practising throwing, catching, controlling and moving with a ball, as well as developing our hand-eye coordination and learning how to use a racket. We will also be working on our teamwork, communication and ability to follow rules.

Science
In Science, we are learning all about animals, including humans. We will be finding out how to identify and name a variety of common animals and learning how to sort and classify animals into different groups, such as mammals, birds, fish, reptiles, amphibians and insects. We will explore what animals need to survive and stay healthy, including food, water, air and suitable habitats. We will also learn about the different types of food that animals eat and use scientific vocabulary such as herbivore, carnivore and omnivore.

Art and Design

In Art and Design, we will be exploring the wonderful world of landscapes. We are learning what a landscape is and looking at the work of the famous artist Claude Monet, particularly his beautiful use of colour, light and nature. Our main focus is developing our drawing skills, including using different lines, shapes and textures to create detailed landscape pictures. We are enjoying observing the world around us and using our creativity to create our own landscapes inspired by Monet.

We have such a busy and exciting term ahead, and I can't wait to see the children’s curiosity, confidence and enthusiasm continue to grow!