Autumn term 1

Reading

During the first half of the autumn term, we practise reading fluently and comprehending what we have read whilst exploring a wide range of texts, including fairy tales.  We will begin by reading Michael Morpurgo’s “Hansel and Gretel”, exploring the characters and setting of this tale.  Later in the half term, we will read historical fiction: “Stone Age Boy”, “Littlenose’s Hibernation” and “The Painted Cave”. The children will develop their oracy skills through their exploration of the texts. 

To help your child at home, please continue to encourage them to read daily and record their progress in their planners for the teachers to see.

Writing

Throughout writing learning journeys, children will acquire new skills, practise their application, and develop extended pieces of writing.

Firstly, children will revisit first person, the structure of sentences which include more than one clause and the use of conjunctions. The children will demonstrate these features when writing a diary entry.

Then, children will learn about expanded noun phrases and will write to entertain.

Maths

During the first term, learning will focus on Place Value and the relative sixes of numbers within 1000.  Children will also develop their mental maths strategies.

Science

During the first half of the term, the children will study biology, focusing on muscles and skeletons. They will learn that humans and some other animals possess skeletons and muscles for support, protection, and movement. The children will explore how humans grow as they reach maturity, making comparisons related to body proportions and skeletal growth. They will also identify similarities and differences in the skeletons of birds, mammals, fish, amphibians, and reptiles.

Languages

In Spanish this half-term, the children will explore the differences and similarities between the Spanish and English alphabets. They will learn to listen to and recite the Spanish alphabet, phrases, and sentences for greeting others. Students will develop an understanding of the sounds of individual letters and letter combinations (phonics), including silent letters and specific sounds such as "ll" = /y/ (e.g., "llamo" / "llamas"), as well as "ñ" (e.g., "español"). They will also engage in simple conversations, asking and answering questions, and practising familiar words or short phrases collectively. Emphasis will be placed on correct pronunciation of new phonics sounds and recognising links between pronunciation and spelling.

Computing

The children have been revisiting knowledge of what a digital device is and developing their understanding to include knowledge of different input, processes and outputs.

RSHE

This half-term, the focus will be on relationships. The children have explored what makes up a positive relationship. They have demonstrated their learning through discussion, interview and role-play activities.

RE

In RE this half-term, the children will study the concept of creation. They will read and understand the creation narrative in Christianity, noting similarities and differences with the Hindu creation story. At the end of the unit of learning, children will reflect on all of our responsibilities to care for our planet.

PE

This half-term, utilising the Real PE scheme, the children will focus on the social cog, finding ways to support and encourage their peers.  Additionally, during PE lessons, children will develop orienteering skills, learning to navigate using maps and directional cues.