Summer Newsletter
Dear parents/carers
Here is an overview of all the work we will be covering throughout the Summer term.
Religion
Before half term we will learn what it means to recognise Jesus as Lord, hear the story of how the disciples had breakfast with Jesus on the shore and explore how they felt. We will hear the story of Pentecost and it’s effects on Jesus’ followers. We will identify how we become members of the Church through Baptism and Confimation.
After half term we will hear stories of some important people in the early Church’s history e.g. St Peter and St Paul, we will explore these stories through drama, drawings and writing. The children will find out how the Holy Spirit works in people’s lives and their own as well as exploring how each person in God’s family is to act and be treated.
Literacy
We will be looking at stories within fantasy settings, non-fiction writing and writing silly poems. We will also be continuing with our daily phonics sessions which link to the weekly spellings your child takes home.
Numeracy
The children will be practising and refining their counting skills, using money, adding, subtraction, multiplication and division. They will also explore weights and measures and investigate place value. The children will also find different ways of recording information through graphs, charts and using ICT.
Science
Before half term we will be looking at Variation, which means we will exploring the similarities and differences between plants and animals- including humans.
After half term we will be focusing on using electricity and will be making simple circuits to create a response i.e. lighting a bulb and working a motor.
History
How are toys different from those in the past? This will be an excellent unit in which the children will explore toys from Victorian Times, 1950’s – present day. Any trips down memory lane you could offer to your child about toys you played with would be beneficial. Grandparent’s contributions would create a more in depth study. (Sorry but we are historical!)
Geography
We will be learning about our local area and around our school. We will be going out for walks pointing out important features of Todmorden and what makes it a community. We will also carry out a traffic survey and measure how busy the area is in which we live, alerting the children to keeping safe near roads.
Design and Technology
We’re making puppets!!! We will explore what the purpose of a puppet is and consider historical puppets. (Linking to our history topic) We will think about how puppets work and try working them. The chn will then design their puppet, cut out a template and sew the material together using a running stitch.
Art
In this unit the chn will be creating pictures using a range of materials such as charcoal, pastels, wax, paints etc. Lots of experimenting and mess to be made!.
P.E
In Games the children will develop skills to work in a team game. We will start with simple ball games and then progress to simple games.
Dance sessions will provide us with regular opportunities to express ourselves. We will look at the space our bodies can use and really focus on rhythm and working with a partner.
Our Gymnastics sessions will focus on jumping, bouncing and landing as well as balancing on differing body parts.
Music
Mrs Cooper will take responsibility for this area of learning, developing skills such as pitch, rhythm and tempo.
PSHE
Our topic is ‘Its good to be me.’ We will investigate our favourite qualities and express ourselves through, drawing, discussion and writing.
I’m looking forward to the term ahead and some of the exciting topics we will be doing.
Miss Breslin
Spring newsletter
Dear parents/carers
Here is an overview of all the work we will be covering throughout the spring term.
Literacy
We will be looking at traditional tales, non-fiction texts, using a dictionary, poetry about the senses and writing labels. We will also be continuing with our daily phonics sessions which link to the weekly spellings your child takes home.
Numeracy
The children will be practising and refining their counting skills, using money, adding, subtraction, multiplication and division. They will also explore weights and measures and investigate place value. The children will also find different ways of recording information through graphs, charts and using ICT. We have a very busy time ahead of us.
Science
Before half term the children will be looking at plants and animals in the local environment. This will involve exploring and making habitats, recognising features of plants and working closely with our very own ‘Wild things’ group.
After half term we will be focusing on forces and movement. This unit involves many investigations into why objects move and what can speed up and slow down the results.
History
The Great Fire of London. The children will understand how the fire started and why it spread so far. They will study pictures of London before and after the fire. They will learn about eyewitnesses and diary extracts. Finally the children will understand the concept of a time line, plotting important dates we know.
Geography
We will be learning about many different places in the world with the help of Barnaby Bear! We’re going to travel the world with him learning together about how other countries are different to where we live. A VERY enjoyable topic!
Design and Technology
We will be listening to the story of ‘Joseph and his Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.’ After that they will watch extracts from the stage production. The children will then design their own ‘Joseph’s’ coat using their own designs and colours we have seen. The children will experiment with colours, materials and textures until they find their preferred combination. Then they will make their own mini Joseph’s coat using the cutting, sticking and sewing skills we will have acquired along the way.
Art
In this unit the children will develop their understanding of shape, form, texture and the sensory qualities of materials. They will learn about the work of sculptures and about different kinds of sculpture, including those made of natural materials. They will also learn skills for arranging materials they have collected to make a collage and a sculpture.
P.E
In Games the children will be refining their throwing, catching, striking and aiming skills. They will also start to play games in teams.
Dance sessions will provide us with regular opportunities to express ourselves. We will look at the space our bodies can use and really focus on rhythm and working with a partner.
Our Gymnastics sessions will focus on stretching and curling, taking weight on different body parts and navigating the different apparatus.
Music
Mrs Cooper will take responsibility for this area of learning, developing skills such as pitch, rhythm and tempo.
PSHE
Our whole school topic this half term is going for our goals. We will be exploring our achievements, ambitions and the meaning of perseverance.
Religion
Before half term we will learn about Jesus’ visit to the temple when he was a baby, how the Jewish faith was passed down to Jesus from Mary and Joseph, hear about Jesus’ visit to the temple aged twelve. Recognise that during the Eucharist we celebrate as the church family and we will respond to simple bidding prayers.
After half term we will hear stories of Jesus responding with love and compassion and will discuss the ways people responded to Jesus. We will learn of the death of Jesus and how his friend’s felt. We will also become familiar with the way the church celebrates the resurrection at Easter.
I’m looking forward to the term ahead and some of the exciting topics we will be doing.
Miss Breslin