Muck, Mess and Mixtures

This term, our topic Muck, Mess and Mixtures will take us on an exciting journey of exploration, investigation and discovery. We will learn about the life of Florence Nightingale, finding out about hospitals in the past and how she helped to improve cleanliness, hygiene and the care of patients. We will explore our five senses by using sight, sound, smell, taste and touch to investigate and describe the world around us. We will also develop our skills as artists through observational drawing, looking closely at objects and materials and recording what we notice using lines, shapes, patterns, colours and details. Throughout the topic, we will get hands-on with a range of muck, mess and mixtures, exploring different materials, making predictions, investigating what happens when things are mixed together and using our senses to describe the changes we observe. Through these experiences, we will develop our curiosity, creativity, observation and scientific thinking.

We are looking at a range of Julia Donaldson Books this half-term to support our Oracy English unit.

Memorable Experience

Our memorable experience this term will be trying a range of new foods in preparation to make our own pizzas in Design and Technology.

Street Detectives

In our Street Detectives topic, children will become detectives as they explore and investigate their local area. They will develop their understanding of where they live by exploring maps, identifying key landmarks and learning how to use simple maps and symbols to navigate their surroundings. Children will investigate how their local area changes through the seasons, observing changes in weather, plants, trees and the environment. They will also explore pollution, identifying different types of pollution and considering how it can affect people, animals and the environment. Through PSHE, children will learn how to keep themselves safe in their local community, including road safety, recognising safe and unsafe situations, and knowing who can help them. Throughout the topic, children will develop their observation, questioning and investigation skills as they become confident Street Detectives.

Near and Far

In our Near and Far topic, children will explore and compare the contrasting environments of Kenya and Derby, identifying similarities and differences in climate, landscapes, homes, schools, culture and daily life. In Art and Design, children will explore tie-dyeing, experimenting with colour, pattern and different folding techniques. In Design and Technology, they will investigate wheels and axles, exploring how they work and designing and making their own moving vehicles. In Science, children will learn about animals, including humans, exploring animal groups, habitats, diets, life cycles and the basic needs of humans and other animals. In PE, children will develop their skills in striking and fielding games, practising throwing, catching, striking, teamwork and applying these skills in simple games. Throughout the topic, children will develop their curiosity about the wider world while recognising similarities and celebrating differences between communities.

Enchanted Woodland

In our Enchanted Woodland topic, children will explore the wonders of woodland environments and develop their understanding of the natural world. In Science, they will investigate plants, identifying different plants and exploring what they need to grow and stay healthy. They will observe seasonal changes, noticing how trees, plants, weather and wildlife change throughout the year. Children will explore patterns in nature, looking closely at shapes, colours, textures and repeated patterns found in leaves, flowers, trees and other natural materials. In Computing and Design Technology, children will learn about moving robots, exploring how robots move and following simple instructions to make them travel in different directions. Throughout the topic, children will develop their observation, problem-solving and questioning skills as they become woodland explorers.

Land Ahoy!

In our Land Ahoy! topic, children will set sail on an exciting journey around the world as they explore the seven continents and five oceans, using maps and globes to locate different parts of our planet. In History, they will learn about Christopher Columbus and his voyages, exploring why he travelled and the impact of his journeys. In Design and Technology, children will investigate sliders and levers, exploring how they work before designing and creating their own moving pictures. In Computing, children will develop their understanding of algorithms, learning to create, follow and debug simple sets of instructions. Throughout the topic, children will develop their geographical knowledge, historical understanding, creativity and problem-solving skills as they become explorers of the world.

Autumn 1 

8th September: Meet the Teachers

4th/5th Nov (TBC) Parents afternoon

TBC Parental engagement

26th Oct - 30th Oct: HALF TERM

Autumn 2 

TBC: Parental engagement

27th November: INSET DAY – School closed for children

21st Dec - 1st Jan: HALF TERM

Spring 1 

TBC: Parental engagement

TBC: Phonics screening Parent Meeting

15th February – 19th February: HALF TERM

Spring 2 

22nd February INSET DAY – School closed for children

26th March: BANK HOLIDAY - School closed for children

29th March - 9th April: HALF TERM

Summer 1 

3rd May: BANK HOLIDAY - School closed for children

31st May - 4th June : HALF TERM

Summer 2

W/C 5th June – Phonics screening check

23rd July - Last day of term

26th July: INSET DAY - School closed for children

Weekly Home Learning:

Throughout each half-term, we will be sending home one piece of homework a week, either linked to our English or maths learning, and you will also have the option to complete some of the topic-based activities as you can find in each tab of the half-term.

Topic Home Learning

As well as the weekly home learning, your child will also be given Topic homework. The children have to complete at least 4 activities each half-term. At the end of each half-term, we will celebrate the children’s work with a certificate and special prize.

PE:

For Spectacular Sycamores, PE will be on a Monday.

For Positive Palms, PE will be on a Wednesday.

What to wear:

We ask the children to wear a PE kit each week. They are required to wear black shorts or tracksuit bottoms, a white PE top and black trainers. During the cooler months, the children can also bring a hoodie to wear, only for PE.

Collins Hub

This year we have a new phonics scheme, so we are using eBooks using the ColinsHub website - Click the heading above.

Your child will receive a log on from their teacher. Once they have logged on, you will be able to read a selection of books suitable for their reading level. These will be updated weekly with the book your child has been reading in school that week.

Dreambox Maths

Another scheme that we have bought this year is Dreambox. It is an adaptive, online literacy program designed to improve silent reading fluency, comprehension, and vocabulary for students, often used for intervention, enrichment, and special education.

Click the link above to go directly to the correct website. Whilst on the website, it is important to leave your child to complete the activities independently as it works by using an algorithm to ensure your child gets the correct support.