Welcome to Dragon Class

Autumn Term

2011-2012

Dear Parents,

The theme for this term is ‘The Tudors’.

Throughout this topic, the children will develop skills such as: group work – listening and responding to each others’ ideas; research skills – through investigating a Tudor crime scene; and reflection skills – evaluating their own and others’ learning and understanding how they can continue to improve. The children will also be encouraged to be independent, learning how to manage their time, deciding on what resources they need and choosing how to present their learning.

Literacy

We will be studying the features of recount writing and the children will write their own recount of the Battle of Bosworth, focussing on descriptive language. We will also look at the conventions of newspapers and magazines and have a go at writing our own class newspaper, reporting on the events in Tudor times. Following this we will look at explanation texts and poetry, looking at nursery rhymes and exploring their form. Towards the end of the term we will study stories in historical settings and the children will use their knowledge of the Tudors to write their own story set in this time.

Numeracy

The children will develop their number skills, learning and consolidating a variety of calculation methods. We will also explore both 2D and 3D shapes, linking this to our work in I.C.T, where we will use the program Logo. The children will also use their data handling and measuring skills in their Science lessons, to investigate the solubility of different materials. Throughout the term the children will have opportunities to apply their learning to solve puzzles and problems.

We will also target basic number skills and develop these with the ‘Quickies’ programme that children will complete daily.

Numeracy targets for the children are set as part of homework and they will be expected to work on them several times a week, just as they do with their reading and spellings. The children will be assessed on these targets every few weeks in class and will earn certificates as they progress through the targets.  

Science

This term we will be looking at solids and liquids and we will investigate their properties. We will look at freezing and melting, using our knowledge of this to create a seal for a letter similar to those they used in Tudor times. Next, we will look at electricity, exploring a variety of circuits and conductors. Throughout, we will look at fair test and prediction skills as well as collecting and analysing results and drawing conclusions from investigations.  

History

For the first part of the term the children will learn all about Henry VIII and his six wives, including the reasons for each marriage and divorce or beheading! After the half term break the children will learn all about Tudor clothing, food and housing through an investigation to solve a Tudor crime.  

R.E.

We will be following Route D of the ‘Here I Am’ programme, beginning by looking at ‘Homes and Families’. This will be followed by ‘Signs and Symbols’ and ‘Visitors’. Throughout, we will focus on Jesus and his message for Christians today. 

ICT

The children will first look at E-Safety. Then we will explore the programme Logo, linked to our Numeracy work on shapes. ICT will be used throughout the term for research and presenting work. 

Design and Technology

The children will be designing and making story books with pop up features telling the story of Henry VIII’s life. The children will also be set a homework project to create their own Tudor house.

Art

This term we will study a variety of portraits of Henry VIII exploring how his appearance changed over time. As the term progresses the children will experiment with a variety of media, towards the end focussing on painting skills and creating their own portrait of a famous Tudor and a Tudor inspired self portrait.

Spanish

The children will continue to develop their knowledge, in particular this term we will learn different parts of the body, zoo animals and how to ask for the translation in Spanish.

Music

This year the children will be learning to play the ukelele as a class and will learn about the various musical elements through this. Alongside this, we will create some of our own compositions.

P.E.

(P.E. lessons will be on Mondays and Fridays this term)

The children will be taking part in invasion games activities and also learning the skills of badminton from a sports coach. Then we will focus on dance skills. We will be creating and refining sequences of movements to create our own Tudor inspired dances.

How can you help us?

·        Please support your child with their homework. (Ongoing homework includes regular reading and learning of spellings and work on maths targets. Other homework will also be set throughout the term to support the children’s class work.)

·        Please can you ensure your child has a full P.E. kit in school for use everyday.

Your support is really appreciated, thank you.

K. Saunders – Class Teacher