English

Writing

Non-fiction - Non-chronological report - Dragons 

We will explore a non-chronological report about 'Storm Dragons' and gain a good understanding of it. We will then write a non-chronological report about a different type of dragon, as a class. Finally, we will create a dragon to write our own non-chronological report about. Throughout this writing process we will learn how to use the different features of this text type.

Key vocabulary

Model text, title, heading, subheading, non-fiction, non-chronological report, introduction, formal, conjunction, question

Reading

We will explore a range of texts linked to our units of learning, by using our Reading for Inference skills. We will also be developing our technique of answering written comprehension questions about a range of texts.

Books we will be reading:

To support writing:

Attack of the Demon Dinner Ladies by Pamela Buchart

 

Reading for pleasure:

Dear Greenpeace

Malala’s magic pencil

My name is not refugee

Beegu

One World Many Colours

Greta and the giants

Key vocabulary

Echo read, paired read, think like a detective, notice breakdown, visualise, background knowledge, VIP words, question, wonder, predict, highlight, evidence, summarise

 

Maths - Multiplication and division & Length and height

We will recognise, make and add equal groups. We will solve multiplication sentences and use arrays to develop our understanding of multiplication. We will also explore doubles, 2 times table, 5 times table and 10 times tables, as well as dividing by 2 5 and 10.

We will measure, compare and order lengths in cm and m. We will then use these skills to solve a range of problems.  

Key vocabulary

Multiply, divide, multiplication, division, array, equal groups, double, inverse, times, lots of, share, bar model, measure, centimetres, metres, length, height

 

Science

Plants

We will learn about the different parts of plants and what plants need to grow. We will then carry out an investigation to find out whether plans grow healthier in light or darkness.

Living things and their habitats

We will explore different habitats, including desert habitats, ocean habitats, woodland habitats and microhabitats. We will then explore the links between habitats, diet and food chains.

Key vocabulary

Plastic, man-made material, recycle, single-use plastic, seed, plant, sunlight, darkness, variable, blossom, stem, leaf, trunk, branch, flower, habitat, desert, ocean, woodland, microhabitat, diet, food chain

 

Computing – Programming: Algorithms and debugging

We will learn what algorithms are, how to program them and how we can use loops to make our algorithm more efficient. We will do this using a combination of unplugged and plugged-in activities. The activities included as part of this learning include maps, debugging and dinosaur algorithms. 

Key vocabulary

Abstraction, algorithm, artificial intelligence, bug, clear, correct, data, debug, decompose, error, key features, loop, predict, unnecessary

 

Art and Design – Sculpture and mixed media

We will create sculptures and pop art, as well as learning how to draw facial features to portray different emotions, all through the topic of comic superheroes and inspired by the works of Roy Lichtenstein.

Key Vocabulary

Blend, cartoon, colour wash, comic, dot matrix, illustrator, pop art, sculpture

 

Religion and World views – How do we know some people have a special connection to God?

We will explore how people connect with God and what makes this connection special. As part of this, we will have lots of discussions by sharing our own views and listening to those of others. 

Key vocabulary

God, connection, prayer, worship, view

 

Music – Orchestral instruments

We will learn about the instruments in an orchestra and practise identifying these when listening to music. We will learn how different characters are represented by ‘timbre’, how emotions can be represented by ‘pitch’ and how changes in ‘tempo’ can convey action.

Key Vocabulary

Orchestra, strings, woodwind, brass, percussion, dynamics, sound effects, tempo, timbre, vocals

 

PSHE – Safety and the changing body

We will developing understanding of safety: roads, medicines and an introduction to online safety, distinguishing secrets from surprises, name body parts and looking at the concept of privacy.

Key vocabulary:

Diet, medicine, pedestrian, private, secret, surprise, penis, testicles/testes, vulva, vagina

 

PE – Health and fitness & Dance

Health & Fitness – we will learn about why we should be active and lead a healthy lifestyle. We will work on ways to be active and come up with activities involving jumping, running, catching and throwing.

Dance – We will learn different line dances, before adding in our own motifs. These dances will include Achy breaky heart and Cotton Eye Joe.

Key Vocabulary

Health, fitness, active lifestyle, heart rate, jump, run, catch, throw, stretch, warm up

Dance genre, beat, rhythm, music, line dance, motif, step, together, clap

 

Helpful websites:

https://www.teachyourmonstertoread.com/accounts/sign_in 

https://play.numbots.com/#/intro

 

Key dates

08/01/2024 - Start of term

07/02/2024 – Internet Safety Day

15/02/2024 - Valentine Disco

16/02/2024 - End of Term