English

Writing

Fiction – Warning Tale – Kassim and the Greedy Dragon

We will be learning the story of Kassim and the Greedy Dragon, and exploring the features the author has used and the effect they have. We will then learn how to write our own similar warning tale, which will include suspense.

Key vocabulary

warning, tale, character, setting, suspense, opening, build up, problem, resolution, ending

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

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

 

History – How did Mankind learn to fly?

We will be learning who Amelia Earhart and the Wright Brothers were, and why they are significant figures in history.  We will learn about the first flight and the impact it had, as well as how we learnt to fly.  We will also explore why the Moon landing was special.

Key vocabulary

beyond living memory, decade, evidence, eyewitness, flight, historic, historically significant, inventor, living memory, past, present, primary source, source

 

Art and Design – mixed media

We will develop colour mixing skills, learning about the work of artist Romare Bearden and creating textured papers using paint, children compose collages inspired by their exploration of colour and texture in the world around them.  

Key Vocabulary

collage, texture, layer, colour, tone, blend,

 

PSHE – Safety and the changing body

We will be developing our understanding of safety: roads, medicines and an introduction to online safety, distinguishing secrets from surprises, naming 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; Boccia

Health and 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.

Indoor games - Boccia – we will work as a team and think tactically about ball placement for this game.

Key Vocabulary

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

 

Helpful websites:

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

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

 

Key dates

05/01/2026 – Teacher Training day – school closed

06/01/2026 – Spring term begins

12/02/2026 – Valentines lunch

12/02/2026 – Valentines Disco

13/02/2026 – Teacher Training day – school closed

16/02/2026 – 20/02/2026 – half term holiday

23/02/2025 – first day of Spring term 2