Autumn 1
English
Pupils will be working this half term towards writing an information text. We are continuing to use Talk For Writing which means pupils will learn the text orally before unpicking its features and then writing their own. This will be based around the idea of a mythical creature, We will be looking at ‘The Fire Unicorn’ as our model text.
Vocabulary: noun, verb, adjective, adverb, clause, colon, semicolon, dashes, paragraph, rhetorical question, subjunctive voice, passive voice, opener, conjunction
Guided Reading - Reading for Inference
We will use a variety to texts - both fiction and non-fiction - to enable us to apply our learning to a range of question types, and to make links between different books and our own growing general knowledge. We will continue to use text annotation as a method of exploring a text, and will build on our retrieval and inference reading skills. In order to support your child with both their grammar and reading at home, please use the following links:
https://gb.education.com/games/grammar/
http://www.eslgamesworld.com/members/games/grammar/index.html
Maths
We will start off with a focus on place value as this underpins all Mathematics. Pupils will look at and work with numbers up to 10,000 - ordering, comparing, partitioning, rounding, representing and identifying different place values. After this, we will move onto addition and subtraction using 4-digit numbers. Alongside using the column method, pupils will have to reason and problem-solve using all the above.
Every week pupils will complete a Number and Lightning and skills for this will be taught in addition to their daily Maths lessons. Pupils who are already competent in certain areas, will further embed their understanding. These skills will be taught in small groups to ensure a confident understanding is achieved by all pupils.
Time Tables will be a huge focus in class, with daily teaching and practice. It is imperative that pupils are able to recall all multiplication and division facts up to 12 x 12 in order to access all the curriculum. Pupils should also work on their times table at home. Pupils will be required to sit the Multiplication Check later on in the year.
Vocabulary: Ones, Tens, Hundred, Thousand, Ten thousand, Place value, Digit, Integer, More than, Less than, Equals
Homework will continue to be set from the White Rose Maths Practice Journal. In order to support your child with their times table knowledge at home and with arithmetic in general, please use the following links:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/subjects/z826n39
Science – Grouping and Classifying Living Things
Our topic for this term is Grouping and Classifying Living Things. Within this, pupils will distinguish between various animals and plants based on a selection of criteria, such as vertebrates and invertebrates. They will be able to identify what all living things need to stay alive and finally, they will learn to read, interpret and create their own classification keys.
Vocabulary: Animals, Invertebrates, Vertebrates, Flowering, Plants, Spikes, Respiration, Data, Conclusions
Computing – Collaborative Learning
Computing
We will be following Kapow for our Computing this term and will be focusing on collaborative learning. This includes different ways in which you can work with others using the computer. Through this unit, pupils will be introduced to Google Forms, Power Points, Word and Shared Spreadsheets. This unit will provide pupils with the skills and knowledge to complete the remaining units across the year.
Vocabulary: Collaborate, Comment, Edit, Email, Insert, Link, Presentation, Software, Spreadsheet
Religion and World Views – Are all Religions Equal?
Our question this term for RE is Are all Religions Equal? Within this topic we will be looking at how religions are connected and how people have different views of God. In addition, we will look at why it is important for all religions to respect one another and how we can ensure that we live in harmony.
Vocabulary: Religion, Harmony, God, Belief, Respect, Opinions, Equality, Origin, Acceptance
PE -Tennis and Netball
Tennis – Children will develop their understanding of the ready position and learn how to prepare their bodies for successful shots. They will practise hitting a ball using both forehand and backhand swings, developing control and accuracy. Children will work with partners to rally using controlled movements and will learn to follow the basic rules of tennis while demonstrating good sportsmanship, teamwork and respect for others.
Vocabulary: Racket, ready position, forehand, swing, rally footwork
Netball- Pupils will be able to pass successfully using chest and shoulder passes over varying distances. We will be studying how to perform and receive a bounce pass effectively as well as how to pivot and shoot with increasing accuracy.
Vocabulary: Chest pass, Shoulder pass, Bounce pass, Pivot, Shoot, Attack, Direction, Man mark, Interception
Latin – Present Tense Verbs
In this unit we will learn how Latin verbs show who is carrying out an action. We will learn the six personal endings of present-tense verbs and use them to understand and translate simple Latin sentences. The unit also develops links between Latin and English vocabulary and grammar.
Vocabulary: Latin, verb, present tense, action, personal endings, singular, plural, first person, second person, third person, subject
History – How Have Children’s Lives Changed?
In this unit we will learn how the lives of children have changed from the Tudor period to the present day, exploring childhood, work, leisure and health. We will investigate the lives and working conditions of Tudor and Victorian children, learn how Lord Shaftesbury helped improve children's lives, and use historical sources to identify change and continuity over time.
Vocabulary: childhood, continuity, change, historical source, evidence, Tudor, Victorian, apprentice, child labour, working conditions, poverty, factory, reform, leisure, disease, treatment
Art and Design - Fabric of Nature
In this unit we will take inspiration from the flora and fauna of tropical rainforests to develop observational drawings, explore colour, texture and pattern, and experiment with textile techniques. We will study the work of William Morris, develop a mood board and create our own repeating fabric pattern using our drawings and textile processes.
Vocabulary: flora, fauna, rainforest, observational drawing, texture, pattern, repeat, mood board, colour palette, textile, fabric, batik, print, design, motif, William Morris, close-up
My Happy Mind – Meet Your Brain
This term, children will be exploring the fascinating world of the brain and discovering how it influences the way we think, feel and behave. They will learn about the different parts of the brain and how each part has an important role in helping us learn, make decisions and manage our emotions.
Children will explore the idea that our brains can grow and change through practice, effort and positive choices. They will develop an understanding of how thoughts and feelings are connected and learn strategies to help them recognise and manage their emotions.
Through discussions, activities and reflection, children will build self-awareness, confidence and resilience, helping them to understand themselves and others more positively.
Vocabulary: brain, neuroscience, neurons, neural pathways, hippocampus, amygdala, prefrontal cortex, memory, learning, emotions, feelings, thoughts, reactions, stress, calm, focus, attention, habits, connections, resilience, positive mindset, growth mindset, automatic response, conscious choice, brain training, self-regulation.
Important dates for this term:
Key Dates
Autumn term starts – Thursday 3rd September 2026
Jeans for Genes Day - Thursday 25th September 2026
Halloween Lunch and Disco - Thursday 22nd October 2026
End of Autumn 1 - Friday 23rd October 2026