What we are learning about during the Spring 1 and 2 Term in Mow Cop Class.

English

Children will be revisiting poetry when they return to school and will recap the poetic devices which were taught last term. They will also deconstruct a range of poetic song lyrics that they will be performing for the Lyrical Recital. Children will also learn about Adverts, Eerie suspense, Newspaper Reports and looking at a class novel.

Every Wednesday, we will have an Extended Writing lesson where a creative approach will be used to encourage pupils to use their imagination. Pupils will be given the opportunity to write at length, whilst using a range of different sentence structures to maintain pace, and keep their audience engaged.

Spellings will be practised each week with a focus on a different root morpheme (e.g. ‘centre’, ‘cin’) and which prefixes and suffixes can be added to form different words and meanings. We will be looking at a range of different spelling rules and discuss these in detail in class.

Mathematics

We will be following the Maths-No Problem! scheme and will start the term with further developing pupil understanding of multiplication and division. At the end of Spring term, we will begin learning about Fractions. This will include learning about hundredths, mixed number fractions and improper fractions. Later, they will learn how to add and subtract fractions and will solve addition and subtraction word problems.

We will also continue working towards the statutory Multiplication Tests, practicing our multiplication tables daily using the ‘Mastering number’ scheme.

We are also advising children to practice their times tables at home, they can do this on the Multiplication Tables Check website, using the settings - 25 questions, 6 seconds. 

Science

In Science, the children will begin by looking at ‘Animals including humans’. Children will understand the digestive system and its simple functions. They will recognise different teeth and name their functions as well as knowing how to keep their teeth healthy. Throughout these lessons, children will develop their knowledge of scientific enquiry and will complete a series of investigations in small groups.

We will then be learning about ‘Changing state’. Children will compare and group materials together, according to whether they are solids, liquids or gases. During this topic, they will make observations and will take accurate measurements before writing an accurate conclusion. Children will also learn about the water cycle.

Wider Curriculum – History & Geography

Our history focus for the half term will be exploring ‘How did the Romans influence Britain?’ Children will learn who the Romans were and what they brought to Britain. They will also understand why the Roman army was successful and which areas of Europe they conquered.

Geography lessons will focus on ‘Is where we live different or the same?’. Throughout this topic, children will be able to identify the most famous human and physical features of Central Canada, South East England and Veneto, Italy whilst also making comparisons between each of these.

Wider Curriculum – Physical Education

To begin this term all children are taking part in Cricket sessions on a Thursday morning. They will be utilising their skills from last time to understand how to play a game of cricket.

In Spring 2 we will then be changing to having our PE lessons on a Tuesday with Craig. Where they will be able to hone in on their skills, discuss their objectives using key language and work together as a team. 

Wider Curriculum – Art & Design Technology

Children will be printing in the style of Yinka Shonibare. They will research the artist and create pieces of work inspired by him. They will be able to create their own style of mono-printing in lessons, using the correct skills and techniwues taught in lessons. 

In DT, children will explore levers and linkages and will have a go at fixing them to different products. Children will come up with a design for their own card and will draw simple sketches with notes to support their explanations.

Wider Curriculum – Music

Mrs Shakspeare will teach music on a Friday. Pupils will enjoy learning new music as well as playing many musical instruments. They will be looking at different classical and contemporary composers and comparing music from different countries and eras.

We will also be having extra Music lessons on a Monday, taught in lesson time with their class teacher. We are focusing on how songs can create a story, how to create a beat using our own bodies, and even creating some of our own music. 

Wider Curriculum – PSHE

PSHE lessons will continue to be taught through assemblies and class discussions. Children will learn about ways to keep safe including being able to spot dangers, risks or hazards. Later in the term they will learn about rights and respect.

Wider Curriculum – RE

Children will be studying Christianity and the Church. They will be learning about the Bible, including the different genres of writing within. They will explore some stories of the Bible and will begin to link some beliefs to their own lives. We will then move onto the study of Hindu Dharma, were children will reflect on their learning in their previous years and we will build on that, discussing key language. 

Wider Curriculum – Computing

During Computing lessons, children will learn about ‘Data loggers’ and what they are and how to utilise them. We will be discussing when we might see data loggers in everyday life, why they are useful and then creating our own working data logger. 

Wider Curriculum – Spanish

During Spanish lessons, children will continue to broaden their knowledge of Spanish vocabulary including the phonetic sounds of the alphabet and will learn shapes in Spanish.

General Class Reminders

• Full school PE kit is required to be worn to school on a Tuesday for PE lessons with Craig. 
• READING BOOKS need to be brought into school every day. Children will have the option of changing their books every Tuesday. Reading with your child is extremely important and we will provide reading records for you and your child to note their reading at home.
• HOMEWORK will be set every Friday and will be due back in school the following Wednesday. Children will also be given spellings to learn and mental maths to practise. Both of these will be tested on a Friday.
• MULTIPLICATION TABLES will be a large focus of our learning throughout the year, in preparation for the Year 4 Multiplication Check. Children will be expected to support their in-school learning by practicing these at home. Use the link https://mathsframe.co.uk/en/resources/resource/477/Multiplication-Tables-Check to go onto the practice wesbite. 

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Your child’s attendance in school is extremely important.  Time missed is learning that can’t always be made up.

Please ensure your child attends school for 8:40am each day unless there is a very good reason for them to be absent. School will end at 3:10pm.

If you have any concerns or issues, please do not hesitate to speak to me. Thank you.

Miss Tiernan