Class 3 – Spring term 2011
Understanding English and Communication.
We will be revisiting narrative during this half-term, exploring stories by the same author. The initial focus will be on the Horrid Henry stories by Francesca Simon. The children will explore styles of writing, identifying similarities in stories by the same author. As well as studying the stories themselves, the children will carry out research on the author too. This will enable them to use and develop their ICT skills using a search engine and using a text to find information.
During this unit of work, the children will look further into character, analysing and picking texts apart to identify what a character might be like, how they are feeling and how they change. To complete the unit the children will write their own story based on a new fictional character agreed in class. We will use role-play to plan possible scenarios, enabling the children to try out their own ideas before they write their stories.
In the first half of the term the children will also be working on non-fiction information texts. They will study the ‘Fire of London’ in order to learn the main features of this type of text. They will also learn how to pose questions and how to find the answers to them, using both books and ICT texts.
In the second half of the term the children go on to study non-fiction, Explanation texts, which will be linked to their work in science.
Mathematical understanding:
During this term the children will be learning to use and apply mental strategies for problem solving. They will develop their knowledge gained in the autumn term to explore how number presents itself in everyday life, learning to solve problems as well as create some of their own.
We will also be revisiting shape. The children will look at 2D shapes and 3D solids, exploring their properties and learning how to describe and sort them based on these properties. During these sessions we will see how shapes can be presented in a variety of positions and orientations.
We would be grateful if you would continue to work with us in furthering your child’s mathematical development. The ‘Mathletics’ programme has proved popular with the children in school and continuing with these activities at home will be beneficial to your child.
Scientific and technological understanding:
During this half-term the children will be exploring electricity in the home and how to stay safe when using or being close to electricity. Our theme of birds in our environment runs through this work as the children investigate circuits. They will use this knowledge to design and make question boards, linking their topic and literacy work to complete the science project. During the final two weeks of this half-term the children will explore light and sound. This will complement and develop further the knowledge and skills they will gain through their themed topic work.
In the second half of the term the children will link their study of forces and motion to investigating vehicles. This will result in them designing and testing their own ‘safari vehicle’.
Physical development, health and wellbeing:
During PE this term the children will focus on both out-door games and gymnastics.
Games lessons will be on Wednesdays, run by a Sports coach, whilst gymnastics will be on Mondays. During gymnastics the children will explore balance, shape and movement. The children will learn to work individually and in pairs and groups to create and perform sequences. They will explore different styles of body shape, methods of travelling, and balancing on different parts of their bodies.
Please ensure the children have their PE kit at school, including suitable footwear for use on the field or in the playground. We also recommend that they have leggings or ‘joggers’ for the cold weather.
Historical, Geographical and Social Understanding:
The theme of birds in our environment will be the focus of most of the afternoon sessions in Class 3. Each week the children will be aiming to answer the following questions:
Week 1: What birds can we see from our window?
Week 2: Where do birds live? Where do they go at night?
Week 3: What do birds eat?
Week 4: Do birds always stay in the same place?
Week 5: Which came first, the chicken or the egg?
Week 6: Why do birds sing?
To answer these questions the children will be developing their research skills whilst exploring and using a variety of information sources. The questions posed will enable the children to study birds in the local environment as well as looking at the journeys some birds make across the world.
Class 3 will also be going on a woodland walk around school to put the knowledge and skills they have learned to good use in the natural environment.
We have signed up to take part in the RSPB national Big Schools’ Bird Watch, taking place between 24th January and 4th February. You can find out more online at the following address: www.rspb.org.uk/schoolswatch
The RSPB website (www.rspb.org.uk) has an education section, which you might like to look at with your children.
Understanding the Arts:
In Art this term the children will work on a variety of collage techniques. They will also draw, paint, and create clay birds and mobiles.
Every Wednesday the children will have the opportunity to continue their recorder tuition with Rachel Beale.
Continuing with out topic theme of birds, we will also explore birdsongs and what they sound like. This will continue into the second half of the term with the children developing their ICT skills to create a chorus of birdsong using audio software on the computers.
