What we are learning about this term in Leasowe Class with Mr. Smith.

English

To start the term, we will begin with a poetry focus where children will be using a range of figurative language in their writing. In Reading lessons, pupils will study a range of poems and focus on the language used, the effect on the reader and the mood being created.
Every Wednesday, we will have an Extended Writing lesson where we will start with an extended poetry, setting description followed by a character description later in the term. Pupils will be given the opportunity to include a range of vocabulary and varying sentence types to develop their writing to create images for their readers.
Spellings will be given out each week. These should be practised at home as well as in school, in preparation for the spelling test on Fridays. Some of the spellings will be given over two weeks, allowing plenty of time for pupils to practise these.

Mathematics

Maths will begin with a focus on Mental Mathematic skills. Pupils will learn to develop their understanding of place value to solve some challenging problems. They will also develop an understanding of mental and written addition as well as mental and written subtraction. Pupils will also continue to practise times tables daily, beginning with doubles and halves, followed by the threes. A times tables test will be given every Friday, so it is encouraged that these are also practised at home.

Science

In science, the children will begin by studying rocks and soil. In these lessons, pupils will conduct investigations in and around the properties of rocks and soils as well as sorting and categorising them.
Pupils will then move onto studying forces and magnets. These lessons will teach children about magnetic poles and magnetism. In these lessons, pupils will continue to build on their scientific enquiry skills.

Wider Curriculum – History and Geography

Our focus for the first half term is ‘Island Life’. Children will learn all about life on islands across the world and how different climates affect the way in which people live their lives. Children will further broaden their knowledge of their location in the world and how other places compare to life in the UK.

During the second part of the term, we will begin our history focus of Scavengers and Settlers. During this theme, we will focus on the time of The Stone Age to The Iron Age. Children will use a variety of sources to learn about the period and develop their understanding of the past.

Wider Curriculum -Physical Education

In PE, the children will first be focusing on the rules of Netball. Children will learn the positions in the game and tactics to support playing the game. They will also work on symmetry and asymmetry within gymnastics. Children will look at balancing and create their own routines. For six weeks at the start of this term, children will also be taking part in swimming lessons with their classmates.

Wider Curriculum - Art & Design Technology

In art lessons, children will be learning about drawing techniques using shapes to create images and linking this to work with islands. In DT lessons, children will focus on creating shell structures and create their own structure based on life in either The Stone Age or Iron Age.

Wider Curriculum - Music

Mrs Shakspeare will teach music on a Friday. Pupils will enjoy rhythm lessons and learning new music as well as playing many musical instruments.

Wider Curriculum - PSHE

PSHE lessons will continue to be taught through assemblies and class discussions. The children will be focusing on setting their classroom rules and learning about the values for out school, which are ambition, resilience, respect and creativity.

Wider Curriculum - RE

During RE lessons this term, children will be studying Christianity. The children will be learning about the disciples and how people serve God.

Wider Curriculum - Computing

During Computing lessons, children will learn about keeping themselves safe online and the importance of this in the day and age they live in. Children will then learn about touch typing including the correct way to sit at a keyboard and the position of your hands.

Wider Curriculum - Spanish

During Spanish lessons, children will continue to broaden their knowledge of Spanish vocabulary including the phonetic sounds of letters within the alphabet and general greetings.

General Class Reminders

• Full school P.E. kit is needed on Monday for (PE lessons).

• READING BOOKS need to be brought into school Children will change their home reader and Library book in school on a Friday.

• HOMEWORK will be set every Friday and will be due back in school the following Pupils will also be given spellings to learn and times tables to practise. Both of these will be tested on Friday.

Throughout the term work completed by the children will be put on to our blog.

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