Badger Class

We hope you have had a wonderful summer holiday and are ready for the return to school. We cannot wait to see what this year has in store for us.

This page will be updated throughout the year with information about our topics and learning that we will be focusing on. Please check out our school twitter page to see regular photos of our incredible learning journey.

English

This term, we will be exploring Phillip Pullman’s, The Fire-Work Maker’s Daughter. Through discussions, drama, character analysis and creative narratives, the children will get a strong understanding of the text and use key events to inspire their own writing. The children will be encouraged to use effective and complex sentences in addition to new vocabulary. To support this, each week, the class will have SPaG sessions in which they will explore new aspects of spelling, punctuation and grammar. Each week, the children will be expected to access Spelling Shed to practise new and old spellings.

As well-developed reading skills are vital to enabling children to access all areas of the primary curriculum, in Year 4/5, the children will undertake reading activities, in which they will further develop their comprehension skills by exploring and analysing texts using ‘VIPERS’ questions. Your child will bring home a reading record and home reading book. We ask that children read for 20 minutes each day and would be grateful if this could be recorded to show that this has taken place. In this way, we hope to enthuse the children and make them realise that books can open up a world of endless possibilities.

Maths

In Maths this term, year 4 will begin their Power Maths learning by exploring place value using 4-digit numbers, and developing their skills and knowledge on being able to confidently round, add and subtract larger numbers.

In Maths this term, year 5 will begin their Power Maths learning by honing previously taught skills. They will be exploring place value within 1,000,000, developing their skills and knowledge on being able to confidently round, add and subtract numbers of a larger value.

In Key Stage Two, it is even more important now that they develop a secure understanding of their times tables. This year, year 4s will be required to complete the Multiplication Tables Check so any additional practice outside of school will be extremely beneficial. The children should now have a secure understanding of their 2, 3, 4, 5, 8 and 10 times tables. Every child has access to Times Table Rockstars, which is a fantastic resource that we urge every child to make the most of. The children have their own log ins and can be accessed via this link: https://ttrockstars.com/

Wider Learning

This year we will continue to use the ‘Cornerstones curriculum’ to support our wider learning.

Our main topic across the next two terms is called ‘Dynamic Dynasties’; it is a history-based unit where we will be focusing on developing our understanding of the Chinese dynasties. This project teaches children about the history of ancient China, focusing primarily on the Shang Dynasty, and explores the lasting legacy of the first five Chinese dynasties, some of which can still be seen in the world today.

Geography – Our project will be ‘Investigating Our World’. This essential skills and knowledge project teaches children about locating map features using a range of methods. They learn about the Prime Meridian, Greenwich Mean Time (GMT), and worldwide time zones and study interconnected climate zones, vegetation belts and biomes. Children learn about human geography and capital cities worldwide before looking at the UK motorway network and settlements. They carry out an enquiry to identify local settlement types.

Science – In our project, the children will learn about ‘Forces and Mechanisms’. The topic begins with exploring different forces such as gravity, air resistance and water resistance. We will then move on to mechanisms, looking at levers. pulleys and gears.

Foundation Subjects

Art – The two art and design topics this term are ‘Tints, Tones and Shades’ and ‘Taotie’

Tints, Tones and Shades: This art project sees children revisit and extend their understanding of colour theory previously studied in Contrast and Compliment. They are introduced to the terms tint, tone and shade and learn how to mix tints, tones and shade of colour with systematic accuracy. They study how artists use tints, tones and shades in landscape painting, building on their understanding from the previous project Vista. They will explore ways that tints, tones and shades can be used in paintings to represent light, shadow and perspective.

Taotie: This art project connects with children’s understanding of the Shang Dynasty through Dynamic Dynasties and its significant technological and artistic advances. Children will explore the cultural significance of the Taotie motif in ancient Chinese culture and learn about the process of bronze piece mould casting. They build on their understanding of malleable materials and learn casting techniques with silicone, paper and clay. They will use their knowledge of casting methods to make a Taotie relic using a clay mould and plaster cast. Children will also revisit the medium of watercolour introduced in Contrast and Complement to add colour to their Taotie pieces.

Computing – We will continue to follow the ‘Teach Computing’ curriculum and we will start the year looking at ‘Computing Systems and Networks’. We are going to develop our understanding of digital devices, with an initial focus on inputs, processes, and outputs.

R.E – Our topic is going to be ‘Why do some people believe that God exists?’ We will be learning and exploring different religious and spiritual ways of life regarding diverse beliefs about God.

PSHE – We are going to be focusing on understanding healthy relationships, and belonging to a group.

P.E – We are going to be focusing on orienteering this term. Our P.E day is Thursday, please make sure they come into school wearing their full P.E kit on this day.

Home Learning Reminders

Homework will be set on a Thursday and is to be completed by the following Tuesday. This will be a worksheet the children will be given to complete at home.

As well as your home learning we encourage children to read every day to support their reading fluency and vocabulary.

We also encourage children to access TTRS to help improve their times table knowledge.