English 

In Autumn half term 2, we have looked at fables in our English lessons. We started off our reading phase by looking at pictures and predicting what the fable would be about, before listening to the fable. Then, we answered questions about the fables, practised orally retelling them and even had a go at comparing similarities and differences between 2 fables. We recapped how to use inverted commas around speech, and this helped us to both read aloud with different voices using expression, and to write our own sentences using speech for the hare and the tortoise. We also learnt how adverbs can add extra description to show how a verb is performed. Once we had fully immersed ourselves in the hare and the tortoise fable, we used the slow writing process to help us to rewrite the fable in our own words. Finally, we planned, drafted and wrote our own fables with our own 2 animal characters. 

Reading Hour  

During the reading hour, we have continued to work on our phonics using Bug Club. We have been learning to read, write and spell words from phase 5 and are close to completing phase 5. Each reading group in class has also read a new book from bug club each week, and completed a carousel of reading activities based on this book.  

Maths  

In Maths, we have continued to work extremely hard on our understanding of number. Counting has underpinned all of our lessons this half term, and we have really developed our fluency with counting forwards and backwards in 1s, 10s and 100s to 1000 starting at different numbers and crossing boundaries. We have used dienes to reinforce our understanding of the numbers at all points. We were then slowly introduced to the column method for addition, and we learnt how to use this to do formal calculations of adding 3-digit numbers including where regrouping is needed. We have begun to look at subtractions, and have used a column method to do simple subtractions with no exchanges. We have then demonstrated a good understanding using dienes of how to a subtraction where 1 exchange is needed from the 10’s into the 1’s. We will continue this after the break.  

Science  

This half term, we have been studying forces and magnets. We began by describing different ways that objects can move, and realising that these can all be classified into push or pull forces. We then started to look for different objects that required a push force to move them and ones that required a pull force, and we were able to explain these. Then we moved onto looking at what friction is and the effects of friction, and we carried out an investigation using a newton metre to test how much friction was caused when dragging a shoe against different surfaces, Later, we started to look at what a magnet is and which materials are magnetic through investigations, and we were surprised to find that not all metals are magnetic!  

 

Geography 

This half term, we have started to learn about the Christchurch earthquake of 2011. So far, we have described the devastation caused by the earthquake physically and then began to describe how this will have affected the people there. We have also located Christchurch and New Zealand on a world map. We will be continuing this topic after the break.  

RE 

This half term, we have looked at the Christian celebration of Christmas and discussed what Christmas time means to each of us. Those of us who do not celebrate Christmas were able to discuss about how they spend the time with their family or playing in the snow. We talked about how we celebrate Christmas before revisiting the Nativity story. We then explored some of the common decorations we use at Christmas time and what they represent from the Christmas story. We also looked at what the Christingle represents before making a Christingle for the church service. Finally we discussed whether Christmas still has the same meaning as it used to for Christians.  

History  

In history, we completed our study of the Titanic by writing a diary entry from the perspective of a third-class passenger.  

Computing  

In computing, we have continued to develop our typing skills. We have also learnt how to use Microsoft Powerpoint programme to design and present a presentation about ourselves. We have enjoyed learning how to change the font, colour and size of our text, how to add images and resize these, how to edit the backgrounds, and how to add animations to our slides. 

  DT 

We have spent the last couple of weeks of the half term designing pop-up Christmas cards. We began by using our computing skills to find images of pop-up cards for research, before designing our own. We found it quite tricky when trialling different pop-up ideas but we used our skills of resilience. We took great care when making our final products, and were able to evaluate them successfully.  

P.E.  

In PE this half-term, we have been learning about key skills which can be applied to the sport of netball. These skills included chest passing, bounce passing and being able to feint pass within the sport. We’ve looked at tactics that can be applied but also had a big focus on sporting characteristics such as sportsmanship and teamwork. 

Spanish  

In Spanish, the children have continued to enjoy learning the language. We have continued using everyday greetings, asking one another how we feel, and can now count up to 5 in Spanish.  

PSHE  

In PSHE, we began by drawing and talking about who is in our family. We learnt that all families are different. We continued to explore other families and agreed as a class that your family are the people who love and care for you. We then moved into looking at how everyone’s differences are a good thing, and discussed the things that we are each good at, before exploring different scenarios where people have been picked on for their differences. The class were great at pointing out what was wrong in each situation and were able to suggest ways to help.