Maths

In Maths this half term, we continued with our ‘Maths – No Problem!’ scheme. 

Firstly, we completed our ‘Addition Within 10’ topic. We began by adding using number bonds.  And then moved onto adding by counting on. We completed the topic by completing number sentences using the Part-Part Whole model.   

During our Maths learning, we have also enjoyed using the Rekenreks to investigate different ways of making 10.

Next, we moved onto our ‘Subtraction Within 10’ topic. We completed this in many ways such as subtracting by crossing out and subtracting by counting back on a numberline.  We then applied our knowledge to addition and subtraction facts.

We also celebrated NSPCC Number Day.  We played a ‘Guess the Shape’ quiz.  We listened to descriptions of 2D shapes and had to draw and label them. 

We also enjoyed playing a variety of number games.  We particularly enjoyed Playing ‘Four in a Row’ which was an addition and subtraction game.  This consolidated our learning from our recent topic. 

During the day, we enjoyed looking at each other’s Maths themed clothes.  Some of us were very creative and made our own t-shirts which displayed numbers and mathematical symbols.    

English

This half term in English, we studied the book ‘How to Find Gold’ by Viviane Schwarz.   

Firstly, we looked at illustrations from the story before reading the text.  We focussed on the main characters, Anna and Crocodile and discussed our initial thoughts about them.  For example, how did they become friends? What are they wanting to do?  We recorded these thoughts on an image from the text.  We then chose one of the characters from the story and used parts of the text to write a sentence to describe the character.   

Next, we went on our own treasure hunt around the school grounds.  Using a map of the school, we found six different pictures that each had a letter on the back.  We then wrote down each letter and spelt out the secret word ‘Pirate.’  We were rewarded with our own treasure that had been hidden – a treasure chest full of gems and chocolate coins! We then used our experience of a treasure hunt to write a set of instructions for Anna and Crocodile as to how they could prepare for a treasure hunt.   

After that, we spent time looking at the sea monster which features in the text.  We watched video clips of real-life sea monsters and then designed and sketched our own.  We then thought of adjectives to describe it and wrote sentences. 

Next, we imagined we were one of the characters from the text and wrote a diary entry from their perspective.

To finish our unit, we completed a book review sharing our thoughts and opinions about the text.  We also created a story map and orally re-told the story using actions. 

Science

In Science this half term, our topic was ‘Materials.’

Firstly, we recognised different materials and identified them by a picture.  We also matched a material to its name.  We then tried to think of three adjectives to describe a given material.

In our next lesson, we told the difference between an object and the material it is made from.  We sketched an object and then identified the material it was made from. 

Next, we described the properties of everyday materials.  We chose one of the following materials: wood, plastic, glass, metal, rock, or water and sketched/labelled the properties.

To finish our topic, we were able to identify which materials had certain properties.  We tested a variety of objects to see if they were either waterproof or not waterproof, or transparent or opaque.  We also identified the material the object was made from.

RE

In RE, we began our new topic of Christianity.  We were aiming to answer the question ‘Was it Always Easy for Jesus to Show Friendship?’

Firstly, we wanted to recognise what made a good friend.  We read the story ‘Say Hello’ by Jack and Michael Foreman which was about a person who felt left out and excluded.  We thought about how we could show friendship to this character to make them feel included.  We then sorted pictures under the following headings – ‘Things a good friend does’ and ‘Things a good friend does not do.’

Next, we looked at the Bible story: Stilling the Storm (Luke 8: 22-25) and thought about how Jesus took care of his friends.  After a lot of discussion, we then sequenced the story.

Our next lesson was to understand how Jesus showed friendship to someone who was unpopular.  We did this through the Bible story of Zacchaeus (Luke 19:1-9) We thought of a time when we had made a bad choice and were shown forgiveness.  We sketched a picture and explained what happened through a sentence. 

To finish our topic, we wanted to understand how Jesus found friendship both easy and difficult.  We looked at the Bible story of Mary, Martha and Lazarus (Luke 10: 38-41) Jesus spending time with His friends at their home.  We remembered all three Bible stories studied during the topic and, in groups, created freeze frames of them.  We then ordered the stories according to when Jesus may have found it easy or difficult to show friendship.

Computing

In computing this half term, we have been using Purple Mash to learn about algorithms.  We followed an algorithm to colour a bird and Hansel and Gretel’s House.  We then considered how the order of a set of instructions is important.  We had to correct an algorithm for how to make a sandwich as the images did not correctly match the instructions. 

We have also practised our keyboard skills.

PE  

In PE this half term, we have been learning to use an underarm throw.  We practised this skill in lots of ways including an obstacle course whereby we had to use an underarm throw to knock a ball off a target and throw a ball into a hoop.

We were also lucky to have Keira from Sandersons Dance come into school and teach us street dance.  We loved learning lots of different moves and managed to put them altogether to create various dances.   

To end the half term, we took part in Tots on Tyres.  We really enjoyed our sessions each morning.   

History

In History, we continued with our topic ‘Great Explorers.’  During this topic, we will be answering the key question ‘What does it take to be a great explorer?’

We began to understand about Neil Armstrong’s expedition to the moon.  We looked at images of Neil Armstrong and watched a video clip of his moon landing.  We then posed the questions: Why did Neil explore the moon? Did he make the decision to go on his own? Who did he need to support him? Who paid for his mission and the many missions that had gone before during the previous seven years?

We then began to think about all of the challenges that explorers may face.   

Geography

In Geography, we continued with our ‘Penguins’ topic from the Autumn term.  During this topic, we will be answering the key question ‘Why don’t penguins need to fly?’

We used a variety of sources to compare and contrast the Sahara Desert with Antarctica.  We found that they are in different continents, they have different weather and different animals live in both places. 

Our last lesson of the half term was understanding how camels have adapted to life in their environment.  We found that they have long legs to keep their bodies away from the scorching ground, they store fat in their humps, they have thick, leathery pads on their knees to stop them from burning, they have two rows of eyelashes to protect their eyes, they have a thick layer of fur to keep them warm at night and they have flat, leathery pads on their hooves to make walking on the sand easier.