Maths

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

Firstly, we started our ‘Addition and Subtraction Within 20’ topic. We began with adding by counting on.  We then moved onto adding by making 10 and then adding by adding ones. We then completed our topic by subtracting by counting backwards using a numberline. 

Next, we moved onto our ‘Counting to 40’ unit.  We used the making 10 strategy from last half term to count numbers above 10.  We were also able to represent numbers on a number line, as well as use the ten-frame method of organisation and place-value cards to assist us in writing numbers to 40.  We were then able to understand that digits represent tens and ones and represented these numbers using Base 10 materials and numbers. 

Next, we used place value to compare two or three numbers and determine which number was bigger or smaller.  We then progressed onto arranging three numbers in order of size. 

To finish our unit, we compared numbers using number bonds, 100-squares and number lines to determine how much more or less.  We also observed and used number patterns. 

English

This half term in English, we studied the book ‘Meerkat Mail’ by Emily Gravett.

Firstly, we began our topic by looking at the front cover of the book and predicting what might happen in the story.  We tried to use clues from the front and back cover.  We discussed how it looked like a Jiffy bag with stamps on.  

Next, we tried to think about our family tree like the main character, Sunny does in the story.  We thought about any brothers and sisters we have, then our parents and finally our grandparents.       

After that, we linked our learning to Geography.  We looked at a world map in an atlas.  We identified where the UK was and then coloured this in on our map of our own.  We then identified Botswana in Africa as this is where the story ‘Meerkat Mail’ is set.

Next, we discussed how Sunny’s family might reply to a postcard received by him.  We looked at the features of a postcard and then as a class, wrote a reply. 

After that, we began to understand the term ‘adjective.’  We linked this to our favourite foods and wrote a sentence describing what we like to eat.  We then used adjectives to describe images of weather which linked to our Geography unit.

Once we started to become confident using adjectives, we described Sunny, the main character in the story.  We thought about his appearance and personality.

Next, we started to learn more about capital letters.  We were able to identify the capital letter, question mark and question starter in a question.  We then pretended that Ana’s meerkat, Mia was Sunny from the story ‘Meerkat Mail.’  We thought of questions we could ask him using our knowledge of the text.  Sunny then whispered his answers to Mrs Dempsey, and she told us what he had said.

Finally, to complete our topic, we used our experience of our class trip to Smithills Open Farm to write a postcard to our family like Sunny did in the story.  We wrote about which animals we saw and what we did during our visit.  We also remembered the features of a postcard.

Science

In Science this half term, we began our ‘Plants’ topic. 

During our first lesson, we found out the definition of a wild plant.  We then looked at some photographs of wild plants and learnt their names.  Afterwards, we walked around the school grounds and collected information of how many different types of wild plants were growing and what they were called.

For our next lesson, we found out the definition of garden plants.  We then looked at some photographs of wild plants and learnt their names.  Afterwards, we designed our own garden consisting of garden plants. 

Next, we began to identify the different parts of the flower.  We then created our own pictures of flowers using materials such as straws and paper cake case.

After that, we learned about the function of each part of the flower.  We found out how the stem holds the flower up, the leaves take energy from the sun, the roots take nutrients from the soil, the petals attract the bees and new flowers grow from seeds.

We will continue this topic after the holidays.   

Geography

In Geography this half term, we have started our new topic and tried to answer the question ‘How does the weather affect?’

Firstly, we thought about the question ‘What is the weather?’ We looked at images of a variety of weather and identified the weather types.  We also compared some of the weather.

Next, we wanted to answer the question ‘How do great artists paint the weather?’ We looked at a variety of artwork and discussed how the artists showed how weather makes us feel through their paintings.  We then attempted our own weather artwork.

After that, we investigated how the weather changes through the seasons.  This linked to our Science topic from earlier in the year.  After looking at a variety of images, we listened to The Four Seasons composed in 1723 by Antonio Vivaldi.  We had great fun using musical instruments to try and recreate different weather types.

We will continue this topic after the holidays.   

RE

In RE, we began our new topic of Judaism.  We were aiming to answer the question ‘Is Shabbat important to Jewish children?’

Firstly, we thought about the days of the week, and which one is special to us.  We also thought about the different activities we do on each day.

Next, we gained an understanding about Shabbat.  We watched a video clip about a young Jewish boy.  He explained the importance of Shabbat to him.  We learned about features of the Shabbat table such as Challah bread, the Kiddush cup and Havdalah candle. 

After that, we gained an understanding about the importance of the synagogue during Shabbat.  We looked at a replica of the Torah and watched an online tour of a synagogue.  We then labelled different features of the synagogue such as the Siddur, the Ark, and the memorial boards.

To finish our topic, we thought about how important Shabbat is to children.  We imagined what it would be like to be a Jewish child being invited to a birthday party on a Friday night.  We thought about what we would say and why.

Computing

In computing this half term, we have been using Purple Mash to learn about Coding. 

Firstly, we had to understand what coding meant in computing.

We then had to build one- and two-step instructions using printable code cards.

Next, we spent some time looking at the ‘2Code’ programme and then discovered how to use the 2Code program to create a simple program.

After that, we used ‘Design Mode’ to add and change backgrounds and characters. We also used the ‘Properties table’ to change the look of the objects.

We have also practised our keyboard skills.

PE  

In PE this half term, we have been completing our ‘Athletics’ unit and our ‘Toy Story Dance’ unit.

In Athletics, we have worked together to develop skills such as jumping and perfecting our underarm throw.  We have also had to work collaboratively and learn how to co-operate with each other.

In Dance, we have been looking at parts of the Toy Story movies and thinking about how the characters might move.  We also brought in some of our Toy Story characters from home to help us think about the movements we could use in our lessons.

PSHE

Our PSHE topic this half term was ‘Relationships.’

We began the topic by thinking about how it feels to belong to a family and care about the people who are important to us.  We

identified the members of our families and understood that there are lots of different types of families.

Next, we identified what being a good friend meant to me.  We identified which qualities make a good friend and understood how to make a new friend.

After that, we recognised which forms of physical contact are acceptable and unacceptable to us.  We learned about appropriate forms of physical contact to greet our friends and understood which forms of physical contact we prefer. 

Next, we learned about who can help us in our school community.  We thought about knowing how to ask for help and when to ask for help.

Then we recognised our qualities as a person and a friend.  We thought about ways to praise ourselves.  

Finally, to complete our topic, we told each other why we appreciate someone who is special to us.  We discussed ways to express how we feel about people.

Art

Our Art topic this half term was ‘Painting.’  We focussed on the artist Paul Klee. 

Firstly, we were able to share our thoughts and opinions about images by looking at a selection of Paul Klee’s art.

Next, we tried to copy some of Paul Klee’s paintings using paint, pastel and pencil.

After that, we were given half of one of Paul Klee’s pictures and looked at the colours and shapes used.  We then attempted to complete it.

Finally, we experimented brush and paint techniques by making several shades of a colour using different sized lines.

Smithills Open Farm Trip

We had our very first school trip to Smithills Open Farm in Bolton.  We were so excited!  When we arrived, we had the opportunity to feed some of the animals. We then enjoyed a tractor ride where we were able to feed the donkeys.  After that, we got to meet and stroke some baby animals including bunnies, chicks, lambs, alpacas, and owls. After lunch, we had great fun going on donkey rides!  We spent some time on the new play area and then finished the afternoon by watching the cows being milked.  We had such a fun day!

Life Education

Steve from Life Education came to visit us.  We learned about healthy foods including the different food groups.  We really enjoyed meeting Harold the Giraffe!  He taught us all about teamwork and working together.  We then learned about the different organs in our body and their function.  We had great fun as well as learning some important information.   

Music

The Little Marvels have been sitting quietly and listening to a piece of music without talking and listening out for dynamics. We showed we could hear when the music was quiet by putting our fingers to our lips – sh = P for soft and quiet. We then moved our hands apart for show when the music was played loudly.

To link with the geography weather topic, we got creative. Mrs Dempsey played some weather sound clips, we listened carefully to guess which was which. Then after listening to parts of The Four Seasons by Vivaldi the children chose classroom percussion to compose a group weather soundscape. A storm with thundery crashes and heavy rain, then used our voices to whisper shine, shine for the sun peeping through.

Finally, we had fun investigating pitch. We remembered the voices of the three bears – Daddy Bear, Mummy Bear and Baby Bear. We pretended to be our chosen bear asking “Whose being sitting in my chair?” Then found high and low pitched bars on the glockenspiels.