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Autumn Term 2: Discovering Distant Lands 

Dear Parents,

Please find attached to this letter an overview of the exciting learning theme we have planned. For this term we will be looking at Explorers. This will inspire our own information texts and lead to children writing their own non chronological reports on famous Explorers.

 

As Historians we will learning all about a variety of different explorers who made history. We will start by exploring why some people are considered to be significant before going on to learn about some significant explorers. We will learn what an explorer is and focus on the qualities and attributes that an explorer may have.

 

We will then be studying explorers with a particular focus on Captain Cook. We will be looking at sailing ships, life during expeditions, and the era of the discovery of new lands.

Overview of the subjects which are separate from the learning theme:

Maths

We will be using our work on place value to help us to complete a range of addition and subration calculations. We will solve one step and two step problems that involve addition and subtraction, using concrete objects and pictorial representations. We will develop our written calculations, as well as mental arithmatic skills. We will relate our learning to money, where we will add and subtract different amounts. We will also be continuing our work on children’s maths passports.

French

We will be continuing to learn French greetings with puppets; French playground games - numbers and age.

Computing

We will apply our IT skills when researching the world of famous explorers. We will also use software such as chrome music lab to develop compositions. 

RE

We will be learning about beginnings and endings in religions. We will also be retelling stories from the life of Jesus using drama.   

PE

The children will be exploring more complex movement patterns with a gymnastics unit. These weekly sessions will develop their use of changes of direction, speed & level during performance.The children will also be planning, performing and repeating sequences of movements. 

We will also be continuing our swimming lessons every fortnight, which will develop the children's water confidence, swimming strokes and safety starting at their own level.

 

How can you help at home?

 

MyMaths

Homework will be mainly linked to MyMaths. MyMaths has tutorials/lessons linked to the homework given, as well as fun games to practise mathematical skills. MyMaths is set every Wednesday and is due on the following Wednesday. Please encourage your child to complete their homework. The children will be able to mark their homework straight away; if your child has scored below 70% they will be expected to try again.

 

Maths Passports

To support their daily session in school, your child’s Maths Passports should be practiced at least 3 times a week at home. Copies of the children’s passports are being sent home and will also be being stuck into the back of their reading records. Use of the children’s Numbots’ account will assist in securing their number facts.  Once they get to the Africa passport, they will need to practice multiplication and division, and you can help by asking tables questions, mixing up the order and asking division facts, for example “How many 5s in 25?” Online resources to help include a very good site called “Hit the Button”  and "TT Rockstars" (which uses the same login as numbots) where they can practice multiplication, division addition and subtraction facts. Targets, guidance sheets and links to online games can be found on the school website http://www.lydbrook.gloucs.sch.uk/curriculum/maths_passports/maths_passports.html .

 

Reading

Please listen to your child read at least three times a week to support your child's progress for the Class Reading Challenge.  Their three reads must be from their school scheme book, although enjoying other stories and types of texts in encouraged to create a real love of reading.  It is also really beneficial to have times where you read to, and enjoy stories with your child.

Please ask them a range of questions about what they have read to check their understanding, examples of questions can be found on their ‘Totally Pawsome Reading Gang’ bookmark which will be sent home with their new reading record. We will keep a close check on the reading books and check their home/ school books every day. To develop your child’s fluency we will ask them to practise reading some of the pages. This can also be done at home. The book will be changed regularly once your child has developed good understanding and has improved their rate and accuracy.

The children’s reading record books will be checked every Monday for their three reads a week, please ensure an adult signs for each of the reads.

Equipment. Please can the children continue to bring the minimum into school.

PE kit: Please ensure that your child is wearing their PE kit every Thursday, that earrings are removed (if the child can’t do it themselves) and long hair is tied back.

Outdoor trainers: A pair of trainers for outdoor sessions to be kept on your child’s peg all week.

Water bottle: Please ensure that your child has their named water bottle filled with water at the beginning of each day.

Reading books and Home School Contact Book. These items should be brought into school every day.

Personal equipment: Each child is provided with a school pencil case with all the equipment they need for learning; therefore, personal pencil cases and equipment from home are not necessary.

 

Staff in Magpies

Mrs Fellows will be teaching the children on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays, with Miss Sprawson in the class on Thursdays and Fridays.   We also have Mrs Townsend, Mrs Atanasova, Ms Virgin and Mrs Phelps as teaching assistants, in class supporting the children’s learning.

Finally, if you ever have any concerns or questions, please do not hesitate to continue to contact us via email, magpies@lydbrook.gloucs.sch.uk, or by phoning the school.

 

We look forward to working with you and your children this term,

Miss Sprawson and Mrs Fellows

Click to Download Discovering Distant Lands Thematic Plan Winter Term 2022 [docx 3MB] Click to Download