Curriculum

Class 3 Curriculum Newsletter Autumn  2022

Welcome back to another enjoyable term in Class 3. Our first day back was a very positive start to the year; it was lovely to see everyone's smiling faces again. We have lots of exciting things coming up this term to keep us busy!

Our topic this half term is ‘Dynamic Dynasties’.

This term our topic, Dynamic Dynasties, has a history focus. In this project we will look at the history of Ancient China. We will discover how this civilisation developed without influence from the rest of the world. We will consider the concept of a dynasty and how archeology proved the existence of the Shang Dynasty. We will explore the roles of belief, craftmanship, hierarchy and power, everyday life and warfare during the Shang Dynasty. We will study the tomb of Fu Hao and how the actions of the last King led to the downfall of the Shang Dynasty. We will also compare the Shang Dynasty to other civilisations. To conclude, children will learn about life after the Shang Dynasty then look at Chinese Culture today and the lasting legacy of these ancient dynasties. 

(See also the Dynamic Dynasties Knowledge Organiser below for more information).

In English, we will be looking at narrative poems, biographies and stories from other cultures. Our novel study will be Bronze and Sunflower by Cao Wenxuan. English will continue to  encompass a focus on reading and grammar skills and will be taught through ‘Reading for Understanding’ lessons, reading comprehension, spellings, grammar and punctuation. 

Science this term covers Forces and Earth and Space.

Art, D & T and music will be taught through the companion projects Taotie, Tints, Tones and Shades and Moving Mechanisms. It will include, amongst other things, colour theory, colour mixing, significant landscape artworks and pneumatic systems. 

Geography is all about investigating our world: locating map features using a range of methods, learning about the Prime Meridian, Greenwich Mean Time (GMT), and worldwide time zones and studying interconnected climate zones, vegetation belts and biomes. Children will learn about human geography and capital cities worldwide before looking at the UK motorway network and settlements. They will carry out an enquiry to identify local settlement types.

This term, Year 5 will continue to have P.E on Tuesdays and Year 5 and 6 will go swimming on Thursdays. Year 5 children will need to come to school in their school PE kits, including trainers, on Tuesdays and Year 5 and 6 will need to bring thier swimming kits on Thursdays. Make sure that you come well equipped for whatever the weather throws at us this term. 

French lessons will focus on building on our conversation skills through the topics of ‘Family' and 'The Weather'. 

Our RE units this term are 'What's Important? Exploring Values' and 'Muslim families and Celebrations'. We will also cover Harvest and Christmas. 

In RSHE we will look at Digital Wellbeing and Diverse Britain. In computing we will be evaluating digital content.

Maths lessons will follow the National Curriculum through the White Rose scheme. There will be an emphasis on problem solving skills, mental maths and a secure grasp of times tables. The children are expected to have a secure grasp and rapid recall of the times tables up to 12 x 12. It is absolutely essential that they practise them regularly…….in the car, in the bath!!!!!

Homework

Homework will be set to enhance and consolidate children’s learning. This will be given out on Thursdays and must be returned by the following Tuesday. If the children have any problems, please encourage them to come and speak to an adult as soon as possible. I run ‘homework clinics’, as and when required, to address any problems. We go through homework as a class on Wednesdays. One hundred square will be given for each piece of homework returned on time. 

We encourage the children to adopt a love of reading across a wide range of text types. In addition to texts read in Reading for Understanding, English and other curriculum areas, children will have a reading book which they should read at home, and record in their school planner. Please support children in their reading at home (which, in addition to books, can include comics, e-books, magazines, newspapers, leaflets etc.) Please can children aim to read at least 3 times a week at home and have their planner signed by an adult. This will have huge impact on children’s progress, both in reading and writing. We check homework diaries on a Friday morning and 3 reads earns 3 hundred squares!

As you know, spellings will be tested, and new spellings set, each Monday. Not only should children learn the spelling of the word, but discuss the meaning of the word and the spelling rule or focus with an adult . Your support in this is greatly appreciated.

On Monday, the children will need to bring in an adventurous word, to place on our word of the week board, in order to help them to improve their vocabulary.

  Many thanks for your support.

   Mrs Swain