Attenborough Class 

 

What a great autumn term. 

We are now ready to tackle the spring with lots more fun,

challenges and learning!

     Our main spring term topic is Ancient Egypt in history, and we shall be learning about Modern Egypt in geography. 

     In reading, we are continuing with Active Read, which explores a variety of texts to develop various reading skills and extension of vocabulary. Our work concentrates on The Ashley Booth outline where we jump into various texts.  The children will also been enjoying Monty Read texts, which we plan to share with our early years’ children

     At home, to help continue with the development of reading, please read with and/or listen to your child at least five times per week.  Occasional lucky listeners' tasks will be set for fluency.  Please talk about what the different words mean when children are reading with you and record reading in journals and ensure that your child brings this to and from school every day!  Children are also encouraged to record in the journals.  We ask that you and your child keep track of the reads by numbering them so that we can check when your child reaches their Bronze, Silver, Gold or Platinum award.  We will continue to record in the journal when we hear your child read, as long as they have their journal with them.

     After morning registration, sessions will continue for our phonic learners. 

     In English, last term we introduced Rainbow Grammar which is a fun, practical and colourful way of learning how to build different types of sentences. 

     In Rainbow Grammar, there are eight colours and each colour represents a different part of a sentence.

     The children will learn:

  • How the different parts of sentences work
  • What different types of words and parts of sentences are called
  • How to join the different parts of sentences together
  • How to improve their sentences
  • How to punctuate their sentences.

     Most importantly of all, they learn why writers use these different parts and how they help to improve their writing.

     We will link our Rainbow Grammar to our GPS (Grammar, Punctuation and Spelling), moving on to reading and working on some fantastic texts.  One of these being the BFG, a familiar text from year 2. We will be creative writing, producing fantastic pieces to entertain, and looking for that ‘star writer’ for our display wall.  Montgomerie is always looking for ways to celebrate our children’s writing along with other work across the curriculum.

     Spellings will continue, new words set with a test on Fridays.  Please see homework books for the weekly words as well as the half-termly overview.  (Homework books must come to school every day along with journals). In addition to spellings, there are monthly keywords, known as ‘wow words’ to understand and use and common exception words to spell, which will be highlighted in the homework book.  

 

     We will continue with handwriting, as we are always looking to improve letter formation and presentation.  Our focus is the one – armed robot family, which includes the letters: n, m, h, k p, b and r. 

     In mathematics, we still have weekly arithmetic lessons. Spring KIRFS, (Key Instant Recall Facts) are based on the eight times table and a copy will be sent home. 

     Power maths focuses initially on multiplication and division still.  We will be securing and furthering understanding of the structures and representations, key vocabulary, misconceptions and interventions, alongside learning the three, four and eight times table.  Additionally, we will find a simple remainder when a number is divided and use a bar model to solve multiplication and division problems.  We will move onto length and perimeter after this. 

     Maths homework is linked to the Times Table Rock Stars (TTRS) website to develop multiplication and division.  Please encourage your child to log on to complete their homework to support them with the times tables. 

     In science, our topic for the first half of the spring term is forces and magnets.  Attenborough Class will compare how things move on different surfaces, observe how magnets having two poles attract or repel each other and attract some materials but not others.  They will also compare and group together a variety of everyday materials on the basis whether they are attracted to a magnet and identify magnetic materials.  In addition, any discoveries at home are always welcome in school.   

     Plants will be studied in the second half of the term, discovering how plants suck up water, their life cycles, different parts of plants and what they do.  Finally, we will study the process of pollination and how plants share their seeds.

     Attenborough will also be covering the following units in other areas of the curriculum;

     Music - Chinese New Year

     PSHE - Dreams and goals, which looks at challenges and ambitions. 

     P.E - Athletics and dance

     R.E – Jesus’ miracles

     French – Numbers and age with some playground games. 

     Computing A journey inside a computer and databases 

     Art – Ancient Egyptian scrolls. 

     Finally, we like to celebrate personal achievements so therefore welcome any extra work the children complete at home whether it is written, maths or artwork.  

     Reminders: 

  • Extended learning (homework) will be set on a Friday 
  • P.E days are Tuesday and Wednesday for this half term (Spring 1) 
  • Full P.E kit is needed with navy jogging bottoms/sweatshirts in colder weather outside. Trainers keep our feet protected and ready to move!
  • Hair must be tied back if shoulder length or longer and earrings must be removed for P.E. 
  • Hair must be tied back every day if it is longer than shoulder length.
  • Ties must be worn.
  • A named water bottle should come into school every day with fresh water only please (no juice).
  • A healthy snack can be brought in for break time. We ask for fruits and vegetables please   

 

     We very much look forward to seeing the children progress further and continue to be successful learners.  

     If you would like to speak to one of the teaching team, this can be arranged via the school office.

     Please do not hesitate to contact us should you have any queries.

            The Attenborough Team