Welcome to Summer 2 in Firecrests.
Behaviours for Learning
We will turn our attention to our final behaviours for learning themes, Relationships and then Changes.
The theme of Relationships is the second of two focusing specifically on feelings. It explores feelings within the context of our important relationships, including family and friends.
The theme aims to develop knowledge, understanding and skills in three key social and emotional aspects of learning: self-awareness, managing feelings and empathy. In addition, there is a focus throughout the theme on helping children understand the feelings associated with an experience that we all need to cope with at some time: that of loss – whether of a favourite possession, a friend, a family home, or a loved one.
The theme Changes aims to equip children with an understanding of different types of change, positive and negative, and common human responses to it. The theme seeks to develop children’s ability to understand and manage the feelings associated with change. It aims to develop knowledge, understanding and skills in three key social and emotional aspects of learning: motivation, social skills and managing feelings.
English
Our texts are Rosie Revere, Engineer, and Last Stop on Market Street.
The children will be enroling at Rosie Revere’s Engineering Academy and receiving an engineering challenge to design a new bridge for their local area. Children go on to make models of their bridge design and write a brief explanation about how it works. They will look at the different wacky inventions in the book and write guides to explain how they could operate, as well as posters to advertise them The sequence continues with children writing a school report for Rosie, describing her character and explaining why she is a great role model. The class will get another engineering challenge from Rosie which will ask them to create their own wacky inventions. Children’s extended piece of writing will be on describing their own invention and explaining how it works.
Children will then explore the true beauty of everyday life through the lens of a bus journey across a bustling town, unpicking themes of gratitude and giving along the way. Beginning with the Discovery Point of a bus ride through their local area, children use their senses to describe their experience. The poetic language of the text is then used to inspire children to write their own poetry for ‘the bus that breathes fire’. Children write interview questions for the passengers on the bus to find out more about them, and use their senses to create further poetry to describe sights, sounds and smells of the journey. When CJ arrives at his destination, children explore the concepts of giving and charity through creating adverts for the Soup Kitchen, alongside advice notes explaining why it is important to help those in need and letters to the local community to encourage them to do so. This then culminates in children creating their own narrative based on a journey to help others using the poetic devices and language techniques explored throughout the Writing Root.
Maths
This half term we will complete a unit on Statistics. In this unit we will be collecting data, displaying it in different formats, including visually as graphs and charts. Finally, we will focus on Position and Direction, understanding prepositions, direction and turns.
Science
We will explore the exciting topic of space, building a foundation for future learning in astronomy.
They learn about the solar system, including the Sun and the eight planets, and begin to understand how the Earth orbits and rotates to create day and night.
Children also discover the Moon and why it appears to change shape, as well as learning about stars and constellations in the night sky. The unit finishes with an introduction to space exploration, including astronauts and missions to Mars, helping pupils understand how scientists learn more about our universe.
History
We will learn about inspiring individuals who have helped to change the world.
Children explore the lives of Gandhi, Rosa Parks and Martin Luther King Jr., learning about fairness, equality and peaceful protest. They also study Malala Yousafzai and Greta Thunberg, who speak out about education and caring for our planet.
The unit finishes with Sir David Attenborough, helping children understand how people can use their voices to make a difference in the world.
Religious Education
We will explore symbols and special objects in different religions. They learn how symbols, such as the cross, Star of David and crescent moon, help people show their beliefs and sense of belonging.
Children discover how everyday items like water, bread and light can have special meanings in religions, representing ideas such as cleanliness, sharing, hope and guidance.
The unit finishes by exploring religious artefacts, helping pupils understand why certain objects are important in worship and celebrations, and how they help people express their faith.
Life Skills
We will explore how they can help their community. They learn what it means to belong to a community and how to be kind, respectful and helpful to others.
Children think about their local area and neighbourhood, including how to be good neighbours and how to care for the environment. They also learn about life in Britain, celebrating diversity and understanding how people can be similar and different.
The unit encourages pupils to reflect on how their actions can make a positive difference, helping them develop respect, responsibility and a sense of belonging.
Computing
We will explore programming through creating quizzes. They learn how to design simple programs by giving clear instructions and understanding how computers follow these step by step.
Children create their own quizzes, adding questions, answers and outcomes, while learning about algorithms, sequences and debugging. They begin to recognise how to fix errors and improve their programs.
Throughout the unit, pupils develop problem-solving skills and logical thinking, building confidence in using technology creatively.
Music
We will take part in Our Big Concert, bringing together everything they have learned in music. They enjoy singing, performing and playing instruments, building confidence and performing as a group.
Children practise keeping a steady beat, following rhythm and pitch, and working together to create a polished performance. They also listen carefully to music and think about how it makes them feel.
The unit ends with a celebratory performance, giving pupils the opportunity to share their learning and enjoy making music together.
DT
We will design and make their own pencil cases, developing key design and technology skills. They begin by exploring different materials and learning simple sewing techniques, including how to use a running stitch.
Children then plan their own product by thinking about the user, purpose and appearance, before carefully making their designs using fabric, thread and simple fastenings. They practise cutting, joining and decorating to create a finished product.
Throughout the unit, pupils learn to evaluate their work, reflecting on what went well and how they could improve their designs, helping them build confidence, creativity and practical skills.
Linked below are the knowledge organisers that will help you support your children with all this learning during the half-term. Thank you for all that you do to support your children with their learning at Glade.