Welcome to Autumn 2!
We have a very exciting half term ahead, with lots of opportunities for our children to learn, create, explore and grow. Across the curriculum, we will be developing important skills through practical activities, stories, discussions, investigations and creative experiences. As we move towards Christmas, we are also looking forward to sharing some special moments together and making lots of wonderful memories along the way.
Read on to find out more about what we will be learning this half term.
Please find our knowledge organisers and spellings for this half term at the bottom of the page.
Computing – Digital Painting
In Computing, we will be exploring how computers can be used as a tool for creative expression. Children will experiment with different digital painting tools, including brushes, colours, shapes and effects, to create their own pictures. They will learn how changing a tool or colour can alter their artwork and will begin to make decisions about which tools are most suitable for their ideas. We will also practise saving our work and making changes to improve our digital creations.
How can you help at home?
-
Let your child explore drawing or painting apps.
-
Look for colours, shapes and patterns in the world around you.
-
Discuss the different ways computers can be used creatively.
-
Remind your child to use technology safely and ask an adult for help when needed.
Design and Technology – Sock Puppets
In Design and Technology, we will be following the design–make–evaluate process to create our own animal sock puppets. Children will investigate different materials and consider which ones would be suitable for different parts of their design. They will draw and label their ideas, thinking carefully about the features their puppet needs, before selecting materials and making their finished product. Once their puppets are complete, they will evaluate what worked well and consider what they could change or improve.
How can you help at home?
-
Ask your child to explain what they would like their puppet to look like.
-
Look at different toys and puppets and discuss what makes them interesting.
-
Give your child opportunities to practise cutting and sticking safely.
-
Find ways to reuse old or unwanted materials for creative projects.
English
In English, we will be strengthening our understanding of sentences and how they are constructed. Children will practise saying complete sentences aloud and identifying whether a group of words makes sense as a sentence. We will learn to recognise and correct common errors, such as missing or repeated words, and develop our use of capital letters at the beginning and full stops at the end of sentences. As our understanding develops, we will explore nouns and verbs, identifying naming words and action words, and begin to think about the subject of a sentence. These foundations will support children as they become more independent and accurate writers.
How can you help at home?
-
Read together: Spot capital letters and full stops in books.
-
Build a sentence: Give your child a few words and challenge them to put them into a sentence.
-
Say it first: Encourage them to say their sentence aloud before writing it.
-
Be a sentence detective: Can they spot a missing capital letter or full stop?
-
Spot nouns and verbs: Look for naming words and doing words in sentences.
-
Keep a little diary: Encourage your child to write a few sentences about their day or something they have enjoyed.
Just a few minutes of practice each day can make a big difference!
History – What is History?
In History, we will be beginning to understand what history is and how we can find out about the past. Children will explore different types of historical evidence, including photographs, objects, stories and buildings, and consider what these clues can tell us about people and their lives. We will learn about Mary Seacole and discover how her life and achievements have been remembered. Children will also create family trees and compare aspects of life in the past with life today, while learning about the important role of archaeologists in discovering evidence from long ago.
How can you help at home?
-
Look through old family photographs together.
-
Share stories about what life was like when you were younger.
-
Compare old and new toys, clothes or household objects.
-
Visit a museum or local historical site if you have the opportunity.
Life Skills – Who is Special to Us?
In Life Skills, we will be thinking about the different people and relationships that are important in our lives. Children will explore what families and friendships can look like and recognise that families may be different while still providing love, care and support. Through stories and conversations, we will consider what makes someone a good friend, including being kind, respectful, helpful and understanding. We will also identify trusted adults and think about who we can speak to when we have a worry or need help.
How can you help at home?
-
Talk about the people who are special to your family.
-
Discuss what makes someone a good friend.
-
Encourage your child to share their feelings with you.
-
Notice and praise kind and thoughtful behaviour.
Mathematics – Addition, Subtraction and Shape
In Mathematics, we will continue developing our understanding of number and calculation, with a focus on addition and subtraction within 20. Children will use practical equipment, pictures, number lines and mental strategies to help them solve calculations and simple problems. We will encourage them to explain how they found an answer and to choose methods that help them work efficiently. Alongside our number work, we will explore 2D and 3D shapes, learning to name, sort and describe them using properties such as sides, faces, edges and vertices, as well as spotting shapes in everyday objects.
How can you help at home?
-
Practise counting forwards and backwards.
-
Look for 2D and 3D shapes around your home and when you are out and about.
-
Ask your child to explain how they worked out an answer.
-
Play simple number games while travelling, shopping or waiting.
Music – Nativity Performance
In Music, we will be preparing for our Christmas Nativity by learning a range of festive songs and musical actions. Children will develop their ability to sing together, keep a steady beat, listen carefully to others and remember words and movements. We will also practise performing with expression and responding to instructions as part of a group. Rehearsals will give the children an opportunity to develop their musical skills while building excitement for our special Christmas performance.
How can you help at home?
-
Sing the Nativity songs together.
-
Help your child practise any words or actions they need to remember.
-
Encourage them to perform their songs for family members.
-
Celebrate their hard work and enthusiasm.
Nativity Play – Babushka
This year, our Year 1 and Year 2 children will be working together to perform Babushka, a heartwarming Christmas story filled with songs, dancing and festive fun. Babushka spends her days keeping her home neat and tidy, but everything changes when she hears about a very special baby who has been born far away. She sets off on a journey carrying gifts and supplies, meeting different people and facing unexpected challenges along the way. As her adventure unfolds, Babushka discovers that Christmas is about much more than she first imagined, with themes of kindness, generosity and the true spirit of Christmas running throughout the story.
How can you help at home?
-
Sing the Nativity songs together.
-
Help your child practise any words or actions they need to remember.
-
Encourage them to perform their lines or songs for family members.
-
Celebrate their hard work and enthusiasm during rehearsals.
We can't wait to share this special performance with you!
Physical Education
In PE, we will be developing our movement, coordination and teamwork skills through a variety of games and physical challenges. Children will practise moving safely and effectively into space, controlling a ball using different techniques and working with others to achieve a shared goal. We will also begin to explore simple attacking and defending skills, learning when and why these skills are used during games. Alongside developing our physical abilities, we will consider how regular exercise helps to keep our bodies healthy and active.
How can you help at home?
-
Encourage active play and time outdoors.
-
Practise throwing, catching, kicking and rolling.
-
Go for family walks or bike rides.
-
Try simple games that involve moving into space and working as a team.
Religious Education – Christianity
In RE, we will be learning about Christianity and why Christmas is an important celebration for Christians. Children will hear stories from the Bible about Jesus and explore the significance of his birth. We will find out about places and objects that are important to Christians, including churches and the Bible, and consider how these help Christians practise and express their faith. We will also explore different Christmas traditions and think about the reasons why people celebrate special occasions in different ways.
How can you help at home?
-
Share some of your family's Christmas traditions.
-
Read Christmas stories together.
-
Look out for Christmas displays or events in your local area.
-
Discuss how different families celebrate special occasions.
Science – Animals Including Humans
In Science, we will be investigating the wide variety of animals in our world and learning how scientists group them according to their features. Children will identify and compare mammals, birds, fish, reptiles and amphibians, noticing similarities and differences between the groups. We will also investigate what different animals eat and sort them into carnivores, herbivores and omnivores. Through our learning, we will consider what animals need to survive and why responsible care is important for pets and other animals.
How can you help at home?
-
Look at animals when you are out and about and see if your child can identify their animal group.
-
Visit a farm, zoo or wildlife park if you can.
-
Read animal books together.
-
Discuss what pets and other animals need to stay happy and healthy.
Supporting Learning at Home
Thank you for supporting your child's learning throughout the term. Reading together, chatting about new ideas, practising key skills and encouraging your child's curiosity are simple but valuable ways to support their progress. Most importantly, enjoy learning together and celebrate the effort they put into trying something new!