Welcome to the second half of the spring term in Swans.

English

This half-term in English we will be exploring the book 'Stanley’s stick' by John Hegley and Neal Layton, where children begin by making predictions about what different things a stick could do. Reading part of the text, they then predict what Stanley is going to do with his stick. After retelling the key scenes in the story, they plan, write and publish their own stories, based on the sequence of Stanley’s Stick and using their own object (Sarah’s Sock).

Maths

In maths, we will build upon our knowledge of place value to 20 and apply our addition and subtraction skills. We will focus on learning the number bonds to 20. We will learn place value up to 50 and investigate length/height and mass/volume in more detail. 

Science

This half-term focusses on 'Taking care of the Earth',  where we will be learning about deforestation and logging alongside types of pollution and natural/human-induced resources.  We will begin to think about our local environment and take practical steps in our garden to support wildlife and minimise pollution.

History

We will be exploring the Kings, Queens and Leaders of the United Kingdom in History, including revisiting learning about King John I and the Magna Carta from EYFS. We will learn about the creation of Parliament and Oliver Cromwell's rule.

Design Technology

In DT, we will be learning all about mechanisms/structures  by making junk model vehicles. We will investigate wheeled vehicles and look at how the axles enable them to move effectively. We will be making axles and moving wheels on our vehicles before decorating them.

Life Skills

Life Skills' focus is health and wellbeing when we ask 'What helps us to stay healthy?' We will think about being healthy in a holistic sense, discovering healthy eating, health drinks, exercise, mental health and wellbeing.

Computing

In computing, we will be learning more about e-safety and using a computer. We explore parts of a computer, keys on the keyboard and how to save our work. We also learn about the tool bar allowing us access to functions within programmes. 

Physical Education

PE will encompass ball skills where we further build on our previous units of team building, target games and invasion games. We will also be learning about gymnastics, further developing our balance, teamwork and fitness.

Religious Education

In RE, we focus on Christianity and ask 'Why was Jesus welcomed like a king or celebrity by the crowds on Palm Sunday?' We will learn about this through drama and re-enact the welcome Jesus received on Palm Sunday.

Music

Music lessons will focus on learning to listen, and we think about the question; 'How does music help us to understand our neighbours?' We will be using glockenspiels to practice the notes F, G and A and introducing boom whackers as another tuned instrument.