Magpies Spring Two
Read a synopsis of each of our units below and explore our knowledge organisers to see what we are getting up to this half-term!
You will also find our spellings and homework here!
Science
Just in time for Spring, the children will be learning about the needs and features of plants and how their seeds spread and continue to grow with or without human intervention. Children will understand that plants have different needs and the important role that insects play in our environment.
Geography
During our Geography unit we will be looking at the temperate climate of Western Europe and what that means and the benefits that come from it, such as; agriculture, trading and tourism in the countries of Western Europe, such as France, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland, Luxembourg and Austria and the wondrous landscapes they have to offer.
History
Our History unit will have us revisit the Wars of the Roses, the civil war fought between 1455 and 1485 between two families for the English throne-the House of York and the House of Lancaster. Children will examine sources to decide who the rightful kings were in the circumstances of Henry VI (known as the ‘mad king’), Edward V, and Richard III. Children will decide who is to blame for the disappearances of Prince Edward and his brother and learn how the Wars of the Roses came to end.
Religious Education
Children will be learning about key Christian stories and celebrations, such as baptism, Holy Communion, and marriage, and what these mean for Christians. They will also reflect on special times in their own lives—like birthdays and family celebrations—and think about how these are celebrated in their families compared to Christian traditions. Throughout the unit, we encourage open discussion, helping children develop respect and understanding for different beliefs and ways of life.
Physical Education
During our football PE lessons, the children will come to understand that football is an invasion game. Their understanding of the attacking and defending principles of invasion games will improve, and they will consider how to use skills, strategies and tactics to outwit their opponents, all while understanding the importance of fair play and honesty while self-managing games and learning and abiding by key rules.
Our other PE lessons will be OAA (outdoor adventurous activities). This will allow people to develop problem-solving skills through a range of challenges. Pupils will work independently, as pairs and in small groups to plan, explore, solve, reflect and improve on strategies. Pupils learn what makes a good team and explore key skills such as inclusion and trust. They will begin to learn to Orientate a map, identify key symbols and draw and follow routes.
Life Skills
Our Life Skills unit will have children consider and share ideas about 'How can I look after my body?' We will explore the positive impact that healthy amounts of exercise, sleep and food can have on our physical and mental health.
English
This half term children will read 'Small in the City' by Sydney Smith.
Sydney Smith won the Kate Greenaway Award in 2018 for his illustration of Town Is By The Sea. Small in the City is the first book he has written and illustrated, and it’s a masterpiece of thick, blurry lines and drifting snow, framing a child’s solitary yet celebratory experience of urban life.
Please find the link to a wonderful read aloud on Youtube below:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wOKC3671wlo
Small in the city is an exquisite text that powerfully explores the adventures that the world has for us and the safety of our homes and families if they don't go according to plan. Starting without words, the book is reflective rather than particularly narrative; we are taken along for the ride in a potentially hostile environment that the child nonetheless has found his or her place in. At the end, he or she reminds us that when we’re tired of exploring, we can always go home. After all, home is a place of love and warmth, wherever it is.
Children will assume the roles of country and city cats. They will debate which is better for cats to live in: the countryside or the city. They will go on to develop their descriptive writing, using the gorgeous urban illustrations by Sydney Smith, which will culminate in them writing and performing a poem. Children will continue to make inferences and predictions about the story, writing a letter of advice to the main character and a diary entry in role before discussing the final twist in the story. Children will finish by retelling the events in the narrative but from an alternative point of view. This will be their extended outcome which they will edit and publish.
Maths
Maths will see children exploring units of measurement in length and perimeter and progressing to fractions, mass and capacity, considering the equivalent measures of each other and when is appropriate to use each unit of measurement.
Y3/Y4 production.
We look forward to welcoming families and friends to enjoy our upcoming Year 3 and Year 4 production of Roald Dahl’s Jack and the Beanstalk. We are excited to see the children bring this much-loved tale to life with their enthusiasm, growing confidence and wonderful sense of fun. From lively musical numbers to imaginative storytelling, we know it will be a performance full of energy and charm.
Lyrics will be sent home and the songs will be uploaded to Dojo so that you can help your child practise at home — and even learn them yourselves to sing along during the performance! We look forward to watching our pupils shine on stage as they showcase their hard work, teamwork and dedication throughout rehearsals. We are certain this production will be a joyful and memorable experience for everyone involved, and we cannot wait to share it with our school community.
