Spring
Our topic for the Spring term is 'Finding a Home'.
In English we will become newspaper editors! Using our History learning (the Viking invasion of Britain) as a stimulus, we will be travelling back in time to report on the Lindisfarne invasion that happened on the shores of Northumberland. Alongside this, we will practise our typing and editing skills, publishing our work as if we are working in an actual journalism office. During Spring 2, we will use our Guided Reading book, 'Viking Boy' to help us build cohesion between paragraphs to write an action sequence.
In Maths we will continue our work on fractions, using our newly taught skills of comparing fractions to help us add and subtract with different denominators. Later in the Spring term, we will use our knowledge of fractions to help us with our learning of decimals and percentages; converting and comparing the three. We will also expand on our learning from Year 4 in regards to finding the perimeter and area of shapes. We will learn how to find the perimeter of rectilinear shapes and the area of rectangles.
As Geographers we will be answering the question; 'Where did the Vikings travel from and how far did they settle?' Using atlases, maps and digital maps (Digimaps), we will initially explore the continent of Europe, using our knowledge from previous years to help us. We will focus specifically on key types of settlement and trade links. We will use this to explore land-use patterns and how these aspects have changed over time throughout the world.
As Historians we will be learning all about the invasion of the Vikings and how this affected the Anglo-Saxons who had been settled in Britain for 350 years. As well as exploring Viking invasion and the type of people they were, we will also explore the events that led to the Battle of Hastings and the subsequent end to the Anglo-Saxon and Viking era.
As Scientists we will be learning about 'Living things and their habitats' in Spring 1. We will explore the parts of a plant through dissection and learn about the reproductive parts of a plant. We will then use our findings to conduct our own investigation regarding reproduction of a parent plant. Later in the term we will study the reproduction of mammals, insects and amphibians before learning the changes that humans go through during puberty in Spring 2.
As Computer specialists (in Computing) we will become game developers! We will plan our own simple computer game by designing characters and backgrounds, and create a working prototype. We will then develop this further based on feedback we receive. As well as using Scratch as our programming tool, we will also use the school's new computing equipment - sphero!
As Artists we will be exploring movement across water. Using the artists Katsushika Hokusai as our inspiration, we will focus on line work and use water colours in our final piece.
In RE we will continue our work from Autumn 2, exploring the question, 'What would Jesus do? Can we live by the values of Jesus in the 21st century?'. We will look at what Jesus said about generosity and greed as well as look at figures who followed his teachings e.g. Mother Teresa. In Spring 2 we will explore a new question, 'What does it mean to be a Muslim in Britain today?' In order to enhance our understanding, we will go on a visit to Cheadle Mosque.
As Engineers (in DT) we will explore textiles to create our own talking textile. We will use our work on the Bayeux Tapestry as an inspiration.
Here are some websites that you might find useful:
MyMaths - log in provided by class teacher
Topmarks - Maths games
KS2 Bitesize - Learn more about our class topics and play interactive quizzes
Times Tables Rock Stars - log in provided by class teacher