English

This term we are continuing  to read our class novel ‘Letter from the Lighthouse' by Emma Carroll.

The book tells the story of Olive and her brother being evacuated to the Devonshire coast to stay with a mysterious lighthouse keeper.  There, Olive has to solve a mystery about a coded note and her sister's disappearance. 

All of our reading and writing this term will be based around this story. We will be looking at a non-chronological report and a persuasive speech.

Maths

This term, we are covering a range of skills in our Maths lessons including: fractions, decimals & percentages, Roman numerals and Statistics.

Here are some websites that might help:

www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/ks2/

http://www.topmarks.co.uk/maths-games/7-11-years/mental-maths

http://www.bbc.co.uk/skillswise/maths

Science

Our Science Topic is ‘Electricity'.

Key Knowledge:

The modern lightbulb was invented by Thomas Edison.

Lewis Latimer invented the filament which enabled it to last longer.

Alessandro Volta invented the first battery (Volts)

A cell is a single unit of power, whereas a battery is more than 1.

A circuit needs a power source, wires and a component in order to work.

Current is the flow of electrons around a circuit.

Voltage is the energy released by those electrons

When you increase the voltage in a circuit the energy output increases which makes the bulb brighter, motor faster & buzzer louder.

The elements required for a scientific investigation are: a question, prediction, equipment, method, results, conclusion.

To ensure a test is fair you must only change 1 variable.

Results can be observations, graphs, tables, charts, diagrams.

A conclusion must use the results to answer the question your investigation was setting out to answer.

Higher degrees of trust in data are achieved by repeating experiments and by using reliable measuring equipment (voltmeters, ammeters).

Computing

In our computing sessions this term, we will be learning about networks.

We will learn:

•  the difference between the World Wide Web and the internet.
•  about our school network.
•  the differences between more than two network types such as: LAN, WAN, WLAN and SAN.
• about Tim Berners-Lee. 
•  some of the major changes in technology which have taken place during our lifetime and the lifetime of their teacher/another adult.

PSHE

Our topic this half term is ‘Safety First'. 

During this topic we will:

• appreciate what being responsible means;
• assess a situation for the level of risk;
• appreciate that doing something risky may lead to danger;
• identify people who can help us in an emergency;
• understand the importance of taking action to reduce the risk of harm;
• explain how we know which substances around the home contain chemicals ;
• identify safety precautions that can be taken when using roads, railways or water.

History

Our History topic this term is World War 2

(A study of an aspect or theme in British history that extends pupils’ chronological knowledge beyond 1066)

Key Knowledge:

• The Second World War (1939-1945) began because Hitler, the leader of Nazi Germany, invaded Poland. Britain and France had promised to protect Poland if this happened. There were many significant battles during the war, including the Battle of Britain, the Normandy Landings on D-Day, and The Battle of the Bulge.
• Many children were evacuated from cities to the countryside where it was safer. Cities were likely to be bombed during the Blitz
• Food supplies from other countries were disrupted. Rationing was introduced to ensure Britain didn’t run out of food and to make sure that everyone was healthy.
• Many men fought in the Second World War and women often took on jobs to help the war effort. Some women joined the armed forces too.
• The Holocaust was a time during the Second World War when millions of people were persecuted and killed in Europe. It is commemorated on Holocaust Memorial Day on 27th January each year.
• Some of the key events of World War II were: Battle of France, Battle of Britain, The Blitz, Dunkirk, Pearl Harbour, Dambusters Raid, Battle of the Bulge, D-Day and VE Day.

Design and Technology

Our art topic this term is Phone Cases (Textiles)

 By the end of the unit, children should be able to:

• use research and develop design criteria to inform the design of innovative, functional, appealing products that are fit for purpose, aimed at particular individuals or groups
• generate, develop, model and communicate my ideas through discussion, annotated sketches, cross-sectional and exploded diagrams, prototypes, pattern pieces and computer-aided design
• Make select from and use a wider range of tools and equipment to perform practical tasks [for example, cutting, shaping, joining and finishing], accurately.
• select from and use a wider range of materials and components, including construction materials, textiles and ingredients, according to their functional properties and aesthetic qualities

French

Our French topic this half term is Where I live.

By the end of the unit, children should be able to:

• learn phrases to describe your home and use them appropriately
• learn phrases to describe the area you live in
• repeat sounds and attach sounds to the written word
• use the vocabulary in context to build phrases to describe your home and the

       area you live in

• write a sequence of phrases to form a paragraph

PE

Our PE topics this half term are Dance and Fitness

In Dance, pupils will focus on developing and idea or theme into dance choreography. They will work in pairs and groups using different choreographing tools to create dances e.g. formations, timing. Pupils will have opportunities to choreograph, perform and provide feedback on dance. Pupils think about how to use movement to convey emotions, feelings and characters. Pupils will show an awareness of keeping others safe and will have the opportunity to lead others through short warm ups. 

In Fitness, pupils will take part in a range of activities that explore and develop different areas of their health and fitness. They will learn different components of fitness, including speed, stamina, strength, co-ordination, balance and agility. Pupils will be given the opportunity to work at their maximum and improve on their personal fitness levels. They will need to persevere when they get tired or when they find a challenge hard.