March Newsletter Regent Farm First School

Curriculum Information

EYFS

Early Years have been out and about this half term, visiting the beautiful coast we are lucky to live so close to.

Reception had their visit first, following in the footsteps of the main character in their book of the week who stages a big beach clean up. They were happy to report that there was not much litter to be found in Cullercoats Bay; but used the recycling from home and school to make their own sculptures and creations. When Nicola from Rockpool School visited, they learned all about the creatures found along our coastline and how to care for them. They took a closer look when reading "Commotion in the Ocean" and focused in on their favourite sea creatures; writing about them and painting detailed pictures.

Next it was the turn of Nursery to go on their school trip. After spending a few weeks chasing treasure and hunting pirates it was finally time to visit Tynemouth Aquarium. The children thoroughly enjoyed the seal show and were very impressive in the workshop. They could identify the hermit crab, anemone and bristleworm from the Julia Donaldson book "Sharing a Shell" and became intrepid underwater explorers looking for the characters from the books they have been reading and movies they had seen.

We must also mention that everyone involved in both visits including members of the public, passers by and even the coach driver commented on the behaviour of the children. They were excellent ambassadors for our school and it was a pleasure to take them on these visits.

Key Stage 1

Year 1 have been focussing on their Geography skills, travelling to Kenya to compare Regent Farm and Gosforth to Mercy Primary School in Mbita. They have spotted some similarities and have some questions they would still like answers to. They have put these in their letters to the children at Mercy Primary School which will be sent off over Easter. In D.T, they have been working on their sewing skills, making amazing African animal hand puppets. They have finished the half term with a Kenya Day, trying some African food, making African masks, playing Kenyan games and learning to play the Djembe drums. What an amazing half term it has been!

Year 2 have been on a journey down the River Tyne. They have been looking how the geographical landscape of the Tyne changes from source to mouth, looking at the human and physical geographical features. In Art they have been studying the artist Matisse, looking at his different phases including, painting and collage. They enjoyed their visit to the Synagogue to learn more about the Jewish place of worship, seeing all the items they have been learning about in class in real life.

Congratulations to Ella from Miss Shaw's class who has been awarded as 'Scientist of the Month' for her detailed discussions about plants and the changing seasons.

Key Stage 2

This half term the children in Year 3 have enjoyed finding out about the world we live in. Through the picture book, ‘Escape to Pompeii’, the children learnt about the devastation caused by a volcanic eruption. In English, the children have been reporters writing a newspaper report on Mount Vesuvius. In Geography, the children have been locating volcanoes and using their knowledge of rocks to understand how volcanoes are formed. The topic has also included a super musical drama performance about Pompeii; we were so impressed with your knowledge, dancing and singing.

In Year 4, the children have been comparing their lives with others in the world. They have been naming and locating rivers and comparing the River Tyne with the River Nile. In Science the children have been focusing on sound and investigating the different ways objects vibrate to produce sounds. This term the children have also discovered woodwork which involved lots of sawing, joining and sanding. In computing, the children used their microbit skills to program sound and light.

This week year 4 have also been working with GEM Education and each class had a microbits super learning day! They were given a cardboard template and constructed their own police cars before adding motors, axels and wheels. They then learnt how to code the microbits to make the car move and the emergency lights work.

The children throughout school thoroughly enjoyed our author visit from Faye Evans on World Book Day. They enjoyed listening to the story of Dave the Whale and took part in a super workshop.