Welcome Back
I am so pleased to welcome you all back to the new school year. LKS2 children, especially our new year 3 children, have really taken to juniors. We know how difficult it is to transition from infants and we are very proud of them all.
If you ever have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to get in touch with your child's class teacher, in the first instance, on Class Dojo. Ms Greedy (LKS2 Leader) is also available if you have any questions or concerns.
I am really looking forward to getting to know all the children and seeing how fantastic they all are. I will update the LKS2 Dojo page with any updates and information - so please keep an eye out for those. Thank you LKS2 children for making me feel so welcome at St Botolph's, Ms Greedy. :)
Staff in LOWER Key Stage 2
Penguins (Year 3) - Miss Dias, Mrs Thornton, Ms Bloodworth
Zebras (Year 3/4) - Ms Greedy, Mrs Walker, Mrs Steeples, Mrs Kidd
Bears (Year 4) - Mrs Lashford, Mrs Evans, Mr Snowden, Miss Amis
Our timings for the school day will remain the same as last year and so we will open the doors at 8.45am and close them at 8.55am; we dismiss at 3.15pm. All LKS2 will enter and exit from the top door near the gates. There will always be a member of the LKS2 team at the door each morning and afternoon. If you have a quick query, please see one of the team at these points. If you would like to have a longer meeting with your child's class teacher, please get in contact with them via Dojo and arrange a suitable meeting time. Thank you.
This newsletter is to inform you of the teaching and learning that will be taking place during the Autumn term in LKS2. This will not only give you an insight into what your child will be doing in school but it will also enable you to support your child with any additional learning at home. If you have any questions about any of the content of this curriculum newsletter, please contact your child's class teacher or Ms Greedy via Dojo.
English and mathematics
Our learning in English follows the National Curriculum and ensures that the children understand the links between reading and writing. We continue to push reading and the importance of reading; it not only improves vocabulary and understanding of words - great readers make great writers.
During our reading lessons, we will be giving the children the opportunity to become fully fluent with a text before beginning to zoom in and answer questions about their understanding of the text.
The texts we are reading are: Fantastic Mr Fox by Roald Dahl; Nothing To See Here Hotel - by Steven A Butler; Elf In Your Book by Tom Fletcher
We have introduced a new handwriting scheme called Kinetic letters which will be implemented throughout the year. It is a programme that builds on the cognitive and physical skills for handwriting. For more information please visit the website at www.kineticletters.com
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We are currently following the White Rose Maths programme. White Rose Maths is an organisation that provides maths resources and Schemes of Learning for pupils of all ages, from early years to secondary school. The Schemes of Learning break down what children need to learn during each week of each term to master the learning objectives laid out by the National Curriculum. The resources are designed to be enjoyable, engaging and varied, to help pupils develop a love of learning and work towards mastery with differentiated resources.
'Everyone can do maths: everyone can!'
https://whiterosemaths.com/
Religious Education
Science
Our science focus for the first half of the term is Physics and we will be focussing our studies on sound.
We will be investigating the following enquiry question: 'Why are ear defenders useful?'
The children will learn to identify how sounds are made, associating some of them with something vibrating. Recognise that vibrations from sounds travel through a medium to the ear. Find patterns between the pitch of a sound and features of the object that produced it. Find patterns between the volume of a sound and the strength of the vibrations that produced it. Recognise that sounds get fainter as the distance from the sound increases.
In the second half of the Autumn term we will be focussing on learning about electricity and answering the question: 'What would life be like without electricity for one day?'
The children will identify common appliances that run on electricity.
Construct a simple series electrical circuit, identifying and naming its basic parts, including cells, wires, bulbs, switches and buzzers
Identify whether or not a lamp will light in a simple series circuit, based on whether or not the lamp is part of a complete loop with a battery.
Recognise that a switch opens and closes a circuit and associate this with whether or not a lamp lights in a simple series circuit
The two key scientists we will be learning about this term are:
If there is anything you can encourage your children to find out about these scientists, it will support their science learning this Autumn term.
PshE
We will be following a new PHSE scheme of work this year. Each half term we will focus on a different theme. PHSE will be taught in straight year groups, weekly, so all children will be taught to the expectations of the year group they are in.
See the table below for the themes we will be studying and working through during our PSHE lessons this term.
History
How much did the Ancient Egyptians achieve?
During this topic the children will learn to understand that the Ancient Egyptian civilisation began around 3100 BC– 550BC and was split into three kingdoms. (The Old Kingdom, The Middle Kingdom and the New Kingdom). They will use a range of sources to find out what life was like in Ancient Egypt.
The children will know that Ancient Egyptian society was a hierarchy with pharaohs at the top and farmer/slaves at the bottom.
The children will also investigate that Ancient Egyptians wrote in hieroglyphics and used scribes to record events in Ancient Egyptian society. Ancient Egyptians believed in the afterlife and worshiped lots of different gods and goddesses (Anubis – The God of the dead, Osiris- God of the underworld, Ra – the God of sun).
They will understand that Ancient Egyptians believed in an “after-life” and they would use a process of mummification on the bodies of important people to keep the body intact so that it could be transported to the spiritual afterlife. The Ancient Egyptians built pyramids as tombs for Pharaohs bodies and they were skilled at building given the lack of modern equipment (transporting stone) and they worked together to build the pyramids (20,000 – 30,000 people would build it).
Geography
Why and how is this kingdom united?
Our geography unit of work this term will allow the children to understand geographical similarities and differences. This will be through the study of the human and physical geography of the United Kingdom.
Children will know how to use compass keys and symbols to read a map.
They will be able to use four figure gird references to read a map.
They will also know some of the key topographic features found in the UK.
They will be able to discuss some ways that land use has changed in the UK over time.
The children will know the key human and physical features of the Yorkshire and Humber region
PHYSICAL EDUCATION
PE improves motor skills and increases muscle strength and bone density, which in turn makes students more likely to engage in healthy activity outside of school. Furthermore, it educates children on the positive benefits of exercise and allows them to understand how good it can make them fit and healthy.
Our PE days are a TUESDAY and a FRIDAY. Year 3 children need to ensure they bring their indoor and outdoor PE kit on these days.
During the Autumn term, we will be focussing on fundamental PE skills and investigating the question 'Is it better to jump higher or further?' We will also be focussing on different ball skills during the second half of the Autumn term.
PE is an essential part of the curriculum and all pupils need to take part. If you are struggling to obtain any PE uniform, please contact Ms Greedy via Dojo and we will do our best to help. The uniform bank is also available to support.
For PE children will need:
- Black or navy shorts/skort - these need to be mid thigh length and not hot pant style
- Plain white T-shirt (no logos or sport's teams)
- Trainers suitable for outdoor PE
- Plain black or navy joggers or leggings
- Plain black or navy jacket or hoodie
- A water bottle
YEAR 4 SWIMMING
We are thrilled to announce the launch of our new swimming program, designed to enhance our students' aquatic skills and confidence. Thanks to the installation of an above-ground swimming pool right here on our school grounds, every child will benefit from an intensive, hands-on swim curriculum. This innovative setup allows for more frequent practice and personalised instruction, ensuring that all students, regardless of their starting level, have the opportunity to master essential swimming techniques and safety skills. We believe this program will significantly boost our students' physical development and overall well-being.
Year 4 pupils must have their swimming kit, towel, and sliders/flipflops everyday please.
French
We will be continuing with our French tutor, Mr. Ratcliffe, who is coming in to work with all classes in Key Stage 2 this year. He will teach each class on a WEDNESDAY for 30 minutes every week. The children will not only be learning a variety of French vocabulary, but they will also learn how to write words and sentences in French.
The arts
This term, through our Art lessons, the children will develop a drawing into a print. They will be learning to draw using tone to create 3D effect.
Then they will begin to explore proportion and tone when drawing.
The children will then plan composition for a mixed-media drawing using shading techniques to create pattern and contrast.
Working collaboratively, the children will develop drawings into prints.
In DT, the children will be researching, designing and creating their own torch. They will learn how to create light through conductors of electricity through a working circuit, select and use a wide range of tools. Finally they will assemble and complete a torch.
In music lessons we will be learning how to write and perform a ballad. The children will understand how to sing in tune and in time, know what a ballad is, know how to plan music based on a story and write lyrics that match a melody.
Computing
During our computing sessions this first half term we will be investigating what a network is and understanding our school network. We will be looking at the role of the internet, explain a websites journey and explore the role of routers.
In addition to these computing lessons, we will be working with the children to ensure that they know how to keep themselves safe online and the dangers of putting their personal details and photos out on social media.
Attendance
At St Botolph’s CE Academy, we believe that children have a right to fulfil their potential and flourish as unique individuals and so it is our vision that all children attend our school regularly and on time. To this end, we strive to support all our families in encouraging their child to attend regularly, no matter what barriers they may face
Please ensure that your child is in school each day. If they are not well, please phone the office to let them know. If we do not have a reason for absence, your child will be marked as an unauthorised absence.
Thank you for all your support and helping us to provide the best possible education for your children.
As always, if you have any questions, concerns or comments, please don't hesitate to get in touch.
You can message us on Dojo, email us on info@stbotolphsacademy.co.uk or catch one of the LKS2 staff team on the door at the beginning or end of the day.
Thank you for all your support. Ms Greedy and the LKS2 team.