Topic Overview
As Time Began...
Key Question?
How did the prehistoric era affect our lives?
At Archibald First School, we believe that learning comes alive when children can connect their studies to the world around them. This term, our whole-school curriculum focus is “History on Our Doorstep” — an exciting exploration of the rich historical tapestry that has shaped the North East of England. Children will engage with the people, places and events that have influenced our region, experiencing history in meaningful, tangible ways. Through immersive activities and local connections, they will see, feel and reflect on the past that surrounds them. As they journey through this topic, pupils will develop key historical skills through our core concepts: understanding chronology and change, exploring cause and consequence, evaluating historical significance, and using evidence to build interpretations. This approach not only deepens their knowledge of the past, but also empowers them to think critically and see themselves as young historians.
History
We will be starting this topic by asking the children to imagine what it would have been like in the Stone Age. The children will be carrying out a range of problem-solving activities to encourage thinking skills and new questions. Following this, the children will begin to look at a range of sources of evidence. They will also look at the cause and consequences of the Stone Age on our lives. Children will look at photos of objects and artefacts from Pre-historic Britain, including from a local Archaeological excavation at Low Hauxley, Northumberland. We will consider how reliable sources of evidence are and begin to understand what life might have been like in the Stone Age, Bronze Age and Iron Age.
Following this the children will look at what was happening around the world at the same time as the Stone Age and make comparisons about how this has affected our lives today. We will also be visiting The Sill to consolidate our history learning.
Key Vocabulary:
- Palaeolithic
- Mesolithic
- Neolithic
- Archaeology
- Settlements
English
The children will look at a range of non-chronological reports and information texts. They will be using a range of sources to gather information about life in the Stone Age, Bronze Age and Iron Age. Building on this knowledge, they will be creating their own detailed reports.
We will then look at the story of The Stone Age Boy to help us understand the changes from the Stone Age to the Iron Age. The children will use their imagination to write descriptive settings, character profiles and their own version of the story.
Oracy skills will also be developed through a range of different activities.
Weekly spelling, punctuation and grammar sessions will consolidate work covered in Key Stage 1 as well as introducing Key Stage 2 SPaG rules and conventions. We will look at the application of these skills in a range of writing types.
Key Vocabulary:
- Fronted Adverbials
- Adjectives
- Prefix/suffix
- Homophones
- Speech Marks
- Regular and irregular plurals
- Expanded noun phrase
- Conjunctions
Maths
This half term our main focus will be to learn our times tables and add and subtract mentally playing a range of games. We will be looking at formal written methods, adding and subtracting ones and tens from two digit and three-digit numbers. Children will learn how to use written methods to multiply and divide two-digit numbers, focusing on the 3, 4 and 8 times tables.
Children will be solving word problems involving multiplication and division as well as missing number problems. We will be looking at number patterns within times tables.
Please can children continue to go on TT Rockstars at home to further support their multiplication learning. Weekly homework tasks will consolidate work undertaken in school.
Key Vocabulary:
- sum
- total
- difference
- add, subtract
- inverse
- multiple, multiplication, division
Science
This half term In Science, the children will look at a selection of rock samples and compare and describe them according to the different characteristics. They will carry out investigations to see their durability as well as using hand lenses to observe and sketch the surface of each rock. Children will use a variety of rock samples to test for permeability by observing how much and how quickly water is absorbed. Children will also be researching and finding out about fossils and soil.
Key Vocabulary
- igneous
- metamorphic
- sedimentary
- fossil
- soil
Computing
During computing, children will be learning how to use PowerPoint to make their own informative presentation using a range of features.
Art and Design Technology
Each half term the children will have a week dedicated to art and/or DT.
Art: Children will be finding out about Pre-Historic Art using a range of media creating different tints, shades and tones. They will be mixing colours to create tertiary colours and to reflect what we see in the natural world. They will be using a range of paintbrushes to create different effects to create their own Stone Henge picture.
Design Technology: In DT, children will be looking at where food comes from and finding out about seasonal fruits and vegetables. Children will be creating a recipe that is seasonal and nutritious. Following this, we will be learning how to use equipment safely in the kitchen and making our own seasonal tarts.
PSHE
Our big question this half term is why is respect so important? We will explore the importance of self-respect and how this can affect our thoughts and feelings. We will discuss how everyone should expect to be treated politely and with respect by others. WE will also continue with our No Outsiders texts, ‘This is our House’ and ‘Two Monsters’.
Religious Education
This half term, the children will be learning about Jesus and reflecting on what they think he was like as a leader. Children will also be making links about his teachings and great leaders around the world.
Our Values
Please Instagram us @archibald_1st if you see your child being #AFSCurious #AFSCaring #AFSCreative or #AFSCourageous
If you would like any further details about this half term's curriculum, please speak to your child's teacher.