Time Travelers is our exciting whole‑school History adventure for the term, where children journey into a brand‑new period in time and build on the skills they developed in Autumn 2. Using our core concepts of chronology and significance, pupils explore fascinating people, events and eras, comparing them with what they already know and making meaningful links across different periods of history. From hands‑on investigations to creative, practical activities that bring the past vividly to life, children learn to think and work just like real historians—asking questions, piecing together clues and uncovering stories from long ago. It’s a lively, imaginative and memorable learning experience that sparks curiosity and deepens historical understanding for every child.
Ancient Greece
Key Question?
What were the most important achievements of the Ancient Greeks?
History
Children will be taking an enquiry-based approach and learning different concepts to answer the question ‘What were the most important achievements of the Ancient Greeks?’ We will locate mainland Greece and its islands on a map. Then we will look at the physical features, in relation to travel, and discuss the concept of significance. We will focus on the areas of Athens and Sparta, and research their laws, money, rulers, rivals and beliefs.
The children will use a range of primary and secondary sources to find out about Greek homes, slavery, the role of men and women and schools, and how they compare to the present. Together, we will learn about some of the Gods and Goddesses, and recap on myths and legends from Literacy. Children will also learn about English words that have Greek origins. We will look at temples and different styles of architecture.
Key Vocabulary:
- Democracy
- Empire
- Citizens
- Economy
English
This half term, the children will study Greek Myths and Legends. They will have the opportunity to analyse texts and plan and write their own Greek Myths. They will complete character profiles and diary accounts.
Reading and writing activities will also be linked to topic work on Ancient Greece. They will also have the opportunity to present their work to others, where appropriate, using ICT.
Guided Reading and Comprehension sessions will continue to take place weekly; children will complete a series of activities and tasks to support with the acquisition and development of reading skills. Spellings will continue to be sent home weekly.
Key Vocabulary:
- myths
- legends
- underworld
- heroine
- mortal
- immortal
- hero
- nymphs
- deity
- old world
Maths
The children will add and subtract mentally pairs of two and three digit numbers. They will be encouraged to explain their methods orally. They should learn the multiplication facts up to 12 x 12 and be able to derive the corresponding division facts.
They will use fractions and decimals to order, add and subtract numbers; and to solve word problems involving one or two steps. They will choose and use standard metric units and their abbreviations when estimating, measure and recording capacity.
Each week, children will be presented with a series of puzzles and will be encouraged to explain their thinking in order to develop their reasoning skills.
Weekly homework tasks will centre around work covered in class and regular practice of times tables in preparation for the multiplication tables test in June.
Websites: Please log into Times Table Rock Stars - your log ins have been sent home
Key Vocabulary:
- fraction
- decimal
- inverse
- operation
- multiples
- data
- estimate
- statistics
- rounding
- frequency
Science
Children will further develop their skills and learn how to be an effective scientist. They will record their work in a variety of ways including: written reports, graphs, charts, diagrams and tables. Children will be encouraged to think independently and raise questions about working scientifically and the knowledge and skills it brings. Children will develop practical skills in a range of contexts, and plan and carry out investigations, making predictions, considering evidence and drawing conclusions. Children will be encouraged to use and apply the correct terminology and demonstrate their understanding in written and verbal form.
Key Vocabulary
- research
- Hypothesis
- enquiry
- prediction fair test
- data
Computing
Children will use book creator to create a book with audio about the Greeks, which will include hyperlinks. They will also carry out research and learn how to send and receive emails safely.
Art and Design Technology
Each half term the children will have a week dedicated to art and/or DT.
Art: the children will explore the work of Megan Coyle. They will use a range of materials and techniques to create their own collages. They will further explore the concept of perspective and use this in their work.
Music
Children will continue learning and performing through song with our unit on 'Carmen' from the Royal Ballet and Opera company. Lessons will focus on rhythm, pitch and tempo along with performance and vocal technique, all wrapped up with a visit to the civic center to perform with some professional Opera singers!
PE
This half term our focus will be tennis and outdoor adventure activities. In Tennis the children will be working on their forehand a backhand working up to being able to have a rally with a partner. In OAA, children will be developing their co-operation and teamwork skills as well as orientating on a map.
PSHE and Religious Education
PSHE
Through a range of practical and written activities, pupils will explore the key questions: How do I keep safe online? Why is online privacy important? They will also continue explore issues and themes through the No Outsiders texts.
Religious Education
Developing respect, tolerance, understanding and knowledge…The children will continue to learn about Hinduism with a focus on Divali. In this topic the children will learn and gain new knowledge about Hinduism and the culture behind its name. They will gain a more in-depth understanding of what Hinduism is and how this religion has its similarities and differences to other religions and cultures. Children will also learn from some of their peers who are Hindu and all about their practices and beliefs.
Spanish
This half term the children will be continuing to learn about the classroom. They will learn to say 12 different classroom objects with their indefinite article and then replace an indefinite article with a possessive adjective. They will also learn to say and write what they have and do not have in their pencil case.
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.