This term, Archibald First school is embarking on an exciting adventure in our final geography unit, 'Globe Trotters'. After exploring our local area in the autumn and travelling to countries across the continents in the spring, pupils are now zooming out even further to discover the amazing diversity of world geography. Each year group will follow its own pathway of learning, applying the map skills, fieldwork techniques, and geographical knowledge they have built throughout the year to investigate regions of the world they may never have the chance to visit in person. Through our core concepts of change, cause and effect, and location and place, children will explore how different environments are connected and how our world continues to evolve. This unit encourages curiosity, wonder, and a real sense of global adventure; celebrating the incredible planet we all share.
Topic Overview
Food around the World
Key Question?
Where does food come from and how can we make it fair?
Geography
Children will be looking at where food comes from, what Fair Trade is and how world events can impact food production. As global citizens, we will consider the impact of importing foods from far flung destinations and the concept of food miles. Children will also be taking into consideration the way food is produced here and who benefits from selling locally produced products. Children will be diving into a number of issues that farmers have and what we can do to help. Furthermore, the terms inequality, land use and decision making will be explored in a variety of manners. Children will look at trade links between countries and the distribution of natural resources. Location and place can also be significant markers for food growth and production. For instance, how do different climate zones effect this growth and production?
Key Vocabulary:
- profits
- Fair Trade
- inequality
- working conditions
English
This half term, we will be focusing on our class text, 'The Iron Man', by Ted Hughes. Children will be investigating different points of view in the story and writing from different perspectives. They will create their own descriptive openings, character profiles and diary accounts. A range of persuasive techniques will be explored and children will use this knowledge to write adverts and letters. Weekly comprehension, spelling, punctuation and grammar sessions will continue alongside Guided Reading. Our focus in grammar sessions will be the correct use of speech marks and commas to separate clauses. Inference and deduction skills will be developed through a range of reading activities.
Key Vocabulary:
- prefix/suffix
- speech marks
- homophones
- commas
Maths
At the start of the term, mental recall of games and activities will involve children learning doubles, halves and counting in 50’s and 100’s.
Next, we will consolidate work on fractions, covering key vocabulary. As well as this, we will be learning how to add and subtract fractions with the same denominator.
We will also recap the key column addition, subtraction and multiplication methods. Then, we will be looking at money, adding and subtracting and comparing and converting amounts.
Learning times tables will also be a focus. Please keep practising using Maths Frame.
Key Vocabulary:
- numerator
- denominator
- equivalent
- unit fraction
- tenths
Science
This half term, children will be focusing on light and shadows. Children will understand that shadows are formed when the light from a light source is blocked by a solid object. Pupils will learn that light is needed in order to see things and carry out investigations to show that dark is the absence of light. We will also learn that light from the sun can be dangerous and that there are ways to protect the eyes. Children will enjoy carrying out pattern seeking and observation over time experiments linked to the way that the size of shadows change.
Key Vocabulary
- light source
- reflection
- shadow
- opaque
- transparent
Computing
We will be looking a digital Literacy and the use of copyright and online information. Children will also look at our digital literacy text—Troll Stinks to support their understanding. In addition, children will be learning all about Excel and how to use it.
Art and Design Technology
Each half term the children will have a week dedicated to art and/or DT.
In art we will be answering the question ‘How is Art Judged?’ Children will be researching unique art, emotional art and creative art in the world we live in. After that, we will be recapping on different ways in which you can print successfully. We will be comparing different artists, including the work of Adam Hernandez. Children will then be looking using their knowledge of Ancient Egyptian Hieroglyphics and printing skills to create their own string printing block. In doing so, they will create their own message or story for their final piece of Art.
Music
Our music topic this half term will be Chinese New Year, focusing on pentatonic melodies and composition. They will match their movements to the music, explaining why they chose these movements and accurately notate and play a pentatonic melody. They will play their part in a composition confidently and work as a group to perform a piece of music.
PSHE
The children will continue on their journey to wellbeing through Melva which they started in Year 2. An interactive digital platform which helps children to develop an awareness of themselves and others. This is done through storytelling and drama and is based on a play written and performed in the North East and developed by North Tyneside Council.
Religious Education
Children will finish their learning about Easter and significant events, reflecting upon key themes like betrayal and new beginnings. Then, we will begin our unit looking at the significance of the bible in relation to other holy books and reflect on key themes and understanding in religion.
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.