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 Egypt
Key Question?
How does Ancient Egypt compare to other early civilisations?
History
Children will be historians and they will look at historical evidence, chronology and change. Children will investigate pictures of Ancient Egypt and make inferences about what life in Ancient Egypt would be like. We will sequence historical events and dates to compare the Ancient Egyptians to other important periods of time across the world. We will investigate the process of mummification and use this information for Literacy lessons. We will also compare Ancient Egypt to Modern Day Egypt, considering lifestyle, culture, change. The pupils will consolidate their learning by taking part in a workshop run by Newcastle University.
Key Vocabulary:
- Chronology
- Era
- Hieroglyphics
- Civilization
- Ancient
English
We will begin this half term by looking at the work of the famous Poet, Michael Rosen. We will investigate his use of language and rhyme in a range of poems. We will also look at creative and descriptive poems based on ‘The Magic Box’ by Kit Wright. Following this, we will then begin to look at the text ‘The Egyptian Cinderella’. We will compare this version with the original and will learn about Egyptian life and culture. We will also look at instructions and the children will be using the knowledge gained from history lessons to create their very own mummification instructions!
Oracy skills will also be developed through a range of different activities.
Weekly spelling, punctuation and grammar sessions will continue. We will look at the application of these skills in a range of text types. Guided Reading sessions will take place weekly alongside regular lessons to further develop comprehension skills.
Key Vocabulary
- speech marks
- homophones
- tenses
- verb endings
- prefix
- suffix
Maths
At the beginning of the half term, we will continue to look at the methods for multiplication and division. This includes revising the 3, 4 and 8 times tables. After that, we will begin to look at fractions. We will learn how to count in tenths, write tenths as decimals and how to put fractions on a number line. There will also be a focus on finding fractions of a set of objects and also how to identify equivalent fractions. Children will gain a better understanding of comparing and ordering fractions too. Children will need to know their times tables to develop a secure understanding of this. There will also be a huge emphasis on the rapid recall of times tables through a range of games and activities.
Please keep practising on Times Table Rockstar and Maths Frame. Homework will continue to be sent home weekly and will consolidate learning in school. We will also be looking at time and telling the time to the nearest half hour, quarter hour, 5 minutes and then the nearest minute.
Key Vocabulary:
- numerator
- denominator
- non unit fraction
- equivalent
- 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 sources
- reflection
- shadow
- opaque
- transparent
Computing
Children will use the Book Creator program on I-Pads to create an Awesome Egyptian online book. They will learn how to insert pictures, add text and even record and add their very own audio clips. Children will also use their e-safety skills to research and gather information about Ancient Egypt.
Art and Design Technology
Each half term the children will have a week dedicated to art and/or DT.
Art: In Art, we will be investigating the question ‘How does are affect and design affect people?’. After, we will be focusing on drawing and shading taking inspiration from Bridget Riley.
PSHE
In PSHE, the children will continue on their journey to wellbeing through Melva which they started in Year 2. This is 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
In RE, will be looking at the story of Palm Sunday, the events of the Last Supper and the symbolism of bread and wine; know of and begin to understand the significance for Christians of Jesus’ death and resurrection. Children will pose questions to each other and reflect upon their own experiences.
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.