Northill C of E V.A. Lower School

Subject

Unit of work

Knowledge and understanding

There will be a theme of animals (especially dinosaurs). We will be thinking about the environment dinosaurs lived in. This will help to introduce the concept of timelines. Our role play area will be a Pet Shop. Children will reinforce their skills on how to use an art programme on the computer so that they can produce pictures linked with the topic. They will load and operate CDs so that they can listen to CD stories.
Our science work will include finding out about animals- where they live, what they eat etc.

Mathematical Development

Through activities, games, songs and rhymes children will practise counting to, at least, 20 and back and learning to recognise numbers.  They will learn and use the vocabulary of direction and position, reinforce and extend their understanding of addition and subtraction, use standard and non-standard measures. The children will be using pound coins and 1 and 2ps to be making amounts to buy things in the pet shop.

Literacy

We shall be continuing to improve our writing skills, thinking of a sentence, deciding on the order of words and using our word books to find the word to copy. It would help if you could ensure that your child speaks to you in clear sentences, as opposed to anticipating what they are going to say. Also, if you could continue to play Eye spy so that they learn to hear the sounds at the beginning of words as this helps them to find the correct page in the word book quickly. We will also be learning to recognise words and be able to write them from memory. The children refer to this as `Take a picture. If we feel your child needs extra help with this we will contact you. The children will be practicing to write both their names from memory this term. Your help with this would be appreciated.

R.E./ P.H.S.E.

Stories from the Bible will be read and discussed. We will be thinking about caring for our pets and other animals, looking after our world.

Creative Development

Our theme is animals. The children are creating a 3D back drop for dinosaurs. They will be making dinosaur models, painting, junk modelling, using modelling kits. We will continue to practice cutting, drawing and painting skills and the children will use clay to make a dinosaur model of their choice.
They will tell stories and use instruments to accompany them.
In music time the children will have the opportunity to use percussion instruments to make music and to keep time. They will learn action songs where they will move to music. The children will learn new songs to perform in front of others.

Physical Development

The children need their P.E. kit on Fridays. It will be outside this half term so please make sure your child has either a tracksuit or an old pair of trousers and a jumper to keep them warm. Please check their PE shoes still fit. Please could the girls not wear tights on Fridays. We will be learning basketball and netball skills such as learning to throw, catch and bounce a variety of balls in a skilled, controlled way. We will also be learning hockey skills.
This area of the curriculum links with Creative Development as fine motor skills are used for learning to cut, draw, colour and paint. The children have a 30 minute session every day playing with bikes and PE equipment of their choice.