Our TOPIC . . . Dynamic Dynasties!

       Our topic this term is history based, learning about the history of ancient China, focusing primarily on the Shang Dynasty,                  

         and explores the lasting legacy of the first five Chinese dynasties, some of which can still be seen in the world today.                          

Reading 

During the school week, there will be multiple opportunities for your child to explore a range of different texts either through a class book, independent reading, story time or reading 1:1. At St Thomas, during reading lessons, we follow a 7-stage format where children are asked to use prior knowledge, read with fluency, break down tricky words and phrases, consider their initial thoughts and observations, delve deeper, answer comprehension questions and summarise paragraphs/chapters/whole books. We will start Year 5, reading the amazing book ‘Holes’. Year on year, this book captures the interest of ALL children in the class and they produce excellent work and show a fantastic understanding of the storyline.

 

Writing 

Children are given a variety of opportunities to write in many different genres (i.e. narrative, recount, report, instructions, etc.) across the curriculum. They are encouraged to develop their work by writing consistently in full sentences, using more sophisticated grammar and descriptive language in order to engage the reader. The importance of accurate punctuation in all forms of writing is not only encouraged but expected. We are going to start the Autumn term with some descriptive writing of many beautiful locations in China that links well with our wider curriculum project.

 

Maths – At St Thomas we follow the White Rose Maths Curriculum. We follow the small steps approach, which emphasises the importance of acquiring a deep, long-term, secure and adaptable understanding of the subject. Through the use of concrete resources, pictorial representations and abstract notation, children develop their mathematical fluency and are able to apply knowledge and understanding developed to respond to tricker, reasoning/problem solving questions.  We fundamentally believe that, all pupils are entitled to and are capable of succeeding within maths. We endeavour to not only develop the mathematic skills and understanding required for later life, but also an enthusiasm and fascination about maths itself. While Mathematics is taught mainly as a discrete subject, every effort is made to link maths with other areas of the curriculum. We start with Place Value lessons before Add and Subtract methods, then Multiplication and Division, before trying our skills at Fractions

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Computing: Our topic is programming, using technology called Crumbles. 

 

A&D: Children will explore Mixed Media artwork, then move onto Expressions through art. The children did 5 amazing lessons in our first week!!

 

D&T: In our DT project 'Architecture', children explore Greek influence on architecture, in historical and modern buildings, as well as exploring, designing and building  stable structures. 

 

PE/Sport: Both classes will do PE with Huddersfield Town staff every Thursday.

5S will continue swimming on Fridays until the February change-over, with

5F doing their other PE lesson on Tuesdays.

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MFL: Pupils continue their speaking, reading & writing in French with increasing confidence. Tres bien!