This Term's Topics
The Amazing AmericasScience - Classification/Evolution & Inh
HAPPY NEW YEAR AND WELCOME BACK.
SPRING TERM DETAILS-
TOPIC
Our topic this term is The Amazing Americas. In this unit, children will first find out about the continents of North and South America, and the countries that form them. They will also look in more detail at some of the contrasting regions of the Americas, finding out about the landscape, climate and locations of each area. There is the opportunity to carry out a detailed fieldwork study of the children’s local area to help them to identify the similarities and differences
between a region of the Americas and where they live. Children will also develop their map and atlas skills and practise reading and writing coordinates. They will learn about the ancient and new wonders of the world, specifically those of the Americas, and they will research a natural wonder of the Americas.
Ways to help your child-
• Ask them about what they have learnt. Recalling information and retelling it to you will help them retain new learning.
• You can research an animal indigenous to one of the North American regions studied and prepare a fact file about it.
• Useful Website - https://www.kids-world-travel-guide.com/usa-facts.html
ENGLISH
Children will be exposed to a wide range of high quality texts ranging from stories, poetry and non-fiction relating to The Americas. When writing, children will be encouraged to identify their audience and plan their writing ensuring they use the correct formality, use appropriate grammar, select purposeful vocabulary for
affect and ensure they use cohesive devices to connect ideas. They
will evaluate their writing, learning to edit, and re-draft.
Ways to help your child-
•Choose a novel to read together (or listen to an audiobook) - even fluent readers can struggle with longer books.
•Use technology - downloads and apps could inspire reluctant readers to try new authors.
MATHS
This term we will be focusing on:
Ratio-introducing the language and symbol of ratio, moving on to scale drawings and scale factors.
Algebra-using formulae and forming equations to help solve problems.
Decimals- continue to divide and multiply by 10, 100 and 1,000 as well as rounding, adding and subtracting decimals.
Fractions, decimals and percentages - ordering and comparing as well as finding equivalents.
Area, perimeter and volume - area and perimeter of different types of triangle; volume of 3D shapes.
Statistics - reading, interpreting and drawing a range or line graphs and pie or bar graphs.
We will continue to send home maths homework each week, to consolidate the learning in class; this is to be returned by Friday and will be marked in class with the children.
How to help your child-
•Ensure your child is fluent in recalling all their x tables at speed up to 12 x 12 and that they also know the corresponding division
facts eg 8 x 6 = 48, 48 ÷ 6 = 8. They can log into TT Rockstars to help them practice their x tables in a fun and interactive way. Confidently being able to recall their x tables will also support them with fractions and spotting relationships.
All the children have individual logins for Times Table Rockstar and Doodle Maths. We recommend that the children use these regularly at home as well as in school.
We will also be doing daily arithmetic practise and reasoning and problem solving.
SCIENCE
Classifying Living Things
We will aim to
• describe how living things are classified into broad groups according to common observable characteristics and based on similarities and differences, including micro-organisms, plants and animals
• give reasons for classifying plants and animals based on specific characteristics
Evolution and Inheritance
After the Easter break, we will aim to
• recognise that living things have changed over time and that fossils provide information about living things that inhabited the Earth millions of years ago
• recognise that living things produce offspring of the same kind, but normally offspring vary and are not identical to their parents
• identify how animals and plants are adapted to suit their environment in different ways and that adaptation may lead to evolution
P.E.
Every Tuesday afternoon, children will partake in lesson from Carlisle United sports coaches. A full PE kit will be required.
Lessons will also take place every Friday afternoon and will be outside where possible.
The children will also take part in the Daily Mile every day.
Please ensure your child has a FULL P.E. kit in school, which they will keep on their peg.
This should consist of:
- black shorts (leggings/jogging bottoms for outside when the weather is cold)
- P.E. T-shirt
- plain black plimsolls or trainers.
- please ensure long hair is tied back and jewellery removed or covered with tape.
They will change in school, prior to the lesson.
Those children who have not yet reached the National Curriculum requirement to swim competently, confidently and proficiently over a distance of at least 25 metres will have some additional swimming lessons this term.
We would also recommend that the children take part in some form of exercise each day. This may be a walk, a bike ride, or an out of school club.
Class 14 Staff
Mrs Rinder - Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.
Mrs Martin - Monday and Tuesday.
Mrs Dalrymple and Mrs Pearson - Senior Teaching Assistants (STA)
If there is anything specific your child would like to learn, please do get in touch via our school email
office@rferguson.cumbria.sch.uk
Class 15 Home Learning
HOMEWORK
Each child has a CGP book for Reading, Maths and Spelling, Punctuation and Grammar (SPAG). These are sent home on Fridays and should be returned by the following Friday to be marked in school.
You can keep busy with
- Times Table Rockstars.
- Doodle Maths
- Doodle English
- Doodle Times Tables
- Doodle Spell
- Learning Beck games.
- BBC Bitesize daily lessons
- Oak National Academy online resources.
- Watching Newsround every day is a great way of keeping up-to-date with what is going on in the world.
Please continue to support your child's progress in reading by hearing them read every day and asking them questions about what they have read.
Class 15 Downloads
10 4 10 Spag Revision10 4 10 Reading RevisionLetter from Downing Street10 4 10 Maths Reasoning Revision10 4 10 Maths Arithmetic Revision10 4 10 Maths Arithmetic Challenge10 4 10 Maths Reasoning Challenge
Class 15 Weblinks
Tessellation - create your own tessellation pattern onlineTopmarksTimes TablesTimes Tables 2White Rose MathsFirst NewsThe Natural CurriculumTessellation video - What is tessellation?Holes by Louis SacharTessellation - BBC Bitesize Tessellation - How to make a tessellation pattern