Dahl

Spring 2021

Welcome back to the spring term. Over the first half of spring term Dahl class will be following a unit of work on a theme that focuses on pirates. The unit is called Treasure Island.

This unit of work is part of the International Primary Curriculum. This curriculum sets out very clearly what children will learn – the learning goals – in three different areas:

1. The subjects of the curriculum – The learning goals for each of these subjects are at least as challenging as anything taught in the curriculum in your child’s own country. In many cases, the learning goals are more challenging.

2. Personal development – The characteristics which will help children become more responsible, independent learners.

3. International understanding – This will help children develop both a sense of the independence of their own country and culture and the interdependence between countries and cultures.

Each unit of work is based around specific targets derived from the learning goals for one or more of the subjects. During this unit we will be focusing on Geography, Art, Technology, Music and International.

In Geography, we’ll be finding out:

About the islands that you find around the world
About the names of places that pirates travelled
About the islands that make up the UK and other locations, and the different features you see there
About the weather and climate in different places that pirates visited
About how pirates navigated around the world
How to plan a pirate island
How to give directions using a map

In Art, we’ll be finding out:

About different coin designs
How to design, create and evaluate our own pirate coins
How to design, create and evaluate a treasure chest

In Music, we’ll be finding out:

How to sing pirate songs
How to compose and play music inspired by pirates and the sea
How to listen to, and evaluate music we have made

In Technology, we’ll be finding out:

About the foods pirates ate
About where food comes from in the world
About a healthy diet
How to plan a pirate packed lunch

In International, we’ll be finding out:

About rules that pirates followed
About the roles and responsibilities pirates had on board
How to stay safe near the water

Teaching in a thematic way, the national curriculum requirements of English, Maths, Science, RHSE and R.E will be interwoven with our topic learning. In English we will be looking at a range of fiction, non-fiction and poetry texts and developing our understanding of spellings, punctuation and grammar. In Maths, we will be developing and applying the number system, securing numerical fluency and calculating. We will also be exploring fractions, measure, statistics and understanding geometry (properties of shape). In Science, we will be looking at living things and their environments. Our R.E learning will be focussing on special and sacred places and Easter. In RHSE we will be looking at the unit called keeping myself safe.

Whilst we are learning remotely, P.E. will take place on a Friday afternoon. Please ensure that your child has some loose fitting, comfortable clothing and if possible, a safe and clear space to exercise in. For health and safety reasons earrings and watches must be removed for all P.E lessons and long hair must be tied up.

Homework

This will consist of weekly spellings and daily reading. Why we are learning remotely, I will add useful websites to our Google Classroom page where you can read eBooks. Please continue to complete daily Maths practice to ensure that gaps are continually being filled and there is continual progression.

In addition to me the class will be supported by Mrs Fuller on a Friday. If you have any concerns, or questions regarding your child, please contact the school office. (admin@oaklands.herts.sch.uk)

Kind regards,

Mr Hudson

Dahl Class Teacher / Deputy Headteacher