Dahl

Spring 2020

Welcome to the spring term. Over the first half term we will be following a unit of work on a theme which focuses on ‘Light and dark’. This unit of work is part of the International Primary Curriculum. This curriculum sets out very clearly, 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 Uninted Kingdom curriculum. 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 – which 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 Art, Geography, Music, Science and International.

In Art, we’ll be finding out:

• How to show light and dark in our drawings and paintings

• How artists have shown light and dark in their own paintings

In Geography, we’ll be finding out:

• About what causes day and night

• About countries that have very long summer days and very long winter nights

• About different sources of light in our school and local area

In Music, we’ll be finding out:

• About songs and music that have light and dark as their theme

• How to make our own songs and music with light and dark as a theme

In Science, we’ll be finding out:

• What seeds and plants need to grow

• About different light sources

• How some materials can reflect light

• How shadows are made

In International, we’ll be finding out:

• How light is important in many festivals and celebrations

Teaching in a thematic way, the national curriculum requirements of English, Maths, Science 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 exploring animals including humans. We will be studying the life cycle of animals and humans. Build understanding that exercise makes the heart work harder and that it is an essential part of a healthy lifestyle and find out about healthy lunch box foods.

We already know the interest you take in your child’s work. If you can, please discuss with your child the work they have done as the term progresses and let them teach you. If your child has some work to research, please help them, but without actually doing the work. If you have the chance to further their interest in the ideas of this theme please take it, but your enthusiasm and interest is most important.

By the end of the unit, we hope your child has achieved all of the learning targets. We hope they have had an enjoyable time in the classroom. And we hope you have enjoyed seeing your child work with enthusiasm. If you have any comments or questions about your child’s learning, please get in touch.

Importantly, this term we will be continuing to build independent and reflective learners. Please encourage your child to be independent with their choices at home and this will play dividends at school. I hope the class will continue to have fun and be enthusiastic in their learning.

In addition to me the class will be taught by Mrs Fuller on a Friday and Mrs Thompson on a Monday afternoon. If you have any concerns, or questions regarding your child, please don’t hesitate to call in and see me after school or call the office to make an appointment.

Kind regards,

Mr Hudson

P.E

This term indoor and outdoor P.E will take place on a Monday. The children will require a sky blue polo top with a school badge, plain royal blue shorts, royal blue track suit and trainers. P.E kits should be kept in school in case of any timetable changes and will be sent home fortnightly to be washed. For health and safety reasons earrings and watches should be removed for all PE lessons and long hair must be tied up.

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