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Welcome to Palm and Pine Class
| Palm Class Staff |
| Teacher: Miss Rowswell |
| Higher Level (HLTA)/Teaching Assistants: Ms Gwilt, Mrs Kelly, Mrs Hill, Mrs Horton |
| Teacher Planning, Preparation and Assessment time (PPA) is usually half a day on a Friday; Mrs Bailey teaches the class during this time. |
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PE Days Our PE days are Tuesday and Friday Please ensure your child comes to school in their PE kit on these days
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| Pine Class Staff |
| Teacher: Miss Stewart (Monday & Friday) |
| Teacher: Mrs Curtis (Wednesday & Thursday) |
| Teaching Assistants: Miss Malia & Mrs Boulton |
| Teacher Planning, Preparation and Assessment time (PPA) is usually on a Tuesday; Mrs Bailey teaches the class during this time. |
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Homework Homework is set on a Friday and due back in on a Wednesday Spelling Homework will continue to be accessed via Spelling Shed Times Table Homework can be accessed via TT Rockstars |
English
This half term in English, the children will embark on an exciting new writing journey focused on non-chronological reports. They will read, explore, discuss, and develop a clear understanding of this informative text type before planning and writing their very own report — all about their dream job! Pupils will be encouraged to let their imaginations shine as they choose creative and inspiring careers to write about. Along the way, they will strengthen their use of conjunctions, adverbs, and prepositions to express time and cause effectively. The children will also continue to develop their editing and proofreading skills, carefully refining their work before proudly publishing their final piece at the end of the unit.
In our second English unit this half term, the children will step into the role of confident speakers as they write a persuasive speech inspired by the story Stella and the Seagull. Pupils will choose an issue they feel passionate about and learn how to craft powerful persuasive language to influence their audience. Throughout the unit, they will explore techniques such as alliteration, the use of facts, and carefully chosen questions to persuade the reader or listener effectively. This exciting unit will help children develop their confidence, creativity, and ability to express their opinions with impact.
Alongside our regular English lessons, the children are also taught cursive handwriting and spellings.
Maths
This half term in Mathematics, the children will continue to strengthen their understanding of multiplication and division. They will learn how to multiply and divide two-digit numbers by one-digit numbers, using flexible partitioning to represent and solve calculations effectively. Alongside this, pupils will deepen their understanding of multiplication through scaling, helping them to see how numbers grow and change. This unit will support the development of strong problem-solving skills and mathematical confidence.
After finishing their learning on multiplication and division, the children will begin an exciting new unit of work focused on length and perimeter. They will explore and measure using millimetres and centimetres, developing accuracy and confidence with standard units of measure. Pupils will compare different lengths, investigate equivalent lengths, and apply their skills by adding and subtracting measurements. This practical unit will help children build strong measurement skills and deepen their mathematical understanding.
Science
This half term in Science, the children will explore the fascinating topic of light. They will learn to identify and compare natural and artificial sources of light, as well as understand how to stay safe in the sun. Pupils will investigate which materials reflect light and take on the role of mini scientists as they explore how shadows are formed, how their size can be changed, and how shadows move and change throughout the day. This hands-on unit will encourage curiosity, observation, and scientific thinking.
History
This term in History, the children will travel back in time to explore the fascinating world of the Ancient Egyptians. They will learn when and where they lived, discover the different types of pyramids and how they were built, and meet some of the most famous pharaohs. Pupils will explore hieroglyphics, uncover the secrets of the mummification process, and deepen their understanding of daily life in Ancient Egypt. Later in the term, they will take part in our exciting Ancient Egyptian Day, stepping into the shoes of Egyptians themselves for a full day of immersive learning and discovery.
French
This term in French, the children will explore the story of Little Red Riding Hood, using key words and phrases to retell and discuss the tale. They will also learn to name and spell ten parts of the body in French, building their vocabulary and confidence. Pupils will use mind maps to connect key events in the story with important phrases, helping them to enjoy learning French in a creative and memorable way.
Music
Throughout the year the children will be using a variety of instruments as well as their voices to play and perform in solo and ensemble contexts. They will also be learning about the history of music and explore it in much greater detail. All of the children's music lessons will be taught by the wonderfully talented and passionate Mrs Ashwell.
Computing
This term in Computing, the children will dive into the world of spreadsheets, exploring key skills such as investigating data, solving problems, using formulas, and applying totalling tools in advanced mode. Later on in the term, our young learners are diving into the exciting world of branching databases! They'll explore how these smart, decision-making systems work, then put their creativity to the test by planning and building their very own branching databases. Along the way, they'll become little tech detectives, testing and debugging their creations to spot and fix any sneaky errors. It's a hands-on, problem-solving adventure that’s both fun and full of learning!
PE
This term in PE we will developing our skills in Dodgeball and Yoga.
Please send your child into school in plain black shorts, the school PE top or a plain white t-shirt on our PE days (Tuesday and Friday).
Please also be reminded that any ear piercings should be removed or taped up for safety reasons and no jewellery should be worn on these days.
Art / Design and Technology
This term in Art, the children will explore the fascinating style, patterns, and characteristics of Ancient Egyptian art. They will develop their drawing and painting skills as they investigate traditional techniques and motifs. By the end of the unit, pupils will create their very own Ancient Egyptian scroll, combining creativity and historical inspiration in a unique masterpiece.
Religious Education
This half term in Religious Education, the children will explore where, how, and why people worship. They will learn about the different ways religions practise worship, why these acts are important, and how worship can make people feel. Pupils will discover that worship often takes place in special locations and that places of worship are used for many purposes, such as seeking peace, reflecting deeply, being part of a community, or feeling close to God. This unit will encourage respect, understanding, and thoughtful discussion about beliefs and traditions.
Reading in KS2
In KS2, children are encouraged to become confident, expressive and passionate readers. Most children will move fairly quickly onto the broader range of books available in the Brown, Grey and Blue book bands. Your child may spend quite a while on each book band. This isn't because they are not progressing, it is rather an opportunity for your child to be exposed to a wide range of authors, genres and styles of writing at a level in which they can comprehend what they are reading. They will be asked to answer comprehension questions to show their understanding of what they have read and encouraged to discuss the books they have enjoyed from the book band and the ones they have disliked.
We aspire to make every child a passionate reader and need your help to do this!
We will try to read with your child as often as we can in school. This will be either 1:1 with an adult, or in a guided reading activity where the children will read in a group and discuss the text together. We aim to read with your child once a week but encourage you to supplement this by reading with your child as often as possible at home.
Ways you can help at home
- Read with your child for 10 minutes every day
- Support your child to complete the homework set each week
- Ask your child questions about stories that they are reading to you, or about stories you are reading to them.
- Ask your child to tell you the time to help them to practise the skill of telling the time. To challenge your child, you could ask them to tell you the time on both an analogue and digital clock.
- Ask children to help you to count out money and ask for change
- Encourage your child to write stories, recounts, shopping lists to help build their stamina for learning.
Websites for homework:
TT Rockstars
Spelling Shed
If you have any questions please talk to any of the team in Palm and we will be happy to help you. You can also make an appointment at the school office. Look out for further messages about events in school through parent mail.
We thank you for your support this year.