Welcome to Woodpeckers 

Class Teacher - Mr Pardoe

LSP - Miss Merryweather

email:     class.woodpeckers@burnttree.sandwell.sch.uk

 

Our learning

Autumn Term 

Maths 

In maths this term, we are focusing on the core area of place value before moving on to learn about calculations (addition, subtraction, multiplication and division).  We will complete the term with a unit about fractions where we will be comparing fractions before calculating with them.  We will also be refining our arithmetic skills over the term as well as maintaining a focus on times tables.  

English 

In the autumn term, we will base our writing on the text, ‘The Spider and the Fly,’ by Mary Howitt.  We will be writing our own poetry, a set of instructions and a piece of suspense writing.  We will have a large focus on vocabulary that has a specific effect on the reader. We will also continue to develop our spelling, punctuation and grammar skills, applying them across all written work. Please use 'Morphs' to support your spelling learning at home. 

Reading 

Our text of the term is The Boy at the Back of the Class by Onjali Q. Raúf. The children will identify and define unfamiliar vocabulary to deepen their understanding of the text. This will be further developed through answering a range of VIPERS questions. We will also read a wide range of other texts to expose children to various authors and genres. Some of these texts will be chosen by the children based on their interests and talents.  

Science 

Over the term, we will be learning about materials and their properties.  We will study processes such as heating, cooling, dissolving and separating and investigate how they alter a material’s state.  We will plan and predict results before conducting our own investigations.  We will represent our findings effectively through the use of tables and graphs. 

History 

Our learning during the first half-term is based on the Vikings - were they raiders, traders or something else?  During this learning, we will be considering when in history the Viking era was, learning about the importance of trading routes during this time as well as considering what the Vikings achieved and how this impacts us today.  We will present our work in a variety of ways including through talk, presentations, posters and writing.  

Geography 

Our learning during the second half of the autumn term is ‘Energy’.  In this unit, we will learn why energy sources are important to us and how they help us live our every day lives.  We will use graphs and maps to study the distribution of energy in a specific geographical area as well as conducting fieldwork to locate the most suitable position for a solar panel within our school grounds.  

Art  

In Art during the first half term, we will be studying drawing through the idea of outer space and the future.  We will make observations of existing art, expressing our thoughts and ideas effectively.  We will sketch our own perception of what our future would look like, linking it to space.  We will then create a collagraph as a background to our final piece before making our final choices about what images from our future world predictions we would like to use.  We will evaluate our own work and those of others within our class.  We will also be using paint and mixed media to explore portraits.  During this unit we will experiment with materials and techniques and construct self-portraits that represent aspects of ourselves.   

DT 

During the second half-term, we will be creating an interactive pop-up book using a variety of mechanisms.  We will follow a design brief incorporating sliders, levers, spacers and layers to ensure that our pop-up book is a success!   

Music  

In our first unit of the school year, we will learn about music within nature as well as using nature to create our own music.  We will learn technical terms such as chords and melodies and apply them to our 'nature' learning.  

Computing 

In computing this term, we will begin by thinking about keeping ourselves safe online.  We will learn about how to create a safe password as well as developing our understanding of app permissions.  We will follow this by learning how to use search engines safely and accurately.  

 

PE 

Over the autumn term, we will be developing our skills in the areas of ball skills (handball), racket skills (badminton), gymnastics and dance.   Remember that on our PE days, you can come to school in your PE kit (black shorts or jogging bottoms, a white PE shirt and a black jumper).  

French 

This term, we will be learning how to read, write, speak and listen to French within the topic ‘Monster Pets’.  We will learn animal names and their body parts, in French, in order to create our own ‘Monster Pet’ which we will then describe!  

RE  

In Religious Education this term, we will be focusing on Christianity and considering how teachings about God being holy and loving, make a  difference in the world today. We will then think about what sort of world Jesus wanted. Within RE we will represent our thoughts in a variety of ways such as through discussion, shared writing and art.  

PSHE 

This term, we will be thinking about 'My healthy self’.  In this unit we will consider how to support our mind and body as we grow.  In our second unit of the term, ‘Connecting with others’, we will be thinking about why healthy relationships are important to have. 

 

Look at what we have been doing...