Half Term Information Spring 1 2024

This half term, we have been learning about the topic ‘A Chinese Odyssey’.  This has involved learning about traditional folk tales such as the Goddess of the Silkworm and Lao Lao of Dragon Mountain.  As well as reading stories and interpreting them, we had a go at writing our own version that invluded a Chinese dragon and took place in the exciting setting of the Great Wall of China.  It was really exciting to see the children’s imaginations run wild on the page.  In Art, we designed and made a Terracotta army out of clay, found inspiration to make our own Blue Willow China plates (on paper plates) and drew and painted examples of metamorphosis in the style of Maria Merian.

In Music, we looked at traditional Chinese music and looked at how music is used in special Chinese festivals such as Chinese New Year.

In Maths, we looked more at fractions and found out how to multiply them by whole numbers.  We also learnt how to multiply large numbers together using different methods and dividing large numbers by a one or two-digit number using the short-division method.  We have continued to practice our times tables by singing songs and encourage all children to continue to practice their times tables at home using TTRS as this underpins so much of our learning in Year 5 and 6.

In Science, we have been looking at the life cycle of different animals, including humans and other mammals.  We have compared and contrasted the gestation periods (time spent pregnant) of different animals and even played Top Trumps using the information.  Did you know that some octopuses are pregnant for most of their lives (over 4 years!)?

In PSHE, we have been working on our individual sense of identity and where this comes from.  This has meant exploring the different influences in our lives such as family, friends, culture, community and even the media.  This also means that sometimes we come across assumptions and stereotypes that can be negative and restrictive on our personalities and identities, so we have been talking about ways to challenge these and how we can celebrate diversity and individuality.