Welcome to the Autumn term

This autumn term, children in Lower Key Stage Two will be exploring a rich and varied curriculum. In Religious Education, we are learning about Hinduism, focusing on the story of Rama and Sita and the significance of Diwali as a festival of light and good triumphing over evil. In Art, pupils will study sculpture, creating their own pieces inspired by the work of Giacometti and Picasso. Our History topic looks at how children’s lives have changed over time, with a focus on the Tudor and Victorian eras. In Geography, we are investigating volcanoes, particularly how they affect the communities that live near them. PE lessons will develop orienteering and teamwork skills, alongside learning net and wall games. In Science, we are exploring forces and magnets, encouraging curiosity through hands-on investigations and experiments.

Useful websites:

https://www.topmarks.co.uk/maths-games/daily10

https://www.topmarks.co.uk/ordering-and-sequencing/coconut-ordering

Week 2

We have been looking into The Strawberry Thief, a famous print design by William Morris. We explored how Morris used nature as inspiration, focusing on birds, plants, and patterns to create beautiful, detailed artwork. By examining the colours, shapes, and repeating motifs in the print, we learned how his work was part of the Arts and Crafts movement, which celebrated hand-made design and craftsmanship. 

This week, we have been exploring the events of The Tin Forest story, diving into its themes. We looked closely at how the main character’s world changed from a dull, grey landscape to a vibrant forest filled with life, and discussed how imagination and determination played a key role in this change. It’s helped us reflect on the importance of caring for our environment and believing in positive change.

Using place value counters to learn about ones and tenths has helped our class build a strong understanding of decimal numbers. In this approach, each counter represents a specific value: whole number counters show ones, while smaller counters represent tenths—parts of a whole divided into ten equal pieces. For example, the number 3.2 can be shown using three "one" counters and two "tenth" counters. This visual and tactile method helps learners grasp the idea that tenths are smaller than ones and that decimals are part of the same place value system, just extended beyond the decimal point. It’s especially useful for bridging the gap between whole numbers and fractions, making abstract concepts more concrete.

Week 1

This first week we have been getting to know our new class and our routines. We have been investigating mental health strategies too to help us understand how to take care of our minds and emotions. We’ve explored different ways to manage feelings like worry, anger, and sadness, and learned how talking to someone we trust can make a big difference. We’ve also looked at calming techniques such as deep breathing, mindfulness, and taking time to do things we enjoy. Through discussions, we’ve discovered that mental health is just as important as physical health, and that everyone can use simple strategies to feel better and support others too. Below is a list of 50 suggestions you could try at home, taken from the Oxford Health NHS resource pack. 

This week in English, we have begun exploring our new unit based on the modern folk tale The Tin Forest by Helen Ward and Wayne Anderson. This beautifully illustrated story encourages children to think about themes such as hope, imagination, and transformation. We started by creating mini dioramas to show the difference and contrast between the two settings.