Our topic this term is…. 

‘Ready, Steady, Sow!’ 

We are looking forward to an exciting half-term, with a focus on plants and growing. We will make the most of the warmer weather as we explore what is growing in the school grounds and carry out some geographical field work. After finding out how fruits and vegetables grow, we will make some delicious smoothies. 

English – Information Text - Elephogs

In this unit, we will learn how to write an information text. Our model information text, “Elephogs”, will tell us about a fictional creature that is half elephant and half hedgehog! We will use the model text to identify the key features of an information text and then create our own texts based on imaginary creatures. We will also focus on using generalisers to add detail, for example by explaining how many of our creatures share a particular quality. We will use conjunctions such as because, so, when or where to explain information to the reader.

Key vocabulary: information text, title, beginning, middle, ending, subheading, generalisers, usually, most, some, many, usually, a few, all, sentences of three, also, additionally, conjunctions, and, but, so because, when, where, fact.

Maths - Multiplication and division, Fractions, Geometry – position and direction

In our unit on multiplication and division, we will practice counting backwards and forwards in twos and look at patterns when counting in twos on number grids and number lines. We will then practice counting forwards and backwards in tens. We will explore multiples of 10 to 50 using practical resources and then begin to count on in tens from numbers that are not multiples of 10. We will move on to counting on and back in 5s. We will use ten frames to explore the five-wise patterns. We will work on recognising equal groups, especially when the groups are arranged differently. We will add equal groups together to find a total. We will focus on counting equal groups of 2, 5 and 10, exploring this within 50. We will record number sentences as repeated addition. We will use our knowledge of recognising and adding equal groups to arrange objects in columns and rows as arrays. We will build and draw our own arrays to represent a story. We will revisit doubling, describing it was two equal groups and developing confidence with doubles to 20 and beginning to explore doubles beyond 20. We will begin to explore division by grouping, using objects and pictures to find if different numbers can be grouped equally or not. We will then explore division by sharing, using concrete resources.  

In our work on fractions, we will learn to recognise and then find half of an object or shape. We will learn to recognise and then find half of a quantity. We will learn to recognise and then find a quarter of an object or shape. We will learn to recognise and then find a quarter of a quantity.

In our work on position and direction, we will learn to describe turns as full, half, quarter or three quarter. We will learn the directions left and right and practice moving to our left or right. We will develop our precision when describing positions by learning the terms “forwards” and “backwards” and then begin to describe more complex movements. We will build on this positional language by including the words “above” and “below” in our descriptions. We will develop our ability to recognise and represent direction using marks and symbols. We will explore the terms “top” and “bottom”. We will learn to recognise numbers used to describe the position of something. We will identify and represent ordinal numbers and use them to explain events.

Key vocabulary: twos, forwards, backwards, pattern, groups of 2, 2s, equal groups, altogether, total, counts up, counts back, groups of 10, 10s, after, before, full ten frame, groups of 5, 5s, equal, unequal, number sentence, greater, less, column, row, array, fill, doubling, doubles, sorted into, sharing, sharing equally, shares between, half, quarter, whole, part, split, fold, match, group, share, shaded, turn, full turn, half turn, quarter turn, three-quarter turn, direction, arrow, left, right, move, forwards, backwards, movement, above, below, top, bottom, first, second, third, fourth, fifth, 1^st, 2^nd, 3^rd, 4^th, 5^th, last, order, ordinal number.

Science – Plants 

In Science, we will learn to name and identify the parts of a flowering plant – roots, stem, leaves and flower (including petals). We will carry out a simple plant dissection to demonstrate our understanding of the different parts. We will think about how we can sort plants into different groups. We will identify and name tree parts – roots, trunk, branches, leaves and fruit. We will learn to identify and name common wildflowers and garden plants. We will explore the types of plants that we can see growing in our local area and count how many we find. We will make scientific drawings of wildflowers and garden plants and label the parts that we can see. We will find out what a deciduous tree is and think about which season leaves fall from trees. We will observe a range of deciduous trees and look at the leaf structure of different trees. We will learn that evergreen trees keep their leaves year-round and explore how their leaf structure differs from deciduous trees. We will explore the types of trees that grow in our local area. 

Planting

We will look at how the seeds that we planted in the spring have changed and then plant them outdoors. We will consider the seasonal changes and think about how we can care for our plants in the summer.

Key vocabulary: flowering plant, roots, stem, leaves, flower, petal, where, colour, how many, same, different, group, soil, underground, sort, pattern, trunk, branches, leaves, fruit, underground, upright, flat, outside, seeds, grows, sort, group, wildflower, garden plant, bluebells, buttercups, daisies, dandelions, nettles, sunflowers, roses, spiky, smells, sweet, prickly, stings, chosen, local area, safety, deciduous, fall, autumn, horse chestnut, oak, sycamore, evergreen, holly, pine, needles, season, soil, water, light, sun, grow, change, height, plant, time, seed, growth, trowel, soil, summer.

DT – Cooking and Nutrition: Fruits and Vegetables  

We will learn to identify fruits and describe where fruits and vegetables grow. We will practice the food preparation skills of cutting and juicing. We will taste a range of ingredients and then make our own selections for a fruit smoothie recipe to fulfil a design brief. We will then create a fruit smoothie and then use our food preparation skills to create it. We will design packaging for our smoothie and evaluate

We will learn that a fruit has seeds and a vegetable does not. We will find out that fruits grow on trees or vines. We will learn that vegetables can grow either above or below ground and can come from different parts of the plant. We will design a fruit and vegetable smoothie and accompanying packaging. 

Key vocabulary: blend, blender, chopping board, compare, cut, design, evaluate, flavour, fork, fruit, healthy, ingredients, juice, juicer, leaf, plant, recipe, root, seed, select, smoothie, stem, table knife, taste, tree, vegetable, vine.

Music – Pitch: Superheroes  

During this unit, we will be learning how to identify high and low notes and make patterns using two notes. We will learn how to compose a simple tune. We will investigate how tempo changes help tell a story and make music more exciting. We will have the opportunity to perform as part of a group. 

Key vocabulary: high, low, pattern, performance, pitch, tempo.

Geography – How is life different in China? 

We will use a world map to start recognising continents, oceans and countries outside the UK with a focus on China. We will identify physical features of Shanghai using aerial photographs and maps before identifying human features, through exploring land-use. We will compare the human and physical features of Shanghai to features in the local area and make a simple map using data collected through fieldwork.  

Key vocabulary: continent, country, different, directional language e.g. near, far, next to, behind etc, key, human feature, map, physical feature, similar, symbol. 

Outdoor PE – Fielding and Striking Skills 

We will work on throwing a ball with ranges of direction and height and striking a ball with a racket. We will throw from one hand, catch with two hands and use hand-eye coordination. We will follow simple rules to play a game with success. 

Key vocabulary: ball, throw, catch, field, strike, cone, underarm, overarm, game, rules, one hand, two hands, hand-eye co-ordination. 

Indoor PE: Multi-skills (continued)

We will focus on the skills of throwing, catching, jumping and running. Children will learn how to move in a forwards, backwards and curved pathway whilst moving in a variety of ways such as hopping, crawling, galloping. We will balance with control on more than one body part simultaneously, throw objects underarm, kick a ball towards a target and catch a ball whilst stationary.

Key vocabulary: throw, run, catch, jump, pathway, forwards, backwards, hop, crawl, gallop, side step, control, balance, underarm, target, stationary

PSHE – Citizenship

The children will begin to understand the importance of rules and the consequences of not following them. They will consider caring for the needs of babies, young children and animals. The children will begin to recognise ways in which they are similar or different to other people. They will begin to learn how democracy works.

Key vocabulary: care, democracy, different, fair, pet, responsibility, rule, similar, unique, vote.

Important dates: 

Summer term starts - Tuesday 22^nd April 2025 –

Year 1 trip to Sacrewell - Wednesday 23^rd April 2025

May Day bank holiday – 5th May 2025 

Year 1 visit to Brookside Church – Wednesday 7^th May 2025

Last day of half term – Friday 23^rd May 2025