Eagles 2024 - 2025

English:

We will develop our reading and writing skills across a range of genres and text types using high quality texts.

The children will write an endurance narrative, magazine article, dual narrative and a letter inspired by ‘Shackleton’s Journey and ‘Hansel and Gretel’.

Science:

Living Things and their habitats

The children will learn about the classification of living things, including micro-organisms. They will learn about the standard system of classification first developed by Carl Linnaeus, choosing an animal and researching its classification. The children will have the opportunity to design their own ‘curious creature’ and classify it based on its characteristics. They will learn about micro-organisms, and conduct an investigation into the growth of mould on bread. Furthermore, the children will use play dough to create a new single celled micro-organism and explain how it is classified and why. Finally, the children will put their learning into practice by creating a field guide to the living things in their local area, showing how and why each one is classified.

Scientists and Inventors

The children about the life and work of Stephen Hawking, and carry out an investigation into Hawking’s theories on black holes. The children will learn about Libbie Hyman, a zoologist whose work on invertebrates informs much of what we know about the characteristics and classification of these creatures. Children will look at the effects of cholesterol on the heart and blood vessels in the footsteps of Marie Maynard Daly. They will find out about Alexander Fleming and his discovery of penicillin, and will interpret data in a scatter graph to come to a conclusion about the effects of penicillin. They will look at the evidence for human evolution, and will learn about Mary Leakey and her role in finding significant fossil evidence, and what her fossils prove about evolution. Children will explore the circulatory system and find out about the medical, and social, advancements made by Dr Daniel Hale Williams. Finally, children will find out about the life and work of Steve Jobs, and his development of new electronics and technologies.

History:

Ancient Greece:

The children will learn who the Ancient Greek people were, when they lived and where and how they were able to establish their empire. They learn how the political system worked in Ancient Greece, investigate the legacy of Athenian Democracy and compare it with the political systems we have today. The children also compare and contrast the modern-day Olympics with the Ancient Greek events and use their mathematical skills to present their findings in the form of a Venn diagram. They also learn about and order events from the Battle of Marathon and write in role to present the events from a specific viewpoint. In addition to this they learn about Ancient Greek religion and research information about a variety of Greek gods and write their own Greek myth. Finally, they use historical evidence to find out about the Trojan War and use the information to write and re-enact scenes from it.

Geography:

Trading and Economics

The children find out about how goods and services are traded around the world. They will explore the UK's trade links today and in the past, finding out about goods imported and exported and the methods of transport used. Through a more detailed look at one of the UK's trade partners, the children will learn about the benefits of trading internationally, as well as the risks to this area. The children will also learn about fair trade and why it is important in a global market.

Computing:

Film Making

This aim of this unit is to allow children to explore various aspects of film-making. In doing so, they must choose and use appropriate software in order to complete tasks such as writing a script, researching information, filming and editing. As well as using digital devices for recording (video camera or tablet), the children work through pre- and post-production stages, planning good-quality interviews for a documentary and completing the process with use of video editing software.

Art:

South and Central America

The children will learn how to make clay monkeys, make picture puzzles using symbols, make dream catchers, draw an important person, create a collage and make traditional drums to create quality artwork that shows progression in skills. The children will also have the opportunity to explore the work of South American artists Frida Khalo, Joaquin Torres Garcia, Leonora Carrington, Diego Rivera, Beatriz Milhazes and Carlos Paez Vilaro.

Design and Technology:

Marbulous Structures

This Marbulous Structures unit gives the children opportunities to develop their understanding of more complex free standing structures and how they can be strengthened and reinforced. The children will gain knowledge and understanding about how to join and shape materials. The children will then apply these skills, using an iterative design process, to create their marble runs. Finally, the children will test and evaluate their marble runs against design criteria.

Religious Eductation:

Islam

Theme: Beliefs and moral values

Key Question: Does belief in Akhirah (life after death) help Muslims lead good lives?

Reflection on Religion

Theme: God, the World & Self. Personal Belief

Key Question: What does it mean to be human? How do beliefs shape a person’s identity?

Music:

Growth & Roots

Class Awards & Moving On

Through the use of Music Express, the children will focus on performance in two units Class Awards and Moving On. The children will learn through:

1. Learning music for a special occasion
2. Composing programme music from a visual stimulus
3. Singing a verse and chorus song
4. Writing new verses for a rap
5. Developing a song performance
6. Performing together
7. Developing an extended performance
8. Developing a song arrangement
9. Rehearsing for a performance
10. Performing together with an awareness of audience

M.F.L. - French:

Let’s Visit a French Town

The class will apply previous skills and knowledge of topic areas such as places in a town, directions, homes and numbers to develop their speaking and listening abilities. They will have more focused practice using bilingual dictionaries and increase their understanding of word classes and other grammatical features of the language.

Physical Education:

The children will have two P.E. sessions. Outdoor PE will be taught on a Thursday. In the Summer term children will be working to improve their striking and fielding skills and athletics. Indoor PE will be taught on a Tuesday. Lessons will include gymnastics and dance.

On these days, the children will need to come to school dressed in their P.E. uniform: navy shorts and light blue t-shirt; navy tracksuit and light blue t-shirt. No logos or football kits. Trainers should be plain black or plain white. All long hair should be tied back and earrings should be removed.

P.S.H.E.:

Aiming High

The children will focus on their achievements, aspirations and opportunities. They will start by discussing achievements they have accomplished so far and the type of attitude that helps us succeed. They will also learn about their own personal preferred learning styles, to understand how they learn best. The children will look at challenges people face and barriers to success, then think about strategies we can use to overcome such obstacles. They will identify opportunities that are available to them now and those which may be available to them in the future. Stereotypes in the world of work will be addressed, as the children are encouraged to consider jobs they would like to do and the skills needed to do those jobs. The children will also have the opportunity to reflect on their personal goals and the steps they can take to achieve these in the future.

Growing Up

The children will identify who their VIPs are within their families and friendship groups and how important kindness and respect are within these relationships. We will explore how to address conflicts and resolutions in relationships. They will also look at the secrets and dares as well as healthy and unhealthy relationships.

Homework:

Maths: Maths homework will be set via Class DoJo on a Wednesday to be completed by the following Tuesday. We ask for all children to continue to access Times Table Rockstars online to practice and improve instant recall of key multiplication and related division facts.

English: English homework will be set via Class DoJo on a Wednesday to be completed by the following Tuesday. We ask that the children also engage frequently with Spelling Shed to practise their spellings.

Reading: At Weston, we encourage children to develop a lifelong love for reading. We ask for children to read regularly at home to adults and to themselves. Reading is fundamental to the wider academic and personal development of children and the need for children to read widely from a broad and challenging range of texts is crucial. Children will be provided with quality texts appropriate for their age and ability.