Gold 2022 - 2023

Welcome to Gold Class

We are a Year 1/2 class who are taught by Miss Thomas, supported by Mrs Lister and Mrs Mitchell.

This is what we will be learning about in the Spring term:

Maths:

Y1:

Place Value within 20: In this unit, the children will recognise place value, count in 10s and 1s, find one more and one less and compare numbers to 20.

Addition and Subtraction within 20: In this unit, the children will explore addition and subtraction strategies including understanding how to add by crossing a 10. They will also explore number bonds within 20.

Place Value within 50: In this unit the children will be comparing numbers to 50 and beginning to count in multiples of 2 and 5.

Length and Height: In this unit, the children will learn how to accurately compare and measure and will understand the importance of aligning starting points. The children will use key language such as longer, longest, shorter, shortest, taller and tallest when comparing length and height.

Mass and Volume: In this unit, the children will be using non-standard units (such as cubes and cups) to measure weight and capacity.

Y2:

Money: In this unit, the children will focus on coins and notes and explore calculating total amounts, finding change and word problems.

Multiplication and Division: In this unit, the children will look at a number of important multiplication and division methods and skills, and will gain a more solid understanding of equal groups. The children will look at 2 methods of division (grouping and sharing), and how to calculate using these 2 different strategies. They will be introduced to the division symbol and will also make links between multiplication and division facts.

Length and Height: In this unit, the children will learn how data can be collected effectively and then represented in a number of different ways. The unit will require children to use a range of different skills such as calculating and problem solving.

Mass, Capacity and Temperature: In this unit, the children will use rulers to measure simple objects to the nearest centimetre; estimate and measure a range of objects, using metres as a unit of measurement; compare lengths measured in centimetres and metres; and order sets of lengths measured in centimetres or metres.

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 environment narrative inspired by the book ‘The Last Tree in the City’ by Peter Carnavas. We will then explore how to rebuild an environment narrative and a lbased on the book ‘Tidy’ by Emily Gravett. We will also investigate ‘The Journey Home’ by Frann Preston-Gannon writing a journey narrative.

In addition to our English lessons, the children will have a daily 20-minute phonics session following the Read, Write Inc scheme of work.

We will also be having a weekly Guided Reading session focusing on The Dragonsitter by Josh Lacey. Then we will explore Owen and the Soldier by Lisa Thompson.

Each week there will be new spellings which will reflect those being taught in our spelling lessons. These spellings are taught and assigned to Spelling Shed every Monday. 

Science:

Seasonal Changes

We will learn about the different seasons and how they are different. We will find out about how animals and humans are affected by the seasons. We will also investigate how day length and the weather is affected by the seasons. Keep an eye out on Class Dojo for messages about bringing wellies/ warm clothes into school!

Everyday Materials

Gold Class will then explore everyday materials which includes identifying a variety of materials and sorting them according to a variety of criteria (e.g. natural/ man-made); recognising that some materials can change shape and others can’t; and investigating the suitability of different materials for a variety of purposes.

History:

Travel and Transport

We will be using timelines and making comparisons between old and new forms of transport. The unit focuses on early travel methods of the Vikings, through to the invention of cars, trains and aeroplanes. It also looks at the significant individuals George Stephenson and the Wright brothers.

Geography:

Magical Mapping

Gold Class will explore a range of maps at a local, national and global level. We will look at finding key countries, continents, oceans and seas along with creating their own maps and routes! We will be looking at aerial photographs to spot human and physical features. They will become more familiar with simple map symbols and compass directions.

Computing:

Digital Writing

The children in Gold Class will develop their understanding of the various aspects of using a computer to create and manipulate text. They will become more familiar with using a keyboard and mouse to enter and remove text. The children will think about the differences between writing on a computer and writing on paper and consider which they think is better and why.

Programming Animations 

The children will become accustomed to the ScratchJr programming environment. They will discover that they can move characters on-screen using commands, and compare ScratchJr to the Bee-Bots used in the previous unit. They will create their own algorithms to make programs for their characters.

Art:

LS Lowry

Gold Class will learn about 19th century painter LS Lowry. The children will have the opportunity to explore the life and work of Lowry and to learn about the industrial landscape that provided the subject of many of his paintings.  We will be comparing works of art, colour mixing and drawing to create our masterpieces! At the end of the unit children will have used their knowledge and skills to create a multimedia collage in the style of the artist.

Design and Technology:

Teddy Bears’ Picnic

This will be an exciting unit leading up to a Teddy Bears’ Picnic! The children will learn about different picnic foods and where they have come from, explore and taste different foods, use instructions to create their own picnic and evaluate their picnic food.

Religious Education:

Christianity – Jesus as a Friend

The children will be exploring the question ‘was it always easy for Jesus to show friendship?’. They will learn about Jesus’ friends and think about their own friends. We will create bracelets to show our friendship.

Christianity – Easter/ Psalm Sunday

We will share the Easter story and retell the events. The children will start to show understanding that Jesus is special to Christians and be able to say why. 

Music:

Through the use of Music Express curriculum, the children will cover the units: Animals, Number, Storytime and Seasons. As part of their music curriculum, the children will explore how the can change and make different vocal sounds, learn to play a steady beat, explore the timbre and texture of a piece of music. The children will explore using various instruments in their music lessons.

Physical Education:

The children will have two P.E. sessions. Indoor PE will be taught on a Wednesday. In the Spring term children will be improving their dance skills! Outdoor PE will be taught on a Tuesday. Lessons will include throwing and catching skills and moving around a space in different ways.

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. All long hair should be tied back and earrings should be removed.

P.S.H.E.:

Think Positive

Children will recognise, talk about and accept their feelings, both positive and negative, as well as how to manage certain emotions. They will explore themes of thinking positively and calmly, making good decisions and developing resilience. They will also explore the positive feelings associated with being thankful, grateful and mindful.

Digital Wellbeing

Children will consider how we can use the Internet in a safe and responsible way. Children will discuss how the Internet can be useful in our everyday lives and how we can balance time online with doing other activities to keep our mind and body healthy.

Homework:

Maths: Maths homework will be set via Class DoJo on a Thursday to be completed by the following Wednesday. I ask for all children to continue to access Numbots to further enhance their maths skills. Later on in the year, the Year 2 children will also access TTRockstars to practice and improve instant recall of key multiplication facts.

English: English homework includes reading and spellings. Reading books will be changed on a Thursday but they will only be changed if notification has been made in their reading diary. Please send your child with their books daily as they may be heard read at any point of the week. I also ask that the children 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 even more crucial, due to the protracted absence from school following the recent pandemic. Children will be provided with quality texts appropriate for their age and ability. Furthermore, Bug Club will regularly be updated with eBooks and accompanying comprehension tasks to help extend learning and reading skills further.