Click on the icons below to see all of our exciting learning throughout the summer term.
This term, our main driver project is a history project called School Days.
Within this project, the children will have the opportunity to take part in a traditional Victorian class and will learn about the differences between schooling in the Victorian era and schooling today. They will learn about objects found in a Victorian classroom and how they were used. They will research Samuel Wilderspin, an important figure in the development of schooling for young children in the Victorian era, whose ideals are reflected in schooling today. They will learn to describe the passage of time through study of past, present and future tense vocabulary.
We will also complete a number of companion projects.
Science
First term, we will be learning about Plant Parts.
In this project, the children will learn that plants are living things that grow from seeds or bulbs. They will revisit the concept of seasonal change, observing how trees and other plants change with the seasons, particularly from winter to spring. Your child will observe, photograph and identify various plants growing in and around the school grounds. They will choose one plant they would like to study for the project's duration. They will continue their learning by learning the parts of plants. They will explore where new plants come from and learn the names of some plants that grow from seeds and bulbs. Your child will learn about the parts of leaves, making comparisons. They will ask and answer scientific questions about the importance of plants to animals, including humans. They will observe how their chosen plant has changed over time and record their findings.
For the second term, we will be learning about Animal Parts.
In this project, the children will learn that animals, including humans, can be sorted into six groups: amphibians, birds, fish, invertebrates, mammals and reptiles. They will learn that different animal groups have similar and different body parts and the purposes of these body parts. They will sort animals into the six animal groups based on characteristics. They will complete Carroll diagrams, sorting picture cards of animals according to given and chosen criteria. They will learn about pets and how they are cared for and identify the animal group for each. They will complete a class block graph by recording which pet they prefer, then interpret the classes' results to learn which pets are the most and least popular. They will discuss what different animals eat, using the terms 'carnivore', 'herbivore' and 'omnivore', and observe the characteristic features of different animals that belong to these groups by examining their teeth and eye positions. They will complete Venn diagrams, identifying animals that are carnivores, herbivores and omnivores. Children will observe an invertebrate for a short period and then ask scientific questions about the animal and research to find the answers. They will complete their learning by observing earthworms to learn about their body parts, diets, and senses and compare earthworms to other animals learned about during the project.
Art and Design
This term we will be complete the project, Street View. This project will teach the children about artwork depicting streets and buildings and focuses on the work of the American pop artist, James Rizzi. They create a 3-D mural based on Rizzi's work.
Design and Technology
This project, Cut, Slice and Mash, teaches children about sources of food and the preparatory skills of peeling, tearing, slicing, chopping, mashing and grating. They use this knowledge and techniques to design and make a supermarket sandwich according to specific design criteria.
Religious Education
Our first project will be the Sikh celebration of Naam Karan.
The Naam Karan is a Sikh baby naming ceremony, and many Sikh parents bring their newborns to the Gurdwara (the Sikh temple) as soon as they are able to visit. The Granthi (reader of the scriptures) opens the holy book, the Guru Granth Sahib, at random, and the first letter of the first word on the left-hand page will be the first letter of the baby's name.
Family relationships are important in Sikhism. After the Naam Karan, many Sikh children will continue to learn about the Sikh faith at home and at the Gurdwara. Some may also attend Punjabi lessons so they can read the Guru Granth Sahib themselves.
Our second project will be the Buddhist celebration of Esala Perahera.
Esala Perahera, also known as the Festival of the Tooth, is celebrated in Kandy, Sri Lanka, during July and August. The festival lasts for 10 days and begins when Jak tree cuttings are planted outside four temples called Devalas.
Torch lit processions (peraheras) of dancers, drummers, acrobats and highly decorated elephants fill the streets and visit the different temples during the festival. The most spectacular elephant carries a replica of the Buddha's tooth casket, which is kept in the Temple of the Tooth in Kandy.
The festival ends with a water cutting ceremony called Diya Kepeema. Water in the Mahaweli River is 'cut through' with a sword to separate the pure and impure water and ensure there is no drought in Sri Lanka during the coming year. Some of the water is then collected and kept so that it can be used during the tree planting ceremony, which will open the following year's Esala Perahera festival.