This term our Unit of Inquiry is ‘Humans can have an impact on other living things’. We will be following different lines of inquiry to help us discover:
- Why is the environment changing and how do we know?
- What impact do humans have on living species?
- What are food chains and how are humans affecting them?
In our Unit of Inquiry this term, we will be studying different species in depth and will find out about how their habitats are suited to them. This will lead us into finding out about how their habitats provide them with their basic needs and what humans can do to have a positive impact on different species of animals. We will discuss the changes we can make to help take care of our planet and have a positive impact on the environment. We will explore where we might find different animals across the world and will locate this on a world map. We will also learn about simple food chains and how humans impact them. As part of the creative curriculum, children will study the work of Andy Warhol whose pieces feature endangered species.
In English this term we will be reading ‘The Rainbow Bear’ by Michael Morpurgo which will be our primary focus. Later in the term, we will be supporting this by looking at additional fiction texts and comparing to information texts. To begin with, we will explore the text by making inference and explaining our reasoning for this, using evidence from the book. We will use what we learn in our Unit of Inquiry to support our non-fiction writing and to write persuasive letters about improving the lives of endangered species and Rainbow Bear.
In maths, for the first part of this term, we will be introducing multiplication and division. We will begin by revising counting in 2s, 5s and 10s. Using our understanding of this, we will be using stories, pictures and concrete manipulatives to explore making equal groups and to write statements such as ‘there are 4 groups of 2’. We will use these equal groups to find a total, focusing on counting equal groups of 2, 5 and 10. We will explore making arrays by making equal groups and building them up in columns and rows. When we move onto division, we will also use the concept of equal groups by sharing, but we will also develop our understanding that some numbers do not group equally. Later in the term, we will introduce fractions. We will learn how to find and name a half as one of two equal parts of an object, shape or quantity. Also, we will learn to find and name a quarter as one of four equal parts of an object, shape or quantity.
You might like to join in our learning by…
In maths, for the first part of this term, we will be introducing multiplication and division. We will begin by revising counting in 2s, 5s and 10s. Using our understanding of this, we will be using stories, pictures and concrete manipulatives to explore making equal groups and to write statements such as ‘there are 4 groups of 2’. We will use these equal groups to find a total, focusing on counting equal groups of 2, 5 and 10. We will explore making arrays by making equal groups and building them up in columns and rows. When we move onto division, we will also use the concept of equal groups by sharing, but we will also develop our understanding that some numbers do not group equally. Later in the term, we will introduce fractions. We will learn how to find and name a half as one of two equal parts of an object, shape or quantity. Also, we will learn to find and name a quarter as one of four equal parts of an object, shape or quantity.
You might like to join in our learning by…
- Watching ‘Blue Planet’.
- Visiting the Natural History Museum online and finding out about species that are extinct.
- Drawing, painting or making a collage of your favourite animal.
- Making a fact file about your favourite animal.
- Visiting a zoo and finding out which animals are there and why.
- Reading one of these stories; Tree Trouble - Kathryn Lamb, Penguin Problems – Kathryn Lamb, Stories for a Fragile Planet – Kenneth Steven,
- Watching the CBBC show ‘Endangered Species’.
- Making an endangered species craft.