Prep 1 Curriculum Brief

English

English

This term we will continue to explore fiction and non-fiction texts, using example texts to explore features of each genre of writing and to inspire the children’s own writing. We will also look at poetry, focusing on poems that don’t rhyme. Our phonics work will progress further through teaching, practising and applying what we learn within the Read, Write Inc (RWI) phonics scheme of work and this term, we will explore split digraphs in detail. We will also continue to work on blending and segmenting words for spelling and reading using “Fred Talk” and learning to spell common exception words, or “red words”.  Reading and weekly spellings will continue throughout the term. We will also continue to improve the children’s handwriting and letter formation.

Mathematics

Mathematics

Within our maths lessons we will deepen our knowledge of Number and Place Value, exploring two and three digit numbers in more detail, Shape, where the children will explore 2D and 3D shapes, and Addition and Subtraction, as well as learning about Length and Height and Mass and Volume, where lots of practical activities will help to reinforce the lesson objective and skills taught. We will continue to use the White Rose scheme of work to explore these areas of Mathematics and assess the children’s progress at the end of every unit of work.

Science

Science

This term we will be learning about everyday materials including wood, plastic, metal, water and rock. Pupils will learn to identify and name everyday materials and will have the opportunity to explore the properties of these materials. They will also carry out a simple investigation to help them decide which material would be most suitable to use for an umbrella. At the end of the unit, the children will apply their knowledge of everyday materials to sort objects by their properties.

Geography

Geography

This term we will be exploring the Polar Regions, developing our geographical skills by locating both the Arctic and Antarctica. We shall investigate climates, animals, and people in both poles along with learning about famous explorers and how we can help protect such incredible habitats.

History

History

After exploring how the earth was formed and fossils last term, throughout the spring term we will move on to explore dinosaurs in more detail. We will learn about the different types of dinosaur, what they ate, where they lived, how they became extinct and how the continents were formed, taking us further along the evolutionary timeline and the children’s historical understanding.

French

French

This term we are counting to forty and furthering our vocabulary of different foods. We will express hunger, what we do and don’t like to eat and even do a bit of shopping. Other vocabulary will include farmyard and domestic animals. As always, we will be responding to greetings and basic questions, this term focusing on our name, age and where we live.

RS

RS

This term we will be learning about Jesus’ early life in Nazareth. The children will also learn about the different miracles Jesus performed. We will finish the term with the story of Easter.

PSHE

PSHE

This term we will continue to learn about and explore different relationships. Again, this will be separated into three different areas; Family and friendships, exploring the roles of other people and feeling cared for, safe relationships, recognising privacy, staying safe and seeking permission and respecting ourselves and others, exploring how behaviour affects others and being polite and respectful.

Art

Art

This term we will be creating work inspired by creatures, creating two and three dimensional pieces. We will be looking at different artists, comparing their individual styles and gaining ideas for our own art work.  We will experiment with different media forms and continue to explore colour mixing and shading.  We will also produce art work inspired by the season and towards the end of term, Easter.

Music

Music

We will start the term by studying ‘The Nutcracker’ by Tchaikovsky. We will look at the history of the piece and learn the story by listening to a retelling and by watching extracts of the ballet. We will also be composing a piece of music to add to the suite.
Later, we will be looking more closely at how to create different effects by varying the timbre and tempo of the music we compose. We will also be concentrating on using our voices to make music.

DT

DT

Due to the exploratory and ‘spontaneous’ approach in this subject, we will often go off in different directions depending on the ideas and interest of the children. And so the formal lesson plans are often deviated from to preserve a flexibility and originality of approach.  New projects often ‘evolve’ from the children’s ideas in the sessions and it is an important part of the approach and style in this subject  to maintain this flexibility and spontaneity.  This generates a feeling with the children that they are going on a ‘journey’ in this subject each term. The formal lesson plans are only intended to be used as a basis and guide to the type of work and projects that are covered and are not intended to be rigidly adhered to.

 

Weeks 1 and 2 –  Designs involving experimenting with fixed and moving pivots to create different types of movements with chosen models.  Materials include modelling card, styrofoam, laser ply, blockwood and dowelling.

Weeks 3 and 4 – Puppet designs incorporating fabric, dowelling, 360 micron card and blockwood.

Weeks 5, 6 and 7  – Three dimensional designs, incorporating mechanical movement using laser plywood, blockwood, dowelling and modelling foam.

Weeks 8 and 9 –  Picture Frame designs using mounting board card, blockwood and the children’s themes for artwork and ideas.

ICT

ICT

This term the pupils will continue to use various programs to help to develop keyboard skills. They will be introduced to basic programming using floor robots to understand about algorithms and de-bugging.

Drama

Drama

In Drama this term, we will be exploring how to tell a story, mainly oral and visual storytelling, learning about tableaus, mime and the use of dialogue. Students will learn Important storytelling techniques including the use of voice (words and sound effects), facial expression and bodily gesture, pace, repetition, rhythm, elaboration, exaggeration and engagement with the audience.

PE/Games

PE/Games

PE: Development of catching and throwing skills. Development of movement into space within small sided games.

Games: Development of ball skills through football with various drills and games. Game situations will be kept small so as to encourage as much participation as possible.