Dear Parents/Carers of Owls,

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I hope you had a lovely and restful half term!
The next term is a very exciting but busy term, which will be filled with engaging, creative, and practical learning experiences. We will also begin rehearsals for our Nativity performance, Baubles, alongside the Year 2s, a wonderful highlight of the festive season.

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Literacy:

This term, we will be exploring the story Stick Man by Julia Donaldson. The children will use the Talk for Writing approach to internalise the story before innovating and writing their own versions. Later in the term, we will enjoy a poetry unit on the theme of ‘Seasons’, where the children will read, perform, and create their own poems inspired by Autumn and Winter.

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Maths:

Our focus this term is Addition and Subtraction within 10 and a week-long unit on 2D shapes. We will be carrying out lots of practical activities to support our Maths learning which is heavily centred around understanding and using part part whole models.

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Science:

Our Science topic this term is Seasonal Changes: Autumn and Winter. The children will observe and describe the weather, daylight, and environmental changes that occur as we move through the seasons. We will carry out observations and simple investigations to help us understand how the world around us changes.

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Geography:

In Geography, Mrs Price will be teaching the unit ‘Local to Global: How can we identify special places?’. The children will learn to recognise and talk about the features that make places special, beginning with our local area and then comparing it to other locations around the world.

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Art:

In Art, the children will experiment with print, colour, and collage, exploring simple printmaking techniques to create artwork with Miss Hayward on a Friday. 

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Design Technology:

In Design and Technology, we will focus on Mechanisms, where children will design and make their own Moving Storybook—a creative link to our Stick Man story. This unit will be carried out over a day or two of DT. 

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Computing:

The Computing unit this term is Data Explorers with Mr O on a Friday. Children will learn how to collect, organise, and represent simple data using age-appropriate digital tools.

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Music:

In Music, the focus is on Dynamics and Tempo with Mrs Hume on a Friday. The children will explore how changes in volume and speed affect music, and of course, we’ll be preparing songs for our Carol Service and Nativity performance.

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Physical Education:

The PE focus this term is Fitness. The children will develop their stamina, strength, and coordination through a variety of fun physical challenges and games with Mrs Price.

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PSHE:

In PSHE, the children will explore the theme ‘Relationships and Family’ with Mrs Semple on a Friday. They will think about their own families and how they may differ from others. They will discuss what makes relationships special and how to be a kind and caring friend.

Religious Education: Our RE topic is Incarnation – Why does Christmas matter to Christians?
The children will learn about the Christian story of Christmas, exploring its significance and the ways in which Christians celebrate this important time of year.

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Phonics:

Phonics is taught daily in school and is an essential part of learning to enable pupils to read and write. If you are unfamiliar of the sounds the children learn please watch this video to allow you to support your child at home too: https://www.oxfordowl.co.uk/for-home/reading-owl/find-a-book/read-write-inc-phonics--1/phonics-pure-sounds-video

Home Learning:

Thank you for your continued support with Home Learning. Please ensure books are handed in by Monday each week. Children are encouraged to decorate their Home Learning books to make them their own.

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Reading at School:

Please continue to read daily with your child at home and record this in their reading record. If there are special events in school, reading times may occasionally be affected.
We will continue to read twice with your child if have a levelled reading book. At the moment we do not have set days to read with your child, so it is important reading books come into school every day.

Reminders:

• PE is on Monday and Friday. Children must wear their kit to school on Fridays and bring it in on Mondays.

• Please ensure all uniform and belongings are clearly labelled.

• As the weather gets colder, children should come to school with a coat, blazer, and school headwear (cap or beret).

• Please send a water bottle every day.

• Continue supporting your child with phonics and, if applicable, help them practise their Nativity script.

If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

Best Wishes,
Mrs Laidlow