2022/23
Summer 1 2023
This half term our topic is ‘Animals, Animals’. In science, we are learning all about different types of animals and grouping them. The first type of animals we will focus on are reptiles. We are also look at animals that are carnivores, omnivores and herbivores. In art the children are looking at the artwork of Eric Carle and will be creating their own artwork similar to this.
The books we will be using in Literacy are ‘The Boy who Cried Wolf’ and ‘Wolves’.
In geography, the children are learning all about where they live. Looking at Europe, the UK and what we can see from above.
Summer 1 2023 topic web Animals Animals
Spring 2 2023
This half term our topic is ‘What is Special about Pelton and Beamish?’. The children will be learning about the mining history of the local area. They will be finding out about the Stephenson and Davey lamps and their significance. I’m sure they will enjoy making their own mining lamp too!
In DT this half term, we will be designing and making fruit kebabs. Yummy!
Spring 2 2023 topic web What is special about Pelton Beamish
Spring 1 2023
This half term we have a history and geography focus – What is special about Pelton and Beamish?
The children will be identifying plants and birds that are found around the school grounds. They will also be learning about UK countries, capital cities and seas. In literacy, we will be reading a great book called, ‘The Day the Crayons Quit.’ I wonder why they quit? In computing, we will be programming robots called ‘Beebots’. These lessons are always great fun, seeing how we can move them. We will also be making moving vehicles in DT. The children will enjoy designing and making their own vehicles, after learning how to create , moving mechanisms.
Spring 1 Topic Web What is special about Pelton and Beamish
Autumn 2 2022
This half term we have a science and geography focus – What is my place like?
The children will spend time looking at weather around the UK and creating their own weather forecast. They will also be researching why it gets darker earlier in the winter. In computing, we will be creating drawing using the Paintz programme on the iPads. The children will compare drawing on a tablet to drawing and painting on paper. In art, the children will be looking at the artist William Morris and creating their own repeated pattern by making a printing block.
This half term also sees KS1 practising for their nativity play with a lot of singing and rehearsal practise. We hope you all enjoy the show!
Autumn 2 topic web Changing seasons
Autumn 1 2022
In Neptune class this half term we have a lovely topic to start off the year – Toys. The children will be listening to the story Dogger in Literacy; this is about a little boy who loses his favourite toy. We will also be looking at the history of toys – which toys are new and which are old. The children will think about why toys are made out of different materials. This links nicely to our science topic of materials too. In science, the children are identifying different types of materials and their properties.
In Design and Technology, the children will be researching, designing and making their own glove puppets.
2021/22
Summer 2
In Summer 2, our learning question for History is ‘What is special about Chester-le-street?’ The children will find out about Chester-Le-Street being a place of significant historical interest and will make links back to when they learnt about St. Cuthbert. In science, the children will be learning about minibeasts and habitats. They will also have a visit to the Washington Wetlands Trust, where they will hopefully see some of the minibeasts they have been learning about.
In Literacy, the children will be reading ‘The Owl Who was Afraid of the Dark’.
We went on a mini beast hunt
Summer 1
In Summer 1 term, our learning question is ‘Where would you prefer to live – England or Africa? In literacy, we will be reading ‘Lila and the secret of rain.’ The children will look at the images and compare the area to England. We will also be writing character and setting descriptions. In geography, we will be comparing England and Africa again, focusing on the geographical features of the UK coast and Kenyan safari.
In Neptune class we were lucky enough to have a visit to Beamish Museum, for the opening of the 1950s recreational ground. The children had a lovely time making crowns, playing in the park, watching entertainers and playing a bit of football.
Spring 2
In Spring 2 term our learning question is ‘How can we grow our own fruit salad’. In literacy, the children will look at the book, ‘Jim and the Beanstalk’. This links lovely with our science topic, exploring plants and how they grow. I wonder if we can grow a giant beanstalk! Following the theme, we will also be doing a plant dance, in PE. The children will have to think about how a plant grows and moves.
We explored different foods and made our own sandwiches in DT.
Spring 1
In Spring 1 term Neptune Class we will be looking at ‘Living things and their habitats’. The children will be thinking about why a polar bear or a penguin would not make a good pet! As a focus for geography we will be thinking about why a meercat could not live in the North Pole. We will also be drawing some of the polar animals during our art lessons. I wonder if the children know where polar animals come from?
We made some fantastic Chalk Polar Bears in art!
Autumn 2
During this half term we will be focusing on addition and subtraction in maths. Year 2 will begin to use the column method to answer questions. In science, we are looking at different types of materials and describing their properties. The children will carry out investigations on the materials. There might even be some chocolate involved! Our DT lessons this half term will be looking at how to make moving pictures. The children will test a variety of moving pictures and learn what type of movement they make. The final product will be to make their very own moving picture. I wonder what they will make? As we lead up to Christmas, Neptune class will be looking at Christmas traditions in history lessons and why light is important at Christmas time in RE.
Optional research for you and your child which they can discuss in class:
Our DT Moving Pictures
PSHE – Friendship Flower
Our Science Hand Washing Investigation.
We found out that warm water and soap washed our hands the best.
Autumn 1
During Autumn 1st half term, Neptune Class will be focusing on Neil Armstrong and Christopher Columbus in History. We will be learning lots of interesting facts about both of these men and finding out why they are famous. You will receive a copy of the topic Knowledge Organiser which will share with you and your child lots of facts that you can read together at home.
Keeping on the theme of space, we will be reading Man on the Moon and Beegu during literacy and the children will be writing some super space stories. We will also be designing some of our own aliens who can be characters in our story. I wonder what all the aliens will look like?
In science, we will be thinking about ‘How do astronauts survive in space?’
Making Alien Sculptures – Art
We have designed our aliens and made them out of air drying clay. Look out for our finished painted aliens coming soon!
Balance Bikes
2020/21
Spring 2 2021 topic web What is special about Pelton Beamish
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