St John's C of E Primary - Nurturing Excellence

Chaffinch Class

Welcome to Our Chaffinch Class Page!

English: Beowulf, Biographies, and Epic Battles

This term, we’re diving into the legendary world of Beowulf! By Week 2, we’ll start by this epic tale. Along the way, we’ll uncover the fierce battle between Beowulf and Grendel, learning about Viking society and practicing different tenses and sentence structures. Our adventure will take us through writing a biography of the renowned author Michael Morpurgo, where we’ll work on informative recounts using cohesive devices like “who,” “what,” and “why.”

Get ready to step into the shoes of Wiglaf as we write narratives from his perspective, focusing on character descriptions, dialogue, and complex sentences. To finish the term with a bang, we’ll create a prequel to Beowulf, imagining the hero’s journey. Throughout it all, we’ll use the 5-part writing process to refine our grammar, punctuation, and descriptive language.

Maths: Fractions, Time, and Real-World Problem-Solving

In Maths, we’re tackling some key concepts that will help us solve real-world problems! We’ll begin with fractions—adding, subtracting, and comparing them, making sure we understand how fractions of different denominators work together. We’ll also explore time, learning to read both digital and analogue clocks, calculate time intervals, and solve problems involving hours, minutes, and days. By the end of the term, you’ll be a time expert, ready to tackle both 12-hour and 24-hour formats!

Music: A Night on the Bare Mountain

Prepare for a thrilling musical journey! We’re studying A Night on the Bare Mountain by the Russian composer Mussorgsky. This dramatic tone poem tells the story of witches dancing and casting spells through the night. We’ll explore the dynamics, motifs, and tempo that make this piece so exciting, using tuned percussion, body percussion, and our voices to bring the story to life. By the end of the unit, we’ll create and perform our very own dramatic piece of music as an ensemble!

History: Law, Power, and Medieval Adventures

In our "Law and Power" history unit, we’ll explore the Middle Ages and learn about pivotal figures like Henry II, Thomas Becket, Richard I, and King John. Get ready to discover how Henry II’s legal reforms shaped Britain’s legal system and why Thomas Becket’s conflict with Henry led to his dramatic death in Canterbury Cathedral. We’ll also look at the Magna Carta and the first Parliament, exploring how these events helped shift power from the monarchy to the people. It’s time to learn how history shapes the world we live in!

Geography: Western Europe - The Heart of Trade and Culture

In our geography lessons, we’ll travel through the temperate climates of Western Europe. We’ll study key countries like France, Germany, and the Netherlands and explore how these countries engage in trade. You’ll also become a map expert, learning about physical features like mountains and rivers and focusing on France as our case study. From the beaches of France to the snow-capped Alps, we’ll explore how geography influences both culture and trade in this fascinating region.

Art: From the Parthenon to Gaudí’s Curves

In Art, we’re taking a closer look at architecture! We’ll start by studying the Parthenon, learning about its historical significance and the ongoing debate about the Parthenon marbles in the British Museum. We’ll explore the symmetrical design of the Parthenon and compare it to the imaginative, organic shapes of Antoni Gaudí’s work. You’ll even have the chance to create your own mosaics and sculptures, applying your understanding of architecture and artistic techniques.

Religious Education: Judaism - Faith, Traditions, and Reflections

In RE, we’ll explore Judaism by learning about the story of Abraham and the key beliefs that form the foundation of this faith. We’ll look at the significance of the Torah, the Ten Commandments, and how Jewish festivals, like Shavuot, shape daily life. By the end of this unit, you’ll have a deeper understanding of Jewish beliefs and be able to reflect on the importance of rules and traditions in guiding people’s lives.

What’s Coming Up?

It’s going to be an action-packed term full of adventures, from ancient heroes and dramatic music to medieval monarchs and world-changing events. We can’t wait to see you bring your creativity, enthusiasm, and teamwork to everything you do in Chaffinch Class this term!

Let’s make this term legendary!