Children will explore the story, Let’s Creep through the Crocodile Creek through role-play, sequencing, oral storytelling and simple writing tasks. They will describe characters and settings, make predictions, and use the illustrations to support their ideas. They will begin writing short sentences using phonics knowledge, finger spaces and early punctuation. Guided writing and small-group work will help them build confidence in forming letters, sounding out words and expressing ideas clearly.

Development Matters Statements

• • Enjoys and joins in with conversations about stories
    
    

  • Uses talk to organise play and explain ideas
    
    

  • Writes some letters accurately
    
    

  • Uses phonics knowledge to write simple words and phrases

• • Begins to re-read writing to check if it makes sense

Key Vocabulary
creep, swamp, crocodile, jungle, habitat, slither, stomp, splash, brave, careful, path, explore, danger, safe

The children will build a deeper understanding of numbers 6 to 10 through composition, subitising and early addition and subtraction. They will compare groups, explore patterns in nature (animal prints, stripes, spots), and sort animals by different criteria. Practical activities will involve counting objects from the story, building habitats using 2D and 3D shapes, and measuring lengths to compare animal sizes.

Development Matters Statements

• Subitises up to 5
  
  

• Compares numbers
  
  

• Understands the one more/one less relationship
  
  

• Explores 2D and 3D shapes
  
  

• Uses language of size, weight and capacity

Key Vocabulary
more, fewer, equal, altogether, add, take away, pattern, match, sort, long, short, tall, heavy, light, shape, compare

Children will explore a range of animal habitats linked to the story: jungle, swamp, forest and river. They will look at why animals live where they do, what they need to survive and how different environments change. Hands-on activities will include small-world habitats, sensory trays, simple investigations (water, mud, leaves) and sorting animals by where they live. The children will also learn about caring for animals and protecting the environment.

Development Matters Statements

• Knows that animals have needs
  
  

• Talks about the natural world
  
  

• Shows care and concern for living things
  
  

• Notices patterns and changes in the environment

Key Vocabulary
habitat, jungle, swamp, forest, river, shelter, survive, food, water, camouflaged, predator, prey

Children will create artwork inspired by the landscapes and creatures in the story. They’ll explore texture and colour mixing to create swamp scenes, design animal masks and build simple habitats using junk modelling. Music sessions will include soundscapes for creeping, splashing and stomping through the story settings. Role-play will give them space to act out the journey with movement, imagination and dialogue.

Development Matters Statements

• Explores artistic techniques
  
  

• Develops imaginative play
  
  

• Creates simple representations of animals and environments
  
  

• Uses a wide range of materials

Key Vocabulary
texture, collage, mix, design, create, model, shape, build, mask, role-play, soundscape

Fine motor activities will focus on pencil control, scissor skills, threading and careful cutting to support writing and collage work. Outdoors, children will explore movement linked to animals in the story, such as creeping, stomping, slithering and balancing. Obstacle courses will help them develop coordination, spatial awareness and confidence.

Development Matters Statements

• Develops strength, control and coordination
  
  

• Uses a range of tools safely
  
  

• Shows confidence in movement and balance

Key Vocabulary
balance, stretch, jump, creep, climb, steady, grip, hold, cut, twist, thread

Children will talk about what they are proud of and what they want to get better at. They will learn to identify small steps toward a goal, practise encouraging others and celebrate effort. Through the story, they’ll reflect on teamwork and bravery, thinking about how they can help one another in the classroom.

Development Matters Statements

• Talks about feelings and achievements
  
  

• Works as part of a team
  
  

• Understands how to keep trying when things feel tricky
  
  

• Shows kindness and encouragement to others

Key Vocabulary
goals, proud, challenge, try, help, support, encourage, achieve

With the story as a shared reference point, the children will practise retelling events, using new vocabulary and speaking in full sentences. Group discussions will encourage them to share ideas, listen carefully and respond thoughtfully. Adults will model rich language and prompt children to explain their thinking during investigations and role-play.

Development Matters Statements

• Engages in back-and-forth conversations
  
  

• Uses talk to organise thinking
  
  

• Listens to others and takes turns in conversation
  
  

• Uses new vocabulary in context

Key Vocabulary
describe, explain, listen, talk, retell, predict, question, because, next, finally

This block introduces children to Latin-style music through the song Round and Round. They explore pulse, rhythm, and pitch while learning to sing with expression and accurate timing. Using untuned and simple tuned percussion, children play repeated patterns (ostinati) and short accompaniments. Listening activities help them identify instruments and musical features. Through clapping games, movement, and improvising patterns, the block develops coordination, creativity, and ensemble skills, leading to a lively class performance.

Key Vocabulary: pulse, rhythm, pitch, tempo, dynamics, Latin, ostinato, pattern, repeat, melody, accompaniment, improvise, ensemble, listen, perform

In this block, children explore different animal habitats through playful dance. Using the rainforest, desert, ocean, and Arctic as stimuli, they move like creatures that creep, slither, swim, flap, and stomp. They experiment with high and low levels, fast and slow speeds, and different pathways. Working together, children make simple group dances that show where animals live, how they move, and how their habitats feel.

Key Vocabulary: habitat, animal, move, travel, level, fast, slow, high, low, creep, slither, swim, flap, stomp, together

All students will take part in a weekly swimming lesson designed to build both confidence and enjoyment in the water. Our programme follows a structured level system that ensures steady progression, tailored to each child’s ability. Children also learn important water safety and personal survival skills. We aim for every child to leave Junior School as a competent, confident swimmer with the skills to participate safely in a range of aquatic environments.

Literacy

Story retelling with toys - Use soft toys or small figures to act out Let’s Creep through the Crocodile Creek. Ask your child to retell the journey, describe what the characters see and make up a new ending.

Sentence building cards - Write a few simple words on small pieces of paper (the, big, long, log, mud, can, we, go). Let your child arrange them to build short sentences.

Mathematics

Shape hunt at home - Ask your child to find objects with four sides around the house. They can group them into squares and rectangles.

Animal size measuring - Print or draw small animals and let your child measure each one using blocks, cubes or even spoons. They say which is longer, shorter or the same.

Understanding the World 

Create a mini habitat - Use a small tray or bowl to make a simple habitat: mud and leaves for a forest, stones and water for a river, sand for a desert. Your child can place toy animals in the right environment.

Nature walk sorting - Go for a short walk and collect leaves, twigs or small stones. Talk about where they were found and what animals might live there.

Expressive Arts and Design

Texture rubbings - Let your child explore textures by rubbing crayons over paper placed on leaves, tree bark or patterned objects. They can turn the rubbings into a swamp or jungle backdrop.

Make an animal mask - Provide paper plates or a card. Your child designs an animal from the story or the habitat work. They cut, colour, stick and decorate.

Communication and Language

Picture conversations - Show your child a picture from the story or a habitat photo and ask open questions: What do you see? What might happen next? Why do you think the animal lives there?

Prediction game - Pause halfway through a story you’re reading together and ask your child what they think will happen next and why.

Physical Development

Fine-motor tray - Place tweezers, beads, pom-poms or buttons in a tray. Let your child sort them into cups to strengthen finger muscles.

Animal movement challenge - Give simple movement prompts: creep like a mouse, stomp like an elephant, slither like a snake, leap like a frog. Great for balance and coordination.