English

This week in English, learners began their new Documentary Narrative unit, The Ways of the Wolf. Through an engaging hook activity and exploration of rich vocabulary, they immersed themselves in the setting and discussed the features of a first-person documentary narrator.

They analysed the Example Text (WAGOLL), identifying how language creates atmosphere and how the present tense builds immediacy. Learners also practised expanded noun phrases and joining independent clauses using semi-colons.

Ask your child:

How does an expanded noun phrase make description more powerful?

Why might a documentary narrator use present tense?

Next week, learners will move into analysing the Writer’s Knowledge within the model text. They will explore how punctuation, tense and cohesion are used effectively before drafting their own short documentary narration, applying these grammatical features independently.

     Maths

This week in Maths, learners focused on the place value of decimals. They practised comparing and ordering decimals, rounding decimals to different place values, and adding and subtracting decimals accurately. A strong emphasis was placed on understanding the value of each digit and ensuring numbers are aligned correctly when performing written calculations.

Ask your child:

 • How do you know which decimal is bigger when comparing numbers like 3.45 and 3.405?

• If you round 6.378 to the nearest integer, tenth, or hundredth, how do you decide whether to round up or down?

• Can you show me how to solve 4.75 + 2.6 or 7.2 − 3.85, and explain how you line up the numbers correctly when adding or subtracting decimals?

Next week, learners will extend their understanding by multiplying and dividing decimals by powers of 10, including 10, 100, and 1,000, by shifting the decimal point to the left and right. They will also calculate and interpret answers when multiplying and dividing decimals by whole numbers, before applying these skills to real-life problem-solving contexts.

  Science 

This week, learners began our new unit on the circulatory system. We started with a prior knowledge assessment to help us identify what learners already understand and where we need to build deeper knowledge.

We then explored the structure and function of the circulatory system, identifying the heart, blood vessels and blood, and learning how they work together as a system. Learners labelled arteries, veins and capillaries, discussing how each type of blood vessel has a specific role.

In our second lesson, we focused on blood itself. Learners investigated its components — plasma, red blood cells and white blood cells — and learnt how blood transports oxygen and nutrients while also protecting the body from illness.

Ask your child:

Why is the circulatory system described as a system rather than just one organ?

How does each component of blood help to keep the body alive and healthy?

Next week, we will be taking a closer look at the heart itself, exploring how blood moves through it and beginning to deepen our understanding of how structure links to function.

Enquiry Learning

This week in Enquiry Learning, we held our Celebration of Learning from last half term. It was a wonderful opportunity for learners to proudly share their experiences and showcase everything they had explored in our Myths and Legends unit. Families joined us as learners created their own mythical masks out of salt dough, designing and decorating them with fantastic creativity and imagination. It was a brilliant way to celebrate their hard work and learning together.

We have now launched our exciting new topic: Textiles. Learners have began investigating and comparing different cushion cover designs. They explored a range of materials and considered important questions such as:

Is the material durable?
Is it stretchy or flexible?
Is it attractive and suitable for its purpose?

The learners showed great critical thinking skills as they examined the qualities of different fabrics.

 Ask your child: Can you name a material used in textiles and describe its qualities?

Next week, learners will begin developing practical skills by learning a range of sewing techniques, including running stitch, back stitch and over stitch.