Autumn - Foundation Subjects

Art & Design

Drawing

In our first art topic of the year, the children will be developing their knowledge of different drawing techniques. Our topic is called 'Draw Me a Story'. They will use storybook illustrations as a stimulus for their drawings. The children will develop their mark-making, explore a wider range of tools and experiment with creating texture to add detail to drawings.

Key Vocabulary:

Mark making, texture, blending, tool, observation, outline, sketch, tone, illustrator, illustration

Computing

What is a computer?

The children explore exactly what a computer is; identifying and learning how inputs and outputs work, how computers are used in the wider world and designing their own computerised inventions. One of the children's activities involves designing their own robot and carefully considering its inputs and outputs.

The children can try out a QUIZ here to see if they know the different parts of a computer.

Word Processing

This topic introduces the children to touch typing and teaches them how to use the keyboard. Using their developing word processing skills, the children write simple messages to their friends and learn why we must be careful about who we talk to online.

Typing Club is a website that helps children to develop their touch typing skills. There are skills-based activities and games for them to play while they learn.

Key Vocabulary:

Keyboard, monitor, screen, mouse, input, output, tablet, till, laptop, device, computer, wires, buttons

animation, background, drawing, flipbook, frame, moving image, object, onion skinning, plan, still images

Staying Safe Online

We are Internet Sharp!

What happens when I post online?

Children learn the importance of treating online communication the same as face-to-face communication.

They are taught to 'think before the share' - if it isn't right to say, it isn't right to post.

We are Internet Alert!

Is it true?

People and situations online aren't always what they seem. Through our Google Legends scheme, the children learn how to tell the difference between what's real and what's not.

AUP - KS1 Pupils 2020 .pdf

Acceptable Use Agreement

At the beginning of the year, the children are reminded of our Acceptable Use Agreement and the expectation of their behaviour online. This agreement is referred to throughout the year, displayed in our classroom and inside each child's homework folder.

Design & Technology

Mechanisms: Ferris wheels

For our Design and Technology topic this term, the children will build a structure with a rotating wheel. Throughout the topic, they will design a practical and appealing fairground wheel while also considering the materials, shape, construction and mechanisms of their wheel.

Key Vocabulary:

design, wheel, axle, pod, frame, Ferris wheel, mechanism, plan

Geography

Continents and Oceans

In their first geography topic, the children will learn that the world is spherical and are taught how to use an atlas to accurately locate the continents and oceans of the world. They will identify countries within each continent using a world map, with an emphasis on knowing that the UK is in Europe. sing simple compass directions, children will follow routes on a map and are encouraged to ask geographical-type questions such as 'Where is it?' and 'What is this place like?'

Seven Continents

Five Oceans

Key Vocabulary:

Continent, Asia, Africa, Europe, North America, South America, Australia, Antarctica

Ocean, Pacific, Atlantic, Indian, Arctic, Southern

History

Christopher Columbus

In this short two-week topic, the children build on their knowledge from our Geography topic 'Continents & Oceans'.

The look at the role of explorers and why they are so important, both at the time and to us today in understanding the world we live in.

They learn about why we still remember Christopher Columbus today and why his discovery was so significant. The children deduce information from clues and sequence the main events of his life.

Victorian Nursing

Through this topic, the children explore the differences and similarities between nursing today and in the past.

We briefly explore the Victorians and what life was like with Queen Victoria on the throne. We then look at the roles of Florence Nightingale and Mary Seacole during the Crimean War and how they are similar to one another. The children form their own opinion of who they think is more significant and why. This is the first time the children are introduced to the skill of debating.

Who was Christopher Columbus?Discover how the explorer headed West across the Atlantic trying to reach India and China. Find out more with Bitesize KS1 History.

Who was Mary Seacole?Mary helped sick and injured soldiers in many lands. Find out more with BBC Bitesize KS1 History.

Key Vocabulary:

Christopher Columbus, sailor, explorer, journey, route, America, Atlantic Ocean, world, map, clues, sequence

nurse, nursing, Victorian, improve, hospital, soldier, Crimean War, Jamaica, Britain, care, compare

Music

*Information coming soon*

Physical Education

Athletics

In Autumn 1, the children explore running, jumping and throwing activities, and take part in simple challenges and competitions. They experiment with different ways of travelling, throwing and jumping, increasing their awareness of speed and distance. At the end of the topic, the children apply their athletic techniques to a competition environment.

Gymnastics

During gymnastics, they will learn different positions; pike, straddle and tuck and how to incorporate these into simple routines.

The children will then progress onto travelling at different levels and inclines. When doing so they will learn how to use equipment safely.

At the end of this topic, the children perform a short movement sequence to their peers.

Games

In Autumn 2, the children improve and apply their basic skills in games. They play games that demand simple choices and decisions on how to use space to avoid opponents, keep the ball and score points.

They build up to applying various ball skills within a game scenario.

Dance

This term, the children explore different travelling movements to express a feeling. They learn to create movements to music and perform dance sequences with contrasting feelings. Through our dance topic, the children have many opportunities to develop their performance skills and to say what they like about others' performances.

Science

Animals Inc. Humans

In this topic the children will be reminded of what a mammal is and that they need air, water, food and shelter to survive. They will learn about the 5 animal groups, mammals, birds, amphibians, reptiles and fish and that humans are mammals. Children will revisit the terms “carnivore”,“omnivore” and “herbivore” so that they can discuss similarities and differences between different animal groups. Children will also look at ways in which they can help to protect and care for mammals in their local area.

Materials

Our second topic will be materials and the children will identify and compare the suitability of a variety of everyday materials, including wood, metal, plastic, glass, brick, rock, paper and cardboard for particular uses. They will be putting their knowledge to good use in some fun-filled investigations to find out more about our everyday materials. Children will investigate how we can waterproof materials; how materials can change shape and investigate the strongest materials to build the best bridge.

Key Vocabulary:

Mammal, fur, carnivore, herbivore, omnivore, scales, fin, feathers, beak, amphibian, reptile, shelter

PSHE & RSE

Bounceback

We use the Bounceback programme within our PSHE lessons and throughout everyday school life. It provides many learning opportunities around wellbeing and resilience.

In KS1, we teach the children that in difficult times they can BOUNCE!

More information surrounding Bounceback, including guidance for parents, can be found on our school website.

Social Values

Our first PSHE topic is Social Values. As part of our 'Social Values' topic children learn about the basics of social values: being kind and supporting others; knowing the importance of cooperation; how being friendly and including others can make them feel; why treating people with respect is important and why it is also important to respect yourself.

This topic is linked closely to our Core Virtues. It is great to start off the year by reinforcing our school's core virtues, that are present in our day to day school life.

People Bouncing Back

In Autumn 2, we learn about people bouncing back in PSHE. Throughout our 'people bouncing back ' topic, children learn about how to move on and recover from tricky situations. Children will discuss unhappy or sad times in their lives and recognise that they will feel better again and that these feelings aren’t permanent. They will consider how unhelpful and negative thinking can make them feel more upset and that instead, a helpful, positive mindset will mean happier feelings and better days.

Clean and Healthy

During our first RSE topic of the year the children are taught that we are created by God out of love and for love. It helps children to develop an understanding of the importance of valuing themselves as the basis for personal relationships. The children explore what makes them unique as we celebrate our similarities and differences. We also cover the importance of hygiene and looking after ourselves. Through this topic, the children are taught how to stay clean and healthy.

Much of this topic is taught through story sessions.

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