Upper Primary News

Although we know that many pupils tell their parents all about what they having been studying and doing at school, not every child is so forthcoming. Therefore so that you all know what your child has been up to in the last term and what plans there are for next term, you can now visit this new page providing the latest news from the Upper Primary Class. This page is updated each term.
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If you have any specific queries concerning this class or your child please speak to or email the class leader Lorraine.
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Spring Term 2020
Maths
We will be consolidating all the maths skills we learnt last year and deepening our understanding further. We will start to take all topics to the next level of learning and continue to develop our independence in our learning.
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Geography
We will be studying a unit called 'Fantastic Places' this term. This is an exciting unit of work which should instill a sense of wonder in the world around us! Some topics we will look at are the Northern Lights and the Ancient & Modern Wonders of the World.
History
History in the Spring Term will be very much a time of Romans in Britain with specific focus on the use of technologies and resources...for instance,the construction of roads,forts and Hadrian's wall. We will also consider Roman influence beyond the parameters of Britain.
English
In English Literature, we will continue The Secret Garden with written work underpinning our reading, developing the use of quotation to back up points and observations around textual analysis.
In English Language, we will be focussing on descriptive writing with an emphasis both on the development of vocabulary use and the use of language techniques for impact and effect.
Music
More detailed work on intervals here, as well as learning new & seasonal songs. We are going to experiment with working in two groups as well.
Art
For this term we will be looking at the theme of ‘trees’. We will be exploring the beauty of
trees in winter and looking at their transformation through spring into summer. Artists
research include Gustav Klimt’s the tree of life and David Hockney’s landscapes. We will be
experimenting with a range of materials such as charcoal, chalks, inks, watercolour, oil
pastel, mixed media, clay and wire to create both 2D and 3D work.
Science
In science Upper primary continue to consolidate and extend their understanding of practical investigations and fair testing. They will look at how science relates to the real world and the importance and exitement of all things scientific.
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AutumnTerm 2019
English
This term in English Literature we will be studying the wonderful book ’The Secret Garden’ by Frances Hodgson-Burnett. This will also form the basis for work in English Language around comprehension (reading for meaning) and understanding of functional techniques.
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Maths
We will be consolidating all the maths skills we learnt last year and deepening our understanding further. We will start to take all topics to the next level of learning and continue to develop our independence in our learning. In particular we will be looking at fractions and working with negative numbers.
Science
Upper Primary have started their transition to Key Stage 3 by learning about some of the core skills of scientific investigation - planning experiments, collecting data and drawing graphs. We will be going on to learn about cells and microscopes, and then building on their earlier learning about forces and the states of matter.
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History
In History we continue to consider The Iron Age but from the perspective of Ancient Greece and the beginnings of the rise of ’The Romans’.
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Geography
This term we will continue to look at the Environment - in particular at the issue of waste management and recycling, the impact of the textile industry, and how we can live a more sustainable lifestyle. We will also look at sustainable solutions for people living in poorer countries around the world.
DT
This coming term our NFSS DT enthusiasts will be working on a diverse range of projects.
Kindergarten are currently learning all about tool use and safety, Lower Primary will be working on their Fairy/Miniature gardens, Middle primary are focused on Miniature worlds or Teddies, whilst Upper Primary will be working on an independent basis with work ranging from Textile design through to electronics.
It's going to be a productive term!
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Music
We are learning the basic notes in an octave on the keyboard, and then learning 2 folk tunes, which we will perform to the class in groups, and be assessed on. After half term, we will be learning Christmas songs.
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Art
This term we will be looking at Aboriginal art. We will be researching traditional types of
artwork and having ago at a range of activities including making natural paint, dot patterns,
sand drawings, body art, printing and artefact making/decorating.
We will also be looking at the 19th century western art movement of ‘Pointillism’.
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Spanish
Upper primary will be working on:
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Days of the week
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Sports
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Hobbies and interests
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Musical instruments
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Places to visit
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Christmas in Spanish and Latin America
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Summer Term 2019
English Language
This term we will consolidate and extend functional skills we have been developing throughout the year. There will be lots of opportunities for creative thinking about different ways of presenting information, for instance in sequenced, pictorial format.
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English Literature
We will complete our study of 'Goodnight Mr.Tom' and explore the development of written techniques involved in analysis and review.
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Maths
We spent much of last term recapping on many topic areas we have already looked at but consolidating this learning. In particular we looked at Area & Perimeter, 2D & 3D shapes, fractions, negative numbers and money. New concepts we have learned about are Ratio and the beginnings of BODMAS. Other topics we will be looking at before the end of the year are calculator use, rounding and averages.
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Science
We will focus on New Forest ecology for most of this term - learning to identify common birds, animals, mini beasts, plants and trees, and finding out how they are all linked to each other. We're looking forward to making new wall displays with the results of our 'I Spy Challenge' after half term. We'll also be looking at the links between nature connection and mental health, and thinking about practical ways to stay engaged with the natural world.
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Science Theory
This term we will be studying the creation of our solar system and our beautiful and precious Planet Earth. We will be looking at how all the planets were created out of stardust from our new sun, how water arrived on Earth courtesy of comets and how the moon was created. We will then go on to look at the other 8 planets in our solar system.
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History
Our explorations take us further forward into The Iron Age and the appearance of The Romans as our prehistory modules come to an end.
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Philosophy, Beliefs and Ethics
We will take a closer look at the foundation of the three Abrahamic faiths.
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Geography
Last term we started learning Map skills - including grid references. We got to know our local area better by studying large scale maps of the area. We also improved our location knowledge of the UK & Europe. This term we will continue to develop our Map skills looking at scale & relief. We are also going to learn about global warming.
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DT
All three of the Primary classes are currently in various stages of project work. We have teddies, board games, toys and lamps all on the go. These should all be finished over the next few weeks.
Once those are completed, we are going to dedicate the rest of our DT time to putting the finishing touches to the tree house. It's almost there...Just a few tweaks and safety checks needed before the grand opening!
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Music
We have our work cut out preparing for a big concert in the last week of the Summer Term, Wednesday 3rd July.
As both of these half terms (5 & 6) are so short, we are focusing on our repertoire for the big day.
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Upper Primary will be singing:
1. Something Just Like This (With Flavio on guitar).
2. When I Grow Up - from Matilda.
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If you want to help your child, please sing along to any recordings/YouTube etc of these songs.
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https://www.youtube.com/FM7MFYoyIVs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=96JDkl2tBhl
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Have fun!
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Art
We will be finishing off our 'Patterns' project. We will be developing designs and motifs, investigating repeat pattern and over laying, cutting stamps and printing final design onto fabric.
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Spanish
This term the children will be learning vocabulary related to food and drink. I will introduce the children to being able to express their likes and dislikes, healthy eating, at the bakery, breakfast and dinner. They will concentrate on singular and plural nouns and adjective agreements. They will also learn how to order drinks at a cafe. Towards the end of the term we will move on to hobbies and interests.
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PSHE
We are deepening our meditation/quiet sitting practice and sharing of gratitude. We will also be sharing our hopes, dreams, fears and worries and will be discussing how we can affect positive change in ourselves and the world!
Also See
Spring Term 2019
PSHE
We enjoy starting our sessions with quiet sitting/body mind awareness and once termly we will do our sharing circle and work/play/home reviews. We will also be learning about the wonders of male anatomy - following on from last month's female body celebrations. We will also explore sex and gender.
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English Language
This terms sees an emphasis on paragraph development with focus around the development and extension of ideas expressed through a range of sentence types and other language structures.
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English Literature
Our study of "Goodnight Mr Tom' continues as our class reader with many of the class, now actively choosing to read aloud longer pieces of text.
Maths
We will be recapping and revising some maths skills this term. We'll be learning about area, perimeter and volume soon, moving on to more complex geometry before Easter.
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Science
Ash has just got back from a trip to East Africa, and will use some of the insights from his visit to start conversations about healthy diets and lifestyles.
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From the 3rd week of term, we will also be studying Earth Science and Evolution topics, in preparation for our exciting visit to the Oxford University Museum of Natural History on Monday 11th February. (Letter to follow!)
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Science Theory
This term we will be studying the different types of galaxies and then zooming in to contemplate the stunning beauty of nebulae, the mysteries of black holes and the creation of solar systems.
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History
This term sees our focus shift towards The Iron Age with specific reference to Britain and Western Europe, including the influence of The Celts.
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Geography
We have started an important unit of work look at maps and learning the skills needed to read maps.
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DT
Moving on from the children's most successful miniature tree house project we will be making the most of any dry weather to get their large tree house in the garden finished. Fingers crossed the sun keeps shining and our timber has time to dry out a little! We also have some fine tuning to be getting on with on our go-kart. We will be having planning meetings, in which we will make an action plan of works and possible projects to be carried out in the coming weeks. I will be offering up the idea of 'toys with a mechanism' and 'board games'. Will they go for the idea though?!
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Music
Learning a simple tune all together on the school keyboards. Continuing our excellent singing practise, and working in a two part harmony. Homework will be set occasionally around our class work.
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Art
For the first part of this term we will be finishing off the Van Gogh project - embellished felt work and painting clay sunflowers.
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We will then be starting a new theme which will look at 'Pattern and Texture'. Using drawings, rubbings, mixed media and print, we will be recording observations and developing these into a final piece.
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Spanish
This term we will be looking at Hispanic Traditions (Dia de Reyes - 6th January); have an introduction to basic reading; Family members; Clothes; Pets; All about me - revision and finally Food and Drink.
Autumn Term 2018
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Music
Looking at the nature of music scores and writing our own text based scores. Working on a two part rhythmic graphic score together. As we get a bit nearer to the end of term, we will begin our Christmas numbers.
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The School Choir needs your support! We meet every Friday Lunchtime in the Studio 1.30-2pm. Anyone from Upper Primary upwards is more than welcome to join us - as well as parents and staff! We sing a great and fun mix of music in many styles. Please encourage your child to come and join us, and why not come along yourself?!
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Spanish
Greetings for different times of the day, introducing yourself to a friend, Asking questions, nationalities, numbers 1-20, colours, parts of the face and describing yourself.
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PSHE
We will be deepening our body/mind awareness/meditation practice at the beginning of each session, working on posture, breath and watching our 'mind movies'. We will be holding twice termly sharing circles, celebrating our strengths and challenges and learning about our bodies!
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Design & Technology
We have another exciting DT project to get stuck in to! As well as completing the tree house in the garden, we will be creating individual tree house lamps for each child to take home. These trees will create calm focal points for day dreaming and meditation. Who doesn't love the idea of exploring a miniature world? These dream trees are based on the work of LA artist 'Jedediah Corwyn Voltz', who uses house plants to build his tiny tree houses around. I look forward to seeing what the children come up with and shall let the artist know how we get on.
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Art
We will be looking at the life and work of Vincent Van Gogh. Studying his use of colour, painting techniques and subject matter including his most famous works The Sunflowers and Starry Night. We will be producing a number of Van Gogh inspired artworks including some observational drawing, painting, pastels, collage, pop up pictures, clay work and a case study.
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English
The class are studying 'Goodnight Mr Tom' as their class reader. we will be focussing on the use of language features, explicit and implicit information contained in extracts, and developing individual writing styles.
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History
We will be linking developments in Britain from the Neolithic into the Bronze Age, with the rise of the ancient Egyptian Civilisation.
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Ethics & Beliefs
We will start to consider major global religions, exploring ideas around human beliefs and faith.
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Geography
We will be expanding our knowledge of the world - first by learning what the continents and oceans are and then going on to do a unit of work called 'Wow, that's amazing!" - we will be learning about Easter Island, the Nazca Lines among many other amazing places.
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Maths
This term we will be looking at how to present data - so lots of different types of graphs including bar charts, pie charts and pictograms. We will also revisit some aspects of measurement including working out area and volume.
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Science
This term we are studying 'Living things and their habitats'. We're looking at life processes and life cycles in animals and plants and working on a term-long experiment to investigate whether plants grow better when you talk to them - and, if so, whether it matters what you say! In October we'll also be starting a Chemistry topic on 'Materials and their properties', which will include finding out about metals and non-metals, dissolving substances and separating mixtures.
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Science Theory
As an addition to practical Science the class will be studying the Big Bang this term and considering the mind stretching properties of the space-time continuum. We will also be looking at the extraordinary size of the Universe on both macro and micro levels.
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