Welcome to Willow

Teacher - Governor Jacob Millin

Appointed 19/10/2020

Photo of Jacob Millin

Welcome to Willow Class!

We are a class of 12 energetic boys. Becoming independent plays a large role in our day-to-day experience of school. We explore the full range of National Curriculum subjects and this is entwined with activities and experiences that help to prepare for our adult life. We all have high expectations of each other and support one another to achieve our goals.

Willow Timetable – Autumn term 2 – 23/24

Autumn Term 2 - 23/24Curriculum Information for parents
SubjectProfileLearning at home
EnglishWe will be exploring conflict this half term. This will involve looking at the impact of war during World War I and II. Pupils will write poems, explore fact files and write reports about events that took place during this time. These will then be used to create our own book that will be sent home for you to read. Our focus in Library time will be on developing Library skills and independence in using the school library and reading books for pleasure. Read as many different sources of writing as possible -books, magazines, labels, advertisements, leaflets, cereal boxes! Encourage your child to try sounding out any tricky new words. Take time to focus on how arguments and conflicts are sorted out (listening to each other, making a plan, agreeing to disagree) Enjoy reading and browsing books with you child just for pleasure. Have books and magazines around the house, if possible make reading and listening to stories part of your usual routine.
Maths: Our next topic in Maths is measurement. This will mainly be taught through cooking. We will spend time working on how to measure quantities of foods and liquids before planning our own recipes to make in the lead up to Christmas.Spend time looking at the ingredients for your favourite food. How many different items are in there? How much of each are in there? Explore recipe books and, if possible, make something together!
PSHE‘What makes you the person you are?’ will be a key question this half term as we explore our emotions and identify what we feel are important human qualities. We will practise using our voice and body language to help identify how to recognise emotional reactions.Take opportunities to discuss how people in your family are feeling. What makes each other happy or sad? Discuss what makes a good friend and what good things they do to help others.
ScienceThis half term we will be focusing on the Earth and the atmosphere. This will involve investigating the processes of how different types of rocks are formed and how rocks are weathered through natural processes.Go for walks and look for different types of rocks. Make a game of it and see who can spot the most types. Can you find a rough and a smooth stone? How about a dark and a light one?Why are some buildings made of rocks and stone?
Design TechnologyThis half term we will be developing our own food product range. This will involve learning how to produce large quantities of the same food types by using moulds and templates. As we gain more confidence we will then add in personalised designs.Go to a supermarket and try to find as many different items that are ‘batched’ produced as possible. (Bread, pizzas, biscuits, sandwiches). Think about how the makers managed to get them all the same size and shape.
ComputingWe will be investigating how we can use photos this half term. Pupils will have the opportunity to take photos around school and use them to present information and support writing. Look at photos, adverts and images that display information – “what are they trying to tell us?” Think about the sills needed to take a photo. Think about ‘what makes a good photo?’ (Is it clear? is it interesting to look at?)
ArtWe will be continuing to explore the changing colours of nature through the seasons. We will take inspiration from the artist Joseph Cornell to produce our own original artwork. Spend time looking at how the environment is changing as Autumn takes hold. What is changing? What new colours can we see?
History: Linked with our English theme of ‘conflict’, we will be gaining an understanding of how World War 2 affected the lives of children during this period of history and comparing their experiences with our own lives today.Use the ‘Primary History- World War 2’ website to gain an insight into the era. There are some games to play on there too! Ask family members what they know about the era, do they know someone with a good story to tell?
Modern Foreign LanguagesThis term we will continue to explore the traditions, language and culture of Spain.Have you ever been to Spain or know any Spanish words? Share your experiences, photographs and stories. We would love to hear and see them!
MusicImprovisation is our next theme in Music. This half term we will be spending time listening to music and then customising it to make it our own. We will record our voices as well as rhythms made through percussion instruments. Listen to music together. Discuss what you each like about the song/music. How does it make you feel? Try to find the beat in a piece of music and clap along with it.
REWe will spend time exploring Hinduism. This will be taught as a whole day event after the Hindu festival of Diwali. What information can you find out about the festival? There is a good website that you can explore together at : ‘Primary Homework help- Diwali’
PEOn Tuesday mornings PE will focus on movement activities to express our emotions. Pupils will think about how to change their speed to suit the music and which parts of their body to use for expression. We will be doing health and fitness to musicEncourage your child to be active and aim for one physical activity each day (go for a walk, ride a bike, climb the stairs 3 times in a row, hop instead of walking for 2 minutes, stretching exercises whilst sat down)