Term 3 Week 1

Happy New Year

I hope you had a restful Christmas and a happy break together. It has been such a joy welcoming the children back into school. There was an immediate buzz in the classroom, with smiles all round and a real sense of excitement. We truly did miss them.

Our first week back was greeted by snow. The playground was covered, temperatures dropped and the school looked absolutely magical. It was freezing… but completely worth it.

Reading

One of the most exciting things to share is that we have started a new class novel this term, Felicity Fire and the Forever Key by Leon Mitchell. Leon is a local author from Newbury and also a filmmaker. He has written several books and is a passionate advocate for reading and storytelling. The book is available from Wantage Bookshop and Hungerford Bookshop, with some of his work also available online for children who would like to explore more at home. If you would like to find out more, please do take a look at his website: https://cinalight.wixsite.com/leonmitchell

This class novel sits at the heart of our Reading for Pleasure focus. By sharing a high quality story together each day, we want children to experience the joy of getting lost in a book and to build a genuine love of reading. From the very first chapter, the children have been completely captivated by the drama and magic of the story, particularly the introduction of the formidable headteacher Mr Crunchscoff and a young girl racing against time to get to school, something they instantly connected with. The atmosphere during our reading sessions has been electric and this is exactly the kind of reading energy we love to see.

English

In English this term, our core text is The Diary of Thomas Snoop, which links closely to our Tudor history topic. The children have been fascinated by the idea of life in Tudor times, particularly through the eyes of Thomas Snoop, a young spy navigating a world of secrets and danger.

So far, we have read Day 1 and Day 2 of the text. The children have spent time reading closely, discussing the events and drawing inferences about Thomas’s character and personality. They have explored what his actions, thoughts and choices tell us about the kind of person he is, developing their understanding of inference and evidence from the text.

Building on this, the children will be writing a detailed character description of Thomas Snoop, using evidence from the story to support their ideas. They will also be writing a diary entry from Thomas Snoop’s perspective, imagining his thoughts and feelings as a Tudor spy. The children have thoroughly enjoyed learning about Thomas and are already showing real enthusiasm and curiosity about his role and life in Tudor times.

Maths

In Maths, our learning this term is closely linked to times tables. Secure recall is essential, as it supports all multiplication and division work in class. We practise times tables daily and use short fluency tasks to help children become quicker and more confident.

To support this, children will be set tasks on TTRockstars. These are designed to build accuracy and speed in a manageable, motivating way. We ask that parents support their children in completing these tasks at home and ensure they are able to access their account regularly, as this practice has a real impact on progress in Maths.

Science

Our Science topic this term is Solids, Liquids and Gases. This week, the children took part in a hands-on scientific investigation linked to our enquiry question: Do all liquids behave the same?

The children designed their own investigations and tested the viscosity of different liquids. They observed how quickly each liquid flowed, compared results and discussed why some liquids moved more slowly than others. Through careful observation, the children noticed clear differences between liquids, with thicker liquids flowing more slowly and thinner liquids moving more quickly.

The children recorded their results and used scientific vocabulary to explain what they had observed. This investigation supported their understanding that, although liquids share common properties, they do not all behave in the same way. The level of engagement was high and the children showed focus and growing confidence in working scientifically.

Design and Technology

In Design and Technology, the children have been designing and making their own bags. They explored different materials and design choices, thinking carefully about purpose, strength and appearance. The children planned their designs, selected suitable materials and evaluated how well their bags worked once completed. This project has encouraged creativity, problem solving and practical skills, with the children taking real pride in their finished products.

Just a quick reminder that homework is set each Friday and should be handed in the following Friday, giving the children a full week to complete it. Homework includes Maths, English, spelling and times tables practice on TTRockstars. Please support your child in completing these tasks at home, as they play an important role in reinforcing learning in class.

We have lots more exciting things coming up next week, so stay tuned!