Our Learning Journey\u00a0 provide information for our learners and their parents\/carers about what they will be learning over the next block of learning and teaching. They also provide enrichment opportunities for learners.<\/p>\n
Current Learning Journey – April to June<\/strong><\/p>\n Maths \u2013 Fractions, Decimals and Percentage and Ideas of Chance and Uncertainty<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n We will consolidate our understanding of values less than a whole in both fractions and decimals. Our fractions work will include finding equivalent fractions and their equivalent decimal value. We will link this with percentages and find simple percentages of amount.<\/p>\n In Ideas of Chance and Uncertainty. We will be examining the likelihood of something happening eg what is the chance of snow today ? This links naturally to our previous work on fractions and percentages<\/p>\n How you can help<\/strong>: Help your child see fractions, decimals and percentages in the real world \u2013 shopping is a good place for this!<\/p>\n Use language such as impossible, unlikely\/uncertain, likely\/possible, definite\/certain when discussing future eents with your child eg it is unlikely we\u2019ll get to the library before tea<\/p>\n English Language<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n Listening and Talking<\/u>\u00a0\u2013 This is infused through our curriculum and teaching practises<\/p>\n Reading<\/u>\u00a0\u2013 We will be working in groups to practise fluency and analysis skills using selected novels. We will also practise our comprehension skills using a range of resources.<\/p>\n Writing<\/u>\u00a0\u2013 We are focussing on persuasive techniques this block as we create a tourist information leaflet and then a personal persuasive text on a subject that learners will choose themselves.<\/p>\n How you can help<\/strong>: The best things to do are what I expect you are already doing ! Discussions with your child about what is going on in their life and the bigger world, and ensuring they are reading regularly at home \u2013 and anything counts ! If you would be interested in some suggested book lists, please let me know!<\/p>\n Health and Wellbeing<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n This cycle we are considering the social wellbeing aspect of sharing food and enjoying doing just that at various points in the term! We will also be considering what we can do to support ourselves through this period of change as we prepare for our next stage of learning.<\/p>\n How you can help:\u00a0Discuss what your child has been learning in these areas \u2013 perhaps over a meal! We have a number of transition plans in place \u2013 whether your child is moving to a new school, or a new stage in the same class. If you have anything you\u2019d like to discuss regarding your child, do get in touch.<\/p>\n Topic<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n Through the theme of \u2018Flight\u2019 we will be considering the scientific and technological advances that have allowed man to fly across the planet and beyond\u2026. Our main foci of learning will be on Forces and Space, and we will also be listening to Holst \u2018Planet Suite\u2019 as well as creating our own \u2018music of the spheres\u2019<\/p>\n How you can help<\/strong>: There are a number of good museums dedicated to flight in Scotland \u2013 our local one is in Montrose. Glasgow Science Centre has a planetarium that I\u2019ve heard is very good \u2013 although, on a clear night, I bet finding a dark place near Auchterhouse and looking up could be just as marvellous\u2026.<\/p>\n Modern Languages<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n This term we are learning to describe animals, both pets, farm and African animals. We will also be looking at different French speaking countries around the world<\/p>\n How you can help:\u00a0<\/strong>encourage your child to share their learning in French with you \u2013 you may find yourself remembering back to your own language experiences!<\/p>\n <\/p>\n January to March<\/strong><\/p>\n Maths \u2013 Addition and Subtraction, Multiplication and Division<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n We will continue developing strategies to help us solve equations using all four operations. These will include developing conceptual understanding of word problems as well as tackling the dreaded missing number equations!<\/p>\n How you can help<\/strong>: Ask your child to explain HOW they solve problems \u2013 and don\u2019t expect to see written algorithms!<\/p>\n English Language<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n Listening and Talking<\/u> \u2013 This is infused through our curriculum and teaching practises<\/p>\n Reading<\/u> \u2013 We are applying critical analysis skills to work with novels and short pieces of texts including poems. Later in the cycle, we will broaden our reading skills \u2013 including inference, predictions, questioning and making connections \u2013 to study the text Macbeth<\/p>\n Writing<\/u> \u2013 Firstly, we will learn and apply our knowledge and understanding of figurative language and imagery to support us learning more about poetry, as we use the stimulus of the outdoors to explore a range of poetry structures<\/p>\n How you can help<\/strong>: The best things to do are what I expect you are already doing ! Discussions with your child about what is going on in their life and the bigger world, and ensuring they are reading regularly at home \u2013 and anything counts ! If you would be interested in some suggested book lists, please let me know!<\/p>\n Health and Wellbeing<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n This cycle we are exploring relationships through considering peer pressure, forms of bullying and how we manage these situations. We hope to have a visit from our Community Police Officer to help us learn how and when to contact the Emergency Services, and we will be learning how what we eat affects our health and energy levels.<\/p>\n How you can help: <\/strong>Taking what we are learning in class within your home makes learning real. For example, discussing friendships with your child helps them to understand how they can manage these relationships. You could also discuss times when friendships have been difficult. Do please let us know about what your child is learning outside of school \u2013 we value what our learners are doing and would love to celebrate their achievements with them!<\/p>\n Topic<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n Our topic this block is the history of Dundee with a particular focus on the Victorian Era! We will place this time period within the Scottish History timeline and learn about life in Dundee through a visit to Verdant Works \u2013 this will help us compare our lives with those of the Victorians. We will also examine the theme of social justice by considering how Dundee was known as \u2018Radical Town\u2019, the development of Unions and the concept of fair trade. The latter will be brought back to the 21st<\/sup> Century as we take part in Fair Trade Fortnight at the start of March. Finally, the development of electricity was key at this point of history, so we will look at the science of batteries and circuits.<\/p>\n How you can help<\/strong>: Hill of Tarvit in Fife was the home of the Jute Baron who owned Verdant Works \u2013 a trip there would be a wonderful contrast to the children\u2019s learning about the people who worked in the mill Mr Sharp owned\u2026.. \u00a0When you are out and about in Dundee City centre, look up to find dates of building built in the Victorian era \u2013 and a trip to the McManus is ALWAYS a good use of time!<\/p>\n Modern Languages<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n Last term we actually focussed on learning French vocabulary and sentences about school life, so we are now looking at describing families as well as our likes and dislikes.<\/p>\n How you can help: <\/strong>encourage your child to share their learning in French with you \u2013 you may find yourself remembering back to your own language experiences!<\/p>\n <\/p>\n – August to December<\/strong><\/p>\n Maths \u2013 Numbers and Number Structures, Addition and Subtraction<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Depending on where a leaner is working- found through Cold Tasks – we will be looking at the Place Value of digits in numbers and the magnitude of these values, the importance of zero, the cycle of our counting system and how partitioning can support us in working with numbers. We will use some of this knowledge in addition and subtraction strategies and develop more strategies to give us a wider range to solve problems with.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n How you can help<\/span><\/b>: Talk about numbers with your child, especially larger values and decimal values. Where can you find these numbers in real life?<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Maths \u2013 Shape<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Children will start to u<\/span>se the terms circumference, diameter and radius to accurately describe parts of a circle and they will be able to use this knowledge to draw circles of given sizes.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n How you can help<\/span><\/b>: Talk about shapes with your child, asking them to name a variety of 2D and 3D shapes. Sometimes, regular reminders are needed for children to remember shape names!<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n English Language<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Listening and Talking<\/span> \u2013 This is infused through our curriculum and teaching practises<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Reading<\/span> \u2013 We are developing a range of skills including predicting, inferring and summarising using a variety of texts including multi-media. Later in the year we will apply these texts with a novel study.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Writing<\/span> \u2013 Through the stimulus of the centenary of the discovery of Tutankhamun\u2019s tomb in Egypt, we will be writing a range of texts including a biography, report and letter. This will enable us to explore text structures and features as well as develop a range of sentence structures, specific vocabulary and a focus on note-taking from a variety of sources.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n How you can help<\/span><\/b>: The best things to do are what I expect you are already doing ! Discussions with your child about what is going on in their life and the bigger world, and ensuring they are reading regularly at home \u2013 and anything counts ! If you would be interested in some suggested book lists, please let me know!<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span>Health and Wellbeing<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n This block we are focussing on understanding and managing our feelings as well as managing relationships and risk-taking. We are planning to take part in a workshop on Substance Misuse with NHS Tayside.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n In PE, we are focussing on developing ball skills and how these can be applied in a variety of games. <\/span>As learners encounter new challenges they are encouraged and supported to demonstrate their ability to select, adapt and apply movement skills and strategies, creatively, accurately and with control.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n How you can help: <\/span><\/b>Taking what we are learning in class within your home makes learning real. For example, discussing emotions with your child helps them to understand a range of feelings is normal and how you manage your own feelings. You could also discuss times when friendships have been difficult. Do please let us know about what your child is learning outside of school \u2013 we value what our learners are doing and would love to celebrate their achievements with them!<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Topic<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Our topic this block is Scotland! Our focus is a geography angle, looking at changing landscapes and use of land. We are using the theme of belonging to a place as a stimulus for art and drama.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n How you can help<\/span><\/b>: Dynamic Earth in Edinburgh would be a wonderful trip in the October holidays if you\u2019re looking for something to do! If you have visited different places in Scotland, look at photos and discuss what each place has to offer \u2013 you could even use Google Earth for a virtual trip!<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Modern Languages<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n This term we will be revising and extending our use of French greetings. We will also be talking about dates of the year and describing our families. To extend our learning, we will be writing a letter in French and we are also going to be in touch with our twinned town, Guiche!<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n How you can help: <\/span><\/b>encourage your child to share their learning in French with you \u2013 you may find yourself remembering back to your own language experiences!<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n UNCRC<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n As a Gold Rights Respecting School, it is important that we continue to embed children\u2019s knowledge of Rights throughout the curriculum.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Every week, children will participate in learning such as:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Our Learning Journey\u00a0 provide information for our learners and their parents\/carers about what they will be learning over the next block of learning and teaching. They also provide enrichment opportunities for learners. Current Learning Journey – April to June Maths … Continue reading \n