This half term our topic is ‘Scouting’ where we will be focusing on the different types of scouting groups in the UK as well as the activities they take part in, camping, and learning outdoors! During the first week, we will introduce the topic of ‘Scouting’ and I will be bringing in my old scouting uniforms for the children to identify badges and guess which ones link to certain activities/achievements. In the second week, we will be focusing on Pancake Day and World Book Day, discussing the reasons around why Pancake Day is celebrated with our friends and adults, and taking part in pancake-based lessons such as cooking pancakes and taking part in some special Pancake Day attention circles.              

We will be continuing to visit St George’s track for cycling sessions on Thursday mornings as well as Epsom Tennis Centre for tennis with Callum on a Monday. We are also continuing to go on community visits on Wednesday afternoons to visit places which relate to our topic of ‘Scouting’. In the third week, we will continue learning about different types of Scouting and where it originated from – Brownsea Island. Swallowtail Class also have the exciting opportunity to visit Sayers Croft Outdoor Learning centre in March with some of the secondary children, which will work alongside their learning of ‘Scouting’. In the fourth week, we will be looking at the local scouting groups near us, and researching about Cubs,  Beavers, Scouts as well as Girl Guiding that we can find in our local areas. We will also be discussing the impact of weather on camping throughout the third and fourth weeks. The class will be thinking about habitats for different animals and how they adapt to varying climates in Science sessions throughout this half-term. Moreover, in the fifth and final week of term, we will be learning about the Easter story and celebrating everything that relates to the spring festival. During this week, we will be looking at the Easter story in depth as well as carrying out some fun and crafty Easter activities as well as the Easter Egg Hunt with the Easter Bunny!     Additionally, later in the month, Swallowtail Class will have the chance to visit Sutton Omniplex cinema to see a film with their primary friends.       

In our Maths lessons, Swallowtail Class will continue to work through the White Rose scheme. In their English sessions, some children are continuing with some reading sessions in 1:1 groups, as well as continuing to better their writing through using tricky words and continuing to use full stops and capital letters in the appropriate places. Additionally, other children will be focusing on using eye gaze and expression with their partners. We will also be continuing our exciting phonics sessions each week using the Twinkl scheme of work which I know the class enjoy very much.                   

For PE this term, Swallowtail Class will start taking part in gymnastics sessions with Charlene. Some will  continue to develop their badminton skills, following a really successful term of badminton last half-term. Some children will be continuing with their Akademi dance sessions that they are always very excited to join with Anusha on a Wednesday! The children will also be continuing to carry out the Jigsaw PSHE sessions in class which mix different songs, discussion points and games to make for a fun and interactive lesson. Our topic for PSHE this term is “Healthy Me”. Additionally, the class will be cooking different foods in cooking sessions with John on a Monday, including pancakes and some camp-based delicacies too! Lastly, Swallowtail Class will be looking forward to continuing our learning in World Views, where the focus will be the Easter story.

Alex