Class: VENUS
Learning Letter
Spring 2 2016
MRS BUSHBY
Mathematics
Over the next half term we will be studying area, perimeter and
volume of shapes. We will be looking at measuring using ratio and
proportion. We will investigate 2D and 3D shapes. We will use line
graphs and pie charts to investigate statistics. We will calculate
addition and subtraction both mentally in written form to answer
questions and solve problems.
English
Our literacy topic will link to our Shang Dynasty topic. We will be studying time shift and
flashback stories and writing a story set in Ancient China. We will also use a novel as a
theme and base our writing around the novel “Ctrl Z.”
Reading
Children will continue to participate in three 30 minute guided reading sessions a week. The teacher
works with each group on a text carefully selected to offer an appropriate level of challenge to the
group. The books selected should be comfortable for the readers, but offering some challenge.
Challenge may be in terms of reading cues and strategies, language and vocabulary, or sophisticated
aspects of grammar, inference, skimming and scanning.
Group reading can offer opportunities for:
 observing, recording, reporting and assessing children’s reading strategies ;
 teaching reading strategies for different kinds of reading – e.g. plays, narrative poetry,
information texts, as well as novels;
 regular practice in tackling unfamiliar – and familiar – print;
 establishing confidence;
 talking about texts – with and without an adult;
 tackling challenging texts in a spirit of communal support;
 noting where readers might be guided next in their reading
choices;
 giving a high profile to reading as a valuable and public
activity.
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Science
Children will be studying the topic of Forces during science lessons.
They will be taught to explain that unsupported objects fall towards the
Earth because of the force of gravity acting between the Earth and the
falling object. We will identify the effects of air resistance, water
resistance and friction and recognise that some mechanisms, including
levers, pulleys and gears, allow a smaller force to have a greater effect.
Topic
This half term we are going to be studying the Shang Dynasty of China. Our main themes will be war,
how people lived, buildings and culture and art work. The children will be using research skills to
discover and present information on the Shang Dynasty. We will be creating some clay models and
even clay oracle tables.
Homework for this half term will continue to be based on our SATs studies.
Reading homework- a polite reminder that children are expected to read one
book every 2 weeks and to complete one reading test every alternative week.
Spelling homework will be given weekly and the children may be asked to
complete an activity as well as learn and apply the spelling rule.
In addition to this regular homework the children may be asked to conduct research on our topic
theme or to prepare for a writing task. Your help and support with this is much appreciated and will
help your children progress further towards their learning targets. All homework which is given on
Mondays and needs to be completed for Friday each week please refer to the homework slip sent out
each Monday.
Please help us to help your child by supporting the completion of homework at home.
Trips/Visitors
We have no external trips planned for this topic but we will be looking at
cooking some Chinese style food and eating with chopsticks later in the term.
PE
This term our PE takes place on Tuesday and Thursday and whilst we will be mainly inside there may
be times when we need to go outside; please ensure the children have suitable footwar – trainers not
pumps for outside please. Our topic this term is games.

‘Children are encouraged to wear Lowerhouse P.E kit with pumps for the hall or trainers for outdoor activities.
No jewelry is permitted to be worn and children must bring a letter from home if they cannot participate in a
P.E lesson.’
Extra Information
If you have any Chinese artefacts or links to China we would love to use them in our class display. Our
topic homework is open-ended this half term but needs to be completed before the Easter break.
(See separate letter on topic homework.)
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