What topics will be covered in Koala Class?

Term 1

This term, we begin learning all about each other! We find out all about who we are, things we enjoy learning and about our families and backgrounds. Later this term, we will begin our topic of "Autumn" in which we will taste autumnal foods and explore the woodland environment. We will look at natural objects such as leaves, acorns, pinecones and conkers. We will be using the book ‘Leaf Man’ by Lois Ehlert to help expand our understanding of the topic. We bring this book to life in creative ways such as woodland walks, making our own leaf man and learning to count using natural materials.

Term 2

In term 2, our topic will be “Let's Celebrate!”, we will be exploring exciting festivals and celebrations such as Diwali, Eid and Bonfire Night. Throughout the term, there will be lots of role-play, singing, and music-making this term and we will recreate special experiences in stimulating and sensory filled ways. To support our learning on this topic we will be reading the following books:
 

'Princess Arabella’s Birthday' by Mylo Freeman

'Welcome to our world' by Moira Butterfield

'Let’s Celebrate: Special days around the world'

Term 3

In term 3 our topic is 'People who inspire us'. We will be reading about the lives of Greta Thunberg, Frida Kahlo and Marcus Rashford and using these inspirational figures to spark curiosity and passion for Art, Sport and the Environment. We will also be learning about real life Superheroes such as Doctors, Police officers and Fire Fighters, as well as fictional ones. We will have a visit from a Police Officer, where we will see the equipment that they use and learn all about their role.

We will be very busy applying what we know about superheroes to design our very own superheroes along with their outfits and will have opportunities to apply our phonic knowledge to make wanted posters for the villains in our stories. We will be reading the books 'Eliot, Midnight Superhero' and 'Supertato'. Our memorable experience will be a 'Superhero Party', where we will dress up as our favourite superhero and play lots of games with our friends.

In Maths this term we will continue to work our way through our numbers. This term the focus will be on numbers 6, 7, 8. We will also be looking at 3D shapes and measuring length. We will be practising our addition and subtraction skills practically as well as looking at halving, doubling and sharing.

Term 4

During Term 4, our topic will be “Growing” in which we will be observing the different things that grow and how this happens. 

We are very excited to have the opportunity of observing duck eggs hatch in our classrooms. While we are looking after them, we will create observational diaries to record the daily changes we see. We will look after our ducklings by keeping them warm, changing their water and sawdust and giving them some food. This topic will support our learning to look closely at the natural world, discuss what we see and talk about changes that take place over time.  

Throughout this topic, we will also be learning about the growth of plants, the functions of different parts of a plant and what plants need to grow. 

We will be reading the following books: 

Week 1 & 2 – Jack and the Beanstalk 

Week 3 & 4 – The Little Red Hen and Eggs and Chicks

Week 5 & 6 – The Very Hungry Caterpillar and the Easter story

In Maths, we will be exploring the number 10 including finding number bonds, and subtraction facts to 10. We will also be exploring 3D shapes and participating in problem solving opportunities such as constructing animal homes fit for purpose using our maths skills.  

Term 5

This term our topic is “Once upon a time” and we will be focusing on traditional tales and fairy tales from around the world. We will be constructing castles and towers, discussing the components of a traditional tale and having debates on who the baddies and goodies are in our story! We will be retelling the stories we’ve read and we will have lots of opportunities to create our own stories. 

We will be reading the traditional tales 'The Gingerbread Man', 'The Three Little Pigs' and 'Goldilocks and the Three Bears'.

Term 6

In term six we will be learning about all things 'Under the Sea'. During this topic, we will learn all about life under the ocean, or at the beach! Children will research lots of information to find facts about different ocean animals and learn about adaptations they have to survive under the sea.