Term 1

Extreme Environments 

What on earth is happening beneath our feet? The tectonic plates that form the Earth’s crust are always moving. Even the smallest movement can cause huge earthquakes, volcanoes and tsunamis that devastate communities across wide areas. If we can understand what is happening underground we can learn to predict and protect ourselves in the future. What can we learn from rocks? As stupendous Scientists, we will compare and group together different kinds of rocks on the basis of their appearance and simple physical properties, this knowledge will help us to describe how fossils are formed. As hands-on Historians, we will visit the Warren and collect fossil, like the esteemed fossil hunter Mary Anning. We will then use these artefacts to help us to describe and explain the passage of time. As amazing artisits we will develop our use of sketch books and consider how these can support us in refining our observational and sketching skills.

Term 2

Battling For Britain

Why oh why did the Anglo Saxons leave their home countries? What did England look like when they arrived? Who was here before them and who came next?  As Historians we will explore a range of sources to discover the legacy that the Anglo Saxons left behind. From the Romans leaving to the arrival of Christianity to the Battle of Hastings in 1066, we will learn how when one great civilisation ends, another civilisation will replace it and bring with them changes to custom,  culture and society. As Diligent designers we will use fabric to design, create and evaluate Anglo Saxon coin purses mastering the running stitch, decorating with cross-stitch and make a working drawstring. 

Term 3

May The Force Be With You

This term we become expert physicists! Forces are pushing and pulling at everything in our Universe. Even as we sit in our classroom, the walls and the ceiling are pushing and pulling at each other, while gravity and friction hold us in our seats. How has Science inspired Art? This term we study a range of artists who have been inspired by Science, we look to Science to inspire our own masterpieces and consider the imprtance of ‘inspiration’. In DT we will apply our knowledge  of magnets to design, create and evaluate a game.

Term 4

Whinless Wildlife  

Where in the world do animals live and why? How do animals come to live in zoos? Are zoos a good or bad thing? As growing Geographers we will develop the geographical skills to explore and confidently talk about how they can use a range of web-mapping and satellite programmes to locate where animals in captivity come from, we will then learn about these places and consider why this might be. In Science, we will extend our knowledge of ‘Amazing Animals’ from KS1 considering nutrition and what animals need to survive – asking the question is this the same for all animals? How many bones are in the human body? Do all skeletons look the same? What are the differences? As blossoming Biologists we will explore skeletons, muscles and their purpose.

Term 5

Stone Age to Iron Age

Whilst exploring the lives of the pre-historic, we will become aware as historians of how artefacts help us uncover mysteries of the past. Knowledge and understanding about the Stone Age transition from hunter gatherers to farmers will enable us to consider whether we are still reliant on the natural materials around us today to enrich our lives. Developments in manufacturing and processes have allowed the evolution of these materials, but how has the pre-historic era impacted our life today?  Was the change from a nomadic existence to becoming settled a necessary one? As Geographers, we will consider the areas of their settlement as well as designing homes as if Dover was the area of our settlement. Using the style of cave paintings, we will consider, ‘How does Art speak to people?’, ‘Can we use Art to tell a story?’ through this we will create exhibitions which communicate our lifestyle to those in the future.

Term 6

The Enchanted Wood and Light

Plants have lived on Earth for over 400 million years. Some plants in our gardens today were around at the same time as the dinosaurs. Why have plants been so successful? This term we become botanists, building on our KS1 learning about plants to discover more and deepen our understanding of plants. What lights up the world? If there was no light, there would be no life on our planet. Light helps plants to grow, it warms the planet, and it allows us to see all the wonders around us, we extend our Science learning, through learning all about light. Using nature as inspiration in Art Using nature as an inspiration colour wheel – Rebecca Vincent – Woodland inspiration. Using nature as an inspiration colour wheel children study the work of Rebecca Vincent alongside their own experiences and imagination to create their own canvas with the title ‘The Enchanted Woodland’.