Spring Curriculum Focus:

English:

This term, in our fiction writing, we will be developing our knowledge of how to include speech 

effectively and learning how to write suspense. In our non-fiction writing, we will be improving our

instructional writing and writing a non-chronological report.

In reading, we will be looking at extracts amongst others, from Picklewitch and Jack, The Emperor of

the New Moon and reading the Iron Man.

Reading Homework:

Please try to read with your child for 10 minutes every day. Short, daily reading is the best way to

help your child progress in this area. Children will be expected to change their own books when they

come in in the morning.

Please note in your child's reading record when they have read to you and when the book is completed. 

Children, who are free readers, can fill in their record independently but please still try to listen to

them read regularly. Reading records and books should be in school bags every day please.

Please take a look at these helpful questions to discuss with your child as you are reading, to further

develop their comprehension skills.

1. Understanding the Story (Literal Comprehension)

These check that the child has understood the main facts.

• Who are the main characters in the story so far?

• Where does the story take place?

• What happened at the beginning of the story/chapter?

• What problem does the main character have?

2. Reading Between the Lines (Inference Skills)

These encourage thinking about feelings, motives, and unspoken ideas.

• How do you think [character] is feeling right now? What makes you think that?

• Why do you think [character] decided to do that?

• What do you think will happen next?

• If you were [character], what would you do?

• Do you think [character] made a good choice? Why or why not?

3. Understanding Vocabulary

Helps them notice new words and think about meaning from context.

• What does this word mean? Can you work it out from the sentence?

• Can you think of another word that means the same as this?

4. Thinking About the Author’s Choices

Encourages deeper thinking about writing style and purpose.

• Why do you think the author chose this title?

• Why might the author have described [place/object] in so much detail?

• If you could ask the author one question, what would it be?

5. Summarising and Retelling

Builds memory and sequencing skills.

• Can you tell me the main events from the story so far?

• If you had to explain this chapter/story to someone in one sentence, what would you say?

• What was the most important thing that happened today in the story?

Library: 

Children do not need to change their book every week if they are still reading it. If they are still

reading, please do send your child to bring in their library book every two weeks to be re-scanned.

This ensures our system  doesn't generate a late notice for them. If their book(s) is/are overdue,

they will not be able to borrow books. Children can take up to two books out. 

To access Reading Cloud, click here.      

Spelling Homework:

Homework will be checked each week on a Thursday evening and spellings will be changed on a

Monday for the new lists.  Children should access Spelling Shed and complete at least 5 games per

week. We will be working on our spellings daily, so practising at home on Spelling Shed will support

them further in this. 

All logins and passwords are on the inside cover of their yellow reading diary. You will find a QR

code in their reading record.  It will link to the spelling patterns the children are learning in class that

week. This is online on Spelling Shed. 

To access Spelling Shed, click here.