​​

The Core Curriculum

English, maths and science are at the core of our working life at Stonebow Primary School and enable our children to access all aspects of the national curriculum.

English Key elements:

Reading and reading comprehension using our daily VIPERS scheme incorporating studies that target: Vocabulary, Inference, Prediction, Explanation, Retrieval and Summarising.

Writing for a purpose for fiction and non-fiction is taught to ensure that composition and effect together with grammar, punctuation and spelling enable students to express themselves in the written word. From writing to world leaders to explaining the functions of the human body and of course the children’s favourite: Story writing across a wide range of genres.

Maths Key elements

Number systems, place value and calculation are important parts of the maths curriculum but detailed knowledge and application for fractions, measures including time, roman numerals, shape and space including angles and statistics calculation together with the interpretation of charts and graphs are all part and parcel of our mastery curriculum. All of these elements will be taught in blocks gradually building upon each other to form solid knowledge that can be applied to everyday life as well periodic tests and assessments that are used in school and at a national level in Y4 with the Multiplication Table Check during June.

Science Key elements

Autumn Term – Plants, living things and their habitats including animal classification

A programme of study with practical experiments growing plants and investigating animal evolution, through natural selection and adaptation to environment. Key historical scientists and naturalists to study include Charles Darwin and David Attenborough

Spring Term – Sound and Electricity

Circuit making and sound experiments form the core of learning and knowledge acquisition for this term including the construction and testing of musical instruments to prove physical property hypothesis. Nikola Tesla is a focus for historical scientists this term.

Summer Term – Forces and Magnets

Friction, attraction, repulsion and force are the order of the day for this term. Children learn about the wonders of magnetic fields and the practical aspects of forces including major scientific discoveries in the laws of motion and gravity! Key historical scientists include Sir Isaac Newton.

HUMANTIES CURRICULUM THEMES

Autumn Term

GEOGRAPHY - The Rain Forest

A rich discovery of the rainforest biomes through human and locational geography. Learning where our rainforests are located throughout the world and the rich human interaction with them. Sadly, this incredible natural resource is under threat and we will be exploring the impact of negative human practices and the triumphs of preservation. As part of this topic a real-life rainforest explorer will be visiting and sharing his experiences though a day of interactive experiences for the all of the children in Y3/4.

Spring Term

HISTORY – The Vikings

An exploration of the historical impact of Viking (Norse) culture on modern society and the historical way of life for these warrior and trading settler people throughout Europe. From the amazing longships they used to travel the world to foods, tools and home life.  As part of this topic the children will be involved in food tasting and will engage in a Viking visit by Leicester Museum Services for a morning of handling real Viking artefacts. They will also experience their daily lives though role play and related practical activities.

Summer Term

GEOGRAPHY & HISTORY – The Mayans and Ancient Mesa-America

A combined history and geography investigation into the incredible lives of the Mayans and Mesa-American ancient culture. This links with our studies of the rainforests in the autumn term. We will discover how the ancient Mayans lived in harmony with the flora and fauna of the rainforest biomes and the historical significance of European colonisation from 1492 onwards. As part of this topic a ‘Mayan day’ is planned. Details are to be confirmed.

The national curriculum subjects of Computing, Physical Education, Personal Social and Health Education incorporating Relationship and Sex Education, Art & Design, Design & Technology, Religious Education, Music and Modern Foreign Languages (French) are either taught as part of the termly humanities themes or discreetly as shown on the class timetable.