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Preston
Primary School
Academy

Unit 4 Spring 2 Newsletter

'How do you defeat a witch?'

Learning Experience Rationale – Traditional Tales

In this Learning Experience, we are exploring traditional tales, more specifically the tale of Hansel and Gretel. Traditional tales have been told for centuries with many of us growing up with them. In this Learning Experience, we are exploring a version of the Hansel and Gretel story, written by Neil Gaiman, that was written with a Key Stage 2 audience in mind. This version is filled with incredible examples of descriptive detail and with this as inspiration we plan to write our own descriptive scenes in the style of Neil Gaiman.

After we finish with the Hansel and Gretel text, we will explore ‘Incredible Edibles’ which is a cookbook for children. In this text are fantastic examples of instructions for children to follow. We will explore these incredible examples and then from this create our own set of instructions on how to defeat a witch.

Learning Experience Hook and Outcome

Hook – Listen and enjoy the story of Hansel and Gretel as told by Neil Gaiman.

Outcome – A scene setting piece of writing and a set of instructions on how to defeat a witch.

Vocabulary

Here is a range of vocabulary we will be focusing on this half-term. We are expecting that the children will be able to define these words and use some of them in their writing.

Fairy Tale Writing: ancient, aggressive, curiosity, existence, disastrous, familiar, foreign.

Instruction Writing: frequently, immediately, necessary, recommend, relevant, equipment, especially.

School Value:

Instilling the importance of teamwork in a child will shape their cognitive, social, and emotional skills which will guide them throughout their life. It all starts with communication. Take turns to hear and be heard. Empathise with others, and enjoy being in a team.

Maths

This half term, we will be focusing on exploring the children’s starting points for our return to school. We will begin by continuing our exploration of geometry before moving onto multiplication. Children will be supported when applying their prior understanding of mathematical concepts to assist them in solving a range of mathematical problems. They will also explore multiplication tables and related division facts.

Reading at Home

Authors to look out for:

  • Neil Gaiman
  • Malorie Blackman

Wider Curriculum

Science – Scientists from history and what they achieved.

Computing – Coding

PE – High Intensity Interval Training (PE in small spaces), with this children will then work in teams to create their own workouts for others.

Pastoral care:

We are aware that the children have experienced lots of changes recently. We will be working hard to support them emotionally during school reopening. Teaching staff will be visible at the beginning and end of the day if you would like to share any observations or queries with them. We will be planning lots of collaborative and exciting opportunities for children to help ease them back into the routines and expectations of school life. If you have any further questions or worries, please contact our pastoral team: pastoral@preston.torbay.sch.uk

Messages

Allergies: We have a number of children with nut and kiwi allergies so please ensure these products are not brought into school.

Absence: Should your child be absent due to illness please call the absence line on 01803 607589 and leave a message with your child’s name, class and reason for absence. Alternatively, you can text this information to 07786208446. If your child has sickness and/or diarrhoea, they will need to be absent for 48 hours after the last episode of illness. For planned absences of any nature, you will need to complete an absence request form, these are available on the school website.

Times of the school day: The school day begins for us at 8:40am and finishes at 3:00pm.

Please remember to socially distance while on school premises and when leaving the site. Please wear a mask when on the school site. If you have messages for the office, please email them on admin@preston.torbay.sch.uk.

On PE days please ensure your child wears a full PE kit to school. Hawks will have PE every Tuesday and Eagles and Kestrels will have PE every Thursday. Please ensure your child has a pair of named wellies in a bag in school so that we can go to the Woodland Camp.

Dates to remember:

Monday 8th March – School reopens for all.

Friday 12th March – Whole School World Book Day

Thursday 1st April – Last day of term

Home Learning

To create a set of instructions about an activity or hobby of your choice, making sure to include the features we have covered in school. For example:

  • How to bake a cake?
  • How to knit?
  • How to create your own Minecraft world.?

This assignment will be posted on the 15th March.

Address
Preston Primary School Academy
Old Paignton Road
Torquay
Devon
TQ2 6UY

Phone
01803 607075