Reception Spring Term 2010
 Monsters and Mini-beasts

Year 1 Spring Term 2010

 Fairy Tales (1st half-term)

Year 2 Spring Term 2010

Shrek / Traditional Stories / Materials
 

Year 3 Spring Term 2010

Romans
 

Year 4 Spring Term 2010

Madagascar

Year 5 Spring Term 2010

India

Year 6 Spring Term 2010

World War II  

Here at Cann Hall Primary School we aim to provide a broad and balanced curriculum that develops children’s learning, according to their age, aptitude and ability in the most interesting and meaningful way that we can.

English is central to the Curriculum, and is therefore one of our main priorities. All the children participate in a daily Literacy lesson where the emphasis is on whole class teaching, and group reading and writing activities. As part of our Literacy work the school is using film and cine-literacy as well as text based studies to improve writing skills across the curriculum. Work entails investigations around film/moving image and drama in the build up to writing.

Through Literacy children in Key Stage 1 will develop the skills necessary to read with fluency and understanding. The children in Key Stage 2 are given a wide range of reading experiences. They use books to interpret information, begin to use inference and deduction when talking about texts, and are encouraged to give a personal response to books comparing different types, or genres, of stories.

In Key Stage 1, and for some children in Key Stage 2, twice daily phonics lessons ‘ERR’ – Early Reading Research, is undertaken. These sessions last for ten minutes. Parents are welcome to come
in to school to observe ERR sessions in the classroom.
 

All the children take a reading book home every day in a reading bag. Each bag contains a Reading Record and a Home School Book in which parents are invited to comment on their child’s progress. Children in Key Stage 2 are encouraged to read books independently at home. We also suggest that they read to an adult at least twice a week.
 

The children have access to a well established and growing collection of books of all kinds. We have a superb library that is used by all the children. They are also encouraged to use their local Library. We aim to foster in each and every child a lifelong love of books.
 

Children write in varied forms on a variety of topics. The need for correct spelling and punctuation is emphasised from the earliest stages. Children are encouraged to discuss their ideas and communicate clearly in both speech and writing. The skill of listening is actively encouraged. A standardised style of joined handwriting is taught throughout the school, with the emphasis on neatness and legibility.
 

Drama is an integral part of our speaking and listening work and all children are involved in various presentations of plays and music are staged during the course of the year to which parents are invited. Drama is often performed in assemblies and we always present a Nativity at Christmas, which involves younger and older pupils often working together.

See the Extra Help With Reading Guide below for more information.

Mathematics is based on practical experience, aimed at developing an understanding of basic mathematical concepts and proficiency in computation. We follow the National Numeracy strategy throughout school. Our teaching of Numeracy is based on three key principles: -

There is a daily mathematics lesson. This takes the form of direct teaching and interactive oral work with the whole class and groups.

The emphasis is on mental calculation. Opportunities are planned to ensure that the teaching of mathematics is investigative in nature and emphasises a cycle of review / teach / practice / apply, whenever possible.

The children have daily oral and mental work to help them develop and secure their calculation strategies and recall skills. They are asked to solve problems that require them to develop independent thinking skills applying these to a range of calculations.

Close attention is paid to correct mathematical vocabulary and notation. We teach Mathematics by demonstration, explanation, questioning, and discussion work.

The five strands the children will cover in the Renewed Numeracy Framework are – knowledge of numbers and the number system; calculations including a range of measures; making sense of number problems, shape and space; and handling data. Children are encouraged and supported to become independent learners and apply the skills they have learned.

Scientific and technological developments play an increasingly important role in all our lives. Our approach to science is to give the children the opportunity to explore, discover and investigate in an attempt to help them make sense of the world in an exciting and challenging way.

We aim to develop in the children a love of exploration and so they become enthusiastic young scientists. Practical experience and investigation is at the heart of our science work.

We see science as a tool to develop the skills of systematic and critical enquiry, to acquire scientific knowledge and to establish scientific attitudes. We aim to help children develop an inquiring and critical approach to scientific problems and problem solving.

We attach particular importance to the ideas that children should enjoy their discovery of scientific knowledge and experimentation.

Information and Communication Technology is an increasingly important aspect of our lives, and we aim to give our children a variety of opportunities, which will enable them to gain confidence, capability and understanding, and to enhance and extend their learning across the whole curriculum. The children use the well-equipped computer suite on a regular basis; here they learn specific computer skills. All classrooms have their own SMART board and computers to enable the children to link I.C.T. into all aspects of their learning

In addition we have digital projectors, laptop computers, Tablet PCs, visualisers, DVD players, Digital Cameras, Roamers, control boxes, digital microscopes and Dictaphones. ICT capabilities are developed and applied in a variety of curriculum contexts. Specific ICT skills are taught. These include keyboard skills, handling the machines and working with text, sound, graphics, tables and charts, information, controllable devices and modelling techniques. A wide range of programmes and CD’s are used to extend understanding in English, Mathematics, Science, and all other subjects.

Religious Education is taught in accordance with the agreed syllabus of the Local Education Authority. Through this work we aim to contribute to the personal development of pupils by providing them with rich and varied experiences, which enable them to learn ‘about’ and to learn ‘from’ religion.

 The children are provided with an interesting variety of activities that gives them the opportunity to discuss, question and reflect on what they have studied.

Christianity is the religion that is predominately taught although the children also study other world religions. The children may visit local Churches as part of their R.E. study. Parents who wish to withdraw their children from religious education lessons should contact the Headteacher so that appropriate arrangements can be made.

Through our Geography curriculum, the children are taught to make sense of their surroundings and to gain a better appreciation and understanding of the variety of physical and human conditions on the earth’s surface.

Geography has a direct relevance for the children because it relates to many aspects of their own lives and the environment in which they live. Subsequently, the children carry out practical activities in the locality to develop their geographical skills and knowledge.

Through their studies the children are made aware of how people can affect and influence their environment and we aim to develop in them a sense of responsibility to care of the earth and its people. We have special links with two schools in Ghana and the children study this country in depth throughout their time at our school.

Through our History curriculum the children are given the opportunity to develop a sense of chronology. They are taught about different times in the past and how they differ from the present; what these differences have made and reasons why people did what they did.

The children study a range of perspectives - political, economic, technological and scientific, social, religious, cultural and aesthetic. Pupils work towards increasing the depth of their factual knowledge and will gradually be able to use this knowledge to make links between features of past periods.

A variety of historical sources are used in the teaching of this subject and there is a special museum area for the children to use. There is an after school Local History Club that is producing a leaflet about the history of Great Clacton. The club is also investigating the history of Butlins Holiday Camp in Clacton.

In Technology children are taught to generate, develop and communicate their ideas. They develop their making skills by first planning and designing, making with different materials and tools and then evaluating their finished products.

They gain understanding about the quality of existing products, knowledge of mechanisms and structures, while also learning to control materials and components. Health and Safety issues are ever present and are important features of lessons.
 

The children are given the opportunity to develop their skills in art and craft and to explore a variety of techniques including sketching, painting, printing, collage, textiles, modelling and construction. Children are encouraged to observe carefully and develop an awareness of line, tone, colour, pattern, texture, form and space.

Children are encouraged to use their direct experience, memory and imagination in the art projects they carry out. All children have the chance to identify with the work of artists and to recognise that art forms an integral part of every day life in all communities and cultures.

Through musical activities we aim to develop in all the children an understanding and an enjoyment of music through performing, composing, listening and appraising.

The children are given the opportunity to play a variety of instruments – including the recorder, and to learn a wide range of songs. They are encouraged to record their compositions on tape and on paper.

The children are also given the opportunity to listen to music from different times, in a variety of styles and from different cultures. Children are encouraged to use musical skills learned outside school as part of their class activities.

Individual music tuition is offered by visiting teachers – there is a charge for this and details will be given on request. For further information on costs and availability of lessons please contact the school office.

Physical Education is regarded as an important part of the curriculum. The school has two well-equipped halls with gymnastic apparatus in one and is well resourced for all forms of P.E. and Games teaching.

The emphasis of the teaching is on enjoyment, participation and the acquisition of skills. All classes participate in games, dance and gymnastic activities. Children in Key Stage 2 are taught to develop their athletic skills during the summer term. Our aim is that all children develop strength, suppleness and stamina through a structured physical education programme; that they appreciate and take steps to value exercise and understand its relationship to a healthy lifestyle, develop self respect and self discipline, and understand how to develop team tactics.

Visiting specialist coaches also come into school to deliver lessons on a variety of sports. Some Key Stage 1 children and all Key Stage 2 children benefit from their expertise. Some children also go off-site for Sports Festivals and Fitness Days. All the children will take part in swimming lessons at the local swimming baths at some point during Key Stage 2. Every year group holds intra-competitions throughout the year, giving all the children the chance to compete.

The school follows the S.E.A.L. scheme of work – Social and Emotional Aspects of Learning. The whole school covers subjects such as friendship, emotions, values and managing behaviour. In additions to S.E.A.L. we also teach the children about drug education, healthy eating, road safety, keeping safe and Citizenship.

Sex Education is also an integral part of our P.S.H.E. syllabus. Values and personal skills to keep safe are taught through S.E.A.L. and circle times. Year 5 and Year 6 are also given a series of lessons on personal hygiene, growth and puberty which include visits from our school nurse. Questions that arise in this area are answered honestly.

Our school is proud to have achieved National Healthy School status. All children are encouraged to bring in a water bottle daily.

Multi-cultural Education is an essential aspect of every child’s education, in preparation for life in a multi-cultural world. At Cann Hall Primary School we place a high importance on the inclusion of multi-cultural activities throughout the whole curriculum.

Our school is proud of the close links that we have built with our partner schools in Ghana and the children enjoy corresponding with pupils there. A range of exciting multi-cultural activities take place throughout the academic year.
 

Our wildlife area is a year round resource that helps the children develop a collective responsibility for the world around them. It helps them understand issues such as recycling, food production and the preservation of natural habitats.
 

Children throughout school are given the chance to enhance the learning that takes place in side the classroom, in a practical and ‘hands on’ way whilst working in the outdoors.

Our children have designed a wildlife area that includes a vegetable garden that each year group has responsibility in maintaining, a pond area that has a thriving frog population and a compost area, where children learn the value of recycling.

Children across the school are growing and harvesting their own vegetables, some they are familiar with and some that are new to them. The aim is to promote healthier eating and raising awareness of where food comes from, whilst enjoying being outside.
 

How can I help my child with their reading?

Most parents are anxious to do all they can to help their child, particularly with reading. Extensive research has proved that children who read regularly at home, learn to read more easily. We learn to read by reading just as we all learned to speak by speaking. We would like you to spend some time listening to your child read - little and often is best, when you are both in the mood.

When your child starts school they will bring home a book without words but with very clear pictures. These books are designed to help your child develop their language skills by talking about the details in the pictures and telling a story from the pictures.

As they progress they will bring home a tin with words that they can make into sentences. They will also begin to learn to recognise letter sounds. They will then bring home simple books which they will need to read several times before they become confident. Sometimes it is a good idea to read the book to your child first so they become familiar with it. Remember to keep talking about the pictures as these help to tell the story.

It will not be possible for your child to bring a different book home every day, but the teachers will hear your child read as often as possible. The children will take part in daily reading activities at school. Encourage your child to read other books at home and to borrow books from the library. Sharing books and making reading an important part of your lives will give your child the best opportunity to become a fluent, confident reader.

Tips for successful reading sessions with your child

keep the session short - no more than ten minutes.
read as often as you can find the time. Try to read at least three times a week.
make sure that the atmosphere is relaxed and happy.
let your child sit very close to you.
give plenty of praise.
read with your child. It is more fun to read a page together or take turns with each sentence.
encourage your child to guess at any words that he or she can't read.
tell your child the beginning sounds if he or she can't guess. It this still doesn't help just tell

your child the word and carry on reading. Don't make an issue of it.
look at and discuss the pictures.
talk to your child about the book.
make sure your child enjoys the time together.

make reading an unpleasant task.
have the television on.
make your child feel he or she is in competition with anyone else.
worry about lack or progress - keep practising.
be afraid to ask for help and advice however small the reason might seem.
hesitate to contact us if you have problems, which we can help solve.

Cann Hall Primary School, Constable Avenue, Clacton-on-Sea, Essex, CO16 8DA

Tel: 01255 420603   Fax: 01255 424417

e-mail: admin@cannhall.essex.sch.uk