Thematic

In Thematic this week, we’ve been exploring the incredible achievements and inventions, uncovering what made the Maya civilisation so advanced for its time. We learnt about their remarkable calendar systems and how skilled the Maya were as Mathematicians. We also explored how the Maya developed farming techniques, hunting tools and methods for making pottery and fabrics.

This week, we’ve also been investigating different theories behind their mysterious decline. Some scholars suggest that prolonged droughts, possibly worsened by deforestation and over-farming, played a key role. Others point to conflict and warfare between the kingdoms. There are also theories that focus on the breakdown of trade routes or a loss of faith in leaders and religious systems. Rather than a single cause, we discovered that the fall of the Maya may have been the result of multiple challenges happening at once.

Next week in our Geography learning, we will be using a range of sources to find out about the history of chocolate.

Maths

This week in Maths, we’ve been sharpening our geometry skills in our exploration of angles and lines! It’s been an exciting time of discovery as we’ve learnt how to identify, describe, and draw different types of angles, as well as understand the properties of perpendicular and parallel lines. Through practical drawing activities and group discussions, we’re building a strong understanding of how these geometric concepts appear in everyday life. It’s not just about lines and angles on paper—it’s about learning how to see the hidden maths in the world around us.

Next week, we will move onto exploring angles within shapes.

English

This week in English, our writing has been closely linked to our Thematic topic. As we’ve been exploring the ancient Maya civilisation, we discovered that the Maya were amongst the first people to grow cacao and create early forms of chocolate. Inspired by this, we’ve been learning how chocolate is made and writing our own explanation texts to share the process. We began by researching each step in the journey of chocolate—from the cacao tree to the chocolate bars we see in shops. In our writing, we focused on using a clear structure and technical vocabulary, to explain the process step by step. It’s been a brilliant way to combine our English skills with our knowledge of the Maya and the story of chocolate.

Next week, we will be returning to our core text ‘The Great Chocoplot’ and will be writing our own Narrative, inspired by events in the story.

Home Learning

Attached below is the overarching Thematic Curriculum homework ideas. Please refer to the homework menu which gives a variety of creative tasks for the children to choose from. Children only need to complete one task as a minimum, but can choose to complete more if they wish. Homework is due in on Friday 23^rd May.

Spellings

To support children with their spellings, we would like children to practise at home, using Sir Linkalot.

To access it on a laptop, PC, Mac or Chromebook (therefore IWBs): 
1. Type in the browser itself where you normally type www (not a search engine)...app.sirlinkalot.org (with no Ws before it) 
2. Click on 'More' (top right) 
3. Click on 'Sign in' 
4. The children will then need to type in their access code  

Times Tables Rock Stars  

• Tasks to be completed online. 

• Children’s logins are stuck in their Reading journal.   

Mathletics  

• Mathletics tasks will be set from Friday to Friday.  

• Tasks will always follow the learning that week.  

Children’s logins are stuck into their Reading journal.  

Reminder to ensure:

• Children are wearing correct school uniform and shoes.

• Children are bringing in their water bottles.

• Children to bring in healthy snacks for breaktimes.  

• 3B and 3G have their swimming sessions on Mondays. Children will need to come dressed in their PE kit to school on this day, and bring with them their swimming costumes to change into. 

• Swimming kit reminder:  full swimming costume/swim shorts and swimming hat.