KS1 Christmas Curriculum Quest Winter 2013 The KS1 team are very excited about the Christmas festivities ahead of us. From the week beginning Monday 2 nd December we will be linking to our ‘Back to the Future’ quest by looking at Christmases of the past, present and future in the style of Dickens’ Christmas Carol tale, a time travel story of Christmas. Our inspiration for this topic came from the children’s interest in the Victorian period during our time travelling adventures. We began to wonder, what a Victorian Christmas was like? How is it different from our Christmas today? The Christmas Carol story by Charles Dickens is a classic tale which fits well with our time travel quest and encourages us to consider how our decisions can effect those around us. Throughout all our topics we aim to: Create challenging learning opportunities across all areas of the curriculum Encourage children’s natural curiosity about the world, and show an interest in historical events. Provide opportunities for expression and creativity. Motivate through unique experiences. Embrace ‘learning without limits’ through dedicated child-led learning. How you can help our learning at home Share stories of Christmas time when you or your parents were younger and highlight the differences between them. Research how Christmases are different around the world and try to predict what Christmas will be like in the future. Key Dates and Events These are provisional dates which may change during the term; we will let you know of any changes closer to the time. Please do not hesitate to come and see your child’s teacher with any queries. Friday 15 th November = Wells CLP sports festival at the Blue school for Ash Class all 1245pm – 3.15pm. Friday 6 th December = CoF Christmas Fayre after school in the hall. Tuesday 10 th 2.00pm = Christmas inspire afternoon in classes/quest finale. (More details to follow.) Tuesday 10 th 5.30pm = Nativity performance. Wednesday 11 th 5.30pm =Nativity performance. Thursday 12 th 2.30pm = KS1 Olympic Maths Assesmbly in the hall. Friday 13 th 2.00pm = Nativity performance. Tuesday 17 th December = Pantomime trip for those children signed up. Friday 20 th December = FS and KS1 Christmas party all afternoon. Friday 20 th December = Last day of term…Happy Christmas! Why this story?

Art, Music, Dance and Drama In art lessons we will be visualising an image created by text. We will be creating patterns using a range of shapes and colours. Using our imaginations we will create an image of a future Christmas. As performers we will retell aspects of the Christmas Carol and collaboratively create a Nativity masterpiece for an audience. R.E Exploring Christmas traditions around the world will help children develop an international mindset understanding the beliefs of others whilst developing awareness of their own nationality and beliefs. They will have many opportunities to show respect for themselves and of others. P.E and outdoor learning Children will develop a range of gross and small motor skills within PE lessons through gymnastics, swimming and multiskills. All classes will be taught for one session per week by a sports coach. Rowan Class will be swimming on Thursdays. We will promote learning through play and outdoors whenever possible. Please make sure your child has a PE kit and appropriate wet weather clothing in school at all times. History and Geography As Geographers we will be looking at how Christmas is celebrated around the world, exploring traditions and customs. As Historians we will be learning about how Christmas was during the Victorian period, what food they will have eaten? What games they will have played? etc. We will also look at Christmas within our own family history. Literacy In literacy we will continue to follow the Read Write Inc. programme and support children in developing their confidence with phonics, reading and writing. We will also use literacy within our topic lessons to ensure that all children are given wider reading and writing opportunities linked to our theme. Design and Technology We will be exploring the design process to create effective patterns in order to make our own wrapping paper. We will also explore pop up mechanisms as we make our own pop up Christmas card. PSHCE During PSHCE we will consider how Ebenezer Scrooge was forced to look at his actions and make good his ways, developing more empathy with others. We will also look at New Year Resolutions and set ourselves goals for What do we want to achieve? How will we achieve them? Numeracy We will continue to practise our mental maths by completing Olympic maths challenges and putting mathematical understanding into practise by solving everyday problems – Please see separate sheet already sent home for further details of weekly objectives. We look forward to sharing our learning with you each step of the way! KS1 Team