Welcome to our class page! My name is Miss Brown and I am the class teacher based in Razorbills full time. Mrs Hext covers my planning time out of class on Tuesday afternoons.

On this page, I will outline what our Autumn Term 1 curriculum looks like. If you have any questions about this or anything else, please do not hesitate to contact me; my door is always open. Otherwise, please email: admin@starcross-primary.devon.sch.uk

Key information

• PE days are Tuesday and Thursday. Please come in wearing your PE kit.
• Reading needs to be completed and recorded in reading records at least 5 times a week and signed by an adult.
• Spelling frame is available for the children to use at home to practice their spelling pattern and play on the games. We use
• Spelling Frame to test our spellings on Fridays at school.
• TTRS is to be completed at least three times a week.

Here is an example weekly timetable for Razorbills. This term our topic is ‘All About Me’.

Maths
This half term, children are revising key mathematical concepts in preparation for secondary school. We’re focusing on strengthening their confidence and accuracy across all areas of the curriculum.

English
In English, we are writing a narrative (including dialogue and description) and a survival guide.

Reading
In Reading, we are exploring traditional Greek myths, learning about their characters, themes, and historical significance. We’re also beginning our exciting new class novel, Nevermoor, which will spark discussions around plot, setting, and character development.

Science
Our Science topic is Properties and Changes of Materials. Pupils explore how materials behave, their everyday uses, and how mixtures can be separated through methods like sieving, filtration, and evaporation. They also investigate reversible and irreversible changes, using experiments and observations to deepen their understanding.

History
In History, we’re exploring the fascinating world of the Ancient Greeks. The children are investigating the question: What influence has Ancient Greece had on us today? This includes learning about democracy, philosophy, architecture, and the Olympic Games.

Art
This term in Art, the children are studying Expressionism. They are learning how artists use colour, line, and form to express emotion, and will create their own expressive pieces inspired by this powerful art movement.

PE
In PE, we are focusing on Athletics. Children are developing their running, jumping, and throwing skills, as well as building stamina, speed, and teamwork through a range of athletic activities.

Religion and Worldview
In Religion and Worldview this half term, we will be looking at the key question ‘Why is the Torah so important for Jewish people?’
 
PSHE
In PSHE, we use the scheme Jigsaw. This half term, we will be focusing on the unit ‘Changing Me!’

Reading

Our class book this term is Pig Heart Boy. Pig Heart Boy by Malorie Blackman is a thought-provoking novel about thirteen-year-old Cameron, who is seriously ill with heart disease. When he’s offered the chance of survival through a risky and controversial operation – receiving a heart transplant from a genetically modified pig – Cameron must decide if he’s willing to take the risk. The story explores themes of friendship, family, ethics in science, and what it truly means to be human.

English

In English this term, our model is called ‘The Hexagriff’. We will be analysing this character description before writing our own.

Our key objectives will be to:

• Understand how words are related by meaning as synonyms and antonyms e.g. big, large, little
• Exercise an assured and conscious control over levels of formality, particularly through manipulating grammar and vocabulary to achieve this
• Use expanded noun phrases to convey complicated information concisely
  Use the colon to introduce a list and semi-colons within lists

Maths

This half term in Maths, our focus will be place value and addition and subtraction. We use the White Rose Maths scheme for Maths lessons, as well as daily flashbacks to ensure that previous learning is embedded. We also have a times table and fluency focus every afternoon.

Science

This half term in Maths, our focus will be place value and addition and subtraction. We use the White Rose Maths scheme for Maths lessons, as well as daily flashbacks to ensure that previous learning is embedded. We also have a times table and fluency focus every afternoon.

Art

In Art, we will be focusing on collage and sketching. We will explore Jim Dine’s art work and use this as inspiration to create our own art work.

PE

Razorbill PE days are Tuesdays and Thursdays. We will be learning playground games during our Tuesday sessions and we have a coach joining us to teach cricket on a Thursday.

French

In French this half term, our focus is French phonics and understanding how to pronounce sounds and perfect our accents.

RW

In RW this half term, we will be exploring the key question ‘How do Christians live? What would Jesus do?’

Computing

We are now using a programme called ‘Purple Mash’ to teach computing as well as enhance other subjects. This term our focus will be online safety.

PSHE

In PSHE, we use the scheme Jigsaw. This half term, we will be looking at Being me in my world.’ This will explore being a class team, rights and responsibilities, democracy and rewards and consequences.

Music

In Music, we will be learning our Harvest Festival song (Harvest Tango). Dona Nobis Pacem is a three-part round based on a short Latin prayer for peace. The words come from the Agnus Dei section of the Roman Catholic Mass, and the phrase “Dona nobis pacem” translates as “Grant us peace.” While it is traditionally sung in churches, the piece has also been embraced more widely as a song carrying a universal message of peace. We will be learning this round in our music lessons this term.