Beech Class 2023 - 2024

WELCOME TO BEECH

Class teacher - Mrs M Savage

Learning Support Assistant - Mrs D Feast

Follow us on Twitter  @beech_whitegate

In Beech class, the children begin to develop their independence as they grow academically, socially and personally. The children grow in wisdom by building on their previous knowledge through our exciting topics and areas of learning. There will be lots of opportunities for them to shine through assemblies, worships, practical learning opportunities, trips and experiences over the course of the year. Our first topic of the year is...

In English lessons we are focusing on writing with a growing independence, adding noun phrases and interesting vocabulary. We will be writing postcards, letters, setting descriptions and instructions.   

Maths will focus on securing knowledge and understanding of place value and number moving onto addition and subtraction.

Reading continues plays a fundamental part in all areas of the curriculum. We have our reading display ready to be filled with the many, high quality texts we will be immersed in this term. We will be reading a wide range of fiction and non-fiction books including poetry, within our English, guided reading and topic sessions, as well as our end of the day class read. Each term we have a spotlight author who has been chosen for their high-quality texts. Over the course of the term, we will have to opportunity to listen to, read and learn more about these fantastic authors. Helen Ward is our current spotlight author. Having this literacy-rich environment will encourage a positive culture of reading within our class and promote the children's enjoyment of reading. 

Our theme of ‘Medicine’ will take us on a journey back in time. Our history lessons will focus on significant people of the past including Florence Nightingale, Mary Seacole and Edith Cavell. We will look at the conditions Florence worked in during the Crimean war and how she improved them as well as identify differences and similarities between medical care now and in Victorian times. Our DT project will develop the skills of joining fabrics and stitching. We will be making bags for nurses.

In Geography, we will re-visit continents and oceans and look at other significant places around the world. The children will look further into Mary Seacole’s origins of Jamaica and study the human geography there compared to the UK.

Science lessons will focus on 'Uses of everyday materials'. The children will learn how to identify and compare the suitability of a variety of everyday materials, including wood, metal, plastic and glass and find out how some materials can be changed by squashing, bending, twisting and stretching.

In Art, we will be painting, taking inspiration Vale Royal Abbey while also exploring the life of Lord Edward and why our school was founded. Music will be exploring using instruments to represent sounds and call and response rhythms. In the second half term, Beech will be leading us in our Christmas nativity including performing and singing.  

Our Religious Education focus will be on exploring the Bible and other faiths religious texts and then the story of Christmas. Our PSHE lesson will explore the topics of relationships, diversity and sharing our world.

Computing will look at internet safety and developing confidence with using iPads and laptops; login on and using a range of apps and programmes.  

Homework will be set each Friday and will be due in the following Thursday. Please ensure the children's homework books are returned on a Thursday so they can be marked and the children's new homework added. 

Please ensure your child reads at home at least 5 times per week.  In Beech, we expect the children to be reading aloud to someone at home and for this to be recorded in their Home – School contact books.  

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to get in touch. 

Mrs Savage