History

The Stuarts

This unit aims to support children to develop a chronologically secure understanding of this significant period of British history by diving deeper into the changing role of the monarchy during the 17th century.

Throughout the unit, the children will learn about some of the significant events that took place during this time, such as the English Civil War, the Gunpowder Plot and the Great Fire of London. They will learn that historians use a range of sources to interpret what happened in the past, and use evidence to discuss possible causes, and consequences, of significant events.

Children will learn about the lives of the monarchs and leaders during this period. When learning about Oliver Cromwell, the children will look at different historical perspectives of him and his time in power. Throughout the unit, the children will look at the political and religious impact that each person had on Britain. 

Art and Design

Monuments of the Byzantine Empire

The children revise what they know about ancient Rome and then learn about how the empire split in two, using the famous mosaic of Constantine and Justinian at the Hagia Sophia in Istanbul to discover how Constantine became the first Christian Roman emperor.
They go on to learn in more detail about the history of the Hagia Sophia (built by Justinian, first used as a church and then a mosque) looking in detail at the richly coloured Byzantine patterns in it and creating their own similar patterns using watercolour and gold paint. They then study the renowned mosaics of Ravenna in Northern Italy which was for a few short years the centre of the Byzantine empire, focussing on depictions of Justinian and his wife Theodora. They create their own mosaic portraits using paper, focussing on how to show differing skin tones. Finally, they look at icons, first painted during the Byzantine period and still painted today, learning how these are used for prayer and reflection.

Design & Technology

Cook: Chilli & Rice + Apple Crumble

Geography

UK: London & the South East

During this unit, children will use an atlas to identify key places within the region, including London, Dover, Canterbury and Brighton. In addition, they will look at regional proximities including the location of France across the English Channel from the south-eastern coast of England.

Science

The Human Body

This unit introduces cells as the building blocks that all living things are made of. Children will learn that cells inside our bodies make up tissue (e.g. muscle), which make up organs, which function in systems within our bodies.

In Year 3, children were introduced to digestion. Building on this knowledge, children will now learn that food is broken down into small parts so that the nutrients can be absorbed into our cells. Returning to prior knowledge, children will look again at human teeth. They will understand that most humans are omnivores, which means eating a mixed diet of plants and meat, and our teeth are shaped to accommodate such a diet. Crucial processes, such as saliva production, chewing, production of digestive enzymes and gastric acid, will be studied. They will learn that the small and large intestines absorb nutrients from food and that waste is passed out as faeces. Children will then study a healthy diet and the importance of vitamins and minerals.

In this unit, knowledge of the importance of dental hygiene and avoiding sugary or acidic foods for general dental health will also be taught.