Autumn 2:
What do we celebrate?
Our question for this term 'What do we celebrate?’ will be explored through the Catholic Social Teaching lense of Stewardship of God's creation across the curriculum, focusing on celebrations and the wonderful things God has created for us to celebrate.
In Understanding the World we will be learning about the different celebrations that take place across the world during this time of year for different people and faiths. We will be
doing this through class conversations, asking and answering questions as well as looking at photographs to help our understanding of what these celebrations look like. When learning about these celebrations we will also come together as a class to discuss how we can ensure good stewardship through looking after God's earth when these celebrations are taking place and are finished.
To help us with all our wonderful learning, we will be using books to help us understand the question 'What do we celebrate?'.
These books will be:
Rama and Sita- This story shows the celebration of Diwali and what this means through colourful pictures.
Greta and the Giants- This story is about a little girl named Greta who lives in a beautiful forest threatened by Giants. When the Giants first came to the forest, they chopped down trees to make houses. Greta soon puts a stop to this!
When Willy went to the Wedding- When Willy is told he's not allowed to bring his pets to his sister's wedding, despite his promise, they turn up anyway.
Bears Special Birthday- This story is about Bear who is a baker, no birthday is complete without one of his famous cakes, but who will bake the cake when it's Bear's birthday?
Twas the Night before Christmas- This lovely story book is all about the night before Christmas and a visit from St. Nicholas.
The children will then use all of this knowledge at the end of the unit to talk about some of the different celebrations that take place and how we can continue to show good stewardship of God's creation.
Creation- God's Gifts and Advent:
In these units the children will explore creation through their gifts and talents that are God given. They will learn that God created the world and will understand that the Bible is God's book. During the four weeks of Advent children will have a different focus each week, marking the time of advent by taking part in preparation activities. This will be explored through lessons on the carpet, circle time, listening to stories from the bible, taking part in prayers and learning through continuous provision and child-initiated learning.
Key Vocabulary: Bible, God, creation, gifts, Advent, waiting and preparation.
By the end of the creation unit the children will be able to recall parts of the story of creation using pictures and captions and will be able to recognise the gifts they have which are God given.
By the end of the Advent unit the children will know that their are four weeks in Advent and will be able to recall some of the things they did to get ready during this time.
Autumn 1:
Who am I and who do I belong to?
Our question for this term ‘Who am I and who do I belong to?’ will be explored through the Catholic Social Teaching lense of Family and Community across the curriculum.
In Understanding the World we will be finding out information about ourselves such as where we live, who we live with and who we belong to. We will be doing this through speaking and listening to one another during circle time and class discussions as well as sharing photographs to help us with this information. We will gain an understanding of ourselves and how we are a valuable member of society and our community. We will also be learning about our school community and how we come together as a family.
To help us with all our wonderful learning, we will be using books to help us understand the question 'Who am I and who do I belong to?'.
These books will be:
Our class is a family- This book is all about starting school and understanding how our class will come together to build and strengthen the class community.
Owl Babies- This is a reassuring book for any child who has ever worried about Mummy leaving them alone, reassuring them that everything will be just fine.
Number 7 Evergreen Street- This book is about a girl named Pea and her Neighbours who live in a quirky and multicultural community in a high rise building. It shows us all what can be achieved when you work together.
Elmer- I'm sure we all know this story, but in case you're unsure, this book is all about a patchwork elephant named Elmer, it teaches us all about friendship and inclusivity and how we are all different in our own way.
When exploring our question we will also read and explore many more books helping us to continually build on our skills and knowledge.
The children will then use all of this knowledge at the end of the unit to talk about themselves and their community, gaining a much deeper understanding of who they are and where they belong.
People who care for us.
In this unit the children will explore family relationships within the context of caring for one another. Importance will be placed upon the value of celebration and looking at how Jesus shared times of celebration with his family and friends. This will be explored through lessons on the carpet, circle time, listening to stories from the bible, taking part in prayers and learning through continuous provision and child-initiated learning.
Key Vocabulary: Mary, Jesus, Joseph.
By the end of this unit the children will know that families try to show love and care for each other. That Jesus' family included Mary and Joseph and be able to recall a celebration Jesus attended with Mary.