Week commencing 26 January 2026

In maths, the children have been learning how to multiply a three‑digit number by a one‑digit number, both with and without exchange. They have been using place‑value knowledge to organise their calculations carefully, recognising when digits need to be exchanged and regrouped into the next column.

In English, the children have been writing their own firework descriptions. They began by inventing a unique firework name and a list of imaginative ingredients. Then, they considered its shape, colour, movement and sounds before describing what happened once it was lit, the main action it produced, and how it finally ended. The children produced some excellent descriptions, along with wonderfully creative firework names and ingredient ideas.

In Spanish, we created our own clothes shop (tienda de ropa) to practise using our language skills in a real‑life context. The children took turns as shopkeepers and customers, asking for different items in a range of colours and sizes. This practical role‑play helped them build confidence in speaking Spanish and using key vocabulary accurately and fluently.

In Science, we investigated how to change the state of a liquid by making our own ice cream. We learned that adding salt lowers the freezing point of ice, helping the milk mixture to cool more quickly. The children took turns acting as the “ice‑cream machine,” constantly turning the milk inside the ice to help it freeze. We managed to create a thick, icy slush — not quite ice cream, but a great demonstration of how materials change state.

Week commencing 19th January 2026

In Maths we have been, deepening their understanding of multiplication by exploring how numbers behave in different situations. We have been investigating what happens when we multiply and divide by 10 and 100, noticing how the digits shift places and how this helps them work efficiently with larger numbers. We have also been reasoning about the special cases of multiplying and dividing by 1 and 0. We have learned that any number multiplied by 1 stays the same, and any number multiplied by 0 becomes 0. When dividing, we have explored how dividing by 1 leaves the number unchanged.

In English, we have begun reading The Firework‑Maker’s Daughter by Philip Pullman. This week, we explored Chapter 1, getting to know the key characters and discussing Lila’s dream of becoming a firework maker. The children focused on key vocabulary to deepen their understanding of the text. To build a clear picture of the story so far, we sequenced the main events and talked about the different expectations characters have of one another, as well as Lila’s determination to follow her ambition.

In Art, we created 2‑D pictures of grocery items and transformed them into 3‑D sculptures. The children had a great time using a range of materials to bring their designs to life, experimenting with shape, colour and texture as they built their finished pieces.

Week commencing 12th January 2026

This week in Maths, we have started a new topic on area. The children have been learning that area is the space inside a flat 2-D shape. They are aware that the shape must be closed not open to calculate the area. 

In English, we have been using the word banks we created to write some shape poems about fireworks. We have tried to include lots of poetic devices such as similes and onomatopoeia.

In art, we have been learning about Lucia Hierro, a Dominican American sculptor and artist who uses digital images to create installations of scale about identidy, community and consumer culture. The children have been learning to create visual notes in their art books. They are becoming more confident with expressing their thoughts and ideas in a more visual way.

Week commencing 5th January 2026

Happy New Year to you all. After a tricky start back, we soon got into the swing of things completed our maths work on multiplication tables. We are becoming more confident with grouping and sharing.

In English, we are creating word banks of different word classes and poetic devices to help us create a detailed poem about fireworks. The children have been very creative with their ideas and have enjoyed learning about the different types of fireworks.