Spring 1
This half-term is all about Journeys and Celebrations. Children will explore how we travel, learn about engineering and maps, and celebrate Chinese/Lunar New Year.
Project 1: Journeys – How Do We Get Around?
Big Questions:
- How do we travel in our community and to faraway places?
- How did people travel a long time ago?
- Who invented planes?
- What is it like in another country (Ghana)?
- How do you get into space and what is it like?
- Who has been to space?
- How do we travel on water?
- How do we find our way around?
- How can we draw a simple map?
- Can you explore different materials for use?
- Can you invent your own transport?
What we’ll do:
- Learn about different types of transport: land, water, air, and space.
- Compare past and present vehicles and meet inventors like the Wright Brothers.
- Explore maps and globes, and create our own maps.
- Investigate materials and design our own transport.
- Discover space travel and famous astronauts like Helen Sharman and Tim Peake.
Key Texts:
- Things That Go – William Bee
- The Wright Brothers – Mary Nhin
- Anansi and the Golden Pot
- Astro Girl – Ken Wilson Max
- Mr Gumpy’s Outing – John Burningham
- Martha Maps It Out – Leigh Hodgkinson
- Rose Revere Engineer – Andrea Beat
Vocabulary:
Transport, journey, map, inventor, space, float, sink, design, material.
End Points:
- Children will name types of transport, understand how travel has changed, and create their own transport design.
Project 2: Celebrations – Chinese/Lunar New Year
Big Question:
- What is Chinese/Lunar New Year?
What we’ll do:
- Learn about traditions and customs of Lunar New Year.
- Read stories and watch videos about celebrations.
- Explore the Chinese zodiac and reenact the Great Race.
- Compare Lunar New Year to other celebrations we know (Christmas, Diwali).
Key Texts:
- Maisie’s Chinese New Year – Lucy Cousins
Vocabulary:
Celebration, tradition, Lunar New Year, festival, zodiac.
End Points:
- Children will talk about Lunar New Year and share some traditions.
How Parents Can Support
- Talk about different ways you travel and share family experiences.
- Look at maps together and discuss places you’ve visited.
- Share any family traditions or celebrations.
- Encourage children to notice transport and signs of journeys in the community.
