Autumn Term Learning Approach
During the Autumn Term, we focus on getting to know each child—how they learn and their current level of development. We carry out baseline assessments to help us tailor support and learning experiences effectively.
Our curriculum is shaped by the 6 Areas of Learning and Experience, offering children a rich variety of activities and opportunities to explore and grow. Guided by Froebelian principles, we believe in learning through play. Children engage in independent tasks and challenges within our Branching Out Areas, where high-quality examples (WAGOLLs – What A Good One Looks Like) support and inspire their learning.
Literacy, Languages and Communication:
Retell and Recount:
This term, children will develop their speaking, listening, and writing skills through the story A Dark, Dark Tale by Ruth Brown. They will learn to plan and sequence their writing, use descriptive language, and identify key features of different text types. Activities like story predictions, object descriptions, and creative retellings will help them use prepositions, connectives, and sentence starters to improve their writing.
In the non-fiction focus, children will write a recount of their visit to the "dark, dark room." They will practise structuring their work with a clear beginning, middle, and end, use time connectives and exciting vocabulary, and work on neat handwriting and editing to enhance their writing.
Handwriting: The children will recap all of the handwriting families which are linked in the 'Learning Logs and Handwriting' link.
Spanish: Counting to 10; Days of the Week; What is your name? My name is...
Welsh: Greetings, Colours; Counting to 20; Where is the ____?
British Sign Language: Basic greetings and begin to explore the alphabet.
Maths and Numeracy:
The children will strengthen their understanding of numbers to 20 by reading, writing, comparing, and ordering them. They’ll explore place value, practise finding 1 or 2 more or less, and build skills in counting, addition, and subtraction through practical activities.
They will learn number bonds, doubles, halves, and use addition, subtraction, and equals symbols. Children will also explore money by adding coins and finding change, recognise number patterns, measure using non-standard units, tell time to the hour, and name 2D shapes. They’ll begin collecting and sorting data using simple charts to develop early statistics skills.
Health and Wellbeing:
The children will meet their new Jigsaw character, Jigsaw Jack, to guide their PSHE learning. They will explore the units Being Me in My World and Celebrating Differences, focusing on self-awareness and respecting others.
In PE, children will develop running and jumping skills through Twinkl Moves and take part in gymnastics to improve control, balance, and coordination.
Science and Technology:
This term in Science, children will explore materials and their properties through a fun, party-themed investigation. They will observe and test materials like paper, plastic, and metal to see which are most suitable for party items, such as banners and bags—focusing on properties like durability, waterproofing, and reusability. They will also design, make, and test their own party bags. Additionally, children will explore how materials change when mixed or heated, such as melting chocolate or mixing ingredients. They will begin to investigate the basic properties of light, sound, and electricity by experimenting with party lights, music, and toys—learning how they work and comparing battery and mains power.
Expressive Arts:
This term, children will study the work of artist Helen Elliott as inspiration for their creative projects. They will explore how to use line to express and communicate ideas, experimenting with a variety of materials and techniques such as drawing, mark making, and painting. Pupils will also investigate shape, pattern, and printing—creating 2D and 3D outcomes using different tools, textures, and styles inspired by other artists and cultures.
Humanities:
This term, children will learn about rules, responsibilities, and community through a fun, party-themed topic. They will help plan a class party, take on different roles, and explore how parties have changed over time, encouraging teamwork, creativity, and an understanding of history and diversity. In Jigsaw RVE, they will consider what gifts Christians today might give Jesus if he were born in their town, helping them connect personally with religious stories. The term will also include key events such as Harvest, Black History Month, World Mental Health Day, Remembrance Day, and Anti-Bullying Week, promoting values of kindness, respect, and inclusion.
