Dear Parents,

Please find below an outline of subjects to be covered this term with indicators of revision guidance for exam week.

English
Our language work aims to develop confidence in the following areas:
Sentence structure: simple, compound and complex; Paragraphs: use of; Parts of speech: revision of these; Spelling: plurals; commonly misspelt words emerging from the students’ own writing; prefixes and suffixes; Punctuation of speech; Technical terms for figures of speech such as similes, metaphors, personification etc

Our class text for the term is Shakespeare’s ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream,’ or rather, scenes therefrom. The best bits, hopefully. We’re ever eager to find cross-curricular themes, so Mrs Atkins will be working on masks which should enhance our dramatic efforts! We have just finished a Checkpoint Unit on Short Stories, and I will be introducing some old favourites to vary our literary studies. We shall continue to develop an appreciation of poetry.

Speaking and listening are an important aspect of English classes: several of the more retiring members of the class have hopefully surprised themselves with their successful attempts at public speaking. We shall continue to build our confidence through short presentations and debating. One of the many joys of a small class is the frequency with which each member can be heard, and the safety of a friendly atmosphere.

Comments from Mrs Parsons:
Summer tests are approaching, and Med will be advised to make sure they really know their parts of speech and their technical terms. They’re on the classroom wall, so no excuses! The test will consist of three parts: a comprehension (we practise these weekly), a piece of personal writing ( eg a short story, a description) and a question based on ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream.’

A word to the wise - from time to time you may be asked to do a little research in preparation for a class. There is a big difference between researching a topic intelligently and compiling your findings, and just finding a website and pressing ‘print’ in the hope the teacher won’t notice! You won’t learn anything that way, and it’s a bad habit to get into.

As parents, you often ask how you can help, and the answer is predictable: by encouraging your child to read a variety of books. Many of Mediterranean are keen readers, and I have been delighted to see them making good use of our growing collection of library books, and sharing their enjoyment in their reading. What better way to build vocabulary, general knowledge and interest in the world around us than to read widely?

Maths
We will be looking at the following: Recognising an enlargement of a 2d shape. Fractions: simplifying and finding equivalent fractions; improper (top heavy) fractions and mixed numbers: calculating a fraction of a whole number; ordering fractions and decimals; recognising the equivalence of decimals, percentages and fractions. Plotting straight line graphs. Understanding ratio and proportion. Using the probability scale.

Spanish
We will conduct an end of chapter exam on chapter two and then turn to Chapter three. This covers school subjects, giving opinions about school subjects, asking and saying the time, meal times and saying how you get to school. The Summer exam will aim to be an end of chapter exam covering all topics of chapter three.

Science
End of year exams will be largely based on the last two units of work for the year. Students are working this term on healthy lifestyles, healthy diet and exercise and life choices.

Geography
Med are looking at units of work covering weather and climate with Mrs Osman and maps and structures with Mrs O’Connell.

French
We are looking at At Home and Holidays Topics. Recommended revision for the exam is Personal Identification, Talking about the Family, School, Hobbies, At Home and Holidays

Art
We are creating masks taking inspiration from A Midsummer Night’s Dream as well as looking at stained glass windows, in preparation for a field trip to Ely Cathedral. We are also looking at perspective and style of older buildings.

History
We will be looking at the Medieval Feudal System and what life was like in a medieval village. We will go on to look at life in the towns and the development of crafts, trades, guilds and connections with Europe.

Geography
The Unit of Study is Industry. We will look at the different sectors of the World of Industry- Primary, Secondary, Tertiary and Quarternary. We will then look at how they have changed over the years and how Industries vary throughout the world. We will look at how industry has an impact on the environment.

ICT
In preparation for their field trip at the Wash, the class has been focused in using online media sources for research. This term the ICT and Project focus is on understanding money. How it is circulated, how we get it, how we spend it, how we can save. The goal is to research in trying to predict how much money they will earn and spend in their life times. They will learn to compile a personal report by the end of term.

Filmmaking/Drama
Learning the rudiments of camera and sound work, the class will then work together to produce one group film project together.

Sport
Outdoor sports is on Wednesdays and is cricket for the first half of term. We will turn to tennis for the second half of term. Students are welcome to bring in their own rackets or bats if they wish to use them. Please ensure your child wears the correct shoes, being plimsolls or trainers. We may need to request that raincoats are in school to enable us to continue the lessons!

Swimming takes place on Thursdays and all pupils must wear goggles.

We have a week of exams in early June. We do expect children to revise work covered this year, but do not want them to become too anxious. The exams provide a useful indicator of progress for staff and for children and parents too. There will be no homework given for the week before half term until after the exams are over, but children must use this time to revise carefully.

If you have any queries or concerns about your child’s progress, please do not hesitate to contact me. Mrs Young is remaining in close contact with the school and I have regular meetings with her. She will be very happy (treatment permitting) to come into any meetings should you need to speak to her.

I hope the children have an enjoyable summer term.

Yours sincerely.

Harriet Sturdy
Principal
Cambridge International School