Marvellous Mayans
Synopsis:
Children carry out an in-depth study of Mayan civilisation, exploring different aspects of social and religious history. In English they use The Chocolate Tree as a stimulus to write their own narrative, interweaving character, setting and plot. In Science, children will learn about properties and changes to material by focusing on food eaten in the Mayan times.
History
Historical Concepts
Explore trends, looking at
continuity/change and
similarity
/difference/significance Examine different aspects
of history eg social,
cultural, political and
religiousGain historical perspective
by making connections
between local, national
and international history
Stories & Sources
Understand how
knowledge of the past is
constructed from a range
of sourcesDiscern how/why
contrasting arguments
and interpretations of the
past exist by weighing
evidence and sifting
arguments eg propagandaConstruct informed
responses that involve
thoughtful selection and organisation of relevant
historical information
Geography
D&T
Art
Media & Materials
Capture artistic process
in sketch bookIn print, make printing
blocks eg from coiled
string on card to create
repeating pattern
Computing
Music
PE
Science
Make Observations
Independently decide
which observations to
make
Perform Tests
Recognise and control
variables where necessary
Gather Data
Record data/results of
increasing complexity
using diagrams,
classification keys, tables,
bar and line graphs Report and present
findings from enquiries,
examining causal
relationships and
reliability of results
Writing
Language & Vocabulary
Integrate dialogue to
advance action and
convey character
Develop characters,
settings and
atmosphere using
language and
vocabulary from
reading/books
Plan, Draft, Edit & Evaluate
Identify audience and
purpose of writing Note and develop initial ideas drawing
on reading
Select appropriate
grammar and
punctuation and
understand how these
can change/enhance
meaning
Use a wide range of
cohesive devices
within sentences and
between
ideas/paragraphs
Assess effectiveness
of own and others’
writing
Propose changes to
grammar, punctuation
and vocabulary to
enhance
meaning/effectiveness
Choose the
appropriate register
(formal/informal)
Grammar & Punctuation
Build cohesion within
a paragraph
Use relative clauses
with relative
pronouns who, which,
where, whose, that,
when
Link ideas across
paragraphs using
adverbials of time,
place and number or
by varying tenseUse expanded noun
phrases for accuracy
Text Structure & Features
Use knowledge of
language and
structure gained from
stories, plays, poetry
and non
-fiction in
their writing
Reflect understanding
of audience and
purpose through
choice of grammar,
vocabulary and
structureIn fiction, consider
how authors develop
character and setting
Be exposed to wide
range of books
including myths,
legends, fairy stories,
modern fiction, fiction
from literary heritage
and books from other
cultures
Evaluate how authors
use language and
consider effect on the
reader
Use a wide range of
devices to build
cohesion within and
across paragraphs