Welcome to Fountains Class

This web page is a fantastic way to keep up to date with lessons, activities and events in school.  Please check regularly for exciting updates!

Here is an overview of the topics and themes we will cover this half term. 

To read about them in more detail, please see the newsletter below.

Class Notice

Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, Miss Liptrot is contactable on s.liptrot@wistow.n-yorks.sch.uk

Thursday and Friday, Miss Banks is available on e.banks@wistow.n-yorks.sch.uk

Week commencing 30/03/2025

This week in Fountains we have been discussing capacity and volume in Maths. We went outside and tested our understanding of empty, full, half empty and half full! We also looked at the difference between capacity and volume!

Week commencing 24/03/25

This week in Fountains class we have been continuing with our Art unit on Sculpture. This week we looked at a famous artist called Louise Bourgeois who created a life like sculpture of a Spider called 'Maman'. 

We all teamed up in small groups to create our very own 'Maman' using coloured paper. It was very tricky but we did an amazing job!

Week commencing 17/03/25

This week in Fountains class we have been exploring different ways to measure using a non standard unit. We used the string to measure each other and then talked about who was the tallest and the shortest in our groups!

Week commencing 10/03/25

This week in as part of our art unit we have been continuing to look into sculpture and using paper as a form of 3D art!

Week commencing 03/02/25

This week in Fountains we have been retelling the story of Charlie and the Chocolate factory in our dance workshop! We used our bodies to re-create the story. 

Wistow/ York—Chocolate, children and changes.

Fountains will learn about how life in Wistow and York has changed over time and the what it was like to be child in the past. We will be introduced to where the people and events we study fit within a chronologically and identify similarities and differences between ways of life. We will develop our questioning skills, explore some of the ways in which we find out about the past and identify        different ways in which it is shared. We will ask questions of older relatives about how things have changed since their childhood such as food they eat, technology and school.  We will also look at the importance of the chocolate and confectionary trade in York, with a focus on Joseph Rowntree and the changes he made to the life of his workers. 

Key Vocabulary—York, Viking, Victorian, present

Week commencing 27/02/25

This week in Fountains class we have been enjoying our forest schools day! We had a wonderful day creating land art, creating bird feeders and even roasting and eating our own chocolate bananas!

Spring 1 2025

Children, Chocolate and Changes!

A Focus on York and Wistow. In Fountains Class this term, we have a new History and Geography theme ‘Children, Chocolate and Changes. A Focus on Wistow and York’. We will start by focusing on the Geography unit of thid theme. As part of our work, we will be learning how to use world maps, atlases and globes to identify the United Kingdom and its countries. Then we will focus on using aerial photographs and plan perspectives to recognise landmarks and basic human and physical features. We will then devise a simple map; and use and construct basic symbols in a key of the local area and nearest city, York. The children will also try making maps on grids with key features, practicing aerial view drawings and use of symbols. This unit of work is linked with history focus on the village of Wistow and city of York which we will start after half term.

Key Vocabulary

human feature, physical feature, city, village

Week commencing 10/02/25

In Maths this week we have been looking at using the denes to help us understand our tens and ones. We have been using the tens rods to count up in tens. Well done everyone, great maths learning!

Week commencing 03/02/2025

This week in maths we have been using the counters to add and also take away. We have also been looking at the number lines too.

In D.T this half term we have been focusing on Nutrition and making a delicious fruit smoothie. This week we made a scrumptious smoothie using fruits and vegetables chosen by us!

Autumn 2 overview

Where would you like to explore?

In Fountains Class this half term, our main History and Geography theme continues to be ‘Where would you like to explore?’ We will now be focusing on the History part of this theme.  As part of our work, we will be learning about Katherine Johnson, who was a      brilliant mathematician and helped NASA send rockets to the moon. Then the children will find out about the amazing journeys that the explorers Neil Armstrong and Ernest Shackleton made.

Key Vocabulary

resilient, dangerous, significant, explore

Autumn 1 overview 2025

Where would you like to explore?

In Fountains Class this term, our main History and Geography theme is Where would you like to explore? We will start off with a recap of oceans and continents and then we will investigate weather patterns in different parts of the world. Then we will investigate what makes a person significant.  We will find out about Katherine Johnson, who was a brilliant mathematician who helped NASA send rockets to the moon.  Then the children will find out about the amazing journeys that the explorers Neil Armstrong and Ernest Shackleton made.

Key Vocabulary

resilient, dangerous, significant, explore

What a wonderful 2 weeks we have had in Fountains class preparing for our nativity, enjoying the Christmas Fayre and joining in with the Christmas crafting!

Below are some images to show you what a great couple of weeks we've had!

This week in Fountain's class we have played a game in maths using the Dice. We rolled to find two numbers to use them in an addition and a take away sentence. We talk about using the part whole method to add and take away! Great maths learning Fountains!

End of Academic Year 2023 - 2024. Well done to all our Wistow pupils for an amazing year!

Summer Term 2 2024

What A Wonderful World!

Fountains Class are going to be explorers this half term, in their Geography topic about our  wonderful world.  The children will find out about the location of countries, continents and oceans of the world in relation to the position of the United Kingdom.  They will reinforce their understanding that the world is spherical and then create their own journeys across the world.  The children will use the compass directions of North, South, East and West.

They will also celebrate World Ocean Day on the 8^th June and have an introduction to France, in preparation and linked to the Paris Olympics .

Key Vocabulary

compass, North, South, East, West

Design and Technology this half term is a focus on making a puppet. The children will explore methods of joining fabric. They will then design and make a character-based hand puppet using a preferred joining technique, before decorating.

Key Vocabulary

Template, stencil, join,  

In Computing, the children will be learners will be using a computer to create music. They will listen to a variety of pieces of music and consider how music can make them think and feel. Learners will compare creating music digitally and non-digitally. Learners will look at patterns and purposefully create music using Chrome Music Lab.

Key Vocabulary

Chrome Music lab, Chrome book, pattern

We have already completed most of our Science work this year, but we will be reinforcing our knowledge of Plants with a few investigations using seeds and plants.

Key Vocabulary

Investigate, predict and method

Religious Education this half term is focusing on the Christian and Jewish story of Creation.  In this unit, Who made the World? We will look at the view of some Christians and Jews about Creation and how and why we should care for our World.

Key Vocabulary

Creation, Creator, Bible

PSHE this half term involves a focus on Economic Wellbeing. The children will learn what money is and the different ways that children and adults get it.  Then they will learn to recognise the difference between needs and wants; consider why different people make different choices about spending and saving money; explore banks and building societies; understanding that skills and interests influence career choices. As always, our PSHE follows the age appropriate North Yorkshire Council PSHE Guidance.

Key Vocabulary

cash, coins, notes

Maths

The children will first be completing work on fractions and quarters.  Then we will begin work on Position and Direction. 

Key Vocabulary

left, right, quarter

English

All children will be having a 15 minute Read Write Inc reading and phonics session daily.

This term we will also be continuing with the new  writing programme, to help us with our  writing and Spelling and Grammar knowledge.

The book for our next unit of work is Tidy by Emily Gravett.

Autumn Term 2 2023

2022-2023

Summer Term 2   2023

Autumn Term 2 2022

School Year 2021-22

Summer Term 1 2022

Spring Term 2 2022

Autumn Term  2 2021

Would you like to have lived in Victorian times and celebrated a Victorian Christmas?

Autumn Term 1 2021

Would you like to have lived in Victorian York?

This fantastic chalk board was made at home!

Academic Year 2020-21

Summer Term 2, June 2021

Off on holiday!

Island Explorers!

Our main topic “Off On Holiday!” continues

but now we are focusing further away from Yorkshire as we will be  Island Explorers. We will be investigating the features of the coast on the Island of Coll, in Scotland and then comparing it to the Galapagos Islands.  We will be locating these places on maps and using terms such as the four compass points, equator, North and South Pole.

Our Art and Design and Technology work is linked to the theme as we will be finishing  our moving under water scenes using  simple mechanisms such as pulleys.  We will also be using clay, and using a view finder to focus on a specific part of a seaside scene and animals just like the Naturalist and Artist Charles Darwin did, when he visited the Galapagos.

The Lighthouse Keeper’s Lunch will also lead on to making food such as a sandwiches!

Computing will have a focus on using various IT packages to produce seaside themed Art.

Science involves a look at plants, bulbs and seeds.  As well as labelling the parts of various plants, the children will be naming a variety of common plants found in the local area.  This is something you can all help with, in your garden or on walks around Wistow, Cawood and Selby. We will also be looking at the life cycles of plants and what they need to grow.  No work on plants is complete without trying to grow some from seed,  so  fingers crossed!

Religious Education this half term is “What is the good news Jesus brings?” This involves looking at the stories Jesus told and how Christians use these in their day to day lives.  Themes such as forgiveness, saying sorry and showing love and care to those who need it are all part of this.

English

English this term involves creating our own information and explanation texts, related to creatures, who live by the British coast and far away islands.  We will also be  reading ‘The Lighthouse Keeper’s Lunch’ and the Katie Morag stories and using these as a base for a recap of the genres we have covered this year.

Read Write Inc.  continues daily for some Year 1 children, with either Mrs Legg or Miss Senior.

Maths

Year 1  This half term involves an introduction to time to the half hour and then numbers and place value to 100.  There is than a focus on money.

Year 2  We will start by finishing work on time. This is then followed by measurement including weight, length and capacity. Finally there is problem solving using all the knowledge we have already learnt this year,

Summer Term  2021

We are being optimistic in Fountains Class this term, as our main topic is “Off on holiday!”

This involves investigating the British coast and seaside, past and present. A great way to help your child at home is to talk about the seaside trips the children, parents and grandparents have had!  You could even get out a photo album and look at the times you have visited the seaside.

We will be investigating the features of the coast and seaside and also finding places on a map.

Our Art and Design and Technology work is linked to the theme as we will be looking at some famous sea scapes by JW Turner and Katsushika Hokusai.

Our science work is based on Animals including Humans this term and we will be able to link this to sea creatures too!

English this term involves a couple of new genres—stories by the same author and information texts. We will first be looking at stories of by Julia Donaldson linked to the sea and seaside  We shall also be creating our own information and explanation texts, related to creatures who live by the

British coast.

Read Write Inc  continues daily for some Year 1 children, with either Mrs Legg or Miss Senior.

In Maths we will be focusing on the following:

Year 1- Counting in 2's, 5's and 10's.  An introduction to multiplication and division, doubles, halving and grouping.

Year 2- Finishing work on fractions, including 1/4's, 3/4's and equivalent fractions.  This is then followed by measurement, including weight, length and capacity,

Any practice of quick recall of number bonds to 10 and 20 will help.

Year 2's can start to learn their 2,5,10 and 3 times tables and division facts.

Our work in RE focuses on "What makes some places sacred?"

We have been working really hard to draw self portraits.  

Spring Term 2  February-March 2021

It's a new half term and a new topic for Fountains Class.

Our main theme will be "The Great Fire of London." 

Our science work is based on the uses of everyday materials and we will be investigating which materials will be most suitable for making buckets to help put out the fire!

Our art work will focus on Spring and the work of famous artists such as Claude Monet.

In Maths we will be focusing on the following:

Year 1- Counting in 2's, 5's and 10's, Measurement- Length, height, weight and volume.

Year 2- Properties of shape and then fractions.

Any practice of quick recall of number bonds to 10 and 20 will help.

Year 2's can start to learn their 2,5,10 and 3 times tables and division facts.

In our English work Year 1's will continue with Read Write Inc and the Year 2's will be focusing on diary and letter writing.  We will also be writing Spring poems.

Our work in RE focuses on Lent and Easter, and also the natural wonders of Spring.

Spring 2021

It's a new year and a new topic for Fountains Class.

Our main theme will be "Would you like to an Antarctic Explorer?" We will be finding out about the adventures of Ernest Shackleton and start by focusing on the key places visited on his travels. 

Our science work is based on everyday materials and we will be investigating which materials will be most suitable for an explorer to the Antarctic, to wear.  

Our art work will focus on snowy landscapes and colour mixing using different media.

In Maths we will be focusing on the following:

Year 1- Place valve to 50, addition and subtraction.

Year 2- Multiplication and division, followed by Statistics.

Any practice of quick recall of number bonds to 10 and 20 will help.

Year 2's can start to learn their 2,5,10 and 3 times tables.

In our English work Year 1's will continue with Read Write Inc and the Year 2's will be focusing on fantasy stories ( especially those involving dragons), stories from another culture and letter writing.  

Our question in RE is "Who is Jewish and what do they believe?" We will also be meeting our friends Bumble and Tweet again.

Christmas 2020

Fountains Class had lots of fun in the run up to the Christmas holidays. We performed our Nativity brilliantly and had a Christmas dinner in the classroom.  We even had a special visit from Father Christmas during our Christmas party in our bubble!  Thanks to a generous donation, we also had the opportunity to grow a snowman!

Autumn Term 2020.

"Wistow" is the first main theme for our work this term. We will be finding out about or village, including its physical and man made features, how it has changed over time and important landmarks. This will lead on to work on maps! We will then move on to work about Christmas and of course, the Nativity!   This year we are performing Toby's Drum by Out of the Ark Music.

Our science this term initially involves a focus on the seasons and living things and their habitats.  We will be looking closely to see what is living in the school grounds and the local area before focusing on habitats in other countries. 

Our art, design and technology work is also linked with our local area and we will be trying our hand at collage, observational drawing and sewing.  We will also be making natural art sculptures inspired by Andy Goldsworthy.

In Maths we will be focusing on the following:

 Year 1- Shape and place value.

Year 2- Money.

Any practice learning number bonds to 10 and then 20 will help.  

Using coins and playing shops at home is a fun way to help too.

In our English work Year 1's will continue with Read Write Inc and the majority of Year 2's will be focusing on Autumn poetry, stories with familiar settings, traditional and fairy stories. 

Our question in RE is " Why does Christmas matter to Christians? Hopefully we will be able to visit both the church and chapel. We shall also be meeting our friends Bumble and Tweet again.

September 2019-2020

Summer Term 2020

"Who was Mary Anning?" is the main theme for our work this half term. We will be finding out Mary, her life and how she changed science, especially the study of Evolution due to her amazing fossil finds in Lyme Regis. This will lead on to work on dinosaurs!

Our science this term initially involves a focus on the seasons.  This will also help us with our poetry writing.  We will then begin a focus on 'Animals including Humans.'

In Maths we will be focusing on the following:

 number and measurement, multiplication and division, geometry and time.

Year 1 need to tell the time to the half hour and Year 2 need to know the time to the quarter hour and five minute intervals.

Year 1's will focus on multiples and Year 2's their times tables.

Any practice learning number bonds to 10 and then 20 will help.  

Using coins and playing shops at home is a fun way to help too.

In our English work Year 1's will continue with Read Write Inc and Year 2's will be focusing on poetry, diary writing, explanation texts and fantasy stories. 

Our question in RE is related to having a wider understanding of the beliefs of others.  Who is a Muslim and what do they believe ? We shall also be meeting our friends Bumble and Tweet again.

Training to be nurses

We have been very busy training to be nurses just like Florence Nightingale did when she went to Germany and France.  We learned about the need for clean hands, clothes and bedding.  We practiced putting slings and bandages on our friends.  We even made beds and cared for our patients!

Victorian Toys

This week we have been making replica Victorian toys.  We have used pegs, fabric and wool scraps to make peg dolls.  We have also been using hack saws safely to cut wooden dowel for axels for toys carts.  

Maths Open Lesson

We were delighted to have our parents join us for Maths on Friday morning. We did lots of work learning about the properties of 3D shapes and using terms such as edge, face and vertices. 

A few of our favourite things!

We all enjoyed sharing what we learnt about chocolate and our favourite toys during our assembly on Friday.  If anyone has any toys from past we would love to see them.

Interviewing the mice!

We have been reading Kipper's Toybox and thinking about the characters and their actions.  This week we tried some 'hot seating' when we pretended to be the mice.  We all wrote questions for them.

Special Visitor

Mr Smith, from Nestle, came to visit us this week.  He told us about the history of chocolate in York.  We found out about how chocolate is made and even got some chocolate to take home!  It was a great end to our topic about York!  Thank you Mr Smith.

PSHE Day  Keeping myself safe

On Friday we found out many ways to keep ourselves safe including when crossing the road.  We also focused on dangers at home and when using our tablets or parents' phones.  We had a very busy day!

City of York Badges

We have designed and then made our own badges to represent the city of York.  We have all been practising our sewing skills.

Conker Tree Corner

Fountains have been busy writing character descriptions of Bumble the bee and Tweet the robin who live at Conker Tree Corner.

Look back soon to see our pictures of them!

Busy writing!

Making Templates

We have been busy making paper templates for our badge designs.

Our Pumpkins!

Have a look at how our pumpkins are doing!

Living Things

This week we have been focusing on whether something is living, dead or has never been alive in science.  We have been exploring our outside area to find as many different living things as we can.

September 2018-2019

A very busy day!

Fountains class have had a very busy day! 

We've had a wedding to prepare for. 

As part of our RE work on sacred places and celebrations, we had a pretend wedding in church. The Reverend Terry came to help us all with the service.  We spent the day preparing food, including making delicious sandwiches and decorating biscuits all ready for the celebrations. We made enough for the whole school.

The Deep

We have had a fantastic trip to The Deep and saw many amazing sea creatures.  Here are a few photographs but go to the Gallery page for more! A huge thank you to all our parent helpers who came with us. Another huge thank you to FOWSA who contributed towards us all having a pencil and notebook.

Creative Sea Creatures

We have started to design and make models of strange new sea creatures found at the bottom of the ocean.   Have a look at our work so far...

Becoming an active citizen.

On our latest PSHCEE day we focused on becoming an active citizen. We first tried to improve and care for our own outside area.  We planted seeds, redid the planters, weeded and even sanded the shed.  A huge thank you to all our parents for helping us.  We also thought about recycling and what other steps we can do to help such as switching off lights, walking to school and using less plastic.

Performing Poetry

We've been busy preparing for our class assembly by practising performing a few of our favourite animal and ocean themed poems.

Salvation

Salvation is the theme of our RE work this term.  We focused on the events of Holy Week and looked at various images related to these.  We then began to create our own art work.

Blast off into space!

During our Literacy sessions we are travelling into space.  We are using exciting adjectives to describe the setting of Q Pootle 5.  We are now going to create and describe our own story settings in space.

We have had a very busy week. 

On a sunny afternoon we went looking for signs of Spring and then produced some careful observational drawings. 

Fabulous fun with fractions!