Early Years Cornerstones Curriculum Topic OverviewOdd Year 2019/20

Autumn 1

Why do you love me so

much?

What is special about me? How do we show that we care? Explore these questions and more in

this project about love, families, friends and how people are the same and different.

This topic has a people and communities focus and a personal, social and emotional

focus.

Autumn 2

Why do leaves go crisps? Why do leaves go crispy? What is inside a conker? Explore these questions and more in

this project about autumn.This topic has an understanding the world

focus.

Spring 1 Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it’s a superhero!

This is a topic that focuses on the hero in all of us; a fun topic about ourselves, our families,

superhero animals, superhero vehicles and the super people around us who help us.

This topic has a people and communities focus.

Spring 2 Are Eggs Alive? Are eggs alive? What are buds? Explore these questions and more in this project about the things that happen in the world around us

during spring.

This topic has an understanding the world focus.

Summer 1

How many colours in a rainbow?

How many colours in a rainbow? What happens when you mix red and blue? Explore these

questions and more in this project about colours in the natural and man-made world.

This topic has an art and design focus.

Summer 2

Can we explore it? Can we explore it? Where can we hide? Explore these questions and more in this project about holes, hiding spaces and great adventures in

faraway places.

This topic has a physical development focus.

Even Year 2020/21

Autumn 1Can I have a dog?

Can I have a dog? How do I look after it? Explore these questions and more in this project about

pets and how to care for them.

This topic has a communication and language focus.

Autumn 2Why do leaves go crisps? Why do leaves go crispy? What is inside a

conker? Explore these questions and more in this project about autumn.

This topic has a knowledge and understanding of the world focus and art

and design focus.

Spring 1Where does snow go?

Why does snow melt? How can we keep warm? Explore these questions and more in this project

about winter.

This topic has a literacy focus and knowledge and understanding of the world

focus.

Spring 2Why can’t I have

Why can’t I have chocolate for breakfast? Which food types are healthy? Explore these questions

chocolate for breakfast? and more in this project about food, mealtimes and nutrition.

This topic has a personal, social and emotional focus and a mathematics focus.

Summer 1Do dragons exist? Do dragons exist? What’s it like to live in a

castle? Explore these questions and more in this project about the fantastical world of dragons

and castles.

This topic has a people and communities focus and art and design focus.

Summer 2How high can I jump?

How high can I jump? How fast can I run? Explore these questions and more in this project

about sport, movement and physical activity.

This topic has a physical development focus.

Our topic work throughout the year will be based upon the Cornerstones Curriculum which comprises of the following four elements. Engage – In this part of the curriculum children will engage in purposeful and contextualised learning experiences; in and outside the classroom. This may include visits out of school and visitors into school. Develop – In the following weeks children develop knowledge, understanding and subject skills required to progress their learning through focussed learning tasks and experiences.

Here we will record our work in a variety of ways through art work, written work, dance, music or construction. Innovate – Children are given the opportunity to innovate by applying their knowledge and skills and understanding through a challenging provocation using their own and negotiated ideas. The innovate aspect of each topic is included in the topic title box on the previous page. Express – Children express and evaluate their knowledge, understanding and skills, as outcomes of the learning in different memorable forms including using a variety of media and technology. Examples of activities we may do here are fund raising events, write stories, create photo albums or create a dance or presentation for an audience.