BedlingtonStation PrimarySchool

Portal Travel: Mexico

 

Year 4 Term 2B

CONTEXT

Hey dudes, Seraphina Huesplash here and I need your help. I've just booked an amazing trip to Mexico with Portal Travel to attend an artist retreat! As travel researchers I need you to tell me everything I need to know about Mexico before my trip in November. I know there is a huge festival taking place while I am there. I'm sure you'll be able to keep me right! Peace and Love!

BROADENING EXPERIENCE

British Science Week

CLASS READER

Skellig

PSHE
'Healthy Me'.

We will learning about; Healthier friendships, Group dynamics, Smoking, Alcohol and vaping, Assertiveness, Peer pressure, Celebrating inner strength.

Curriculum Overview

Oracy Development Opportunities

ENGLISH

Focus Narrative:

Cultural Stories

Key Text/Stimulus:

Dias De los Muertos (Animation)  

Focus Non-Narrative:

Formal Letter Writing

Key Text/Stimulus:

Science - pollution in food chains

Curriculum support genres:

Formal Letter Writing

Non-chronological reports

Hot-seating as characters, sharing ideas and feelings

Debate around pollution.

 

ART

Artist:

Day of the Dead

Medium:

Sugar Skulls

Papel picado (flags)

Feedback, sharing ideas

How is the art of sugar skulls unique and meaningful? The art of sugar skulls is unique because they are decorated with bright colors, intricate patterns, and symbolic designs, representing the joy of remembering loved ones and celebrating life during Día de los Muertos.

RE

Jigsaw RE

Is forgiveness always possible for Christians?

Northumberland Agreed Syllabus - Unit L2.4 What kind of world did Jesus want?

 

What is the Christian concept of salvation?Christians believe that Jesus is the son of God, who came to Earth in order to save humans from their sins. His death and resurrection opened up the way back to God and restored humanity’s relationship with him.

Why is 'The Lord's Prayer' special to Christians?Jesus taught his disciples “the Lord’s Prayer” which is also known as the “Our Father”. It explicitly asks God to grant the speaker forgiveness as they forgive others who have hurt them.

Salvation – The Christian belief that Jesus’ death and resurrection saved people from sin and helped restore their relationship with God.

Forgiveness – Letting go of anger or hurt when someone has done something wrong; Christians believe God forgives those who are truly sorry.

Prayer – Talking to God; Christians use prayer to thank, ask, and speak to God, like in The Lord’s Prayer.

HISTORY

National Curriculum:

No focus

 

Content:

No focus

 

GEOGRAPHY

National Curriculum:

use maps, atlases, globes and digital/computer mapping to locate countries and describe features studied

locate the world’s countries, using maps to focus on North and South America, concentrating on their environmental regions, key physical and human characteristics, countries, and major cities

Tourism video, sharing information, discussions

Content:

understand geographical similarities and differences through the study of human and physical geography of a region of the UK (North East), a region in a European country (Spain), and a region in North or South America (Mexico)

What is the climate like in Mexico and how does it compare to Northumberland and Andalusia?In many parts of Mexico, like Oaxaca, the climate is warm all year with a rainy season and dry season. This is different from Northumberland, which is cooler and wetter, and Andalusia, which has hot, dry summers and mild winters. These differences affect farming, clothing, and daily life. Mexico’s warm climate helps grow foods like maize, avocados, and chillies.

What are the human and physical features of Mexico, and how do they compare with the UK and Spain?Mexico has mountains, forests, beaches, and large cities like Mexico City, along with traditional villages and farmland. Andalusia also has mountains and coastlines, but its towns and buildings often reflect Spanish and Moorish history. Northumberland is more rural, with castles, hills, and smaller towns. These regions show how people live in different types of landscapes and build communities in different ways.

How do people live in Mexico and how is this different from life in Northumberland and Andalusia?In Mexico, people may live in big cities or rural villages and often celebrate traditional festivals, use markets, and enjoy family gatherings. In Andalusia, life may include long midday breaks, flamenco dancing, and city living. In Northumberland, life is quieter, with small communities, colder weather, and different local traditions. Comparing these regions helps us see how culture, climate, and history shape everyday life.

What foods do people eat in Mexico and how are they different from foods in Spain and the UK?Mexican food includes maize, beans, chilli, avocados, and chocolate—often eaten in dishes like tacos or tamales. In Spain, especially Andalusia, people enjoy olives, seafood, and dishes like paella. In the UK, food is often based on meat, potatoes, and vegetables suited to cooler weather. The ingredients and meals in each place reflect what grows well and what people enjoy.

What is the Day of the Dead and why is it important in Mexico?The Day of the Dead (Día de los Muertos) is a special Mexican celebration held on November 1st and 2nd to remember and honour loved ones who have died. Families create colourful altars decorated with candles, flowers (especially marigolds), photos, and favourite foods of those who have passed away. It is a joyful time, filled with music, costumes, and traditions that celebrate life and family. This festival is unique to Mexico and shows how people there honour death in a way that is different from traditions in the UK and Spain.

Climate – Mexico’s climate varies, but places like Oaxaca have warm temperatures all year with a rainy season and a dry season.

Tradition – In Mexico, traditions like Día de los Muertos involve colourful altars, marigolds, music, and food to honour loved ones who have died.

Human features – Human-made landmarks in Mexico include Mexico City, street markets, colourful houses, and ancient Mayan and Aztec ruins.

Physical features – Mexico has deserts in the north, rainforests in the south, mountain ranges, and active volcanoes like Popocatépetl.

Culture – Mexican culture includes Spanish-speaking communities, family celebrations, street food like tacos, and vibrant festivals celebrated across towns and cities.

PE

Real PE Unit:

Unit 3

Cog Focus

  • Creative Skills

Fundamental Movement Skills

  • Coordination: Sending and Receiving
  • Counter Balance: With a Partner

Sport:

Invasion Games

Feedback, coaching, instructions

Planning Link

DT

National Curriculum:

No focus

Content:

No focus 

 

SCIENCE

National Curriculum:

Animals/Humans

construct and interpret a variety of food chains, identifying producers, predators and prey  

 

discussions, sharing/presenting  information,

WOW! Wonder Launch

Play Predators & Prey chase game. Coloured bands, certain colours can only tag other colours. Sit out when tagged. Fewer Predators, more prey.

What is a food chain, and what does it show?A food chain shows how energy is passed from one living thing to another, starting with a producer (like a plant) and moving through consumers, such as herbivores and carnivores, to predators at the top.

What is the difference between a producer, a predator, and prey in a food chain? A producer makes its own food (like plants), prey is an animal that gets eaten by another animal, and a predator is an animal that hunts and eats other animals.

Why are food chains important in understanding ecosystems?Food chains show the relationships between living things and how energy flows through an ecosystem, helping us understand the balance of nature and what happens if one part of the chain is disrupted.

Producer – A living thing, like a plant, that makes its own food using sunlight through a process called photosynthesis.

Consumer – An animal that eats plants or other animals to get energy.

Predator – An animal that hunts and eats other animals for food.

Prey – An animal that is hunted and eaten by another animal.

Ecosystem – A community of living things, like animals and plants, and their environment, all working together and depending on each other.

COMPUTING

National Curriculum:

Computer Science

Animation (PM Unit 4.6)

Digital Literacy

Effective Searching (PM Unit 4.7)

Debate, discussions, sharing ideas and views

MUSIC

Planning Link

Instrument Tuition

Steel Pans

Performing/singing/evaluations

SPANISH

Language Angels Unit

Core Vocabulary & Phonetics:

  • Recap Previous Vocabulary

 

Intermediate Language Unit (6 Lessons):

  • Me Presento (Presenting myself)

 

 

Planning Link

Planning Link

Speaking aloud