Welcome back to school and the start of a brilliant year. The children have already shown great enthusiasm about their learning this term and have settled back in well. Unfortunately our class TA, Mrs Vance, is still poorly but we are lucky to have the fantastic Mrs Colegate helping us out whilst she recovers.
I’m really excited for what is already looking to be a great year!
Miss Mayhew
Geography
Our theme for both of these terms will be The Americas. During these terms we will be using our geographical skills to explore the physical and human geography of North and South America. After half term, we will have a more in-depth study into the country Mexico.
Reading
During whole class reading this term we will be reading the ‘The Giraffe and The Pelly and Me’ which is a much loved Roald Dahl classic. The children will be given regular opportunities to read aloud and answer questions both verbally and written. Once we have finished this book, we will move on to using Holes as our whole class reading text.
Maths
We will start the year by learning about place value and number which are the building blocks of maths. After half term we will be looking at calculating with the four operations. We will also be having a big focus on times tables throughout the year, which children should be practicing at home regularly. This will prepare year 4s for the Multiplication Tables Check in the summer.
RE
This term we will be considering the questions, ‘What would Jesus do?’ and ‘What does it mean to be a Muslim in Britain today?’ In RE we use the big question approach to organise our learning.
Art
The talented Miss Butler and Mrs Hall will be taking the class for art this term. They will start out focusing on observational drawing for the harvest festival which will be displayed in the church. They will then be moving onto exploring the purpose and impact of images from the ‘Space race’ era of the 1950s and 60s; developing independence and decision-making using experimental processes; combining drawing and collagraph printmaking to create a futuristic image.
Music
This term we are looking at the BBC Ten Pieces ‘Rodeo Hoe-Down’. The children will have the opportunity to listen, appreciate and compose their own musical pieces inspired by this.
Computing
We will be starting off by looking at spreadsheets before moving onto an online safety unit after half term.
Literacy
This term we will be reading the book ‘Holes’ by Louis Sachar. We will be using this book to develop our reading skills and also to inspire us to produce some amazing pieces of writing. Part way through term 2, we will be looking at extracts of an abridged version of ‘Last of the Mohicans’. A story that is set in New York State in 1757 during the French and Indian War. We will also be doing regular handwriting practice to help children that are working to achieve their pen licences. Those who have their licences will be keen to keep their skills sharp.
Spelling
During these terms we will be using Superhero Spellings. This approach has 3 stages: learn, build and show. The children will be given opportunities to practice the words for the rule throughout the week, before completing 10 dictation sentences on Fridays. These will be stuck in the back of homework books for the children to refer back to if needed. The children will be split into year groups during these spelling sessions.
Science
We will begin by studying living things this term, with a focus on grouping and classifying. After half term we go into more detail with this topic with the inclusion of microbes.
PSHE
In the first term we will be looking at the topic ‘Being me in the world’. After half term our topic will be ‘Celebrating differences’. These lessons will be taught using the Jigsaw scheme of work.
PE
For term 1, we will be having our regular PE lessons with All Star Soccer working on developing their football skills. After half term, we are lucky enough to have Zara for dance. In our other PE lessons with me, we will be working on cricket and netball. PE will be on Mondays and Tuesdays. Full PE kit is expected. Our new home PE bags will be going home each Friday full of resources for the children to use. When your turn comes around, please do use it and fill in the notebook in the front pocket. It is great to see the children staying active outside of school.
French
We will begin the term by recapping key vocabulary. We will then be focusing on speaking about ourselves and answering questions such as ‘Comment tu t’appelles?’ and ‘Quel age as-tu?’
DT
This term we will be looking at textiles which will involve researching, designing and making a Native American medicine bag.
Homework
The children will be sent home with a homework menu for the term. Each week the children will select one task to complete. This is sent out on Wednesdays to be handed back in on a Monday.
Spelling
Each week the children will be working on a different spelling rule and receive 10 spelling words. A list of these can be found stuck into homework books for the children to practise at home.
These will also be worked on in class and at the end of the week the children will complete dictation sentences including these 10 words.
Dictation sentences will be stuck into the back of homework books each week in order to see progress and any words/spelling rules that may need to be worked on further.
Reading
Reading is required every night which is to be shown in their reading records. Please bring completed reading records in for reading certificates.
Times tables
Don’t forget to keep practicing times tables at home whenever you can. We have a leader board for studio speed/rockstar status up in the classroom which is updated weekly.
If you need your TT Rockstars or Purple Mash logins, just send me an
Key dates
Thursday 26th September – Uckfield College PE session
Thursday 26th September – In school poetry recital
Tuesday 1st October – Harvest Festival & Harvest Hike
Friday 5th October – Inset Day
Tuesday 8th October – Flu Spray
Friday 18th October – Parent Maths Workshop
Monday 21st & Wednesday 23rd October – Parent Consultations
Friday 25th October – Last day of Term 1
Monday 4th November – Start of Term 2
Friday 6th December – Late Night Shopping
Tuesday 17th December – Christmas Jumper Day, Whole School Christmas Lunch & KS2 Carol Concert
Thursday 19th December – KS2 Christmas Party
Friday 20th December – End of Term 2 and Cup Assembly.
