creative thinking • creative learning Year 4 Handbook 2016-2017 Guildford High School creative thinking • creative learning 1 creative thinking • creative learning Who’s Who Your daughter will meet different teachers during her time in the Junior School, through specialist subject teaching, whole school events and extra-curricular activities but her Form Teacher plays the central role in her pastoral care and day to day school life. While we cannot show everyone who will be involved in your daughter’s education and care in this section, some key staff members are included below and email addresses for all Junior School staff are provided at the back of this booklet. Mrs Fiona Boulton, Headmistress Head of the whole school from Reception to the Upper Sixth Mr Toby Day, Deputy Head Assists in leading the Junior School Mr Mike Gibb, Head of Junior School Responsibility for the Junior School Miss Sheina Wright, Deputy Head Responsibility for GHSJS curriculum developmen t and works across schools with United Learning Form Teachers for Year 4 in 2016-17 are: Mrs Lisa Cartwright 4C 2 Mrs Laura Sunckell 4S creative thinking • creative learning Welcome to Year 4 This guide provides an outline of what your daughter can expect in Year 4. It describes some of the expectations and opportunities for the girls in this year group and offers a summary of the topics studied. It also suggests activities that can support English and Mathematics at home. We hope you will find this booklet useful and that you daughter enjoys the year. Travel Information Guildford High School is committed to the environment and to reducing congestion around school. For this reason, we seek the support of all parents who live near the school to walk rather than bring cars wherever possible. Public Transport About 80% of girls in the Senior School arrive at GHS using public transport, the majority by train and we have a system of train buddies for pupils new to the school. Dropping off and collecting arrangements (if driving) There is NO PARKING on site – we run a drop off and pick up system to ensure that the traffic keeps moving. For this reason, if you do need to park and come into school, please find a suitable nearby parking place off site (there is on street parking in several nearby roads). Please note that the parking spaces on the main school site (other than those marked Visitor) and at the Sports Centre are reserved for staff and a permit is required to park in these spaces. If you do bring your daughter to school by car, vehicles must enter by the entrance in the front of the Senior School and then turn right. This is a one-way drive with a 5 mph speed limit. The exit is at the far end of the site, past the Junior School and Morton House. Please be aware of the marked crossing and pedestrian path. When driving into or driving off the school site, it is really important that you are considerate and courteous to pedestrians. You are considered, by the general public, to be representing the school when you drive across the pavement on London Road. Please give way to pedestrians and do not block their journey along the pavement. It is important that traffic flows quickly and efficiently so that we do not block London Road. Our staff will direct you and you need to follow their instructions. Pupils need to get out of the car on the left hand side of their vehicle with their possessions in hand and drivers must not get out of their cars at all. Message from Mrs Fiona Boulton, Headmistress 3 creative thinking • creative learning The Curriculum in Year 4 English Grammar Ten 35 minute lessons per week (including Drama and Spelling). Your daughter will be taught the grammatical constructions that are characteristic of spoken standard English and to apply this knowledge appropriately in a range of contexts. This will include her understanding the present perfect form of verbs, use of conjunctions, adverbs and propositions, using fronted adverbials and choosing nouns and pronouns appropriately for clarity and cohesion. Your daughter will learn to adapt the way she speaks and writes to suit different genres and audiences. She will read a range of texts and respond to different layers of meaning in them. She will explore the use of language in literary and non-literary texts and learn how language works. Girls are taught speaking, listening, group discussion, interaction and presentation skills. Spelling Both in sets and in class, your daughter will be taught spelling strategies, to apply knowledge of spelling conventions, to use knowledge of common letter strings, visual patterns and analogies, and to check and build on her knowledge of words and spelling patterns. Our aim is to enable your daughter to not only spell accurately, but also to widen her vocabulary to enhance both her spoken and written language. Punctuation Your daughter will be taught to use punctuation marks correctly in her writing. She will be taught the grammatical functions of words, the grammar of more complex sentences, including conjunctions, the purposes and organisational features of paragraphs, and how ideas can be linked. She will be taught to use commas after fronted adverbials, apostrophes for plural nouns and to indicate possession and how to appropriately punctuate direct speech. She will be asked to identify and comment on features of English at word, sentence and text level, using appropriate terminology. 4 Reading Girls are expected to read fluently, understand extended prose (both fiction and non-fiction) and be encouraged to read for pleasure both in and out of school. Your daughter will be taught to develop understanding and appreciation of literary texts and the language used within them. She will be encouraged to check that texts make sense, ask questions to improve her understanding, draw inferences about characters feelings, thoughts and motives and to identify how language, structure and presentation contribute to meaning. creative thinking • creative learning Writing Science Through exposure to genres including narratives, explanations, descriptions, comparisons, summaries and evaluations, your daughter will be taught to: Year 4 Science continues to involve the girls in practical investigative work, with the expectation that they will be able to present full investigation write-ups that include making predictions, scientific diagrams and drawing conclusions. We continue to develop their knowledge and understanding of scientific concepts, processes and skills during six 35 minute lessons which are combined into three double lessons weekly, where two of these will take place in the Science Lab. • Plan her writing through discussion and evaluation of similar texts to learn from their structure, language and grammar. • Develop character, setting and plot through use of carefully chosen language and conversation. The topics covered are: • Use simple organisational devices in non-narrative texts, such as headings and sub-headings. • Proofread carefully for spelling, punctuation and grammatical errors. • • • • • • Electricity Sound Solids, liquids and gases Keeping healthy Classification keys Human impact • Read aloud, using tone information to enhance meaning. • Evaluate her own work and that of her peers and suggest improvements. • Draft and re-write through use of paragraphs around a theme. Drama The drama syllabus focuses on developing performance skills through games, public speaking opportunities, debating and group work. 5 creative thinking • creative learning Mathematics Nine 35 minute lessons per week. The girls are set for Mathematics into three groups. Assessment results are monitored to check progress and that your daughter is working in the correct group to support and extend for her ability. Please help your daughter to relate number, time, shape and space to the real world around her. We aim to encourage the girls to use the number system more confidently. Girls move from counting reliably to calculating fluently with all four number operations. They always try to tackle a problem with mental methods before using any other approach. The girls explore features of shape and space and develop their measuring skills in a range of contexts. They discuss and present their methods and reasoning using a wider range of mathematical language, diagrams and charts. The girls are taught to problem solve and to communicate answers clearly, develop logical thinking and explain their reasoning. Numbers and the number system Calculations Girls are taught to: • recognise and describe number patterns • recognise prime number factors of any two-digit integer • recognise that the position of a digit gives its value • use symbols < >+ • multiply and divide any integer by 10 or 100 then extend to multiplying and dividing by 1000 • round integers to the nearest 10 • read Roman numerals to 100 Mental methods are employed to: • recall all addition and subtraction facts for each number to 20 • handle particular cases of three-digit and four-digit additions and subtractions • recall multiplication facts to 12 x 12 and use them to derive quickly the corresponding division facts • double and halve any two-digit number, multiply and divide • use factor pairs in mental calculation Your daughter will explore solving numerical tasks to: • order a set of negative integers • multiply and divide decimals by 10 or 100 • recognise fractions and decimals, locate them on a number line and use them to find fractions of shapes and quantities She will also learn to understand simple equations, approximate proportions and appreciate equivalent measurements including time and understand the difference between obtuse, acute and right angles. 6 The girls are taught number operations and the relationships between them, and to recognise similar word problems to which they apply. Written methods are employed to: • use formal written methods to add, subtract, multiply and divide • simple measure and money problems including factions and decimals • understand geometry, including co-ordinates, translation and symmetry creative thinking • creative learning Modern Languages Two 35 minute French lessons and two 35 minute Spanish lessons per week. Spanish French The fourth year of Spanish learning for many of the girls reinforces and builds on previously acquired vocabulary. Phrases and descriptive language are incorporated to extend oral responses and written sentences. Focus will be trained on use of a few high frequency verbs in the present tense and a descriptive element. Topics continue to be approached through a variety of lively, interactive resources and activities. In particular, awareness of relevant phonics and pronunciation is targeted through listening exercises and reading aloud. Building on previous learning, the vocabulary already introduced will be reinforced and extended in further topics of common use and interest via songs, rhymes, videos and whiteboard presentations. The emphasis continues to be on speaking with fluent pronunciation; growing focus on points of grammar such as definite or indefinite articles and gender agreement is also developed. Girls will be encouraged in the writing and reading of more complex sentences. Humanities Three 35 minute lessons per week. Religious Education History In RE in Year 4 we seek to: The main topics studied this year include: • develop your daughter’s knowledge and understanding of, and her ability to respond to, Christianity and the other principal religions represented in Great Britain. • explore issues within and between faiths to help girls understand and respect different religions, beliefs, values and traditions (including ethical life stories), and understand the influence of these on individuals, societies, communities and cultures. • consider questions of meaning and purpose in life. • learn about religious and ethical teaching, enabling your daughter to make reasoned and informed judgements on religious and moral issues. • The Ancient Greeks • The Ancient Egyptians • The Maya Civilisation Geography The main topics studied this year include: • Europe • Rivers and the Water Cycle • Polar Regions 7 creative thinking • creative learning Creative Arts Music Art and Design In Year 4 the basic skills are elaborated on by focussing upon understanding how mood and feeling are conveyed in Art. Girls develop a broad range of new painting techniques including textural mixed media and watercolour, as well as honing drawing skills through more challenging tonal and mark making exercises such as portraiture. Each project is anchored by contextual referencing to build the girls’ knowledge of artists and different genres. Independent creative thinking skills, discussion and risk taking are encouraged to allow the girls to explore their creativity and individual ideas and style. Lunchtime art based clubs are available for those keen to further their creativity and the girls will have the opportunity to work alongside the senior students during after school sessions. The girl’s work is celebrated through displays in the school ‘gallery’ which change regularly to show off the girls’ achievements. An ‘Artist of the Week’ is maintained throughout the year to reward the girls on their effort, development and success. This is announced each week during assembly and in Junior News. Finally the year is rounded off by a whole school Art Exhibition where family, friends, staff and girls can share in the year’s successes. 8 In Year 4, the girls continue to expand their musical knowledge through practical and listening activities. There is a Folk Music project which continues throughout the academic year during which time the girls will learn about Folk Music around the world; learning to sing songs and play folk tunes; exploring the different folk instruments from various countries; learning how folk music has influenced composers; and leading to the production of a CD of Folk Music of their individual and group performances. There are many performing opportunities during the year. In the Michaelmas Term the girls take part in the Carol Service at Holy Trinity Church, singing a carol in either French or Spanish. The Year 4 production is a highlight of the Lent Term when all the girls take part as actors and singers, performing a play to their parents to the delight of all. The girls are taken to an orchestral concert, preparing by listening to the concert pieces and learning about the orchestra. They can also enter the Inter-House Music Competition on their various musical instruments as soloists and ensemble players – an excellent performance platform which offers the chance to share their musical skills and enjoyment of music in return for points for their Houses. There are many ensembles open to girls in Year 4 including Lower Choir who perform at many concerts and events throughout the year. Many girls join Concert Band, Orchestra and String Orchestra to develop their ensemble playing. The musical development of all the girls in the Junior School is enhanced through a variety of concerts, workshops and other performance opportunities. creative thinking • creative learning Physical Education Five periods of PE are timetabled per week. During the Michaelmas and Lent Terms, you daughter will have lessons in Gymnastics, Dance, Swimming and Games. In the Trinity Term, these sports (except Swimming) change to Athletics, Rounders and Tennis. Gymnastics and Dance Swimming We will develop a range of gymnastic skills, improving and increasing movement vocabulary, with emphasis on body shape, direction, speed of movement, control and aesthetic quality. These skills will be used in basic sequences, incorporating the themes such as Lead and Follow and Meet and Part. We explore individual, partner-work and group-work activities and continue developing girls’ observation and appraisal of each others’ work. The girls also compose and perform a sequence for the Inter-House Gymnastics Competition. Your daughter will continue to develop her artistic and aesthetic education through dance and will perform a curriculum dance in the Gym and Dance display. In Year 4 the girls are taught front crawl, back stroke, breaststroke and butterfly. Girls are taught in ability groups depending on their experience. The whole range of water skills is taught. Synchronised swimming type activities and the House Swimming Gala are enjoyed in the Trinity Term. Games Athletics Your daughter will practise a range of techniques for the following track events: 50m and 150m sprints and 600m distance runs and will practise the sprint start and use competitively in races. She will also try field events such as high jump, long jump and rounders ball throw and will compete in at least one, or a combination, of these events on Junior School Sports Day. This year the game of Netball will be introduced in a more formal way than previously. We learn and practise all the basic ball-handling skills: catching, passing and shooting and establish appropriate footwork. The girls learn the basic skills of defence (marking an opponent, marking the ball and marking the shot) and attack (dodging and spacing) and then apply and improve these skills in small-sided game situations and full 7 aside games. In Rounders, your daughter will continue to develop her basic skills for batting and fielding, including catching, throwing, bowling and barrier technique for picking up the ball. She will learn and apply the rules in small-sided and full game situations, developing tactical awareness and intelligent decision making, and will understand more fully the team positions and their basic responsibilities in the game. 9 creative thinking • creative learning Personal, Social, Emotional, Health and Citizenship Education Personal development, social skills, emotional and physical health and becoming a responsible citizen are regular themes in assemblies and are taught in Form Teacher time and in subject lessons across the curriculum. Workshops run by teaching staff and by educational companies also cover specific and age appropriate elements of this course. However, a single lesson each week is dedicated time for PSHE. These lessons cover the following topics: • Kindness, care and respect • Personal safety (including road safety, Internet safety and ‘stranger danger’) • Responsibility for self and others. Service within the school and wider community • Self esteem and self awareness • • • • • • Personal targets Resolving conflicts Resilience and endeavour Keeping Healthy Maximising personal potential Developing self esteem Extra-Curricular Activities Safe Use of the Internet A wide range of clubs are available to your daughter; some clubs are run during the lunch hour and others are held before or after school. The Internet is a powerful educational tool and is embedded in our curriculum. The girls use it for research, learning activities and revision, utilising a range of sites guided by their teachers. As all the girls have a school iPad, safe use of the Internet is vital. These include: • Art Club • Athletics / Cross Country Club • Dance Club • Guitar Club • Gymnastics Club • LAMDA • Lower Choir • Netball / Rounders Club • Recorders There are also Chess, Drama, Fencing, French and Tennis Clubs that operate within the school but are run by outside agencies – there is a charge for these clubs and they are quite popular. All girls are encouraged to stay for Rounders, Athletics and Netball Squad. They all have the opportunity to play for the school. We also run a Swim Squad by invitation only. 10 At GHS, the Internet is filtered by Websense to protect against harmful material. The girls are taught about the dangers of the Internet and how to stay safe online. Age appropriate guidance is given to them covering cyberbullying, social networking, inappropriate websites, gaming and viruses. The girls are taught what to do if they are worried about online activities and how to report any inappropriate content. The emphasis is on the safe use of the Internet and learning to utilise a resource that will play a major role in their future lives. We do not allow the girls any unsupervised access to the Internet in the Junior School and would request that the same is the case at home. Please ensure that Internet filters are switched on at home and you are always aware of what your children are accessing online. creative thinking • creative learning Personal Development Pastoral Care In Year 4 we provide opportunities for all pupils to learn and achieve. We endeavour to prepare all pupils for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of school life. We focus on the needs of the girls in the context of the school and its own community. We aim to support all girls in: At the beginning of every term, in Year 4, the class elects its Class Prefect and Deputy Class Prefect. The girls serve for a term and have added responsibilities. At the end of every term the staff award commendations for personal excellence in all areas of school life. The girl who is deemed to have improved herself the most, in any area of her development in school, is awarded the class cup which she will hold for one term. Year 4 girls are encouraged to participate in and to support the work of the Eco-Team, Pupil Council and the Mediator Team. They are encouraged to support all House activities and to build up a portfolio of citizenship activities through their contribution to their school and wider community. • Preparing to play an active role as citizens by discussing relevant issues during form time and debating topical issues in a sensitive and informative manner when they arise iPads All girls at Guildford High School are issued with a school iPad to enhance teaching and learning. The devices do not replace tried and tested teaching methods within school but are there to improve communication, utilise the Internet and specialist applications as well as helping the girls to use mobile technology effectively in today’s Information Age. The iPads belong to the school and are managed remotely using a Mobile Device Management system to ensure applications are uploaded and kept up to date. The devices will be taken home by the girls to complete homework tasks and to recharge. Please ask your daughters to show you what they are doing on their iPad and monitor their usage – we insist that the girls read a book more than they use their iPad. • Developing confidence and responsibility and making the most of their abilities by fostering their own self esteem and reinforcing success via the class and school assemblies • Developing good relationships and respecting the differences between people through example and by implementing the peer mediation system to resolve conflict • Organising personal resources, by planning group projects, leading and co-operating in groups and modifying plans according to need. Uniform A full list of uniform is available on the Guildford High School website and via Parentmail And finally... The move into Year 4 is a big step up, particularly in terms of becoming a more independent and more organised person. If you have any concerns, please do get in touch with us rather than let any potential problems escalate. 11 creative thinking • creative learning Ways to Help at Home Mathematics No doubt you want to offer your daughter all the help and support you can at home. Here are some examples of everyday activities with a Mathematical link. ✔ Yes / No Game ✔ Checking her own height and weight ✔ Helping to weigh ingredients in the kitchen ✔ Looking for shapes all around ✔ Learning the order of the days, months, seasons ✔ Knowing the time of daily events – school times, bedtimes, the times of favourite TV programmes ✔ Snakes and Ladders – some variations Play the game again but backwards (starting at 100 and taking away the number shown on the dice). Play the same game, but if you land on a multiple of 10 you get an extra turn. ✔ Counting pocket money ✔ Checking the change received when buying something at a shop ✔ Estimating how much some shopping is going to cost ✔ Playing games – many commercially produced games you might have at home will have a Mathematical context e.g. snakes and ladders, ludo, noughts and crosses, dominoes. Here are some activities you might like to try: ✔ Multiplying and dividing 12 By Year 4 children need to begin to know as many table facts as possible and be able to double, halve and quarter. Learning Mathematics is like learning a language – children need to become fluent – so you might also want to help your daughter to learn and remember some number facts by heart. The first person thinks of a number within a specific range (e.g. between 0 and 20). The second person has to guess the number by asking questions. However, they may only ask questions to which the answer is yes or no. Try to discourage random guesses by developing logical thinking and good questioning strategies. Helpful questions might include ‘Is it more than 10?’ or ‘Is it an even number?’. ✔ Don’t be Greedy This is a good game to practise addition to 100 (or a smaller number). To play you need to throw two dice and add the scores together. Each player can continue to throw the dice as many times as they choose in order to build up their personal score. However, if they throw a 1, their score for that turn is wiped out and, if they throw a double, their total score within the game is wiped out. The winner is the first person to gain a total score of 100 or more. This game can be simplified by the use of only one die and a smaller total score to win. creative thinking • creative learning ✔ Guess the Pair Here are some activities you might like to try: ✔ Play word-finding games using The cards are all laid out, face up in five rows of eight. The dealer chooses two cards, which are next to each other either horizontally or vertically, and calls out their sum (or their product). The first player to point to the correct pair wins them. This player then chooses the next pair. old newspapers ✔ Play games listing categories of words and then in a specific order ✔ Rearrange letters to make anagrams ✔ Pelmanism ✔ Make lists of rhyming words ✔ Do crosswords and word searches together Remove the jacks and kings from a pack of cards. Spread the cards upside down on the table. Take it in turns to turn two over. If they add up to 10 you keep them. The queen counts as a 0. Literacy ✔ When learning a new word, learn the meaning, context and spelling of it ✔ When learning a spelling encourage the use of look, say, cover, write, check Here are some examples of everyday activities with a Literacy link: ✔ Use a magnetic board and letters to have ✔ Look at newspapers (First News is excellent!) ✔ Send postcards, written by your daughter, so your daughter gains an understanding of different people and places ✔ When planning a holiday, see if your daughter can read the information on the chosen location fun making words and sentences to school from holidays ✔ Don’t forget to encourage your daughter to read a wide range of texts. “Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body”, Richard Steele. ✔ Check your daughter understands what she has read by asking her questions about the plot and characters ✔ Introduce them to the idea of skimming and scanning for information in texts ✔ Ensure she can identify the story opening, event and conclusion ✔ Make sure she can describe a setting ✔ Encourage awareness of different types of writing e.g. book reviews, diaries, leaflets 13 creative thinking • creative learning Term Dates Michaelmas Term 2016 Thursday 1st and Friday 2nd September Monday 5th September Monday 17th October to Friday 28th October Friday 16th December INSET (no school for pupils) Term Begins Half Term Term Ends (Juniors finish at midday) Lent Term 2017 Wednesday 4th January Friday 6th January Monday 13th February to Friday 17th February Thursday 30th and Friday 31st March Wednesday 29th March Term Begins Entrance Examination (no school for current pupils) Half Term Staff Moderation Days Term Ends (Juniors finish at 11.45am) Trinity Term 2017 Tuesday 18th April Friday 26th May Monday 29th May to Friday 2nd June Friday 7th July Term Begins INSET (no school for pupils) Half Term End of Term (Juniors finish at 11.45am) Useful Information How To Contact Us School Policies Guildford High Junior School London Road, Guildford, Surrey GU1 1SJ T: 01483 562 475 E: [email protected] W: www.guildfordhigh.surrey.sch.uk Please be aware that the following information is available to parents of all current or prospective pupils at Guildford High School. School policies and other information, including the items listed below, can be downloaded in PDF format from our website. Alternatively, printed copies can be requested from the school office at any time. • Academic Performance (available in last year’s Highlights section of the website) • Admissions Policy • Anti-bullying • Behaviour and Discipline • Child Protection (Safeguarding) • Complaints • Curriculum • Educational Visits and Activities Off Site • Exclusions, Expulsion, Removal and Review • Fire Procedures • First Aid • Health and Safety • May 2011 ISI Inspection Report • Provision for Special Educational Needs (including those for whom English is an additional language) • Staff Lists Headmistress: Mrs Fiona Boulton Head of Junior School: Mr Mike Gibb United Learning Registered address: United Learning, Worldwide House, Thorpe Wood, Peterborough, PE3 6SB T: 01832 864 444 W: www.unitedlearning.org.uk E: [email protected] Registered in England No. 2780748. A company limited by guarantee. Registered charity No. 1016538 The Chair of the Governing Body, Mrs Angela Crowe JP, can be contacted via United Learning. The Chair of the Local Governing Council, Mr Dan Perrett, can be contacted via the Guildford High School office. 14 creative thinking • creative learning Staff Contact List Headmistress Mrs Fiona Boulton [email protected] Head of Junior School Mr Mike Gibb [email protected] Teaching Staff Miss Dawn Aytoun Mrs Clare Burch Mrs Lisa Cartwright Mr Toby Day (Deputy Head) Miss Jemima Drayton Mrs Harriet Guest Mrs Diane Hall Miss Henrietta Henry Miss Kathryn Holland Mrs Rachel Kemp Mrs Jane Kinch Mrs Clare Kirkham Miss Amy Langfield Mrs Maria Mager Miss Sarah Martyn-Fisher Miss Lucy Matthews Mrs Karen Nanson Mrs Jodie Newberry Miss Beth Pinkerton Mrs Heather Stamp Mrs Laura Sunckell Mrs Rachel Wardell Miss Sheina Wright (Deputy Head) [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] P.A. to the Junior School Head Mrs Helen Burling-Smith [email protected] Receptionist / School Secretary Miss Jo Ansell [email protected] School Nurse Ms Kate Simpson [email protected] Guildford High School is regulated by the Department for Education and the relevant contact details can be found on the DfE website (www.education.gov.uk). Guildford High School is also noted on the Edubase register which is available at: www.edubase.gov.uk 15 creative thinking • creative learning Guildford High School, London Road, Guildford, Surrey GU1 1SJ T: 01483 561 440 F: 01483 306 516 E: [email protected] W: www.guildfordhigh.surrey.sch.uk creative thinking • creative learning © United Learning. August 2016 16
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