Curriculum Newsletter
Class 4
November to December 2016
What are we doing in our class this half term?
‘How did people in the past protect themselves?’
English
Grammar, punctuation and spelling activities will be an integral part of our English programme as we
focus on sentence structure. We will improve the quality of our sentences by learning how to use a
variety of complex sentence structures to enhance our writing. In keeping with our History topic, which
looks at changes in Britain from the Stone Age to the Bronze Age, we will be writing a nonchronological report linked to this era. Guided reading sessions will focus on interpreting information or
ideas from a story (Stig of the Dump) and justifying answers by locating evidence from within the text.
Maths
This half term there will be a strong focus on multiplication and division. We will
also be deepening our understanding of measure, developing our conversion
methods and calculating perimeter and area. Each week we will complete a maths
investigation to enhance the subject and develop our answers to explain why an
answer is correct.
We expect all the children to know multiplication and division facts up to the 12
times table for use in calculations and this will be worked on continuously
throughout the year. Each week there will be a times tables test; children will then
be given a target to improve the speed at which they do the times table or to learn
the next one. Please help your child to learn their times tables as this increases mathematical
confidence and accuracy.
Enriched Curriculum
This half term, children will answer a question: ‘How did people in the past protect themselves?’
Linking this to our topic work on the changes which occurred in Britain during the Stone Age, we will
specifically look at questions such as ‘How did Stone Age people protect themselves against extreme
weather or disease?’ We will be looking at how Stone Age people adapted to extreme conditions and
made basic tools that have evolved over time and enhanced our lives today. We will begin by looking
at our own lives in the year 2016 before comparing what life was like for humans thousands of years
ago. Activities will include studying artefacts that give clues to how early humans lived. Later we will
explain why this period of history was so important for human evolution. In Science we will explore
skills involved with fair testing experiments carried out on rocks and stones.
Religious Education
This half term in Religious Education we will be looking at positive role models and leaders throughout
different religions. We will look at the impact these leaders had upon their followers,
how they kept themselves safe and how these leaders shaped the religions around
the world that are followed today.
I.C.T.
We will continue to extend our knowledge of coding and algorithms. We will solve
errors in sequences of instructions using “Scratch” as a primary control and
modelling programme.
Art
This half term the children will explore early cave paintings. Early
stone age man used charcoal to draw animals so we will explore
rendering techniques using pencil, water colour, pastels and charcoal.
PSHE
We will explore what it means to cooperate and work together and how to solve problems when we fall
out. We will contribute ideas and feelings about key social skills during our weekly circle time sessions.
French
In French we will be continuing to follow the ‘Jolie Ronde’ scheme of work, focusing on
developing our knowledge of animals and colours. We will also focus on the poem ‘Le
kangourou est roux’, reading the book ‘Le petit chaperon rouge’ (Little Red Riding Hood)
and writing simple sentences in French.
Physical Education and PE Kit
P.E. sessions will be on a Monday (swimming) and a Friday (net/wall
games). Although our PE session is on a Friday, please can you
ensure that your child has the correct PE kit in school for the whole
week as other outdoor sessions might take place at alternative times.
In addition to our usual P.E. lesson, Class 4 will continue with their
weekly swimming lessons on Monday afternoons at Wetherby Swimming Pool. The aim
is to improve each child’s swimming ability whilst increasing their confidence in the water.
Homework
Maths homework is given out on a Monday. It is to be returned on Thursday.
English homework is given out on a Thursday. It is to be returned by Monday.
Spelling homework is given out on a Friday and will be tested the following Friday. Children will be
expected to hand in their spelling sheets including a completed spelling task which will be on the
reverse of the sheet. House points will be awarded for completed tasks with neat presentation.
Learning Log homework will be given out twice each half term.
Each night the children are expected to read for a minimum of 15 minutes. We would appreciate your
assistance in checking that this is taking place. The pages must be logged by the children in their
reading records.
Water Bottles
Please ensure that your child has a water bottle in school every day. They must
remember to take it home every evening to wash the bottle and bring it in to school
already full. This will ensure that the bottles are kept clean and germ-free for the
children’s use each day.
Thanks
Many thanks for your support with the children’s homework. The time you spend ensuring that the
homework is completed to the best of your child’s ability and returned to school on the correct day is
appreciated. If your child finds something difficult, please put a star beside it and I will take the time to
help your child. If you have any queries or concerns, please do not hesitate to come into school or
send a note in their bags.
Dates for the Diary
Wednesday 23rd November – Stone Age morning, Year 3 & 4 (information to follow).
Wednesday 14th December – KS2 Christmas Party.
Mrs Kirby