Welcome to Year 4!

Welcome to the near academic year. I am really looking forward to getting to know all of the children and we are lucky to have a fantastic team of adults to work and support all the children. Miss Mac is our class TA. Mr Bain, Mr Edwards and Mrs Bailey are working one to one with class members.

We are starting the year with our Geography project- Viva Espana – we will explore the physical and human geography of Spain and learn about its location in the world as well as Spanish life. In maths, we will start by covering units on money and time before we move onto place value. Our class book will be Charlotte’s Web which we will read and enjoy together. Please see the project map for more details on our learning this term across the curriculum.

On a Monday morning the class will be taught by a new member of staff – Helena Sellars. Helena is an experienced primary teacher and languages teacher. Helena will teach Spanish and also RE during Autumn term on a Monday morning and the children will then enjoy P.E. and outdoor learning on a Monday afternoon. I will be teaching in class Tuesday to Thursday. I will also ensure I am present at drop off on Mondays, when possible, to help ensure a calm and familiar start to the week.

If you need to contact me at any point please do not hesitate to on Class Dojo (not always seen immediately but usually on the day), email shunter@calstock.cornwall.sch.uk or by phoning the office.

Reading and Times Tables

Reading at home is crucial for children to fulfil their potential as readers. Please read with your child at home as frequently as possible – ideally 3-5 times a week. It is really useful if you can record any reading in your child’s reading diary even if they have read a book from home. Children need to have their reading books and records in school every day. We will be looking at reading records weekly in order to celebrate children

In year 4 times tables are a real focus, the National Curriculum states that all year 4s should know their tables up to 12x12 by the end of year 4. The class worked incredibly hard in year 3 and made super progress in their tables. Please encourage children to practise these at home Times Tables rock stars, singing/listening to tables songs (I will send some links as we learn them in class) and games – there are many fun games online to that makes tables practise fun! We will begin this term focussing on our 6 times tables in class this term.

Outdoor Learning and PE

PE will be on Monday and Friday. Children should wear PE kit to school on these days. Information about after school clubs will be confirmed.

Year 4 will enjoy weekly outdoor learning session on Mondays. Please ensure your child is appropriately dressed for learning outdoors and has a waterproof coat, waterproof trousers (if not possible then a change of clothes is crucial) and wellies in school. Ideally all children should have a pair of wellies or outdoor shoes in school at all times.

Please ensure children have appropriate clothing and outerwear for the weather (suncream/sun hat/wooly hat and gloves/scarf).

An appropriate coat is important everyday.

Daily Routines

Children will arrive through the side gate (as in Year 3) from 8.45am –8.55am and will be collected at 3.00pm. In KS2 classes, children complete a morning maths task on arrival- it is ideal if all children can arrive in time to complete this as it does support their retrieval of learnt knowledge and support their progress across maths. Please can you let me know if pick up arrangements differ from the norm to ensure all safeguarding procedures are met. Confirmation from a parent/carer is needed if children are to walk and meet you elsewhere on the school grounds or if alternative pick up arrangements have been made.

Daily Essentials

These items will need to be clearly named and in school every day:

Coat suitable for the weather (ideally waterproof)

Water bottle

Wellington boots or outdoor shoes – to be kept in school all year

Spare trousers/skirt/tights/socks/t-shirt- it would be great if the children could have spare clothing in a small bag to leave on their peg in case they get wet or muddy.

Reading book and reading record – this is absolutely essential and children MUST have these in school daily.

Please keep an eye on dojo as any reminders, important information and announcements will be posted on dojo. If you do not have access please provide me with your email and I can then send you an invite.

All the best,

 

Mrs Hunter and Year 4 Team