Welcome back

Welcome back to school to you all. Hope you had a peaceful, enjoyable half term. We are really looking forward to the term ahead exploring our new topics across the Curriculum – more details can be found on the termly project map.

Our History Project this term is “How hard was it to invade and settle in Britain?”

In this terms history project children will learn about the following: how the Britons felt when the Romans left Britain, we will learn and suggest reasons for the Anglo-Saxon invasion of Britain, children will learn the key features of Anglo-Saxon settlements and identify changes and continuities in settlements from prehistoric Britain. We have a loan box from The Box Museum in class to enable children to have hands on experience with artefacts and make inferences about them. We will explore how Anglo-Saxon beliefs changed and understand how missionaries spread Christianity. Children will learn about the threat the Vikings posed to the Anglo-Saxons as well as explore the qualities needed to be a monarch in 1066. This terms project leads us on to our next history project in Summer 2 about the Vikings.

English

Our class book is the Anglo Saxon tale of Beowulf retold by Michael Morpurgo. We will begin the term by completing our own stories based on The Lion, The witch and the wardrobe. We will then look at discussion texts with a focus on the text features and structure and their grammatical features such as using Standard English forms for verb inflections instead of local spoken forms [for example, we were instead of we was, or I did instead of I done] and the grammatical difference between plural and possessive –s. Following the non-fiction unit we will begin a narrative unit based on our class book of Beowulf. We will explore the text in reading sessions exploring vocabulary and language structure. Writing outcomes will include writing letters of advice, diary entries, dialogue and character and setting descriptions during this unit.

Maths

This term we will move onto the second unit of Multiplication and Division including: factor pairs, multiplying and dividing by 10 and 100, formal and informal written method and work problems. We will then start a unit on length and perimeter involving converting lengths and solving problems involving length. We aim to begin a fraction unit towards the end of the term. We will continue to practice our times tables regularly currently focusing on 6, 7 and 9 and will then begin to focus on rapid recall of 11 and 12 times tables. Our aim is for them to gain fluency in all the times tables by the end of Year 4. The best way to do this is through repeated, deliberate practice. Please could you encourage your child to play https://ttrockstars.com/ or alternatively they can practise using Hit the Button (https://www.topmarks.co.uk/maths-games/hit-the-button) or as a pair try times tables ping pong (https://ictgames.com/tablesTennis/oldcdn.html).

Reading

Please ensure children are reading at home regularly – we are reading in class daily and there is scheduled time for quizzing regularly through the week. We celebrate children who are reading at home weekly. Please ensure they have their reading book and reading record in school every day. Parent Consultations Parent consultations will be held during this term– more information will follow soon about how to book a slot – the process of booking will be slightly different to previous times and information on this will be given once dates have been confirmed.

General Reminders

PE remains on Monday and Friday. Outdoor learning is on a Monday - please ensure children have appropriate outdoor clothing including hats and gloves which are labelled with their name. Wellies and outdoor shoes are essential if children wish to play on the field during their break times as well as for outdoor learning.

Children are allowed to bring in small pencil cases and use them sensibly in lessons.

If you ever have any questions or worries please contact me on ClassDojo or via shunter@stoke-climsland.cornwall.sch.uk

All the Best,

Mrs Hunter (Year 4 Class Teacher)