Dear All,

 

Welcome back to Autumn 2. This term our history topic is: How have the lives of children changed? In our History Project this term, we will be investigating the changes in children’s lives through time. We will explore how spare time, children’s health and work have changed. They explore the most crucial change - work - in more detail, learning about a day in the life of a working child before learning about the significance of Lord Shaftesbury and his impact on schools and working conditions.

We have a trip planned to Morwellham Quay to help us understand the life of children locally during Victorian times. During this trip we will experience the work children carried out in the mining community as well as experience school life in the village. In addition, we will ride through the mine exploring the life of the men and boys who worked extracting the copper ore and other minerals from beneath the ground of the Tamar valley. This trip is planned for the 21st November and more details will follow via ClassDojo.

To further embed our understanding of how children’s lives have changed, we will be reading ‘Street Child’ by Berlie Doherty as a class which explores the life of a boy and how the charity Barnardo’s began.

 

English

In English we will work to learn about the lives of children in the past and will explore the features and purpose of diary entries and recounts before planning and writing our own inspired by our project learning and school trip.

 

Maths

This term in Maths, we will be focusing on area and multiplication and division. With a times table check at the end of year 4 for all pupils; work on these will continue. We are currently revising the 7 times tables, and this will be followed by the 9 times tables. Although it helps if the children understand the concept of times tables i.e. how many groups of a number have been made (and we do practice this in school), 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/ at home as well as https://www.topmarks.co.uk/maths-games/hit-the-button

 

Reading

Please ensure children are reading at home regularly - children are given time to quiz and quietly read. Books are kept in baskets on tables so whenever we have a spare 5 minutes children can open up and continue that essential daily practice.   Please ensure they have their reading book and reading record in school every day.

 

Parent Consultations

Parent consultations will take place this term. The initial dates for year 4 are Monday 11th and Tuesday 12th of November (3:15 -5:15). Please keep an eye on dojo for any updates regarding online bookings which will be up soon.

 

General Reminders

PE will take place on a Monday and Tuesday. On a Monday an external agency (Cornwall cricket) will be delivering cricket sessions to the children, as well as running a cricket club after school. This is an exciting opportunity for our school and we very much look forward to some excellent and fun cricket sessions this term. Furthermore as we enter into the colder and wetter months could children ensure they have coats with them each day for break/lunchtimes, thank you. 

 

Early morning work

- from 8:45 school gates are open and this is an excellent time for children to practice their morning maths, times tables and often handwriting. I completely understand that often the morning rush can be tricky, however I just want to encourage all of you to ensure that where possible, children are maximising this time. These tasks help the children consolidate key skills, improve/embed fluency and get settled for the day ahead. Please do your best to ensure your child can make the most of this valuable learning time.

Thank you for your continued support and any pressing issues please contact me through dojo or school email. twoodhall@stoke-climsland.cornwall.sch.uk

 

Kind regards,

 

Mr Woodhall (Year 4 class teacher)