Welcome back!

Wednesday 06 September 2017

Welcome back to what is set to be a busy term full of exciting learning. We hope that you all enjoyed the summer break. It was great to see all the children settle so well back into school. Attitudes to learning have been impressive so far – let’s keep this up! We like to keep you up to date with what’s going on in class so please keep checking the class news page on the school website regularly.

Our focus for the next two weeks is around a book called Orion and the Dark written by Emma Yarlett.

This is a beautifully written book, with engaging illustrations that help to tell the story of a little boy’s fear of the dark. What’s unusual here is that Dark is represented as a friendly being, and the book reveals why Dark really isn’t that scary after all. This book will form most of our English and reading activities. During the two weeks, the children will design and make their own monster using clay and look closely at constellations in the night sky.

In fact, work has already started on our monsters.

Here’s a quick peek! More to follow.

A monster in the making!

Following that, jump aboard the Year 4 Discovery ship as we head out on our adventure as explorers! Throughout this Big Topic, we’ll be studying famous explorers and their expeditions, use geographical skills for map reading and direction, look closely at some of the wonders of the world and much more. We are also planning to take the children out on a trip full of adventure and exploration! More details to follow.

Linking to our big topic, the first class novel will be Robinson Crusoe written by Daniel Defoe.

This classic novel has been adapted especially for younger children and has fantastic reviews. Here is an example: “I bought two copies of this book so my grandson could have one and I the other. He is nine years old so still enjoys being read to. The book is written at his level. I would recommend this book to anyone who is eight/nine years old, or thereabouts, and parents or grandparents reading one of the classics to their offspring.”

How can you help?

Question your child about the book. What do they know about the characters? Have they learnt anything new?

What questions would you ask if you met some of the characters?

Indoor and outdoor kits are needed in school each week. PE will be twice a week (Mondays and Fridays). Please ensure your child has a full kit in school. Also, please note that there has been an addition to the uniform policy regarding earrings. Children who wear earrings will be asked to remove them prior to a PE lesson. This must be carried out by the child. If they are unable to remove or put earrings back in by themselves, they must not wear them on the day they have PE.

Maths

Place value, rounding numbers and comparing numbers are all on our maths agenda. Alongside this, there will be daily counting and times tables practice.  If you need any ideas of how best to support your child with their maths, then please feel free to ask. There is also a lot of guidance on the school website.