Welcome to Year 4

INTRODUCTION

In Year 4 our teachers are Mr Ayers (Nightingales), Mrs Lawson-King (Finches) and Miss Wilson (Larks). We are supported by Teaching Assistants Mrs Powell, Mrs Ashton and Mrs Benton. Miss Swallow is the Year 3 & 4 Phase Leader.

WELL DONE AWARD

Friday 17th January 2020

This weeks Awards go to:

Nightingales - Emily

Finches - Eleanor

Larks - Sohan

FOR IMPORTANT DATES PLEASE CHECK THE WEBSITE CALENDAR

TOPIC SPRING

Our first topic this half term is Where in the World is Hagley? The focus of this topic is geography, and we will work on comparing and contrasting the human and physical features of three different areas in Europe, including Hagley itself. This will include atlas work, locating the 7continents, identifying European countries, and analysing population, land use and climate maps.

After half term we will be carrying out some fieldwork, using the River Severn as an opportunity to learn about river creation, as well as discussing how enviroments can change the the dangers this can pose to living things.

ENGLISH

This half term we are reading a book called the Boy and the Back of the Class, by Onjali Q Rauf. This will be the stimulus for a persusive writing unit.

MATHS

Spring 1:

Multiplication and division
Area

Spring 2:

Fractions
Decimals

We will also be regularly practising mental arithmetic skills to improve children’s fluency and speed of recall.

The children will be set homework weekly using the website MyMaths and this will be recorded in their yellow homework books.

SCIENCE

During the Spring term our learning in Science will focus on the following:

Classification of living things
Food chains
Changing environments
Water cycle
Changing states - solids, liquids and gases

SPELLINGS AND READING

We complete five spelling sessions a week with the children using the Read Write Inc spelling scheme. Taught spellings alternate between Read Write Inc spelling units and the Year 3/4 common exception words.

Spelling lists will be sent home weekly and the children will be tested on these at the end of each week.

Please click here to view the children's weekly spellings.

Spelling competition

In KS2 we hold a spelling competition between the classes to see who can get their hands on the spelling trophy. During certain weeks of the year, the children will be tested on words from the Year 3/4 word list. Their class teacher will then collect in the scores and work out a class percentage for the amount they get correct. The winning class will receive the spelling trophy!

PE

Indoor PE - Tuesdays (Larks and Nightingales), Thursday (Finches)

Outdoor PE - Wednesdays

Please can you ensure that your child has their full PE kit in school for these days as well as long hair tied back. For safety reasons, jewellery is not to be worn during PE lessons, therefore could you please ensure your child is able to remove it independently before the lesson or have it removed before coming into school.

MINDFULNESS AND WELLBEING

A part of Hagley Primary School's values include children's emotional wellbeing. Within our classes, we will be giving children regular opportunities to practise the techniques of mindfulness and discussing how this can improve concentration, focus and boost confidence. This compliments our Growth Mindset approach which we have already established within the school.

HOME LEARNING

Home Learning will be recorded by children in their Homework Diary each week. Children will be set maths homework on 'My Maths', spellings to practise and times tables to learn on 'Times Table Rockstars'. This is in addition to reading at home at least three times each week. Please see your child's class teacher if you cannot access these sites.

THINGS YOU COULD DO AT HOME TO HELP YOUR CHILD

Read with your child as much as possible (ideally daily but 3 times minimum) as this helps with their fluency and understanding of texts, as well as helps to increase their imagination for their own writing. Children will be bringing home reading records to sign and date to show how frequently they have read during the week.
Rehearse spelling patterns - spelling patterns have been sent home with your child. These will be assessed weekly alongside a selection of words from the Year 3/4 curriculum word list.
Practise times tables. At the end of Year 4, children are expected to be able to recall times tables up to 12x12. In school, children practise times tables using Times Tables Rock Stars five times each week. This programme is also available to access at home and we encourage the children to do so as often as possible.

ART/OVERALL APRON

Please check that your child has an apron or an art shirt in their bags for messy activities in school.

CURRICULUM EVENING 2019

Please click here to view the Curriculum Evening Presentation.

CURRICULUM

Please click here to view the Curriculum Overview for Year 4.