Welcome to Year 4!

Welcome back Year 4!

 I hope you have had a wonderful summer holiday and that you are ready for an exciting and busy year in Class 4. Our topic this term will be ‘The Romans’. Below is a little bit of information about all the fantastic things we will be learning throughout the Autumn term.

Please download and view the topic web at the bottom of the page for more information.

New Routines

Please read the Year 4 Move Up Booklet (attached at the bottom of this page) to familiarise yourself with new routines and procedures. 

As a result of current guidelines regarding the Corona Virus pandemic, parents and carers must utilise the revised school procedures for morning drop-off and afternoon pick-up for Year 3.  School staff will assist you by meeting and greeting the children from the family car, outside the main school building.  We politely ask that you are prompt and make every effort to avoid being late.  Please be assured that your child(ren) will be safely guided to the Year 4 classroom.  

If your child(ren) are going to be collected by someone other than a parent or carer, please inform the class teacher or the school office beforehand.  

Please note, for your convenience, siblings may be dropped off together.

Access the following link to watch a video showing you our new procedures in school: 

https://www.walfordprimaryschool.co.uk/re-opening-of-schools/

Empowering English

In English this term, we will be exploring a variety of exciting fiction and non-fiction texts! To begin, we will be using the narrative film- ‘Feast’, to develop our narrative writing skills. We will then be focussing on the features of a non-fiction brochure and create our very own holiday brochures. After half term, we will continue to develop our narrative writing skills and focus on the books ‘The Whale’ and ‘Bike Boy’.

We will also practice our punctuation, grammar, spelling and handwriting.

There will be a focus on improving our reading comprehension skills using Book Talk sessions and our ‘Reading Rainbow’. 

Our English targets this term will be:

• I can carefully choose nouns and pronouns to avoid repetition
• I can use conjunctions e.g. and, but, or, so
• I can use adverbs e.g.  gently, mysteriously, yesterday, above
• I can use prepositions e.g. behind, on, over, between
• I can use inverted commas for direct speech
• I can use the possessive apostrophe with plural nouns

Marvellous Maths

In Maths, we will be learning about the place value of 4 digit numbers, rounding numbers and negative numbers. We will also be exploring roman numerals up to 100. We will then continue to develop our knowledge of the written methods we can use for addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. We will also look at converting between different units of measure and measuring and calculating the perimeter of rectilinear shapes. We will also be completing daily times tables practice in class and having a weekly test.

Our maths targets this term will be:

• I can read, write, order and compare 4-digit numbers and determine the value of each digit.
• I can find 1000 more or less than a given number
• I can round any number to the nearest 10, 100 or 1000
• I can read roman numerals to 100
• I can count backwards through to 0 to include negative numbers
• I can add and subtract numbers with up to 4-digits using formal written methods
• I can recall times tables facts for multiplication tables up to 12 x 12
• I can use written methods of multiplication and division
• I can convert between different units of measure
• I can calculate the perimeter of a rectilinear shape

Sensational Science

In Science, we will be learning about ‘Living things and their habitats’. We will learn how we can group living things in a variety of different ways and use classification keys to do this. We will then begin to look at our local environment and consider how the environment could change and if the changes would pose any danger to the living things within the environment.

After half term, we will be learning about ‘Animals, including humans’. We will look at the functions of the basic parts of the digestive system in humans. After this, we will learn how to identify different types of human teeth and their functions. Finally, we will look at constructing our own food chains.

Hair-Raising History

Our topic this term is 'The Romans'. During this topic, we will learn about both the History and the Geography of the Roman Empire. We will learn about the Roman army and the Roman way of life. We will also explore the history of key people including Julius Caesar, Claudius and Boudica. In addition, we will look into the 'Romanisation' of Britain and local sites such as Caerleon.  

Many of our other subjects will link to our topic this term. In Art, we will have the opportunity to create more incredible masterpieces when exploring and creating Roman mosaics in the style of Helen Miles, a modern mosaic artist. We will then be designing and producing our very own roman shields. In DT, we will be designing and creating our own Roman chariots and creating our own Roman food menu, which we will have the opportunity to cook and taste!

For more information, please see the Topic Web below.

Globe-Trotting Geography

In Geography, our topic is ‘Marvellous Maps’. We will look at using maps and globes to locate the equator, the Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn and the Greenwich Meridian. We will then look at the different symbols which represent different physical features on a map. Using map and atlases, we will also learn to locate different cities and mountain regions in the UK. We will then learn about the town Caerleon and use a road map to plan a journey there.

Pacey PE

There will be plenty of opportunities for sport during the Autumn Term, so PE kits should be brought to school on a Monday and remain here until Friday each week. Please ensure that all kit is clearly labelled with your child’s name.

Showbie

Showbie is a program which allows children to upload, save and share their work in class and at home whilst also receiving interactive feedback from their teacher.  Everyone will be given a Showbie username and password and it is available on iPads, tablets and computers.  We will be using this regularly within lessons and for homework each week.

Showbie has proven to be a valuable communication tool during the enforced school closure in order for children, parents/carers and teachers to keep in touch.  The Showbie App includes a range of features which have been utilisied by all:

• Messaging communication
• Sharing / Uploading work
• Instant feedback
• Voice Notes
• Video Uploads
• Class Discussions (Key Stage 2)

From September, Walford will continue to use Showbie as a clear channel of communication between home and school.

I will continue to set and mark homework via the Showbie App on a weekly basis.  Extra (optional) learning activities will be provided where appropriate in order to consolidate learning in school.  Showbie will be used as the new home-school link for reading.  Every child will have a reading folder in their assignments where all reading and comments can be recorded on a nightly basis.

There will also be a general communication folder where any important messages can be shared with class teachers.  Class teachers will endeavour to respond to these messages as soon as possible.  It is important to remember that children will also be able to see this, so anything of a sensitive nature should be dealt with via telephone or email.

As a result of these changes, your child will no longer bring home a Home-School Diary (KS2).  

Helpful Homework

Homework is set on a Thursday and should be returned every Monday.  Homework will be linked to the work that we are covering in class.  Remember homework will be set and uploaded to Showbie.  Paper copies can be provided if required.  

Showbie will be used for you to record any learning that you complete at home, including:

• reading
• times table practise
• spelling practise
• Education City
• Times Tables Rock Stars
• MyOn

As you move through KS2, you should be encouraged to become more and more independent at recording the work completed on Showbie each evening.  I will check Showbie every day to see what you have been doing.

Talk Homework will help you to prepare for your Big Write each week.  This can be found on Showbie too.  Please spend 5-10 minutes chatting with a family member at home in order to feel more confident about your written task the following day.

Other information

Remember to keep checking Twitter @WalfordPrimary for regular updates about what Class 4 have been up to.

IMPORTANT DATES

Thursday, 3rd September 2020: First day of Autumn Term

Thursday, 3rd September 2020: Meet the Teacher ~ 3:15pm

Friday, 4th September 2020: Meet the Teacher ~ 3:15pm

Monday, 26th October 2020 – Friday, 30^th October 2020: Half term

Friday, 18^th December 2020:  Last day of term

My door is always open so please feel free to arrange an appointment to come and see me if you wish to discuss anything about your child and their learning.

Miss Higgins!

Recommended Reading for 7-11 year olds

Here are some suggestions of great books to read in Year 4!

Ready, Steady, Read in Year 4:

• Danny the Champion of the World- Roald Dahl
• The Creakers- Tom Fletcher 
• Flat Stanley – The Great Egyptian Grave Robbery by S Pennypacker and Jeff Brown
• Kensuke’s Kingdom by Michael Murpurgo
• Cliffhanger by Jacqueline Wilson
• Spiderwick Chronicals by Tony Diterlizzi and Holly Black
• How to Train Your Dragon by Cressida Cowell
• Varjak Paw by SF Said
• Elidor by Alan Garner
• Charlotte’s Web by E B White

I have attached some links below for ideas of other great reads!