Welcome to Year 4.

Our class teacher is Mr Dwyer and our teaching assistant is Mrs Ormerod.

Spring 1

(w/c 02.01.2023)

Welcome back! We hope you have had a lovely Christmas and New Year and are ready for the return to school. 

I hope you're all as excited as me to continue our Year 4 adventure together. 

During the next 6 weeks, we will be delving into the topic of 'Countries of the World', finding out about countries across the globe, locating them and which contintent they're in, spotting key features, and researching and investigating famous capital cities.

In English, work will begin by focusing on the book ‘The Pied Piper of Hamelin’. Children will explore the language and composition of their focus text by producing their own detailed story rewrite, focusing on character and setting descriptions, plus the use of direct speech to add dialogue.

In Maths, the children will be focusing on identifying, representing, and estimating numbers using different representations. Rounding numbers and solving number problems using +, -, x and division. We will be comparing and ordering fractions and their decimal equivalents. Plus, measuring distance and perimeter to solve equations. Times tables will also be practiced daily.

In Science, we will be investigating 'Sound'. Recognising materials sound can and cannot travel through, and also the relationship between sound and volume. As well as  investigating how sounds can be different pitches and volumes.

In RE, pupils will explore the unit, ‘Jesus, the son of God’, and deepen the children's understanding of Jesus, who he is, his teachings and behaviour. Plus, use the events covered in the stories in this unit to illustrate and emphasise the Christian belief that Jesus is the Son of God. 

In Art, this half term, we will be looking at famous building across the world, focusing on the features and designs that make these buildings both unique and special. 

Please have a look at 'The Curriculum Overview' below (file to download) to learn all about the new things we will be learning about this half term. 

Please be assured that as a school we are following the most up to date guidelines with your child's safety being one of our highest priorities.

If there is anything at all I can help with and support you with, please do not hesitate to contact me on christopher.dwyer@st-marymagdalens.lancs.sch.uk.

Homework

Weekly homework will be handed out every Friday specific to your child, to be completed for the following Friday. Please complete these tasks as often as possible as it will only positvely benefit your child's development moving forward.

Every half term, Year 4 will receive a homework grid. There are a variety of activities to have a go at on the grid, which can be completed at any point throughout this half term. We understand that family life is busy, therefore, it is not essential that all of these activities are completed but we do ask that your child aims to complete some of the activities to reinforce their learning across the curriculum.

Reading and Spellings

Reading at home is incredibly valuable, children who read frequently at home are more likely to obtain the necessary progress required in Year 4. If possible, we would suggest that you read with your child for 10 minutes each night as this is far more effective than trying to encourage them to read at length after a tiring day at school.

Please read each book with your child and then encourage them to have a go at reading independently. Talking about the story with them and asking questions to develop comprehension skills.

Spellings will be handed out every Friday for a spelling test the following Friday. It is extremely important that your child works hard to practise their spellings at home to ensure a good result in their spelling test. 

Bug Club

Please continue to use and check Bug Club regularly as stories appropriate to your child's ability will be allocated. These online story books will help your child meet their reading target, aiding them in improving their reading ability. If there is any issues with logging on to Bug Club, please contact me on the above email so that I can solve the problem. 

SORA

In your free time, please continue to enjoy our exciting new reading platform - SORA - a portal to a whole new world of reading. If there is any issues with logging on to SORA, please contact me on the above email so that I can solve the problem. 

PE & Swimming

Year 4 have a PE lesson every Wednesday afternoon.

Please ensure that your child has a fully labelled PE kit! 

Also, please bring your child to school in their PE kit on Tuesdays. (Black or white clothing)

Cool Milk

If you would like your child to have milk, you will need to register them on the cool milk website and pay the required termly fee.

Thank you for your continued support.

Mr Dwyer and Mrs Ormerod