Welcome to Year 4.

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

Autumn 1

(w/c 01.09.2022)

Welcome back! We hope you have had a lovely summer holiday and are ready for the return to school. 

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

During the next 8 weeks, we will be delving into the topic of 'The Ancient Egyptians', researching why the RIver Nile was so important to the Ancient Egyptians, finding out about Egypt, the pyramids, Pharaohs, and other significant information about the Ancient Egyptians. In English, we will be looking at the story 'Egyptian Cinderella'. Re-writing a traditional story set in Ancient Egypt, working towards retelling our own version of this story, with a developing character and setting. Also, producing an explanation text, explaining 'Why was the River Nile important to the Ancient Egyptians?'

In maths, the children will be focusing on place value, finding 100 & 1000 more and less than a given number. We will identify, represent, and estimate numbers using different representations. We will be rounding numbers and solving number problems using +, -, x and division. Also, we'll be comparing and ordering fractions and their decimal equivalents.

In science, we will be learning all about identifying the different types of teeth in humans and their simple functions. Also, pupils will be learning about the simple functions of the digestive system. Then moving onto learning about food chains, identifying producers, predators, and prey. 

In RE, pupils will explore the story of David and his strengths and qualities. They will read the Psalms and use them to discover more about the nature of God.

In art this half term, we will be learning about jewellery designers, exploring the history of jewellery, famous jewellery designers, plus pupils will design and make your own piece of jewellery.

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 can be extremely impactful in enhancing their English ability. 

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 Monday afternoon.

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

Also, please bring your child to school in their PE kit on Mondays.

We also have our swimming session on Tuesdays, so children will need swimming kit, a towel and a swimming cap.

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