Welcome to Year 4

In Year 4 we have 3 classes: Topaz, Tiger’s Eye & Sunstone Class

Sunstone Class Teacher:        Mrs Barber and Mrs Etheridge

Topaz Class Teachers:            Mr O’ Sullivan

Tiger’s Eye Class Teachers:   Miss Dulwich

Daily Timetable:

Registration: 8.45 to 9

English, Reading, Maths and SPaG lessons: 9.10 to 10.45

Break: 10.45 to 11

English, Reading, Maths and Foundation subject lessons: 11 to 12.50

Lunch: 12.20 to 1.35

Science, Foundation and PE lessons: 1.35 to 3.20

PE

PE days vary according to each class, so please check class pages for further information.

Please see the long-term plan to see what PE activities we will cover.

PE Kits

Pupils need to bring their PE kits in on the days that they have PE, or they can keep their kit in school. Pupils must be able to change themselves without assistance. Pupils can bring a separate pair of trainers to change out of school shoes (this will be favourable for outdoor PE sessions particularly during the Autumn and Winter months). If their school shoes are trainers, pupils can participate in session in those. Black trainers as part of the school uniform policy, but black or white trainers for PE are acceptable. PE kit will need to taken home to be washed and returned

English

In Year 4, we encourage the children to develop their independent skills, whilst offering them the support they require to progress their learning. We use a range of strategies to help pupils improve their writing, for instance, ‘Screen to Page’ whereby we use film to enhance the children’s writing and ‘Talk for Writing’ and ‘Talk for Reading’, which includes a structured approach to learning a story or analysing a text through easy to remember story maps and plans, pupils then use these to write their own version of the texts they have learned or studied. These methods have had extremely positive results and the children, and adults are very proud of the writing that they have produced. We award Pen Licences for pupils who are able to produce handwriting that is joined and legible.

Maths

We teach Maths in a whole class setting. Children are encouraged to develop their independence whilst challenging their mathematical ability. Maths lessons cover a range of different topics and develop written and mental methods for all four operations throughout the year using the ‘White Rose’ scheme of work. A big focus for Year 4 pupils is to help them develop rapid recall of times tables in preparation for the end of Year 4 Multiplication Check.

Topics

The topics we are covering in Year 4 can be seen on the long-term plan.

Homework

The homework expectations are as follows and pupils will need to access online resources to complete their homework as well as reading frequently. Doodle Maths and Purple Mash are interactive, child friendly programs that can be accessed via the internet on any device, pupils will use their log on details given by their teachers to access the online sites.

Each week, class teachers will upload information regarding homework to the year group blog on Purple Mash. For pupils unable to access online resources, please contact your child’s class teacher so that alternative arrangements can be made.

Homework Expectations are as follows, each child will:

• Read at home at least 3 times a week using online or reading texts of pupils’ choice (e.g. books magazines, etc)
• Complete a spelling, punctuation and grammar activity on Purple Mash. Spelling lists will not be sent home but vocabulary suited to pupils’ age and ability can be found on the year group blog on Purple Mash for pupils to practise at home. These words will also be used during learning time.
• Complete Doodle Maths tasks set.
• Practise times tables. This could be done on Purple Mash Monster Multiplication if the children wish to use this or by using Mathsframe or other online games linked to times table knowledge.