Information for parents and children Autumn 2017 Lower Key Stage 2 Information for parents and children Autumn 2017

Our Learning Journey… In Year 3 and 4, we are focusing on creating independent learners who are on a learning journey. Part of this involves children identifying learning codes in others, therefore being able to demonstrate these same learning codes themselves. These are: Being curious, persevering, learning from each other, evaluating their work, thinking around a problem and reading for meaning. They also support each other through nominated Leading Learners on each table where the mentor helps to support the group’s learning. We have weekly/fortnightly talk partners, so children talk more and teachers talk less. This helps children cognitive processes and creates a supportive learning environment.

School website: Please do use the school website and class page to access all our newsletters and homework. www.bensoncofeprimary.org.uk

General Information Every day your child needs to bring; School book bag with spelling book, reading record book and current reading book Lunch Box if having packed lunch Named coat and jumper/cardigan A named water bottle and sun hat or warm hat (Weather depending) A painting apron or large, old shirt

Maths Children are grouped for daily Maths lessons. Children may be asked to move table groups from time to time as we decide where they would benefit the most. Maths sessions involve counting, using numbers, problem solving, working with shapes and measuring weight, time, length and capacity. Wherever possible these are linked to real life situations.

Maths Maths involves both practical and written activities. Maths sessions start with a mental warm up. We then proceed onto the main teaching activity which involves the whole class. Next the children work in small groups, pairs or individually on activities to extend their understanding. Maths homework is different in Key Stage 2. It is given out once a week on a Monday. Sometimes this may be a game, an investigation or a written activity. All homework (except games) should be returned to the class teacher by Thursday in Year 4 and Friday in Year 3 of the same week so that we can go through it with the children at the beginning of that day’s Maths lesson. They will mark this themselves but under our guidance.

Literacy Literacy includes Speaking, Listening, Reading and Writing. Daily class Literacy lessons include work related to word work (spellings), sentence work (construction and grammar) and text based work (books or sections of writing). Literacy includes Speaking and Listening activities such as group presentations, response partners, role- play and hot seating.

SPELLING Children attend daily spelling groups based on their ability in order to challenge, but also support. On a Friday children will be given a list of words and will be asked to find additional words as a challenge for homework, of the same pattern or which are linked to our topic. They can use books and dictionaries to help them. In school children will find a general spelling rule for these words or be asked to write them in a sentence putting the words in context to show that they understand the meaning of each word. Word work focusing on these spellings is done for about 15 minutes on the Tuesday and Wednesday to help reinforce their spellings. The children are then tested on these words on a Thursday morning. Weeks 1 and 4 are different – Children are given Statutory Government issued spellings for their homework and will be tested on these on a Thursday. Throughout these weeks we will go through ways of learning the spellings and will complete mini SPAG tests.

Reading Reading is an important part of Literacy as it enables your children to access all areas of the curriculum – so reading is the key to knowledge! In school the children have a range of reading experiences; whole class shared text, group guided reading and independent reading. In guided reading the children are taught to use a range of strategies to decode unknown words, analyse hidden meanings in a variety of texts and learn about the structure of stories. This is a form of direct teaching that helps readers become more independent and to engage with and really enjoy a variety of genres. Reading with your child at home is really important, so please let us know that you have done this by signing their reading record. We are happy for them to note in when they have read as well now they are getting older.

Topic A lot of our work is Topic based and we try to link the foundation subjects (Art, History, Geography, DT, PSHE as well as Science where appropriate) to a topic. This term our topics are: Romans in Year 3 and Vikings in Year 4. More about what is included in our teaching of the topics is available on the school website on our termly topic webs. Projects are displayed along our corridors at the end of each term, following peer and adult evaluation. Children really enjoy sharing their projects and having the opportunity to look at work from across KS2. There will be opportunities throughout the year for you to pop in and see the children’s work.

Early Work Children should come in promptly and quietly at 8:40am and settle down to their early work task. This is an important time as not only do children change their reading books and hand in homework, they also read any marking from the previous day where they may have a next step / follow up to do.

Assemblies Monday – whole school values based assembly Tuesday – class devotion. Wednesday – Religious KS2 assembly Thursday – Class values/PSHE based assembly Friday –Celebration, and Class Sharing

How you can help us (DBS CRB) Parent govs FoBS Readers Special skills to share Gardening School trips / swimming Helping with after-school activities or sports

Do you need to speak to us? Small concerns- please speak directly to the teacher Before school is not always a good time for a longer chat We are happy to chat after-school More serious complaints should be directed to the Head Teacher if no satisfaction has been reached with the teacher. Please contact and make an appointment.

So when your child comes home and tells you they haven’t done any work today … It is because they have been having fun… Learning!

Question Time! If you have any other questions about what child is doing in school don’t hesitate to ask. Or if you would like to volunteer some of your time to hear readers or help at all with any activities please let us know. Your help will be gratefully received.