Welcome to Year 4! Class 8 Mrs Gosset Class 9 Mr Potter

Timeline for the year!

Year 4 expectations In Year 4, we are looking for the children to develop their independence. Our aim is for the children to be able to work problems through, organise themselves and drive themselves to achieve their best. The school is introducing a new reward scheme to promote resilient learners. Gem Power!

Uniform and Jewellery Please can we ask that the children are wearing the correct uniform, as per the uniform letter which was sent out at the beginning of the year. Please can all items of clothing have your child’s name in. Jewellery – the children are allowed to wear a small pair of stud earrings (gold or silver). Please can we ask that they do not have any other items of jewellery.

PE Days PE is on Monday and Tuesday. All children are expected to have the correct kit in school at all times. Outdoor PE kit is long trousers, jumper, trainers (and socks!) and their PE t-shirt. Indoor PE kit is shorts and PE t-shirt. Earrings must be taken out for PE sessions as per school policy. If your child is unable to remove their earrings by themselves, please could you remove them before school. Please, please, please make sure everything is named!

Swimming The expectation is that all children will be able to swim at least 25 metres by the end of KS2. We have 3 swimming slots- Term 1, Term 3 and Term 5. This year we have been lucky to secure enough space for all children to swim in each swimming block. This will give the children the opportunity to either develop their swimming technique further, or to drive towards swimming 25 metres. Swimming groups are set by the leisure centre’s swimming teachers, who assess the children in each swimming block. Thank you to all of the offers to help so far; we would really appreciate any further volunteers.

Forest Schools Throughout the year the children will have the opportunity to take part in Forest Schools. This year we have 3 ‘off-site’ Forest Schools sessions each lasting for 2 days. Our first forest school sessions are next week! Mrs Gosset’s class will be going on Monday and Tuesday. Mr Potter’s class will be going on Wednesday and Friday. At present, we do not have enough helpers for Mrs Gosset’s class on Monday and Tuesday and Mr Potter’s class on Wednesday. If we do not have enough help, we will unfortunately have to cancel our sessions.

Weekly timetable (Term 1)

Maths English Two maths groups – broadly ability based Same curriculum / different pace There may be some movement between groups but understandably this will be limited Differentiation within groups English Taught in classes Differentiation within the class groups

Spellings Three spelling groups – initially based on their key word scores from the first week spelling tests. This year we have introduced a brand new spelling scheme, Nelson Spelling. This scheme will progress throughout each year group and the spellings will get progressively harder throughout the year. All spelling groups will have their spelling words based on the scheme, so there will be more crossover than in previous years. The focus is now to ensure that the children fully understand the word, can identify synonyms to improve the word and can use the word in context. Spelling groups will be reviewed every term (starting Term 2) and we will look at the spelling scores, work in learning books and how they are achieving with their spelling challenges.

Homework Please could the children continue to read at least 3 times a week, practise their mental addition and subtraction and times tables (badges). Reading records – to be brought in on book change days (which will be displayed on classroom windows from next week)

Reading Records We will be collecting your child’s reading record book in on their book change day. Targets: 1st book = 30 reads 5th book = 75 reads 2nd book= 30 reads 6th book = 75 reads 3rd book = 50 reads 7th book = 100 reads 4th book = 50 reads 8th book = 100 reads

Fruit and water The snack shop has been a roaring success. If your child would like to purchase a snack, please could they be sent in with 20p for break time. Alternatively, if your child would prefer to bring in their own piece of fruit (only fruit please!), they are more than welcome. We encourage all children to have their own water bottle and within reason they can drink regularly throughout the day.

Home/School communication Please do not hesitate to come and see us if you have any concerns (sooner rather than later please). If your child is going home with somebody else please inform us by note or in person. Clubs – if your child is unable to attend a club, please inform us in writing.

Ways to help at home Telling the time. Tying shoe laces. Quick mental calculation games. Board games to help problem solving skills. Working with money. Encourage children to extend their sentences with ambitious vocabulary. Reading – checking comprehension / helping children understand unfamiliar vocabulary

Parent helpers If you are interested in becoming a parent helper, i.e. to come in and listen to readers, please inform the office!

Any questions?