Welcome to Year 4
Teacher: Mrs Brech
Support Assistants:
Mrs Brown and Mr Best
(Thursday)
The School Day
8.45am Children enter school/SODA
8.55am Registration
10.30am Break time
12.10 Lunch time
1.00pm Afternoon lessons
3.15pm Home time
If you are late or absent, please telephone or email the school office beforehand.
Sports Equipment
PE - Fridays (Autumn 1)
•white t-shirt and dark blue shorts
•trainers/plimsolls.
•tracksuit for the winter months.
Please ensure that PE kits are in school all week and that they are clearly named.
Swimming – Wednesday mornings (Autumn 1)
•Boys will need speedo or tightish longer shorts. Please no kneelength or baggy shorts.
•Girls need a 1 piece swimsuit.
•All children must wear a swimming hat.
•Goggles optional (children have to put them on) but a towel is not!
Classroom Equipment
Suggested items:
•A small pencil case which will fit into a school tray
•HB pencils
•A small set of coloured pencils
•A glue stick (Pritt sticks are recommended - in our experience they are more effective)
•2 black whiteboard pen
•A rubber
•A sharpener
•A 30cm ruler
The children don’t need to bring in anything else – no toys etc..
Healthy Eating
Children in Year 4 aren’t eligible for the Government’s fruit and milk scheme at break.
To avoid energy levels dropping, we recommend that a healthy snack, such as vegetables, fruit or a dairy product (cheese yoghurt) is brought into school daily as a break time snack.
•No products should contain nuts.
•Please also ensure that your child has a named water bottle at school (not too big please).
Uniform
At Trinity St Stephen First School:
Please see the website for details of the uniform, but:
• We are always smart
• We know that we tuck our shirts in
• Our hair is tied up or clipped back using brown, black or school colours simple, small hair accessories
• Year 4 children can wear a school tie with a white collared shirt
• Please label all belongings
• There is a stock of good quality, nearly new uniform which is available at TSSSA events or on request.
• Earrings should be small studs no hooped earrings please.
Uniform
WINTER – from October half term
White shirt or school polo shirt
Uniform
Tie (optional) for Years 3 and 4 (Only to be worn with a white shirt and collar)
Grey trousers, pinafore or skirt
Grey, black or white socks
Red, grey or white plain tights
Red school sweatshirt or cardigan
Red school woolly hat
Black shoes (no boots or trainers)
Hair accessories to be plain and either black or red
Navy blue shorts
Plain white t-shirt or school polo shirt
Non-marking trainers or plimsolls
Optional navy or black tracksuit
SUMMER- from Easter
White shirt or school polo shirt
Tie (optional) for Years 3 and 4 (Only to be worn with a white shirt and collar)
Grey trousers or shorts
Red and white checked dress
Grey, black or white socks
Red school sweatshirt or cardigan
Red school baseball cap
Black shoes (no boots or trainers)
Hair accessories to be plain and either black or red
Navy blue shorts
Plain white t-shirt or school polo shirt
Non-marking trainers or plimsolls
PE Kit
Our Learning - Maths
We will be:-
• Learning maths according to the National Curriculum
• Thinking about how maths relates to the real world around us
• Improving our problem-solving strategies
• Learning algorithms according to the school’s calculation policy
• Work is always in pencil
• Looking at increasing our speed and accuracy with times tables. There is a Multiplication Tables Check in June.
Times Tables Check (MTC)
• In Year 4 we have a real focus on increasing our speed and accuracy with times tables. There is a Multiplication Tables Check in June.
• The Multiplication Times Tables Check is an online test where the pupils are asked 25 questions on times tables 2 to 12. For every question, they have 6 seconds to answer, and in between the questions, there is a 3second rest. Questions about the 6, 7, 8, 9, and 12 times table come up more often. The questions are generated randomly based on the rules of the MTC.
Times Tables Check (MTC)
• In Year 4 we have a real focus on increasing our speed and accuracy with times tables. There is a Multiplication Tables Check in June.
• The Multiplication Times Tables Check is an online test where the pupils are asked 25 questions on times tables 2 to 12. For every question, they have 6 seconds to answer, and in between the questions, there is a 3second rest. Questions about the 6, 7, 8, 9, and 12 times table come up more often. The questions are generated randomly based on the rules of the MTC.
Times Tables Check (MTC)
Suggested websites to support
•Times Table Rock Stars (TTRS)
•Timestables.co.uk
•Topmarks.co.uk/ hit-the-button
•Mathsframe.co.uk/multiplication-tables-check
•Make flash cards
•Watch and listens to songs
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facts we need to know
Our Learning - Writing
In writing we will be:
• Studying poetry and writing some free verse
• Looking at high-quality texts
• Learning about grammar, structure and punctuation through a Harry Potter study
• Applying our writing skills to other subjects such as Geography and Science
• Working in pencil and then pen when ready
• Using cursive handwriting
Our Learning - Reading
Guided Reading - the children will read as a group, independently and with adults; discussing the book in small groups, focusing on how the text and story is constructed.
Children will all have one ‘leisure’ book for quiet reading in class and at home. This can be chosen from the class library or brought in from home. If the child is a “free reader”, this will be their official reading book. They need to complete a book review when they finish this book. If your child is a free reader and you read with them from this book, please note this in the reading record.
Children still on a reading scheme, will also have a reading scheme “colour” book as well as their leisure book. This book must be read alongside an adult. Any progress in this book should be noted in the reading record. No book review for this book.
Our learning - Science
Our learning - Topics
Geography and History are alternated each half term.
We have started with a Geography topic based on settling in the UK and then after half term we will study the Romans
Art and DT are also alternated each half term. We have started with Art, looking at Monet and his paintings. Music, PE, Computing, PSHE, French and RE are taught weekly. Computing is also used within other subject areas.
Homework
• Weekly Maths and English homework will be specific to the current topic being studied.
• In addition, the children will have weekly times tables and spellings to learn. (TTRS)
• Reading chapters of their reading books.
• Occasionally, additional topic-based work.
• Homework will be set on a Wednesday and should be handed in on the following Monday.
• Maths work in pencil, English/writing is in pencil until children are given a pen.
• Spellings – given out on a Wednesday, tested on the following Monday. Spellings – Monster Phonics Year 4 Spelling Scheme
• Times Tables – given out on a Wednesday, tested on the following Tuesday.
Assessment
Key Objectives are used to assess children’s progress (please see the school website).
In June, the children will sit the multiplication tables check (MTC) which is statutory for all year 4 pupils.
Communication with school
There may be occasions when you need to talk to the class teacher. Please understand that this is not usually possible before school, unless by prior arrangement. Messages can be emailed to the office.
Teachers can be more flexible at the end of the school day. For the safety of all children in our school only come into school in exceptional circumstances. Please only use the front door and always report to the office rather than approaching the classroom directly.
The Class News
Please check the class news on the school website. It is published on a Monday. http://www.tssfirst.co.uk/ This will let you know what is going on in Year 4 and will hopefully answer any questions you may have. It often includes important information, so it is useful to check it every week.
Residential
The High Ashurst Residential in May
– outdoor education centre in Surrey.
Meeting on 10th November after school for parents to share more information with you.
Thank you –any questions?
TSSSA (Trinity St Stephen School Association)