Year 4 Welcome Meeting September 2018

Welcome to Year 4 Teacher: Mrs O’Neal Support Assistant: Mrs Bates

The School Day 8.45am rolling start 8.55am Registration 10.20am Break time 12.10 Lunch time 1.00pm Afternoon lessons 3.15pm Home time If you are late or absent please telephone the school office beforehand and follow up an absence with a written letter or email.

Sports Equipment PE will be on Tuesdays and Thursdays (although this may change through the year). Children will need:• white t-shirt and dark blue shorts • trainers/plimsolls.

• also good to have a tracksuit for the winter months.

Please ensure that PE kits are in school all week and that they are clearly named • Swimming will be on Wednesdays later on in the year • Boys will need speedo or tightish longer shorts. Please no kneelength or baggy shorts.

• All must wear a swimming hat.

• Goggles optional 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) • A black whiteboard pen • A rubber • A sharpener • • • •

A WATER BOTTLE THAT STANDS AND DOESN’T LEAK

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 hair accessories • Year 3 and 4 children can wear a school tie with a white collared shirt

Year 4 Writing When we are writing: • We always use a pencil unless we have a pen licence • We always use a cursive script • We draw a dotted line below words when we are unsure of the spelling • Every sentence starts with a capital letter and finishes with a full stop • The date is written in full in written work • The WALT (We Are Learning To…) is written underneath • We miss a line before starting a new piece of work • Both are underlined • We put a single line through work we have done wrong • Pen licences will be presented and celebrated

Year 4 Maths When we are doing maths: • We always use a pencil • We write the date in the short, numeric way • We write the learning objective underneath the date • Both are underlined • We miss a line before starting a new piece of work • We draw pictures and diagrams using a pencil • We use one square for each digit • We put a single line through work we have done wrong

Our Learning- Maths We will be:• •

• • •

Learning maths according to the National Curriculum Looking at increasing our speed and accuracy with times tables 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

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

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 school 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 - IT

The children will be taught by a specialist computing teacher

Our learning - Science States of Matter • Liquids, Solids & Gases • Condensation & Evaporation • Heating & Cooling Electricity • Construct circuits • Explore Conductivity Sound Animals including humans Living things and habitats

Our Learning – topics RE – Judaism and Christianity – answering a question through enquiry and investigation History – Anglo Saxons and Ancient Greeks Geography – Rivers and a European study French – developing conversation and learning vocabulary for the class, the body, birthdays, family and animals.

Assessment • • • •

We use the Key Objectives to assess children’s progress We are continuing to use these Key Objectives to assess children’s progress We will report back to parents on their children’s progress at parents’ evenings Yeargroup Key Objectives are on the school website

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 Reading chapters of their guided reading books.

Occasionally, additional topic-based work.

Homework will be set on a Wednesday and should be handed in on the following Monday.

Extra homework sheets are always available in the classroom

Helping at home It is important that children complete their homework as it is preparation for middle school and reinforces class work.

In maths please help them with the process we have taught them rather than your own method.

Listen to them read and question them about what they have read. Try to offer them different genres eg newspapers Using and applying their knowledge is important so if out shopping for instance talk to them about money and measures.

Visitors in School At Trinity St Stephen we welcome your support in school.

If you would like to help us in the classroom please ensure: • The office have a Visitor's Pack, if you are interested in volunteering • You are dressed appropriately – this is a professional environment • You listen and follow the instructions given to you by the member of staff you are working with

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 may be left using the communication sheets on the trolley on the playground before school.

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 really important information so it is useful to check it every week.

Trips River trip: October 2018 (to be arranged) Harry Potter Studios: Wednesday October 17 2018

Ufton Court: May 22 - 24 2019