Year 4 -Bottlenose Dolphin and Orca
Class teachers
Miss Sophie Peers (Bottlenose Dolphin) and Mr John Bass (Orca)
Learning Support Assistant and 1:1
Mrs Jo T-G
Phase Leader and Deputy Head
Mr Mike Pennington
Dear Parents,
Welcome back! We hope that you have had a lovely summer break and are ready for the year ahead. We have lots of new topics and activities to look forward to. This is an important year in terms of developing independence in learning in preparation for Year 5 and 6. We would very much hope that you support your child on this important part of their learning journey.
Drop off and Pick Up Time
The school gate opens at 8:40. Year 4 children should enter via the KS2 gate. The whistle will be blown at 8:45 and the children will enter class ready for registration. At the end of the school day the children will leave via the KS2 gate at 3:25.
Residential
Year 4 are invited to take part in a residential. This is a very exciting time for them and more information will be shared via email later in the year.
Topics
Our first topic, ‘Brainwaves: metacognition’, focuses on the best ways to learn and strategies to becoming an effective learner. This will last three weeks and then we will start learning about the Egyptians! This topic is called ‘Temples, Tombs and Treasures’. During this topic we will be learning about how they live their life, writing and Gods and mythology.
Home/School Diaries
Please remember to check these daily for communications and sign weekly ready for the following Monday. Please continue to read with your child daily and encourage your child to record this in the home section as we are now focusing on independence in learning in preparation for Year 5 and 6.
Homework
As per the homework policy, the homework in Year 4 will consist of daily reading, TT Rockstars and Spelling Shed.
Spellings and Times-tables
Your child will continue to bring home weekly spellings. They need to practise these daily in preparation for a test on Friday which will be marked in class with results going into Home/School diaries.
The national Year 4 times-table test will take place in the summer term. It is expected that Year 4 children will know up to 12x12 by the end of year 4. We will be doing lots of work on these in class and ask that you practise regularly at home to support your child with their learning. There will be a meeting nearer the time to go through the details of this test with you. The test is quite similar to the games on TT Rockstars so spending 10 minutes a day on this will prepare them for this test well.
Accelerated Reading
Following on from Year 3 children will be continuing with Accelerated Reader. They will initially sit a Star Reader test in the first couple of weeks of term to provide an up-to-date reading age and level. The colour bands related to their score will be shared in the Home/School diaries. It is expected that your child will read and take the Accelerated Reading quizzes regularly. Scores will be recorded in Home/School diaries.
Equipment
We will provide the children with the equipment that they will need in class you’re your child can bring in their own equipment.
Children will need to bring their own water bottle each day and this will be sent home to be washed at the end of each day. They can be refilled during the day as required.
Indoor PE: This will be on Thursday mornings for Bottlenose dolphin class and Friday’s morning for orca class – your child needs to wear the correct PE kit as per the policy. During year 4, the children will complete swimming lessons. More details will follow about this.
Outdoor PE: This will be on Wednesday afternoons for both classes - Regardless of the weather we will be going outside so please ensure children have sun cream and hats if weather is hot or a jacket if weather is cold.
Forest School: This will be on Wednesday mornings – your child will need a raincoat, waterproof trousers and wellington boots as we will be out regardless of the weather. Your child will need to bring this in a bag which will stay in their lockers. Forest school kits will be sent home at the end of each term for cleaning. Please ensure you child brings spare socks.
Please ensure all clothing and footwear for PE and Forest School is clearly labelled with your child’s name.
Mr Bass’ class will start Forest School on Wednesday 11th September and Miss Peers’ class will start their first session the following week on the 18th.
Many thanks
The Year 4 Team
Term 1 overview
Term 2 overview
Term 3 overview
Term 4 overview
Term 5 overview
Term 6 overview