Welcome to Year 4!
Welcome to Year 4, where we work hard to achieve all our goals and aim to make learning fun!
We use Class Dojo, (please see the link below if you have not already signed up) where our learning is shared with parents and you can message teachers directly. If you have any problems or concerns about your child, you can let us know via Dojo — we are always happy to help.
Mr Whincop is the class teacher. Mrs. Whiffin, our teaching assistant, teaches Art, music, R.E. and RSHE on Thursday afternoons. In addition, Mrs Weller supports in class as an Individual Needs Assistant. Mr. Powe takes the class on alternate Tuesday mornings and afternoons.
P.E takes place on Wednesday afternoons and your child should come to school already dressed in the correct kit. .
Homework
Homework is given out on Fridays and should be returned by the following Wednesday. This may include:
- A maths activity, usually on Freckle, related to learning done that week
- A spelling/word study activity, also linked to work done in class
- A topic activity linked to work done in geography, history or science
- A test or activity on SPAG.com
Holiday homework may sometimes be set, linked to recent or upcoming topics.
Times tables and the Times Tables test
An online multiplication tables check (MTC) will take place in the summer. This is statutory for all Year 4 children.
The purpose of the MTC is to determine whether pupils can recall their times tables fluently, which is essential for future success in mathematics. It will help identify pupils who have not yet mastered their times tables, so that additional support can be provided.
To help prepare for this, the children have daily practice in class as well as weekly support from a volunteer, who provides individualised programmes which include homework activities.
You can also help your child at home by practising their tables aloud with them, and encouraging them to use Time Tables Rock Stars. The Soundcheck activity most closely replicates the MTC and is highly recommended.
You can find more information about the MTC here:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/multiplication-tables-check-information-for-parents
In addition, you can support your child with spelling skills and other homework. Please let the class teacher know if you have problems logging into Freckle, Times Tables Rock Stars or Spag.com.
Keep reading!
Please encourage your child to read every day, either independently or with an adult. Fluent readers may prefer to read alone, although they should be encouraged to read out loud sometimes as it is a good way for parents or carers to be involved in their child’s reading. In Year 4, children may start to take responsibility for recording the book and pages they have read at home in their reading record, although it is advisable that an adult oversees this and signs it.
We encourage reading for different purposes to expose children to a wider vocabulary and to promote enjoyment in reading. Your child might read a class or school library book, an audiobook, newspaper, magazine, comic, recipe, instruction manual, poem, play script, etc. — the most important thing is reading for pleasure!
As in previous years, we are using Accelerated Reader in class, which sets an individualised reading range and allows children to quiz on books once they have finished. This can include books read at home if they are included in the Accelerated Reader library..
Topics and Trips
Here is a list of our termly topics:
Term 1 – Warriors, Traders and Raiders (Includes a trip to Battle Abbey)
Term 2 – Warriors Traders and Raiders (2-3 weeks) + Let there be Light (3-4 weeks)
Term 3 – African adventure
Term 4 – The Sunshine State
Term 5 – The Rhythm of the Rain
Term 6 – Precious Planet (includes a trip to Bedgebury National Pinetum and Forest)
Parents will receive a topic web along with a covering letter outlining the learning for each term. In addition to the trips specified, a whole school trip, funded by the PTA, usually takes place in term 3. In other terms, other ‘Wow’ activities take place, which may include workshops for parents and children together and/or outside visitors.
Useful websites
If you have not yet signed up for Class Dojo, you can do so using the following link:
https://www.classdojo.com/invite/?c=C2NBR5P
You can find all the maths for the year here:
https://whiterosemaths.com/resources?year=year-4-new
Your child should have logins for the following: