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Dear Parents,
Welcome to the new academic year. I hope the children settle in quickly and we all enjoy a happy and hard-working year together.
Literacy
We have started the term by looking at stories set in a historical background, specifically those set in World War II, (which seemed particularly appropriate this year!): how characters are presented and how problems are resolved. Poetry, newspaper recounts, information texts and stories set in imaginary worlds will also be studied.
National Book Week will be celebrated from the 5th to the 9th of October. The theme this year is Ancient Egypt and Dressing-up Day will be on Friday (9th). We will be running a Book Fair on the 2nd, 5th and 6th of October. If you would like to help in any way with these events please let me know.
Numeracy
The children will be covering the basic skills and I hope they will all know their 2, 3, 4, 5 and 10 times tables before the end of term. They will be learning to recognise simple fractions and their equivalents; representing data in frequency tables and interpreting tally charts; measuring in standard units; reading the analogue clock and constructing pictograms.
ICT
The children will be analysing and interpreting data (in Numeracy) and using a branching database in Science. They will use simple procedures to manipulate rotational and linear patterns. The web will be used for research and information texts will be presented using Word.
Science
In the first half of the term, the topic is ‘Moving and Growing’. The children will be studying the skeleton and muscles in humans and comparing them to a variety of animals. After half term, the topic is ‘Habitats’.
Geography
Using maps and photographs, the children will be researching two ‘Contrasting Localities’ – one being Fordham and the other - Malham in the Yorkshire Dales National Park. They will discover the differences in Farming and the importance of looking after the environment. A chance to learn more about the importance of water conservation with ‘Captain Splosh’ will take place on the 9th November.
RE/PSHE
In PSHE we will be discussing feelings, self-awareness, dealing with change, relationships and self-esteem. The Life Education bus will be visiting school between the 21st and 23rd of October. This term’s topic for RE is Islam: the main events in the life of Muhammed, the Muslim festivals and how they are celebrated.
Music
We will, of course, be singing – unaccompanied and in rounds. Using the pentatonic scale, the children will be composing and creating accompaniments to songs.
Art & DT
Through the work of James Ensor and various mask makers (Chinese and Native American), we will be developing drawing and painting skills. This will then progress into sculpture using clay and finally, printmaking.
In DT, the children will reinforce their mathematical knowledge of shapes by designing ‘up-pop’ characters and Christmas cards.
For these lessons, please ensure that your child is equipped with a ‘named’ overall, (this can be an old shirt). Lessons are on a Monday afternoon, but the overalls can be stored centrally and be brought home for washing in the holidays. A box containing overalls has been passed onto me from Year 3, so your child may already have an overall in school.
PE, Dance and Games
These lessons take place on a Thursday and Friday. Please make sure that your child’s shorts, T-shirt and trainers/plimsolls are clearly marked.
In the interest of a child’s safety, jewellery (including earrings) and watches may not be worn during PE/Games lessons. Long hair should be tied back.
Homework
Please help your child by listening to them read and discussing what they have read. Support them constructively with their homework and encourage them to complete it neatly. Literacy and Numeracy homework is assigned on Mondays and should be handed in by Friday morning. Help your child with their spellings and encourage them to find other words that follow the same spelling rule.
Thank you for your support. If you have any worries or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Mrs Annie Freeman
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