Dear Parents / Carers of Year 4,

Summer Term 2016

Welcome back to school and hope you had a wonderful break. We would like to give you a brief outline of the areas we will be
covering in the various subjects over this busy term, along with useful timetable information and homework guidelines.
During our daily English lessons this term we will continue to investigate a variety of different text types, with a
particular focus on information texts and poetry. We will also continue to have weekly guided reading sessions and
extended writing sessions where children will have the opportunity to put into practise the writing skills that they have
been developing. Please can we take this opportunity to express how important it is to read with your child on a regular
basis, as this not only supports them during English lessons but all aspects of the curriculum. Children will continue to
receive weekly spellings as part of their homework.
Maths lessons will focus heavily on units of measurement (mm, cm, m and km), Perimeter and Conversion. There will be a big emphasis
on children mastering key topics and being able to think logically and solve problem related to the key areas. We will also continue
with weekly times tables maths lessons whereby the children will develop their recall of times tables up to 12x12. These skills
should be practiced at home as well as in school using Digital Wing Apps - Times Tables Rockstar and Number Gym.
Our Topic this term is History Ancient Egypt in which the children will learn all about ancient civilizations and compare and contrast
life then; with now. We are extremely fortunate to have an expert from the Museum visiting again as part of our History Outreach
programme, and an exciting trip to the Manchester Museum home to one of the largest collection of Egyptian artefacts in the UK.
We would also like to offer the children the opportunity to dress in theme on Wednesday 4th May for our Egyptian visitor.
In Science children will learn about states of matter. They will compare and group materials together, according to whether they
are solids, liquids or gases. They will observe that some materials change state when heated or cooled, and they will identify the
part played by evaporation and condensation in the water cycle.
In Computing children will design and create their own product or service advert. They will record content on their Ipads and
import images or music from other packages. They will seek feedback on their advert and make alterations to their advert in light
of the feedback. Last term we introduced Times Tables Rockstar and Number Gym to support children in key areas of Maths
learning. This will run alongside Bug Club for developing childrens reading.
PSHE will continue the opportunity for children to understand the importance of building strong and valuable
relationships with a focus on People around us and How we are connected.

We felt ever so proud of the childrens performance at the recent brass assembly concert, and remain very excited to continue to
work alongside Lancashire Music Service in 2016 to further develop their musical talents. A one hour teaching
session will continue to take place every Thursday, and your children will have the opportunity to take instruments
home to practise their new skills while being invited to join the talented Miss Colemans school brass orchestra
during Thursday lunchtime rehearsals.
Athletics (Sports Day Practice) and Swimming are the focus for PE lessons this term. These sessions will take place
as follows: Friday PE for Leopard class (Mr Reynolds)
Wednesday PE for Jaguar class (Miss Stevens)
Friday Swimming for Leopard class (Mr Reynolds)
Friday Swimming for Jaguar class (Miss Stevens)
However please ensure children have their full PE kit in school at all times, as changes are occasionally made to the timetable.
In French the childrens focus will be en mange learning all about food and drink.
You can have a huge impact on how your child develops both in confidence and ability by encouraging and supporting
them with their homework. Weekly spellings will be brought home on a Friday and tested the following Friday.
English and Maths homework will also be given on a Friday to be returned the following Friday, allowing plenty of
time for completion. Children may also be given a small amount of personal research to carry out or something to
bring in to support their other work in class. The children have their student planners which will continue to be
used to record both homework and home reading (to include book details, comments and page numbers.)
It is going to be another exciting term! If you have any questions or feel you have a particular expertise or interest in any of the
above topics please let us know. I hope you have found this information useful and please do not hesitate to contact us if you have
any queries.
Mr Reynolds and Miss Stevens