St Patrick's Catholic Primary School
4S
Welcome to Year 4S
Welcome everyone to Year 4 and to the second half to our autumn term. I am looking forward to continuing in our learning journey together in Year 4. Please feel free to chat to me on the door if you have any questions or queries. Alternatively, if you are unable to speak with me, my email address is 4s@stpatricks.sefton.school. I will respond to any emails within 48 hours, in line with our school's communication policy.
Mr Becker
General Information
In English, we will explore in detail the features of information texts and we will create pieces about what it is like to be a Roman. In Maths, we will be learning about area, alongside looking deeper into number, as we deepen our learning about multiplication and division. This year, the children will be focusing on their recall and understanding of their times tables knowledge. Please spend time to support your child in learning their times tables as they can draw upon this fundamental knowledge in many areas of Maths.
In Science, we will continue our learning on the Three States of Matter as we explore solids, liquids and gases. Then we will progress onto a new topic, called Animals Including Humans. In year 4, children enjoy taking part in many experiments and practical lessons which empower them to think as scientists. Please don't forget to send your child into school with a cardboard box by Monday 10th of November to enable them to create their own version of a water cycle.
This term, we will start Geography for the first time in Year 4. Children will enjoy this topic as they explore different landforms around the coasts, building upon their local knowledge of Southport Beach. This topic will also include a fieldwork activity which children will complete over the Christmas break.
In French, Children are learning words when talking about our family and they will be consolidating their learning about basic greetings using this modern language. Children can also log onto Language Angels, our electronic platform where they can access a variety of games and interactive activities to support their learning of French.
Pupil login: Username la2023french Password: la2023french
If you wish to find out more information about our curriculum, please follow the provided link below.
https://www.stpatrickschurchtown.com/curriculum
Communication
Please let the school know if any of your contact details have changed (phone number, email, addresses) if we need to call home or contact you.
Homework
Homework will be set every Monday at 4.30pm. We will upload this on Purple Mash, to be completed by the following Monday at 4pm. The children will be tested on their spellings on Monday mornings and times tables during the week. We encourage the children to practise their times tables each night using the Times Tables Rockstars website. Please try to ensure your child completes their homework every week, as well as reading each night (approximately 20-30mins).
Reading
Reading is a key focus for us in school and we work hard to promote the children's love of reading. Each week, the children will take part in a reading lesson and guided reading sessions based on a focus text. During these sessions, we focus on key reading skills, such as as vocabulary. inference, prediction. explaining, retrieval and summary. We encourage all children to read for 20 minutes each night, at least times a week at home as part of their weekly homework. This can be independently or to an adult. We follow the VIPERS approach to developing reading skills:
V - Vocabulary
I - Infer
P - Predict
E - Explain
R - Retrieve
S - Summarise
Times Tables Links
Making sure that the children can quickly recall all the times tables facts will really help their learning in Year 4. It would be wonderful if you could support your child with recalling their tables facts. This will enable them to draw upon this fundamental knowledge in many areas of Maths. These websites help the children do this at their own pace and in a fun way.
Home - Times Tables Rock Stars
Purple Mash by 2Simple (children can use their school login)
www.topmarks.co.uk/maths-games/hit-the-button
PE
During this autumn half term, our PE lessons will take place on Thursday and Friday. The children will begin their Swimming lessons from Thursday 6th of November. They must have the appropriate equipment (hat, goggles etc) and please note that no jewellery will be allowed when swimming. If your child wears earrings, they must be able to take them out and put them back in themselves. Thank you for your help with this.
The children should wear their PE kits to school on Friday. Please ensure your child has the correct PE kit – branded shorts etc are not part of school uniform. On cooler days, the children may wear jogging bottoms, but they must still wear their school cardigan or jumper – no hoodies. This half-term, children will be taking part in gymnastics and this will require them to remove their footwear in order to move safely as they carry out the different movements.
Please ensure that school jumpers and cardigans are labelled with your child's name. If these are misplaced during the school day, it is easier to return this to the correct pupil if it is named.
Medical
If your child has a medical condition that staff need to know about, please inform the school as soon as possible. If your child requires an inhaler, or any other medicine, please ensure it has been handed into school, and is not out of date.
Snack
As we are a ‘Healthy School’ we would like to remind parents that a healthy snack at playtime is encouraged. Please refrain from sending any chocolate or sweets into school as a snack or within your child's lunch box.