Monday 26th March

Welcome to another fun packed week. The children enjoyed their trip to Bridgewater Hall on Wednesday and learnt about all the different parts of the orchestra. There will be no Literacy or Numeracy homework this week as there is a competition for an Easter garden on Friday.There will be prizes for every class so get busy with your shoe box inventions!!

The Year Four children will start to prepare the Easter servivce this week and the year Three will continue to prepare for their First Holy Communion along with other activities to improve their reading and writing.

The Kingswood meeting went well but if you didn't manage to attend then make sure that you have received the relevant information about clothes/times etc. There are hand outs available in school.

Parents' Evenings are on Wednesday at 3.30 pm and Thursday at 6.00 pm of this week. Most classes have received their time slots and appointment times have been sent home. Please be aware that the time slots are for five minutes. If you wish to have an extended session please make alternative appointments with the teacher so that other parents are not kept waiting.

LITERACY

We are continuing to explore poetry this week - especially concentrating on narrative poems (poems that tell a story) and rhyming patterns. Don't forget to have a look at the sites below:

http://www.lancsngfl.ac.uk/curriculum/literacy/lit_site/html/fiction/narrative/index.htm - I know how much my class enjoyed looking for the story within the poem. Check these out to find some more.

http://www.childrenspoetrybookshelf.co.uk/

http://teacher.scholastic.com/lessonrepro/reproducibles/profbooks/readyrhyme.htm
http://teacher.scholastic.com/writewit/poetry/index.htm

http://www.angelfire.com/md/byme/pocket.html - a good little site to see more examples of rhyming poems.

http://www.rhymezone.com/ - struggling to find a word that rhymes for your own poems? How about using this on-line rhyming dictionary.

Still keen on working on your similes? Work through the different parts of the interactive lesson using the link - http://www.ngfl-cymru.org.uk/vtc/using_similes/eng/Introduction/default.htm

http://www.starfall.com/index.htm - if you need to go back to some basics.

NUMERACY

Keep plugging away with the times tables. Here are some reminders of the games you may have used over recent weeks. Get in as much practice as you can:

http://www.freewebtown.com/weddell/mw/multiples/intro.htm

http://www.amblesideprimary.com/ambleweb/mentalmaths/tabletrees.html

http://www.mathplayground.com/Balloon_Invaders.html - a new challenge - choose either multiply or divide and the table you want to improve and pop those ballons!

http://www.sgfl.org.uk/games/games/maths/numbercruncher - can you eat the multiples it tells you to?

In Miss Robinson's group we are concentrating on reviewing addition and subtraction skills and linking this to problem solving. Check out the links below:

http://www.crick.northants.sch.uk/assets/Flash%20Studio/cfsmaths/Digitworks/digitmenu.html

http://www.crick.northants.sch.uk/assets/Flash%20Studio/cfsmaths/Crazy/crazy.htm

http://www.crick.northants.sch.uk/assets/Flash%20Studio/cfsmaths/Pyramid/py3.html

http://www.freewebtown.com/weddell/mw/add_sub/3d_3d_3d_add.swf - practise your column addition

http://www.joethedragon.co.uk/maths/addsub.html - column subtraction practise

Mrs Harding's Math's group will be doing lots of assessment and review work this week. We will be covering most of the topics we have done this half term. See the following to remind you of some of the topics.

http://www.primaryresources.co.uk/maths/powerpoint/grid.ppt

http://nwlg.org/pages/resources/ma_num/swf/24-12Game.html

http://www.active-maths.co.uk/whiteboard/meas_angle1.html

http://www.amblesideprimary.com/ambleweb/mentalmaths/tabletrees.html

http://www.mathplayground.com/Matching_Shapes.html

http://www.ngfl-cymru.org.uk/vtc/phase4_20030829/Mathematics/Keystage2/Numbers/Anintroductiont/Introduction/default.htm

SCIENCE

In Science this week we will be carrying on with our topic on solids and liquids. This will include how we separate different solids using filters/sieves. We will also be learning about how some solids will dissolve and some that don't.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/scienceclips/ages/8_9/solid_liquids.shtml

http://www.primaryresources.co.uk/science/powerpoint/separating_mixtures_quiz.ppt
http://www.primaryresources.co.uk/science/powerpoint/separating_materials.ppt

http://www.primaryresources.co.uk/science/powerpoint/mixing_dissolving_quiz.ppt

Have a safe and happy week.

The Year 3/4 team

xxx

Monday 19th March

What a lovely way to end the week last week. On Friday the Year 3 and 4 children organised a huge charity event in the hall with over 50 stalls! Thank you to all parents and fa,ilies for sending things in for your children to sell, raffle etc. Every class came into the hall and the final amounts made will be calculated next week. The children were an absolute a pleasure to see and they were all a credit to you on how they treated the much younger children. Well done children and we look forward to future events.

This week you will be receiving a letter about an Easter garden that the children can make. The competition will be held for the best garden nearer Easter time. The children can use a shoe box to make and decorate using real, made or bought flowers and leaves. It would be great if the children could include something about the real meaning about Easter too. There will be separate prizes for every class in the Juniors.

Please remember that we will be out for most of the day on Wednesday due to the trip to Bridgewater hall. There are still a few reply/permission slips that we have not received. Please could you send them into school as soon as possible.

We are not really sure of how many people use the blogspot so it would be great if you mention it to a friend with a child in 3/4. We really believe that it can help a child's learning and also improve the communication between home and individual classes. Please spread the word!

LITERACY

We are continuing to explore poetry this week and will be moving on to explore rhyming couplets adn rhyming patterns - lots of our word level work will come from spelling patterns of the rhyming words the children find. Check out the sites below for some great examples of rhyming poems:

http://www.davidhorner.com/ - we always enjoy the school visits by David Horner. Loads of examples and ideas.

http://www.poetry4kids.com/index.php - explore lots of poetry.

http://www.poetryzone.ndirect.co.uk/

http://www.seussville.com/ - thinking of rhyming - here is a website for the children in my class who love the Dr Seuss books.

http://www.cogcon.com/gamegoo/gooey.html - this site has lots of different word level activities for your child to improve their understanding of spellings - it's very daft and highly interactive. One of my favourites!

NUMERACY

Keep going with your tables

http://www.wmnet.org.uk/resources/gordon/Hit%20the%20button%20v9.swf

http://www.amblesideprimary.com/ambleweb/mentalmaths/tabletrees.html

http://www.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/maths/division.htm - it's also so important to keep your division skills up to scratch.

Miss Robinson's Numeracy Group will be continuing to explore 2D and 3D shape this week. Keep looking at the websites form the last couple of weeks, as well as

http://www.ngfl-cymru.org.uk/vtc/castle_shapes/eng/Introduction/default.htm - follow the lesson through the different activities - it works on nets, sorting shapes and lots of other important objectives.

http://www.interactivestuff.org/sums4fun/3dboxes.html - this moves into capacity if you want to challenge yourself.

Check out the SHAPE section on http://www.mathszone.co.uk/ too. Lots of games to play to practise your skills adn understanding of co-ordinates and direction!

In Mrs Harding's group this week we will be reviewing how to multiply using different methods and also we will be reviewing how to use a protractor. The children have made a great start on the grid form of multiplication. We will be also learning to read timetables and work associated with this.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/ks2bitesize/maths/revision_bites/problemsolving3.shtml

http://teacher.scholastic.com/maven/timefor/index.htm

http://nwlg.org/pages/resources/ma_num/swf/24-12Game.html

http://www.sums.co.uk/playground/c6a/playground.htm

http://www.freewebtown.com/weddell/mw/short_multiplication/3x1contents.swf

http://www.sums.co.uk/playground/ss6/playground.htm

http://www.active-maths.co.uk/whiteboard/meas_angle1.html

http://www.primaryresources.co.uk/maths/powerpoint/grid.ppt

SCIENCE

As we approach the last couple of weeks of this term it would be useful to reflect on and review all the different topics we have explored. Please take time to revisit your learning on the websites below:

http://www.activescience-gsk.com/games/index.cfm?module=2 - habitats

http://www.show.me.uk/topicpage/teachers/tNatural-World.html - habitats and creepy crawlies!

http://www.crick.northants.sch.uk/assets/Flash%20Studio/cfsscience/food%20chains/foodchains.html - food chains

http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/scienceclips/ages/7_8/light_shadows_fs.shtml - light and shadows

http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/scienceclips/ages/8_9/solid_liquids.shtml - solids and liquids

http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/scienceclips/ages/6_7/forces_movement.shtml - basic information on forces.

http://www.channel4.com/apps26/learning/microsites/E/essentials/science/physical/forcesaction_bi.jsp - read the information and then see if you pass the test.

MUSIC

Don't forget our trip to the Halle on Wednesday. To swot up on your music knowledge check out the sites below:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio3/makingtracks/games.shtml

http://www.bbc.co.uk/northernireland/schools/4_11/music/mm/

http://www.playmusic.org/

http://www.nyphilkids.org/gallery/main.phtml - the New York Philharmonic website.

It all sounds like it's going to be another very busy week!

Take care.

The Year 3/4 team

xxx

Monday 12th March

Wow!
What an exciting and successful week we have had at St Vincent's. We have been told by RE inspectors on Wednesday we are:

'A good school with outstanding features.'

The inspectors were very impressed with many aspects of our school and the teaching of RE.

We welcomed a Spanish Headteacher into our school on Thursday and we hope in the future to use this link with a Spanish school to benefit the teaching of Spanish to our children at St Vincent's.

We finally got to go swimming and hopefully this will become the regular thing again on Thursdays. Thank you to all the parents and grandparents who accompany us and if you would like to help please don't hesitate to come at 9.30 or 10.00 am. Thank you.

Can you all remember to bring in any outstandanding reply slips and monies for the trip to Bridgewater Hall. It is going to be an amazing experience for the children and one they will not forget in a hurry, I'm sure. Also can we ask that any medical forms for the Year 4 residential to Kingswood be returned as soon as possible if you haven't already returned it.

LITERACY

In Literacy this week we are beginning a topic of work on POETRY. We are exploring figurative and descriptive language, thinking about how poets choose their words for greatest effect. We will also be looking at the differences between similes and metaphors - as well as having lots of oppotunity to write some poems of our own!

http://www.gigglepoetry.com/ - read some poems, pick up some tips and have a go at creating your own.

http://www.teachers.ash.org.au/jeather/writingfun/writingfun.html - get to find out about lots of the different types of poems there are.

http://www.poetryzone.ndirect.co.uk/index2.htm - a site where you can publish poems of your own.

NUMERACY

Keep going at those times tables - all your hard work is making a real difference. Miss Robinson's Numeracy Group need to work on their 6 times table this week, as well as keeping the others going!

http://www.freewebtown.com/weddell/mw/multiples/intro.htm

http://www.amblesideprimary.com/ambleweb/mentalmaths/tabletrees.html

http://www.freewebtown.com/weddell/mw/tables_backwards/tables%20speed%20234510.swf - check out this site if you want to make sure you know your basic tables facts quickly enough!

All the Math's groups will be learning about 3-D shape. Have a look below to find out more about the topic.

http://mathforum.org/alejandre/applet.polyhedra.html

http://www.ictgames.com/Y2shape.html - can you recognise the hidden shape?

http://www.mathplayground.com/Matching_Shapes.html

http://www.mathsyear2000.org/museum/floor4/gallery10/shapes/index.html

http://www.mathsyear2000.org/museum/floor4/gallery10/shapes/index.html

http://www.interactivestuff.org/match/maker.phtml?featured=1&id=15 - can you match the shape to it's name?

http://www.bgfl.org/bgfl/custom/resources_ftp/client_ftp/ks2/maths/3d/index.htm - a super site for knowing the properties of the shapes - you can turn or spin them and find out what the net should look like.

SCIENCE

In Science this week our practical topic will be sound. Have a look at these sites to learn more about the topic.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/scienceclips/ages/5_6/sound_hearing_fs.shtml

http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/scienceclips/ages/9_10/changing_sounds.shtml

http://www.engineeringinteract.org/resources/oceanodyssey/oceanodysseylink.htm - fancy something different to learn the science bits from then launch the game and good luck! Teaches lots of facts about sound but you also have to go on an adventure and use the information to solve puzzles. Bit slow loading each bit but fantastic and well worth sticking with.

TOPIC

In Topic this week we will be finding out about Tutankhamun and the discovery of his tomb. See below to find more out about the find!

http://www.primaryresources.co.uk/history/powerpoint/journey_into_tomb.ppt

http://www.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/homework/tut.html

http://home.freeuk.net/elloughton13/egypt.htm

http://www.ancientegypt.co.uk/pharaoh/home.html - find out what a pharoah was - follow the story and the explore and then see if you can survive the challenge!

http://www.virtual-egypt.com/ - lots and lots to explore but what can you find out about Tutankhamun? Can you solve the murder mystery? A real challenge! There is loads more on this site - go on - have a really good look round!

ART

In Art this week we will be concentrating on observational drawings of plants and flowers. We will then be using water colours to paint some flowers. If any body would like to send into school any flowers they would be gratefully received. To look at some water colour pictures see below.

http://www.sheilagill.co.uk/

http://www.mrs.ps-artybitz.wahmall.co.uk/traderplus/prod_display.php?formaction=catdisplay&categoryID=1468

That should be plenty as usual to keep you busy!
Have a super week.
Take care

The Year 3/4 team

xxx

Monday 5th March

Wow! Last week was very busy for all of us. Swimming was cancelled again because they did not have a teacher to teach the children. All weeks that we have missed will be given back to us in July....which is a much better month to go swimming!!!!! Please if you are not busy on a Thursday morning then we could really do with the help. 9.30 or 10.00 are the two times that we leave school.

Thank you to all the parents/carers who returned the RE questionnaires as there is an RE inspection on Wednesday this week. I am sure all the visitors will feel very welcome in our school and have lots of positive things to say especially about the children.

On Thursday this week we have a visiting Spanish head teacher who will spend the day in our school. The children really enjoy learning different Spanish phrases and the teachers are learning along side the children. We would welcome any help from fluent/ knowledgeable people on the Spanish language!!!! Also don't forget to do a bit of preparation using:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/primaryspanish/

The children have been really enthusiastic about raising money during Lent and have come up with a lot of ventures that they do during breaktimes. We are going to organise a charity afternoon for the year 3 / 4 so that they can set up their stalls and open them up to the rest of the school. The children are working really hard with this and need to start collecting for the big event - unwanted toys and books. Great news I hear you say ....he he..... It has been a pleasure all week to watch the children on the yard in all year groups in the Juniors and we are very proud of them.

LITERACY

In Literacy this week we are continuing with our work on EXPLANATIONS. The children can recognise an explanation text and describe the different parts that make up it's structure:
TITLE - usually in the form of a question.
INTRODUCTION - a simple sentence or two that tells you what the text will be about.
SUB-HEADING - mini titles to help people find particular information quickly.
BULLET POINTS - for just writing pure facts or pieces of information in a short and quick way.
LABELS - to show the important parts of a diagram or picture.
CAPTION- a short sentence to describe what a photograph, picture or diagram is about.

We will be looking at organising information into paragraphs.

As well as this can you keep your spelling ticking over? Have a look at these pages which review plurals:
http://www.lancsngfl.ac.uk/curriculum/literacy/lit_site/lit_sites/plurals/pl_1/pluraladds.htm
http://www.lancsngfl.ac.uk/curriculum/literacy/lit_site/lit_sites/plurals/pl_2/esplurals.htm
http://www.lancsngfl.ac.uk/curriculum/literacy/lit_site/lit_sites/plurals/pl_3/yplurals.htm
http://www.lancsngfl.ac.uk/curriculum/literacy/lit_site/lit_sites/plurals/pl_4/plurals4.htm

Keep general Literacy skills ticking over too by looking back at:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/starship/english/index.shtml

NUMERACY

As always we are working hard to improve all the children on their timestables. If your child has a few spare minutes you never know how many of them they could remember. Tables are in nearly everything in the Numeracy curriculum in all the year groups so please give some time.

http://www.mathsisfun.com/timestable.html

http://www.bbc.co.uk/skillswise/numbers/wholenumbers/multiplication/timestables/game.shtml
http://www.timestables.co.nz/index.php

In Miss Robinson's Numeracy group this week her class will be learning about directions,co ordinates and angles.

http://www.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/maths/shape.htm#Coordinates - scroll down and check out the games on angles and co-ordinates - there are lots to practise with.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/revisewise/maths/shape/15_act.shtml

http://www.bbc.co.uk/education/mathsfile/shockwave/games/bathroom.html


In Mrs Bethell's group the children will be learning about 3D shape this week.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/ks3bitesize/maths/shape_and_space/2d_3d_shapes_2_1.shtml
http://www.bgfl.org/bgfl/custom/resources_ftp/client_ftp/ks2/maths/3d/index.htm

http://www.primaryresources.co.uk/online/longshape3d.html

http://www.crick.northants.sch.uk/assets/Flash%20Studio/cfsmaths/Shape%20Match/MatchingPairs3Dshape.swf

This is a great site for reviewing all the work Mrs Harding's group has done on shape this year. The children will also be learning about nets.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/revisewise/maths/shape/14_fact.shtml

http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/ks3bitesize/maths/shape_and_space/2d_3d_shapes_1_2.shtml
If you want to really challenge your maths knowledge check out some of the games and activities through the Maths Mansion.

http://www.channel4.com/learning/microsites/M/mathsmansion/

SCIENCE

In Science this week we will be looking at separating solids and what happens to common solids when we add water. To find out more information see below.

http://www.primaryresources.co.uk/science/powerpoint/separating_materials.ppt#257,2,Which of these materials might dissolve in water?

http://www.primaryresources.co.uk/science/powerpoint/testing_solutions.ppt#258,3,Could we use a filter to separate it?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/revisewise/science/materials/10_fact.shtml

We will also be finding out about shadows in our practical topic.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/scienceclips/ages/7_8/light_shadows_fs.shtml

MUSIC

In Music we will be exploring about rhythm and pattern. We will soon be visiting Bridgewater Hall with all Key Stage Two children. The children are getting excited. Please send in any more slips and monies thank you. For more experience with rhythm and information about the orchestra please see below.

http://www.playmusic.org/ - a super website for exploring the orchestra!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/northernireland/schools/4_11/music/mm/ - can you solve the musical mysteries?

http://www.primaryresources.co.uk/music/powerpoint/Exploring_Pulse_Rhythm.ppt

http://www.primaryresources.co.uk/music/powerpoint/Exploring_Pulse_Rhythm_pt2.ppt

http://www.primaryresources.co.uk/music/powerpoint/the_orchestra.ppt

That's probably all for this week. There's definitely enough to keep you going, I'm sure.

Take care.
Have a safe and happy week.

The Year 3/4 team

x x x