Monday 29th October

Welcome to our second half term. We hope that you all had a lovely holiday and will come back to school all refreshed and eager for more learning. Don't forget that your children don't start back until Tuesday this week. We have a busy INSET day for the teachers on the Monday.



Thank you to all the parents who attended the parent's evenings at the end of last half term - we hope you found them useful, and feel you know your child's targets for the next few months. Any support or work with your child on them at home would be fantastic.



By now the children have settled in and every one is aware of the targets that they need to achieve to help them make progress. We also encourage you to hear your child read every day no matter what their reading capabilities are. Even the most fluent reader needs to be heard read. All the children will have stickers or written targets in their reading diaries for you to work on. Thank you.




Please make sure that PE kits are back in school on Tuesday as PE lessons will resume as normal straight away.




This half term is always very busy - particularly with our Christmas production to look forward to. During the next few weeks we will be starting to learn the songs for our Christmas play. We will giving out parts too. We try to give out most of the speaking parts to the Year Four and the Year Three do more of the acting, singing and dancing. The children and teachers always have a great time preparing the children and it really helps in promoting the children's confidence no matter how small their part.

LITERACY

To start this half term we are going to focus on STORY WRITING. We will be having a go at writing a short story this week and then we will be learning lots of 'tricks of the trade' to improve our descriptive writing. Remember it is important to think like a reader when you are writing - ask yourself "would I enjoy reading this?" Check out the links below for some ideas:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/starship/english/storyplant.shtml - grow your own story...

http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/ks2bitesize/english/activities/planning.shtml - how to plan a story.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/ks2bitesize/english/activities/beginnings_endings.shtml - looking at beginnings and endings.

http://www.magickeys.com/books/index.html#books - lots of stories to read.

http://www.starfall.com/n/level-c/index/load.htm?f

http://www.britishcouncil.org/kids-stories-dinosaur-dig-popup.htm - coninuing with our DINOSAUR theme just a little bit longer! There are lots more stories to read on this site too.

http://www.lancsngfl.ac.uk/curriculum/literacy/lit_site/html/fiction/bigbooks/groovyg/index2.html - a simple story start - can you finish the story?

http://www.lancsngfl.ac.uk/curriculum/literacy/lit_site/html/fiction/bigbooks/coldlight/index.html - a more detailed and dramatic stroy start - what would you like to happen next?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/starship/english/penguinsonice.shtml - think about your sentence work too.

http://www.mape.org.uk/startower/starpunc/index.htm - more work on using punctuation.

NUMERACY

Keep going with your times tables - this week try

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

http://www.oswego.org/ocsd-web/games/Ghostblasters1/gbcd.html - can you hit the right ghosts? Remember a multiple is just the times table you want to practice.

In Miss Robinson's group this week we will be investigating TIME. We will be making our own clocks to use in school and will be focussing on reading and recording units of time accurately on analogue clocks this week, moving onto digital as the week progresses with some children.

By the end of the week:

The children must know how to read the time accurately on an analogue clock.

The children should be able to record digital time.

The children could be able to problem solve using time.

http://www.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/maths/measures.htm#Time - try the selection of time games on this super site.

http://www.mrmyers.org/Math_Mania/Math_Games/Jude_e-Clock/clock.htm - a clock to play with to get you used to different times.

http://www.mrmyers.org/Math_Mania/Math_Quizzes/Time/time101.htm

http://www.mrmyers.org/Math_Mania/Math_Quizzes/Time/time202.htm

In Mrs Harding’s Numeracy group we will be finishing our work on triangles and the different types of triangle. We will also be working on subtraction using counting on and finding the difference using traditional written methods.

By the end of the week:
The children must know all the names of the triangles and be able to identify them by looking at the degrees in each corner..
The children should be able to divide with remainders.
The children could subtract using different methods.

See below some useful sites:

http://www.mathcats.com/explore/polygonplayground.html

http://www.mcwdn.org/Geometry/Triangles.html

http://www.icteachers.co.uk/children/sats/triangles.htm

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

http://www.primaryresources.co.uk/maths/powerpoint/Y5T2U10D1_3.ppt

http://www.primaryresources.co.uk/maths/powerpoint/subtraction_partitioning.ppt
In Mrs Bethell's group we are consolidating our skills in telling the time. The children will be making a clock in school to bring home to practice telling the time in 5 minute intervals, for homework. Most children will also bring home a digital clock with a push through strip to tell the time in 5 minute intervals. It would be helpful if you could help your child to tell the time on both digital and analogue clocks – making the same times on both types of clocks. Please use the websites on last week’s blog to review work on time.

We will also be learning about pairs of numbers that make 100 using the link with pairs to 10 and with money – 100 pennies make £1.00.
We will be using the rule : Make the tens make 90 and the units make 10 to help us find two numbers that make 100.
So if 1 + 9 = 10 then 10 + 90 = 100
2 + 8 = 10 20 + 80 = 100
3 + 7 = 10 30 + 70 = 100
4 + 6 = 10 40 + 60 = 100
5 + 5 = 10 50 + 50 = 100
In our final part of this week we will also be learning how many of each coin makes £!.00. If you have any coin collections maybe you could let your child sort them and count them into £’s.
I must know : There are 100 x 1p’s in £1.00
There are 50 x 2p’s in £1.00
There are 20 x 5p’s in £1.00
There are 10 x 10p’s in £1.00
There are 5 x 20p’s in £1.00
There are 2 x 50p’s in £1.00
Pairs to 100
www.amblesideprimary.com/ambleweb/mentalmaths/numberbond.html

SCIENCE

All classes this week will be learning/reviewing why we need a skeleton and the functions of the skeleton. We will also learn some of the names of the most important bones in our skeleton.

The children could know all the functions of the skeleton and the names of some of the bones.

Children should know that the skeleton is used for protecting the organs and be able to name some of these organs.


The children must know that the skeleton is used for support and movement.

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


http://www.primaryresources.co.uk/science/powerpoint/moving_and_growing_wwtbam.ppt
http://www.klbschool.org.uk/interactive/science/skeleton.htm



That's all for now folks.



Have a safe and happy week back.



The Year 3/4 Team

xxx

Well what a busy end to our first half term! Thank you to everyone who came to the parent's evenings this week and we hope you found them informative. We hope you have a lovely break. Don't forget the first Monday is an Inset day.
Happy Holiday from all in the three/four team.

Sunday 14th October

Welcome to the final week of our first half term. What a busy time we've had. The children have all settled incredibly well and we look forward to where their learning will go next half term.

Parent's Evening

Don't forget that the Parent's evenings are this Tuesday and Wednesday. Thank you to every one who returned their parent's evening forms. By now you should have received a time allocation for your child/children. If not, please see your child's teacher to arrange a time. You will be given targets during the meeting so that you can see where your child is and how we are going to help them to move on to the next step.

Mass

The children celebrated Mass on Wednesday afternoon with Father Richard. The Year Four children lead the Mass doing all the readings. The children's behaviour was exemplary in all the three classes. Well done children!

Uniform

Can we please remind you that uniform is a very important part of our school identity so could you please make sure your child always wears a tie and has their shirt/blouse tucked in. We do not allow nail varnish or any jewellery except a watch. If ears are newly pierced we ask they are covered up with plasters on PE days. We only allow blue/black bobbles etc and uniform colours of socks. Thank you for your support in keeping our school children looking smart.

Literacy

For our Literacy this week we will be finishing off our Big Books of Dinosaurs. The children have worked very hard writing reports to be included and this week will be working on layout and appearance of non-fiction texts. We will be having a go at writing a CONTENTS PAGE for our books, and some children may even challenge themselves in their groups to try and include a GLOSSARY, INDEX or BLURB for the back. They will also be adding pictures and diagrams that will require LABELS or CAPTIONS.

As well as all that we will be continuing to develop your child's comprehension skills - do they understand a text enough to find the answers to questions about it? Have a look at the links below for some more to try at home.

http://www.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/revision/engindex.html - lots to have a go at.

We are also continuing to enjoy playing the Spell Well game to target each child's spelling needs. Use the links below to work on them at home.

http://www.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/interactive/literacy.html - pick a pattern and have a go.

http://www.funbrain.com/words.html - lots more word level activities and games to choose from.

And finally if you just want to stretch your Literacy skills in general check out the fantastic Digger activities:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/digger/ - pick a level - can you complete all the tasks?

Numeracy

Keep going with your times tables - they are so important:

http://www.wmnet.org.uk/wmnet/custom/files_uploaded/uploaded_resources/851/Hitthebuttonv7.swf - on this site you can practice your number bonds, times tables and division facts!

Miss Robinson's class will be continuing to work with measuring length. We will be looking at converting m to cm and m to cm. Some children will also be exploring km measurements too. Keep using the links from last week until you feel you are an expert.

By the end of the week the children:

MUST know the basic units of measuring length and how to read them.

SHOULD be able to estimate length and check they have measured objects accurately.

COULD be able to use decimals to show units of measurement, e.g 1m 64cm = 1.64m.

We will also be continuing with out mental maths skills but this week will be concentrating on our subtraction skills so use the sites below to practise.

http://www.sums.co.uk/playground/c1a/playground.htm

http://www.amblesideprimary.com/ambleweb/mentalmaths/subtractiontest.html - can you get through all 3 levels?

http://www.oswego.org/ocsd-web/games/SumSense/sumsub.html - you set the challenge - how many are you going to do in a time limit. Try to push yourself!

Mrs Harding’s Maths group will be still reviewing the 6 and 7 timetables. We have been playing lots of games and trying to beat ourselves on how many we can write down not in order in one minute using a stop watch.
This week we will be describing the names of common shapes and recognising the different types of triangles. We will also be doing addition and subtraction of two and three digit no.s.

By the end of this week your child:
Could be able to add and subtract thousands, hundreds, tens and units.
Could know the names of properties of all the different polygons.
Should be able to add and subtract tens and units and know the names of all the different triangles.
Must be able to name all the 2D shapes.

http://www.mathcats.com/explore/polygonplayground.html

http://www.mcwdn.org/Geometry/Triangles.html

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

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

http://www.icteachers.co.uk/children/sats/triangles.htm

http://www.prongo.com/games/ages9-12.html

Mrs Bethell’s maths group will be telling the time on digital and analogue clocks. They will be learning to tell the time in 5 minute intervals on analogue clocks and converting this into digital format. Some children will also be solving time problems - involving 5 minute intervals and hours.

I must be know that 1/4 past = __:15 in digital

1/2 past = __:30 in digital

1/4 to = __:45 in digital

I should be able to tell the time in 5 minute intervals on both analogue and digital clocks.
I could solve simple time problems.

The Woodlands Junior school has many suitable websites to use.
www.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/maths/measures.htm#Time

Try the games : Hickory Dickory Clock
Set the Clock
What's the Time
How much time has passed
Stop the clock - 5minute intervals

Also we will be consolidating pairs to 20 try the mummy game on
www.ictgames.com/funkymum20.html

TOPIC

Our topic work continues this week. Here is a review of some of the sites to use for each one:

Miss Robinson's topic

http://www.divediscover.whoi.edu/tectonics/pangea-animation.html - plate tectonics.

http://www.nhm.ac.uk/kids-only/fun-games/volcano/build-a-volcano.html - want to make your own volcano on-line and watch it grow and erupt. Fantastic site with lots to explore! Make sure you fo on the Mission - you can choose what you are going to discover.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/scienceclips/ages/7_8/rocks_soils.shtml - the basic info you need to know about rocks and soils for this topic.

http://www.childrensmuseum.org/geomysteries/mysteries.html - all about rocks - a really interactive and interesting site. Make sure you check it out!

http://www.oum.ox.ac.uk/thezone/fossils/index.htm - learn interactively about rocks and fossils.

Mrs Harding's Topic

http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/scienceclips/ages/6_7/electricity.shtml

http://www.andythelwell.com/blobz/guide.html

http://www.rp-l.com/rplkids.htm

http://www.parentscentre.gov.uk/discover/index.cfm?menu=light&main=light/light&on=home

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

Mrs Bethell's topic

This website helps explore initial information about energy and fossil fuels.

http://www.energychest.net/energy_in_buildings/index.html

This website is for the National Coalmine Museum and gives information about mining in the past.

http://www.ncm.org.uk/index.asphttp://managenergy.net/kidscorner/en/u11/u11.html

- photos and animations

http://tiki.oneworld.net/energy/energy.html - games to play helping Tiki save energy and play renewable energy linked games.

http://managenergy.net/kidscorner/en/u11/u11.html

Just for fun:

http://funschool.kaboose.com/time-warp/dinosaurs/games/game_dino_soars.html

http://www.merpy.com/index_stories.html

http://www.funbrain.com/brain/MathBrain/MathBrain.html - lots of Numeracy games - can you get to the end?

Have a safe and happy week.

Take care.

The Year 3/4 Team

xxx

8th October

Welcome to our Blog this week. Wow! this has been a very busy week. The children really enjoyed the visit by Mr Bennett who came in with lots of pictures and information about oil rigs. As part of our topic theme Mrs Bethell has been teaching about fossil fuels and energy to the three classes in year three and four.

Parent’s Evening

Please remember that parent’s evening is the week after next so we really need your slips back as soon as possible so times are allocated. This week your child should come home with their time. I f there are any problems please contact the teacher to change the time if it is possible. Please remember that sometimes it is not possible to give a lot of parents the same time slot but we do try to accommodate requests of times. Thank you for your understanding in this matter.

Dates for Parent’s Evening are:Tuesday 16th October & Wednesday 17th October.

Choir

Miss Robinson’s choir will start on Wednesday after school until 4.00pm.

Spanish

We have been working hard this week on our Spanish again. At the moment we are having twenty minute sessions with a Spanish linguist to help us all learn the language. We hope to rotate the classes so all three have this invaluable teaching and learning experience with a real Spanish lady.
This week we concentrated on numbers to ten and greetings. All three classes have made hand puppets to help them with their Spanish conversation. See below to learn more about how to say hello and to learn the numbers.

http://www.jvlnet.com/~liliana/1_to_20.html

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

www.ictgames.com/datechartEspana.html Great site for the date and weather in Spanish.

Literacy

In Literacy this week we will be continuing our work on writing reports. So far the children have enjoyed learning all about dinosaurs. In teams they are making big books about dinosaurs.

Check out the links below for lots of extra facts about dinosaurs that you may want to use in your writing.

http://www.show.me.uk/topicpage/teachers/tDinosaurs.html - lots of information. Make sure you check out these activities first!http://www.dinodictionary.com/ - fact filled site - can even hear how to say those more difficult dino names.

http://www.cotf.edu/ete/modules/msese/dinosaurflr/diorama.html

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sn/prehistoric_life/dinosaurs/

http://www.childrensmuseum.org/dinosphere/teachers/activities.html - an American site that talks to you.
http://www.rain.org/~philfear/download-a-dinosaur.html

The children are having lots of opportunities to use books about dinosaurs in their research. Please encourage your child to read an information book to you. Can they tell you what a:

Caption is?
Heading?
Subtitle?
Text box?
Glossary?

This week the three classes will be celebrating a class Mass on Wednesday afternoon. This is a very important part of our year when Father Richard comes in to school to celebrate the Holy Mass. Some of the Year Four children will be doing a few readings. If they bring a reading home please could you practise a little with them. Thank you.


Numeracy

Miss Robinson's Numeracy Group this week are exploring measuring length. The children will be learning about mm, cm, m and km. They will be able to draw and measure objects, as well as give estimates and accurate readings of length. The websites listed below will be great to have a go at:

http://www.funbrain.com/measure/ - you can choose your level then see if you can read the ruler correctly.

http://www.bgfl.org/bgfl/custom/resources_ftp/client_ftp/ks2/maths/measures/index.htm - choose to measure length.

http://www.rainforestmaths.com/ - have a go at all the activities!

http://www.rainforestmaths.com/ - a slightly harder set of activities than those above

http://www.echalk.co.uk/Maths/PrimaryNationalStrategy_Yr6/DfES-MathsActivitiesforyear6/throwing.html - want a real challenge? This activity even goes into decimals too!

By the end of the week the children:
MUST know the basic units of measuring length and how to read them.
SHOULD be able to estimate length and check they have measured objects accurately.
COULD be able to use decimals to show units of measurement, e.g 1m 64cm = 1.64m


In Mrs Harding’s Math’s group this week we are learning more about multiplication and division. We will be practising the different methods of multiplication. We will also practise dividing when there are remainders too.


By the end of the week:


The children could be able to multiply 4 and 5 digit numbers using the grid method.
The children should be able to divide numbers and learn to divide with remainders.
The children must be able to know their 6 and 7 timetables off by heart.

http://www.icteachers.co.uk/resources/numeracy/xbygridmethod.doc

http://www.primaryresources.co.uk/maths/docs/multiplying_gridmethod.doc

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

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

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


http://www.mathsisfun.com/long_division2.html

Mrs Bethell’s Math’s group will be doing mainly subtraction. Subtracting units from TU and HTU and multiples of 10 from TU and HTU

Subtraction up to 20
www.sums.co.uk/playground/c1a/playground.htm

Subtracting at 3 different levels

www.amblesideprimary.com/ambleweb/mentalmaths/sutractiontest.html

Against the clock subtractions-includes a few minus answers

www.oswego.org/ocsd-web/games/SpeedGrid/Subtraction/urikasub3res.html

100 square - taking 11away from a target number

www.ictgames.com/100huntminus11.html

Science

All three classes this week will be doing reviewing sound and what pitch means. We will be doing experiments with rulers and bottles of water to find out about pitch. Pitch is how low or high a sound is. Volume is how loud or quiet a sound is.
Could we please ask Mrs Bethell’s class to bring a torch in next week to do with the topic work that they are doing on light with Mrs Harding. To learn more about sound see below.

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

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

http://sfskids.org/templates/musicLabF.asp?pageid=13

By the end of the week:

Children could know how sound is produced and the meaning of volume and pitch.
Children should know how to change the pitch of something.
Children must know what we mean by pitch.

We hope you have a good week, best wishes from everyone in the Year Three and Four team.