Welcome to Deer Class

Hopefully you have all managed to recharge your batteries and are ready for lots of exciting new learning opportunities in Term 4. We will be welcoming Mrs Katy Mundy into our class this term , who will be working with us as an extra teaching assistant alongside Ms Simpson.

Wider Learning in Term 4

In term 4 we are continuing to use the ‘Cornerstones curriculum’ to supplement our wider learning.

Our main topic in term 4 is called ‘Coastline’, it is a Geography based unit which teaches the children about the physical and human features of coastal regions across the United Kingdom, including a detailed exploration of the coastal town of Whitby, in Yorkshire. We also exlore the importance of keeping safe when you are near the coast and the important role of the RNLI.

Science– We will be finishing our science topic on the ‘uses of materials.’ We will then move on to our new science topic all about ‘ plant survival.’ This project teaches children about the growth of plants from seeds and bulbs. They observe the growth of plants firsthand, recording changes over time and identifying what plants need to grow and stay healthy.

Art– We will be continuing to learn about the visual elements of flowers, including shape, texture, colour, pattern and form. They also explore various artistic methods, including drawing, printmaking and 3-D forms, using paper and clay. They will be looking at some amazing sculptures by the artist Yayoi Kusama.

D.T- We will be learning about making and strengthening structures, including different ways of joining materials. we will using this knowledge to help us build our own mini beach huts.

P.E – We will be focusing on ‘games.’ Our P.E day is Wednesday, please make sure they come into school wearing their full P.E kit on this day.

PSHE – we will be learning about ‘similarities and differences.’ This topic explores and celebrates the similarities and differences between people, exploring and encouraging ways to value and respect difference and diversity. It looks at the damaging effect that stereotypes can have, and how to identify and challenge them. It helps pupils recognise their own personal strengths and abilities, and develop self-respect.

English

The whole class will have an English lesson everyday, with a focus on a key text , where we will be developing the children’s reading skills ( VIPERS) as well as developing their writing/ grammar skills. On Friday alongside our whole class English lesson, we will also have a specific session on Spelling, Punctuation and Grammar (SPaG)

To support the children with their spelling, a weekly activity will be set on Spelling Shed for the children to access . They have the log in and password in their reading diaries.

You can access Spelling Shed via this link: https://play.edshed.com/

Reading/ comprehension Skills

We will continue to develop their phonic knowledge using the Read Write Inc phonic scheme (RWI). We have carefully grouped the children so that each child is being supported, yet challenged, ensuring excellent reading progress.  Children will have one book assigned to them digitally on the Oxford Owl website which will be linked to their phonic level and their RWI lessons. The other one is a book that they have chosen themselves to read for pleasure.  The phonically matched text will stay online for a few days and should be re-read to develop fluency, this will be updated when they have been introduced to a new book at school. The reading for pleasure text is a book that they may want you to read to them at bedtime or may want you to share the reading with them if they need support, they are not expected to read this book on their own. Please continue to hear your child read at home and sign their reading diary to let us know they have read.

Children who have completed the RWI scheme will now have a reading/ comprehension lesson for 30 mins, where there will be a focus on developing reading and comprehension skills through a key text.

Our new Accelerated Reader programme is working well and it has been lovely to see so many of the children reading regularly and showing an increasing understanding of the text they have read. Children who are ready to access this programme choose a book within their own personal range from our school library. They will need to read the book and then complete a quiz, answering comprehension questions about the book. Please do encourage your child to read as often as is possible at home.

Maths

In Maths, our focus in Term 4 will continue with ‘Muliplication and Division’ and will then move on to ‘Measurement- Length and height’

To help develop and secure our knowledge of our times tables every child has access to Times Table Rockstars. This wonderful resource allows time to practise our times tables in a fun and engaging way. The children have their own log ins inside their reading diaries.

You can access TT Rockstars via this link: https://ttrockstars.com/

Home learning

We have been very impressed with your home learning so far, keep up the good work Deer class. This will continue to be set on a Tuesday and is to be completed by the following Monday. This will be set on Google Classroom.

Contact us

We are always available after school if you need a quick catch up. If you need a longer or more private meeting, please book this in at the office and we will be happy to accommodate.

If you have a non-urgent message for the team you could email the families email on the address below. This is checked regularly and the message will get to the class team.

families@bethersden.kent.sch.uk