Dear Parents,
I would like to take this opportunity to inform you about our curriculum areas and timetable for the coming term (Spring 2015)
Maths
In maths, the children will continue to practice their times tables and mental strategies. We will develop written methods for addition and subtraction with column addition. We will continue to multiply numbers using grid method and will begin to explore methods for division. We will be exploring decimal notation and place value. We will also work on: counting, partitioning and calculating, securing number facts, understanding shape, handling data and measures. Children will carry out investigations with units of measure as well as problem solving.
English
Over the course of the term the class will be improving their reading and writing skills using a topic approach. The children will use Wallace and Gromit’s Cracking Contraptions to inspire and enhance their writing. We will analyse some of their inventions and explain how they work through flow charts and drama. We will then write an explanation text for The Snoozatron. We will use The Curse of the Wererabbit to compose diary entries, letters, hold discussions and write eye-witness accounts. We will prepare a short news report about the events at the Harvest Festival. In the second half of the term we will be studying and writing information texts about dragons. The children will investigate different mythical dragons and will take a dragon hunt to find the infamous Willington dragon.
Science
In the first half of the term we will be learning about friction through our inventions topic. This will include learning about what friction is and how and why it is helpful. We will investigate what happens in icy conditions and design shoes to help us walk on ice. Following the half term break, children will explore circuits and conductors and they will all design a night light to help Wallace read in bed. They will investigate different components of a circuit and design and make their own.
Topic
This term our topic will be Inventions and we will study this through Wallace and Gromit’s Cracking Contraptions. Children will investigate a mystery object and try to decide what it is and what it does. This will help to develop their thinking and skills of deduction. We will design and make an invention to help Wallace and we will carry out lots of scientific investigations. The children will look at a range of modern day inventions and try to decide how these help people and what life would have been like for people in the past who did not have these things.
P.E.
The children will have PE on a Friday afternoon as well as visiting the swimming baths until half term. On these days could you please remind your child to bring in their kit – including suitable shoes and a tracksuit or something warm in the winter in case we go outdoors. When visiting the swimming baths a full kit is needed, including swimming cap.
Homework
Homework will continue to be done in learning logs and includes a variety of activities related to the Inventions topic. It will be given out on a Friday and is to be handed in no later than the following Wednesday. Homework can be completed independently or with help from a family member. Spellings will be given out on a Monday to be tested the following Friday. The number of spellings given out will vary according to the spelling rule or pattern being learnt. I suggest the children learn their spellings using the ‘Look, Say, Cover, Write, Check’ method which they know.
As the children will be reading more demanding texts, it is essential that they keep up home reading. Reading little and often is better than a huge amount in one night, therefore children are expected to read at home about 4 times a week and bring back their accelerated reading books every day so that progress can be monitored.
The Discovery Museum
Year 4 took a trip to the Discovery Museum in Newcastle to find out all about famous inventors from the North East. The class had a fantastic day exploring the various interactive galleries. From steam turbines to incandescent light bulbs, children learned about great inventors. They examined a model of the ship ‘Turbinia’ which was powered by a steam turbine invented by Charles Parsons. Did you know windscreen wipers were invented by Gladstone Adams from Whitley Bay?
Dragon Spotted at Wilington Primary School – Dragon Investigation
Year 4 received an urgent message from Mr Cornforth. He told children that Mrs Walker had spotted a suspicious shape in the school garden and year 4 must investigate immediately! When children went outside they were shocked to find huge footprints which led all the way to the school garden. There was destruction and wreckage everywhere! Gnomes were smashed and plants had been flattened. The children inspected further and guess what? They found huge scales and eggs!. They reported back to Mr Cornforth straightaway with their conclusion – There must be a DRAGON roaming the grounds!
