Bethany

Welcome to Bethany Class

Teacher: Miss Koutsoumanis

French (PPA Cover): Mrs Hudson

PE (PPA Cover): Mrs Burnell

Music (PPA Cover): Mrs O’Sullivan

TA: Mrs Shaieb

SEN TA: Mrs Irvine

Class Saint: Our class saint is St Theresa of Calcutta.  We will learn about her life and how we can be like her.

Our topic this term is Europe. This half term we will be exploring the continent of Europe focusing on key physical and human geographical features including climate and biomes. During the second half term we will explore Scandinavia in detail exploring the unique human and physical geography of these countries, comparing and contrasting a region with the UK.

In English, we are reading ‘Aesop Fables’, 'How to Train Your Dragon' by Cressida Cowell as well as exploring the tradition tale of The Three Billy Goats Gruff. We will be writing our own fables, retelling traditional tales and narratives before moving on to  writing a persuasive letter writing from the Troll’s perspective and non-chronological reports about our own dragons!

The children are more than welcome to bring in photographs or objects from European countries to share with the class. It is always great to have visitors in that support our topic, so if you have any experience that may help us with our topic, please do not hesitate to contact me and we can arrange a time and date.

Questions you could ask your child about their learning this term:

• What is the difference between a continent, a country and a city?
• Have you ever been to any other countries in Europe? What were they like? How were they similar or different to the UK?
• Which of the capital cities in Europe we have looked would you most like to visit and why?
• What are some similarities between Scandinavia and the UK?
• What would you say the main differences between Scandinavia and the UK are?
• Do you know what the Northern Lights are?
• If you could travel to Norway, Denmark or Sweden, which one would you go to? Why?
• What distinctive human/ physical features does each country have?

Vocabulary we will learn this term:

In KS2, the children are expected to use a continuous cursive handwriting style. They will learn the correct formation of each letter in class. This link shows animations for each letter, as taught in class: https://www.teachhandwriting.co.uk/continuous-cursive-beginners-choice-3.html

What should your child bring to school each day?

A reading book.

Their reading record.

A water bottle (please label the bottle and the lid).

PE Kit (PE is Wednesday and Friday). All kit and uniform must be clearly labelled.

A small pencil case (labelled). This must contain pencils and a sharpener. Children may also want to bring in a ruler, eraser, glue, highlighters, whiteboard pens and colouring pencils (max 12).

A waterproof coat with a hood to school every day. Make sure this is clearly labelled.

Homework Expectations: Homework is set on Thursday and due in on Wednesday.

Reading

Children should try to read every day for 15 minutes and ideally 3 times a week with an adult. Please encourage your child to read a range of  genres. The children should log their reading with their reading record bookmark by answering 1 or 2 questions each day.  In Year 4, the focus is on comprehension and regular discussion about what they are reading is extremely important. Please help support your child’s comprehension by regular book talk.  We also run class reading challenges and book bingo. Reading records are collected in on Tuesday but should be in school every day.

Recommended Reading List for Year 4:

https://www.booksfortopics.com/year-4

https://schoolreadinglist.co.uk/reading-lists-for-ks2-school-pupils/suggested-reading-list-for-year-4-pupils-ks2-age-8-9/

Times Tables

By the end of year 4 the expectation is that all children should know their times tables up to 12 x 12. We focus on our times tables during our maths lessons but please practice with your child at home as much as possible. Times Tables Rockstars is a fantastic website for this as it tests the children on their times tables ensuring the facts are secure and can be recalled quickly. The children also need to be secure on the inverse calculations (division facts).

Maths Websites:

https://play.ttrockstars.com/auth/school/student

https://www.topmarks.co.uk/

https://www.timestables.co.uk/

http://www.maths-games.org/

https://mathsframe.co.uk/

Spelling

We will learn spelling rules and patterns in class.  You will have a list of up to 10 words that follow the pattern or rule to learn each week using a variety of activities. Please ensure the children understand what the word means and can use it in the correct context.

Learning Task (20- 30 minutes)

Children are set one learning task in addition to their reading, times tables and spelling. This task focuses on what we have been learning that week (usually a Maths, English or Topic work).

If you have any questions about your child or their learning please do not hesitate to come and see me.

Many thanks for your continued support,

Miss Koutsoumanis