Curriculum

During the Spring term, the Rocks, Relics and Rumbles topic focuses on the features and characteristics of Earth's layers, including a detailed exploration of volcanic, tectonic and seismic activity. In science, we will learn about rocks and soils and conduct experiments to find the properties of different rocks. In the art project Ammonite, children will learn about the artistic techniques of sketching, printmaking and sculpture. 

  We will also learn about our world in geography in the One Planet, One World project.  This  project teaches children to locate countries and cities, and use grid references, compass points and latitude and longitude. They learn about the layers of the Earth and plate tectonics and discover the five major climate zones. They learn about significant places in the United Kingdom and carry out fieldwork to discover how land is used in the locality.

In RE, children will learn about brave people in the Bible. In RSHE, we will learn about keeping ourselves safe. In computing, we will be looking at data handling.

Our English texts will include non-fiction texts which we will use to explore sentence and text structure. In whole class reading lessons we will study the text A Mouse called Wolf. 

Reading skills will be further developed, including fluency, literal retrieval skills and inferential skills. Encouraging your child to read at home, and to enjoy sharing stories will help to develop a lifelong love of reading - whether it is a school book, magazine, graphic novel, online news or anything else that is age appropriate! Enjoy!

In writing, we will focus on developing sentence structure using Rainbow Grammar, and enhancing vocabulary including through dictionary skills. We will continue learning Year 3 and Year 4 Read Write Inc. spellings this half term. Children will have 10 spellings to learn linked to the weekly spelling theme.

In maths, formal calculation will be the focus, ensuring children work towards fluency in addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. Mental fluency is the key to independence and confidence in maths, so children will practice counting forwards and backwards, revisit number bonds, mentally add and subtract, and accurately and quickly recall times tables. Times Tables Rock Stars homework will be set to support the learning of times tables and there are a number of other websites and apps that are free that can be used at home to support learning such as Hit the Button, Topmarks and URBrainy website.

It's going to be a fabulous half term!

Many thanks, Mrs Wass