Years 3 & 4 – Kestrels Class
Welcome to Kestrels Class page:
On this page you will be able to find information about the work which Year 3 and Year 4 pupils are undertaking. You will also find information of ways in which you can help and encourage pupils in their learning to enable them to fulfil the school values ‘To Nurture, To Grow and To Flourish’.
To enable you to be fully involved with your child’s learning we hold half termly consultation meetings which provide an opportunity for pupils and parents to meet with the class teacher to discuss progress, celebrate achievements and discuss the next steps.
Our topics this term are as follows:
Summer Term- Kestrels Class
English
This half term we will be studying non-chronological reports alongside our class reading book Beowulf. Children will write a report about their own mythical beast.
The children will be writing their own mythical story based on Beowulf and creating a poem based around the poem “The Jabberwocky” by Lewis Carroll.
The children will be writing their own mythical story based on Beowulf and creating a poem based around the poem “The Jabberwocky” by Lewis Carroll.
Maths
Both year groups will be continuing their work on Fractions before moving onto looking at Charts and Graphs. Children will also be looking at shapes.
This half term children will be studying time and money.
This half term children will be studying time and money.
Science
Our summer 1 science topic is rocks. In this unit the children will learn about rocks including their appearance and simple physical properties. They will learn to recognize different types of rock and study how they were formed. Fossils will also be studied.
In the second half of the term ‘Forces and Magnets’ will be the focus of our studies. The children will learn about how some metals (but not all) are attracted to a magnet and about attraction and repulsion. They will also begin to learn about the forces of gravity and friction.
In the second half of the term ‘Forces and Magnets’ will be the focus of our studies. The children will learn about how some metals (but not all) are attracted to a magnet and about attraction and repulsion. They will also begin to learn about the forces of gravity and friction.
History / Geography
The topic for this half term is Law and Power. We will be looking at monarchs King Richard, King John and King Henry II and how they started to change the justice system in England.
In the second half of the term our Topic is The Wars of the Roses. Children will look at the monarchs and the battles involved in this period of history.
We begin the summer term by looking at the Geography of Western Europe. The Children will be learning about France, Belgium, Germany, Switzerland, Austria and The Netherlands. We will be doing lots of atlas work looking at political maps of the area.
The topic this half term is India and China. Children will be looking at the political and physical geography of both countries and comparing the two.
In the second half of the term our Topic is The Wars of the Roses. Children will look at the monarchs and the battles involved in this period of history.
We begin the summer term by looking at the Geography of Western Europe. The Children will be learning about France, Belgium, Germany, Switzerland, Austria and The Netherlands. We will be doing lots of atlas work looking at political maps of the area.
The topic this half term is India and China. Children will be looking at the political and physical geography of both countries and comparing the two.
Art/DT
The children will be learning about the Parthenon which is an Ancient Greek temple to the goddess Athena, and how this is considered one of the most important pieces of architecture in the Western World. The children will also be learning about symmetry and line in architecture and comparing various buildings to see if they are symmetrical or asymmetrical. We will be looking at Gaudi’s work and how his work was inspired by nature. Here we will be looking at the Sagrada Familia and looking at some of its features and the mosaics Gaudi is well known for.
RE
We will study Judaism for the first half of the term. We will learn about synagogues and the Torah scrolls. Shabbat will also be discussed, and we will compare and contrast Judaism with Christianity.
During the second half of the term the children will study a Christian unit on the Pentecost. They will learn what the Pentecost was, why it needed to happen and its impact on Christians.
During the second half of the term the children will study a Christian unit on the Pentecost. They will learn what the Pentecost was, why it needed to happen and its impact on Christians.
PHSE
Managing safety and risk will be our focus for the first half of the summer term. This will include thinking about safety around water, calling for the emergency services and what to do in the case of a fire.
Healthy Lifestyles- as part of this unit the children will learn about making healthy lifestyle choices. They will think about how stamina, strength and flexibility can be improved through physical activity. Healthy eating and dental hygiene will also be discussed.
Healthy Lifestyles- as part of this unit the children will learn about making healthy lifestyle choices. They will think about how stamina, strength and flexibility can be improved through physical activity. Healthy eating and dental hygiene will also be discussed.
PE
PE will continue with Premier Sport and Kick.
Premier Sport will be working on striking and Fielding during the first half term
During the second part of the summer term PE will focus on athletics and sports day preparation.
Premier Sport will be working on striking and Fielding during the first half term
During the second part of the summer term PE will focus on athletics and sports day preparation.
Computing
This half term the children will be building on their programming skills from last half term. We will be programming shapes in scratch.
The children will use new software this half term to edit audio that they have recorded themselves as they work together to create a podcast.
The children will use new software this half term to edit audio that they have recorded themselves as they work together to create a podcast.
MFL
For the first half of the summer term children will be learning about the Future Tense with reference to travel and where they will go in the holidays. We will be using the simple future – I am going to go…je vais aller…
For the second half, the children will be learning Italian they will write to their pen pals about what they have learnt!
For the second half, the children will be learning Italian they will write to their pen pals about what they have learnt!
Music
Modern music with a focus on The Beatles will be central to this terms music study. Beats and rhythm will be part of the unit.
Autumn Term- Kestrels Class
English
The class text for this half term is Stig of the Dump which links nicely with our topic of Stone Age to Iron Age. The children will be studying the text in more depth in our whole class guided reading session and then working on writing about the characters of Barney and Stig. In the latter part of the term we will be looking at instruction writing and using our skills to write a set of instructions on how to make a stone age tool.
Maths
The first Maths topic of the year is place value, this gives the children a good foundation in understanding the meanings and values of numbers up to 4 and 5 digits. The children will then move onto the four operations of addition, subtraction, multiplication and division.
Science
This half term we will study systems of the human body. To begin with we will the muscular system and the skeletal systems before moving on to the nervous system and the digestive system.
History / Geography
Our topic for this half term is Stone Age to the Iron Age. The children will be looking the chronology of this period and how people would have lived. We will be looking at house, settlements, food, clothing and doing a brief study of Stonehenge.
This half term’s geography learning is all about spatial sense. We will be looking at using a compass and understanding the 8 main points. The children will also be learning how to use 4 figure grid references on maps. We will be putting these skills together to do some map work in the local area and within the school grounds.
This half term’s geography learning is all about spatial sense. We will be looking at using a compass and understanding the 8 main points. The children will also be learning how to use 4 figure grid references on maps. We will be putting these skills together to do some map work in the local area and within the school grounds.
Art/DT
This half term the children will be looking at line drawing. Using their sketch books they will be carrying out exploratory drawings using different kinds of lines and drawing materials. The children then study how artists can vary the weight of their line and look at how artists use lines in different ways, to show shape, tone and texture. They will do drawing exercises to use lines in ways which they may not have encountered before: continuous line drawings to show a piece of fruit and using multiple lines next to each other to show the contours of a hand.
RE
Through the whole of the autumn term Islam will be the focus of our RE lessons. The children will learn that there are many Muslims living and worshiping in the UK and that prayer is important for all practising Muslims. We will study the five pillars of Islam to help the children develop their knowledge and understanding.
PHSE
This half terms PSHE topic is ‘Beginning and Belonging’
This unit aims to help the children consider their feelings about starting something new and how to make others feel welcome. The children will also think about how to manage their feelings and how to calm down if necessary.
This unit aims to help the children consider their feelings about starting something new and how to make others feel welcome. The children will also think about how to manage their feelings and how to calm down if necessary.
PE
This term PE will be taught by Premier Sport. The topic for the half term is sending and receiving, and attacking and defending. The children will be taught these skills through a variety of different sports.
Computing
Our first computing topic of this year is The Internet. We will be learning all about how the internet works, how computers are connected and who owns the internet. The children will be taking a more in depth look at the workings of a website and deciding whether we can trust all that we read online.
MFL
In French the children will be introduced to colours, numbers and greetings. They will also study the body, clothes and appearance vocabulary.
Music
Music will be studied in the second half of the term.
Spring Term- Kestrels Class
English
In this half term the children will be writing a portal story. We will be using our Guided Reading work on The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe to help us to generate ideas.
During the second half of the term our guided reading text will be Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. A smashing text! Writing will see us looking at the technique of persuasion.
During the second half of the term our guided reading text will be Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. A smashing text! Writing will see us looking at the technique of persuasion.
Maths
Year 3 will be continuing to work on addition and subtraction, particularly concentrating on use of formal written methods.
Year 4 will start the term with some addition and subtraction problem solving before moving on to work on perimeter and area
Year 4 will start the term with some addition and subtraction problem solving before moving on to work on perimeter and area
Science
We will begin by studying light. This is an interesting topic with plenty of chances to work practically and build skills in scientific reasoning.
We then move on to study plants. Our studies will include a trip to the Botanical Gardens in Cambridge to help cement the learning.
We then move on to study plants. Our studies will include a trip to the Botanical Gardens in Cambridge to help cement the learning.
History / Geography
The topic for History this term is The Anglo Saxons, The Scots and The Vikings. The children will be learning about where the Anglo Saxons came from after the Romans left Britain and how they lived here. We will be looking at the people who lived in Scotland at this time also and how the similarities and differences with Anglo Saxon life. The children will then go on to study the Viking invasion, settlements and their eventual defeat ending with a brief look at the Battle of Hastings.
Our Geography topic for the first half term is Rivers. We will look at the structure of Rivers and then study various Rivers from around the world. In the second half term we will be looking at the South West of England. The children will study the area looking at erosion, tourism and the history of the area.
Our Geography topic for the first half term is Rivers. We will look at the structure of Rivers and then study various Rivers from around the world. In the second half term we will be looking at the South West of England. The children will study the area looking at erosion, tourism and the history of the area.
Art/DT
Art will begin by looking back at last terms topic on the Ancient Egyptians. Concepts will include the power of the Pharaohs represented in art and what is a bust? The children will concentrate on sketching skills, modelling in clay and creating patterns as well as drawing in profile.
The second half of the term will look at Anglo Saxon art including Sutton Hoo treasures, art from Lindisfarne and the Bayeux Tapestry. The children will create drawings, collage and paintings.
The second half of the term will look at Anglo Saxon art including Sutton Hoo treasures, art from Lindisfarne and the Bayeux Tapestry. The children will create drawings, collage and paintings.
RE
During the first half of the term we will consider what Christians can learn from the creation story. In the second half of the term we will think about what it is like for Christians to follow God.
PHSE
We will think about ‘working together’, in particular with regards to developing good listening and communication skills. The children will also be introduced to financial management and will learn about how money may be obtained and how you can pay for items in different ways.
Sex and Relationships Education.
The children will learn to name external body parts, understand the differences between male and female bodies as well as appreciating that everyone is unique and valued.
Sex and Relationships Education.
The children will learn to name external body parts, understand the differences between male and female bodies as well as appreciating that everyone is unique and valued.
PE
PE will continue with Premier Sport and Kick.
Premier Sport will be working on a dance unit with the children.
OAA (outdoor adventurous activities) will be the focus of the PE sessions during the second half of the term.
Premier Sport will be working on a dance unit with the children.
OAA (outdoor adventurous activities) will be the focus of the PE sessions during the second half of the term.
Computing
Data Logging is the topic for the first half term and the children will be asking questions and using the equipment to log and plot information to help answer their questions. This leads on from last terms Science Day. The children will be learning how to record and edit audio recordings on the computer and will attempt to create their own podcast.
MFL
French will take place in the first half of the term. The children will learn how to vocalise their food likes and dislikes and to talk about healthy and non-healthy foods. A pizza restaurant will be the focus of role play activities.
Music
During the second half of the term the children will concentrate on music relating to their class production. This should be great fun and allow budding actors, actresses and singers to spread their wings.
