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:
Spring Term- Kestrels Class
English
Our class text this term is Homer’s Odyssey retold by Gillian Cross. This follows on from last terms History topic of Ancient Greece. During this term the children will write a biography, a character description, a letter and a narrative with dialogue.
Maths
Year 3 – At the beginning of this term we are continuing our work on Multiplication and Division before moving onto Length and Perimeter, Fractions and Mass and Capacity.
Year 4 – We start the term by completing our work on multiplication and division before moving onto Length and Perimeter, Fractions and then Decimals.
Year 4 – We start the term by completing our work on multiplication and division before moving onto Length and Perimeter, Fractions and then Decimals.
Science
During the first half term, we will study the human body. The children will learn about food groups and healthy eating. They will think about human teeth and about digestion. Later on in the term, classification of plants and animals will become the main focus. Children will learn about Carl Linnaeus who developed an early classification system.
History / Geography
This term we are looking at the Roman Empire. Where is Rome, how big was the Empire, what was the social structure in Ancient Rome and how did people live.
We will be studying the fall and rise of the Empire including Caesars invasion of Britain, early Christianity and the Romanisation of Britain.
This half term we are studying Eastern Europe. Which countries are in Eastern Europe, what is the climate there, physical features and comparing an Eastern European country with the UK.
In the second half term we are looking at Northern Ireland. This unit covers some of the physical geography of Northern Ireland, tourism in Northern Ireland and the partition between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.
We will be studying the fall and rise of the Empire including Caesars invasion of Britain, early Christianity and the Romanisation of Britain.
This half term we are studying Eastern Europe. Which countries are in Eastern Europe, what is the climate there, physical features and comparing an Eastern European country with the UK.
In the second half term we are looking at Northern Ireland. This unit covers some of the physical geography of Northern Ireland, tourism in Northern Ireland and the partition between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.
Art/DT
Design is the focus in art for the first part of the spring term. It will include analysing art work by splitting it into its component parts.
Monuments of Rome will form the basis of our work in the second half of the term. The Colosseum and The Pantheon will be focused upon as part of this study.
Monuments of Rome will form the basis of our work in the second half of the term. The Colosseum and The Pantheon will be focused upon as part of this study.
RE
In RE we will be considering the ‘Importance of Saints’. The children will learn about how someone becomes a saint and about Patron Saints of the UK.
During the second half of the term we will try to answer the question, Why do Christians call the day Jesus died Good Friday?
During the second half of the term we will try to answer the question, Why do Christians call the day Jesus died Good Friday?
PHSE
During the first half term the children will be considering identity. They will explore their own identity and think about what makes them unique. They will also think about stereo-typing and valuing differences.
Drugs education is the focus after the half-term break. We will think about medicines and their safe use as well as recreational drugs such as, alcohol and nicotine. We will think about why people use and misuse them.
Drugs education is the focus after the half-term break. We will think about medicines and their safe use as well as recreational drugs such as, alcohol and nicotine. We will think about why people use and misuse them.
PE
There will continue to be two PE lessons each week. Dance and hockey are the focus of these lessons
This half term outdoor activities will be the focus.
This half term outdoor activities will be the focus.
Computing
The topic for the first half term is creating a music sequence. We will learning all about how to program in Scratch with the end product being a virtual musical instrument/orchestra.
This half term we will develop our understanding of what a branching database is and how to create one. We will use yes/no questions to gain an understanding of what attributes are and how to use them to sort groups of objects. We will create physical and on-screen branching databases.
This half term we will develop our understanding of what a branching database is and how to create one. We will use yes/no questions to gain an understanding of what attributes are and how to use them to sort groups of objects. We will create physical and on-screen branching databases.
MFL
French will be taught in the first half of the term. We will be learning about
Food – likes and dislikes (veg and fruit etc)
Healthy and unhealthy foods
We will be using our knowledge to take part in pizza restaurant role-plays
Food – likes and dislikes (veg and fruit etc)
Healthy and unhealthy foods
We will be using our knowledge to take part in pizza restaurant role-plays
Music
Music will be studied in the second half of the term. We will be rehearsing for our class performance.
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
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 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 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 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.
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 term’s 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.
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 unhealthy 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.
