Welcome to Kestrels' Class Page

Teacher

Mrs Baggaley

Teaching Assistants

Mrs Beetson

Mr Bickley

Miss Mabe

Our Autumn term topic will be 'Mayan Mania'

This term the children will be learning all about The Mayans. In History, they will learn about the traditions, beliefs and achievements of The Mayans, as well as learning about their writing system and comparing it to that of the Egyptians. In the second half of term, the children will learn about South America—including the countries which were occupied by The Mayans.  In Art, they will learn about Inca designs, showing the importance of colour and pattern to the Mayans. After this, in the second half of Autumn term, the children will design and make a decorated bag with handles for their Design and Technology project. They will investigate a range of existing bags and look at their structure.  After learning the sewing skills, the children will develop a paper pattern to make their own bag. Finally, in music, the children will learn about the samba and carnival sounds of South America.  They will identify the main features of samba music and learn to play the same rhythms as part of a group.

Multiplication Tables Check

Year 4 children will be taking a Multiplication Table Check in June 2023.  We will practise for this in school, but it would be useful if children could also practise at home.  A useful website to practice with is https://mathsframe.co.uk/en/resources/resource/477/Multiplication-Tables-Check.  This is very similar to the official check and allows 6 seconds to answer each question.  Please practise as much as you can!

Nessy

Children can access the Nessy Reading and Spelling programme at home.  Using the website https://www.nessy.com/uk/ click on 'log in' in the top right hand corner.  The secret word is bossywrench then enter your child's first and last name and click GO.  

Mathletics

The children will received a password to access Mathletics.  Tasks will be set for the children and it would be helpful if they could practise at home.  

Online SPAG and Read Theory Practise

The children have received passwords to access the SPAG and Read Theory practise questions at home.  If the children could complete SPAG and Read Theory practise regularly at home, this would really support their progress at school. The tests do not take very long and the programmes enable the tracking of their progress both at school and at home, so you can see how they are getting on.

Thank you,

The Kestrels' Team

Some useful information:

• Autumn Term 2022: P.E. will be every Wednesday and Thursday.  
• Book change: Please encourage your child to bring in their reading books daily - books will be changed weekly usually on a Thursday.
• Messages: Messages for staff can be sent to Seesaw or via email to admin@meadows.shropshire.sch.uk, marked for the attention of a specific member of staff.
• Spelling test (Autumn Term 2022) : Friday - A spelling booklet will be sent home so children have a copy at home.  Please let us know if you need an additional copy.

Useful websites:

Below is a list of websites that may be useful when practicing times tables.

When practicing times tables, as well as the websites above, you could play games, sing songs, make up rhymes, or use flash cards. Remember that children should be able to recall facts out of order without working up from 1 x something.

There are a variety of ideas on the internet! You could try typing 'fun ways to learn multiplication tables' or 'fun ways to learn place value' into a search engine. The key to learning times table facts is regular practice in short bursts. For example, on the way home, in the car, or when going up to bed.

Useful Links