Welcome to the Kestrel's Class Page

Our Autumn Term Topic will be 'Buried Under the Sand'

Throughout the topic ‘Buried under the Sand’ the children will learn all about the Ancient Egyptians. They will begin by looking at timelines and deciding where in history the Egyptians first became established. Leading on from this, children will learn about the Egyptian Gods and Goddesses and will learn how to draw and paint one of their choice. They will learn about cartouches and hieroglyphics, as well as famous structures which can be found in Egypt. As part of their Geography, the children will study the River Nile and will learn where this can be found on a map. As part of the music curriculum, children will listen to Egyptian music and use the musical elements to help them to evaluate it. They will learn an Egyptian song and practise singing this as a 2, 3 and 4 part round! Finally, during the second half of the term, the children will learn about security systems within tombs and will use their scientific knowledge to create a security system to protect a tomb of their own.

Multiplication Tables Check

Year 4 children will be taking a multiplications check at the end of the year.  We have already started practising for this in school, but it would be useful if children could also practise at home.  The website we have started using is https://www.twinkl.co.uk/go.  Children have been given logins for the website.  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,

Mrs Baggaley, Mrs Griffiths and Ms Meredith

Some useful information:

• Autumn Term 2021: P.E. days will be Tuesday and Thursdays.
• Book change: Please encourage your child to bring in their reading books daily - books will be changed weekly usually on a Tuesday.
• Homelink books: We will no longer be using the pink HomeLink books.  Messages for staff can be sent to Seesaw, via email to admin@meadows.shropshire.sch.uk, marked for the attention of a specific member of staff.
• Spelling test: Thursday - A new practice book will be sent home at the start of the Autumn term so children can practice.

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.