In Autumn 1, we enjoyed learning about our explosive planet, including volcanoes, and how they can affect people's lives. The children have created some lovely artwork for their homework and even 3D models of volcanoes! I hope they have enjoyed this topic. They certainly had interesting, thoughtful questions and showed a good understanding of our planet. 

Meet the team: Welcome to Kusama Class!

Mrs Gittins-Class teacher 

Mrs Rowlands-Teaching Assistant

 Curriculum 

Our new topic for Autumn 2 is 'Food, Glorious Food!'

We will begin this topic with a science theme, looking at food chains from producer, prey to predator. Following this, we will understand what nutrition is and which foods we get the different types of nutrition needed in a balanced diet to have healthy bodies. We will look at our teeth and the different functions of them before studying how our digestive system works. 

In history, we will be looking at farming through different time periods, including the Iron Age, Romans and Vikings to compare and contrast different practises. 

Continuing the farming theme, we will be looking at seasonality and the farming process in Design and Technology. Children will get to practise their culinary skills by cooking a savoury dish!

In art, we will be learning to create perspective in a landscape picture after looking at landscape artists like John Constable and David Hockney's landscapes.

In RE, we will understand what it is like for someone to follow God after reading the story of Noah and the Ark and how we can apply these ideas to modern day life. 

In mathematics, we will be learning formal methods for addition, subtraction and multiplication. 

In English, we will be learning the difference between direct and indirect speech and how to punctuate direct speech.

Dates 

Monday 2nd November - Term starts. PE kit as normal. 

Wednesday 4th November - Year 3 and 4 Amaze Day!

Thursday & Friday 12th and 13th November- Christmas bauble art workshop.

Friday 18th December: Break up

Kusama

As art lead, I obviously had to pick an artist as my class name! Yayoi Kusama was a new artist to me, but after discovering her work, I really enjoyed her bold and colourful art. Kusama is a contemporary Japanese artist who followed her dream of becoming an artist. Going against traditional expectations for women in Japan, as well as what her parents wanted her to become, Kusama knew that art was what she wanted to pursue. She worked hard and remained determined to achieve her goal.

Important Class Information

PE Days: Monday and Tuesday. Children need to come to school wearing their PE kit.

Reading Books: reading books will be changed on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Please continue to listen to your child read daily, even for 10 minutes, and get your child to complete the reading task in the reading journal.

Spellings: children will be given a list of spellings to take home and practise each week. They will be tested the following week.

Break time snack: If you wish for your child to have a snack at break time, please provide a healthy choice of fruit, vegetables or cereal bar.  No crisps or chocolate bars please! These are fine to eat with their packed lunch.

Lunchtimes: Children will be eating lunch in their houses (Apollo, Endeavour, Galileo and Phoenix), and houses will be rotated regularly. This provides children with the opportunity to mix with other year groups and to maintain friendships in different classes and phases.

Homework: Homework grid is attached below.

 Additional Information

Please ensure that all school uniform is clearly labelled so that we can easily return misplaced items to their owner.

Times Tables Rockstars: Regular practise of TTRS will help pupils to retain knowledge that they can utilise facts in other mathematical learning. All pupils should have their login details and can play on phones or tablets!

Children are able to access and drink water throughout the day; it is important that children bring in a refillable water bottle daily. On sunny days, a named sun-hat is important for when playing outside and participating in sports activities.  Sun cream should be applied before the start of the school day. If you would like your child to re-apply, they should do so themselves during their lunch-break. It is important that they don't share with friends to avoid allergies.  

Please don't hesitate to contact us if you have any queries.