Year 3/4 Autumn 2023

 

• In English, the text, ‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory’ is taught, which is about a young boy and his grandad who win tickets to tour Willy Wonka’s amazing chocolate factory, written by the renowned author Roald Dahl. Pupils will write a setting description of the factory, developing their descriptive techniques using adjectives, adverbs, senses and similes. They will also use the story as a starting point for non-fiction writing, forming a chocolate-based recipe. We link our reading lessons to the text, where we use our DERRIC model to decode, explain word meaning, retrieve information to answer questions, interpret characters feelings and thoughts, review sections of the text and discuss why authors have used certain techniques in our choice lessons. A video-based story called ‘Gerry’s Game’ is then studied from the Literacy Shed. It is a silent short film, and enables pupils to add speech to a narrative, focusing on how to punctuate the dialogue. Pupils then revisit setting descriptions. In handwriting lessons, pupils embed the joins that have been introduced during Year 2. Year 3 and 4 pupils spend time developing their penmanship, focusing on legible, cursive writing using letters that are correctly formed and sized. Finally, SPaG is a key focus within English lessons, focusing on adding detailed descriptions, using past and present tenses consistently and writing multi-clausal sentences by including fronted adverbials and conjunctions in their writing. They study a progressive programme of punctuation, including using inverted commas for speech, commas and apostrophes.

 

• For Numeracy lessons, we split into year groups. In Year 4 Maths, we explore place value as well as addition and subtraction to 1,000 initially before progressing and applying this to 10,000 using thousands, hundreds, tens and ones. Estimation on a number line, comparing numbers and ordering numbers to 10,000 are revisited as well as the introduction of rounding numbers to the nearest multiple of 10. Roman numerals are also introduced. Addition and subtraction moves to two 4-digit numbers, initially with no exchange but progressing to one (and then more than one) exchange using efficient, formal methods, encouraging estimation and checking strategies for pupils’ accuracy. Finally, multiples of 3 support pupils’ understanding of multiples of 6 then 9 before pupils learn the final multiplication tables for 7, 11 and 12, all of which are required by the end of Year 4. In Year 3 Maths, we explore place value as well as addition and subtraction to 100 initially, before progressing and applying this to 1,000 using hundreds, tens and ones. Estimation on a number line, as well as comparing and ordering, develop pupils’ understanding of number. Number bonds to 10 are used and applied as well as place value addition and subtraction of 1s, 10s, 100s within and across multiples of 10, supporting pupils to make connections. Methods to add and subtract to 100 are also explored and inverse operations are introduced. Multiples of 2, 5, 10 and 3 are developed through sharing and grouping with the introduction of the 4 and 8 times table as well.

 

• In Science, the topics of forces, magnets, animals and skeletons are studied. Furthermore, pupils explore through practical investigations, making predictions, selecting materials, recording results and drawing conclusions for themselves based on their enquiries.

 

• Through the topic of “Brilliant Blighty”, Year 3 and 4 undertake historical and geographical learning. In history, pupils will find out about changes in Britain from the Stone Age to the Iron Age. In geography, they study modern-day UK, with a particular focus on the Black Country.

 

• In PE this term, pupils will be receiving lessons on netball and tag rugby from their teachers and hockey and football through the support of Soccer 2000.

 

• In Art, pupils will be looking at prehistoric cave art using charcoal and sculpture using wire and clay.

 

• In Computing, pupils learn about computer systems and networks, focusing on inputs, processes and outputs in digital systems. They then use capturing and editing within digital still images to produce stop-frame animation based around their topic, ‘Brilliant Blighty’.

 

• In Jigsaw, we are covering the topic “Being Me in My World” where pupils have the opportunity to develop their understanding of what it means to be a citizen of the class and the school, exploring the ideals of democracy, decision making and having a voice in a community. They then move on to “Celebrating Differences” where pupils consider how to challenge assumptions based on appearance, and reflect upon bullying, how to deal with this and realise how special and unique we all are. We use Project Evolve to deliver linked lessons on online safety based around the themes of self-image, self-identity and online bullying.

 

• DT this term has a focus on mechanical systems, where pupils make pneumatic toys that can go into London’s largest toy store, Hamley’s, and learn how to use thumbnail sketches and exploded diagrams. DT explores the design, plan, make and evaluate model.  

 

• In Music, Year 3’s learning focuses around a unit called ‘Let Your Spirit Fly’ in the first half term. Pupils will be given the opportunity to listen to and appraise the songs, considering their own likes and preferences as well as comparing music to other, similar songs with a focus on not only the melody and instruments but also the lyrics. Pupils will learn to sing songs and play instruments. An instrumental focus continues in the second half term, with a module on learning how to play the glockenspiel. Year 4 are having lessons delivered by Wolverhampton Music School teachers. They are teaching pupils to begin to learn how to play string instruments such as the violin.

 

• Language lessons begin in Year 3 and 4 and, at Dovecotes, we study French. There is a focus this term on basic French vocabulary and phonics, as well as a unit about animals.

 

• In RE, we will be exploring a Christian unit based around the question, “What do people believe about God?”

 

• Reading a variety of genres regularly at home as well as keeping up-to-date with homework (which will provide opportunities to share and practise what has been taught in class) will support pupils’ development. Furthermore, all pupils have access to a Times Tables Rock Stars account, which they can access from home to help them learn and recall their times tables. We thank you for your support with this.

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Year 3/4 Spring 2024

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• In English, the text, ‘The Silence Seeker’ is taught by Ben Morley. In the story, a new family moves in next door to Joe and his mum explains that they are asylum seekers. Joe hears that they are silence seekers, especially as Mum adds that they need peace and quiet. In writing lessons, pupils write a diary entry, and then write a non-chronological report, about refugees. A video-based story called ‘The Present’ is then studied through the Literacy Shed. It is a silent short film, and enables pupils to add speech to a narrative, focusing on how to punctuate the dialogue. We undertake this narrative learning over a number of weeks to develop the ability to write a number of chapters. We link our reading lessons to the class text, where we use DERRIC to help us to decode, explain word meaning, retrieve information, interpret characters feelings and thoughts, review sections of the text and discuss why authors have used certain techniques in our choice lessons. Joined handwriting is introduced in Year 2, so Year 3 and 4 pupils spend time developing their penmanship, focusing on legible, cursive writing using letters that are correctly formed and sized. Finally, SPaG is a key focus within English lessons, focusing upon adding detailed descriptions, using past and present tenses consistently and writing multi-clausal sentences by including fronted adverbials and conjunctions when writing. Pupils study a progressing programme of punctuation, including inverted commas for speech, commas and apostrophes.
      

• For Numeracy lessons, we split into year groups. In Year 4 Maths, we build upon the topic of multiplication and division that was started in the Autumn Term. We learn about multiples and factors, how to use mental and written methods to multiply 2- and 3-digit numbers by a single-digit and how to divide larger numbers up to 3-digits by a single-digit number. We then undertake a fractions block where we learn what fractions are using differing models including number lines; we consider equivalence, what improper fractions are and how to convert them to mixed numbers and think about how to add and subtract a variety of fractions. After half term, we move onto decimals, considering how decimals relate to fractions. We work with decimals up to three decimal places.
   

• In Year 3, again the unit of multiplication and division that began in the Autumn Term is built upon. There is a focus on the links between multiplication and division, scaling, and learning how to multiply and divide two-digit numbers by a single-digit number. We then undertake a unit related to measures, with a focus upon length and perimeter, comparing and measuring lengths in millimetres, centimetres and metres. After half term, we learn about fractions, and understand what numerators and denominators are, how to compare and order fractions, including on a number line, and how to work out equivalent fractions. In the final unit, we go back to measurement, but this time there is a focus upon mass and capacity, using grams, kilograms, millilitres and litres to measure and compare.
   

• In Science, we have moved onto the White Rose Science scheme of learning and will be studying the topics of fossils, rocks and light. Pupils explore through practical investigations, making predictions, selecting materials, recording results and drawing conclusions for themselves based on their enquiries.
   

• Through the topic of “Extreme Earth”, Year 3 and 4 undertake historical and geographical learning. In history, pupils will find out about Mount Vesuvius and Pompeii. In geography, we study natural disasters including volcanoes, earthquakes and tsunamis.
   

• In PE this term, pupils will receive lessons on dodgeball and dance with Soccer 2000 coaches, and gymnastics and yoga with their teachers.
   

• In Art, we will be undertaking two units. The first is a drawing-based unit called “Power Prints” where we consider tones and textures to make objects appear 3-dimensional on the page. The second is a project based on the painting “The Great Wave” by the artist Hokusai. In this unit, we learn how to use watercolours to make shades of a base colour.
   

• For computing, we study programming where we learn how to sequence sounds and study data and information where we learn how to use and design branching databases.
   

• In Jigsaw, we are covering the topic of ‘Dreams and Goals’ where we think about how to create realistic dreams, achieve goals, build resilience and overcome disappointment, celebrating contributions. After half term, our second unit is ‘Healthy Me’ where we learn about healthy friendships, the impact of smoking and alcohol, assertiveness, peer pressure and celebrating inner strength. Our Project Evolve E-safety lessons revolve around privacy and security, health, wellbeing and lifestyle.
   

• Design Technology this term has focusses upon electrical systems, where we design and make a working torch. DT explores the design, plan, make and evaluate model.  
   

• In Music, Year 3’s learning focuses around ‘Stop!’ in the first half term and ‘Lean on Me’ in the second half term. Pupils are given the opportunity to listen to and appraise songs, considering their own likes and preferences as well as comparing other similar songs with a focus on not only the music and instruments but also the lyrics. Pupils will learn to sing and play instruments, including the continued development of the glockenspiel. Year 4 receive lessons delivered by Wolverhampton Music School teachers. They teach pupils how to play stringed instruments: the violin.
   

• Modern Foreign Language lessons begin in Year 3 and 4 and, at Dovecotes, we study French. There is a focus this term on basic French vocabulary and sayings, using the topics ‘I Can’ and ‘Fruits’
   

• In RE, we will be exploring the question, “What is it like to be a Hindu?” and we will be exploring key leaders from the Sikh and Hindu religions.
   

• Reading a variety of genres regularly at home, as well as keeping up-to-date with homework, (which will provide opportunities to share and practise what has been taught in class) will support pupils’ development. Furthermore, all pupils have access to a Times Tables Rock Stars account, which they can access from home to help them to learn and recall times tables facts.