Blackbirds 2024 - 2025

Welcome to Blackbirds Class

We are a Year 3/4 class taught by Mrs Mckenzie and Mrs Armitt.

This is what we will be learning in the Summer term:

Maths:

YEAR 3

Number – Fractions

Measurement – Money & Time

Geometry – Properties of Shapes

Statistics

YEAR 4

Number – Decimals

Measurement – Money & Time

Geometry – Properties of Shapes & Position and Direction

Statistics

English:

We will develop our reading and writing skills across a range of genres and text types using high quality texts.

The children will write a refuge narrative and a diary inspired by The Journey by Francesca Senna.

Then we will be creating an invention narrative and a recount: Jacques Cousteau Biography

We will develop our reading and writing skills across a range of genres and text types using high quality texts. 

These will be inspired by the book Manfish by Jennifer Berne.

We will be focusing on verb inflections (‘we were’ instead of ‘we was’); using commas after fronted adverbials; nouns and pronouns to aid cohesion and avoid repetition; paragraphs to organise ideas around a theme; inverted commas (speech marks) and other punctuation to indicate direct speech; apostrophes for possession.

In addition, we will have regular ’Spelling, Punctuation and Grammar’ sessions and we will have weekly Guided Reading and Handwriting sessions.

Science:

Sound

Your child will learn about how vibrations cause sounds and how sounds travel, as well as how sounds can change pitch and loudness. They will learn about how sounds are made, carrying out demonstrations of vibrations, and completing a sound survey of their school. Your child will work in a hands-on way to explore pitch, and will use their understanding of how high and low sounds are made to create their own set of pan pipes. They will have the opportunity to make a string telephone, and will use this to investigate how sounds change over distance and through different materials.

Scientist and Inventors

Our class will learn about famous scientists and inventors. They will learn about the dangers posed to living things in Madagascar, and Gerald Durrell’s conservation efforts on the island. Your child will learn about Alexander Graham Bell and his invention of the telephone, as well as modern improvements on his invention by inventors like James West and Gerhard M. Sessler. The children will look at the early uses of solar energy in homes, invented and built by Maria Telkes and Eleanor Raymond, then build their own basic solar oven. Finally, your child will find out about the invention of toothpaste, and will invent their own brand of toothpaste to compare against real brands. They will develop their scientific enquiry skills, making observations, predictions and conclusions. 

History:

Romans

Your child will learn about the impact the Roman empire had on life in Britain. They will learn about the spread of the Roman empire, the invasion of Britain and the eventual conquest. Your child will also look in detail at some aspects of the Romanisation of Britain, such as the building of Roman roads and bathhouses. In addition to this, they will have the opportunity to learn about the British resistance of Boudicca and will act in role to look at the events of Boudicca's rebellion from different perspectives. They will also investigate Hadrian's Wall, examining how, where and why it was built and learn about the different features of the wall and use maps to determine its location.

Geography:

What’s it like in Whitby?

The children will learn about the North Yorkshire seaside town of Whitby. They will learn about the physical geography of Whitby, including its Jurassic cliffs and its proximity to the North Yorkshire Moors. They will use maps, atlases and digital maps to explore the town and find out about what the land is used for and what there is to do in Whitby. The children will be encouraged to compare what they have learnt about Whitby with what they know about their own local area.

Computing:

Animation

The children will be taught the basic principles and techniques of simple animation. Beginning with the history of animation, they will research some of the early animation techniques used before the use of computers. The children will then compare a range of free animation software and they will incorporate the different techniques into their own animation. After experimenting, children will then be given the opportunity to evaluate their experiences in the final lesson.

Art:

Fruit and Vegetables

In our Art lessons the children will learn about how to use pencil, colour, paint, clay peppers and textiles to create quality art work that shows progression in their skills. They will also have the opportunity to explore the work of the designer, Carl Warner, textile artist, Michael Brennand-Wood and Italian painter, Caravaggio.

Design and Technology:

Edible Garden

In D.T the children will be learning how to make their own edible garden. They will have the opportunity to learn where and how a variety of ingredients are grown. Firstly, your child will learn how to plant seeds and care for their plants so they yield produce that can be used in their cooking. They will learn how to cook with the ingredients they are growing; following recipes and using different kitchen equipment. Your child will learn about the appropriate safety and hygiene rules when cooking. 

Religious Education:

The prophet Muhammad

In RE this term we will be focusing on the religion of Islam. How important is the prophet Muhammad to Muslims?

The Qur’an

The children will be learning about the Qur’an. How does the Qur’an influence Muslims today?

M.F.L:

Time

 In French this term, the children will learn to say the days of the week, months and dates and also count on from 11 to 31.

Music:

Communication, Time, In the Past, Food & Drink

 Through the units above, the children will learn about Composition, Beat, Notation and Performance.

P.S.H.E.:

YEAR 3

Diverse Britain: We live in a diverse, multicultural and democratic society. Your child will learn to identify that they should be respectful of difference. We will learn about British people, rules, the law, liberty and what living in a democracy means. The children will also learn about the importance of being tolerant of differences within their society.

It’s My Body: Your child will explore the choices they can make about looking after their bodies. They will look at making safer choices about their bodies, sleep and exercise, diet, cleanliness and substances. They will learn facts about each of these areas and learn strategies on how to manage them. The message of choice and consent runs through this topic and they will be encouraged to get help from trusted adults when necessary.

YEAR 4

Aiming High: The children will focus on goals and aspirations. They will start by discussing achievements they have accomplished so far and the type of attitude that helps us to succeed. The children will identify ways of applying a growth mindset to new challenges and learn about the importance of resilience. Opportunities will also be provided for the children to share aspirations for their future employment and personal goals and through this learning, they will consider different jobs and careers. In doing this, we will explore some of the difficulties faced by stereotyping. The children will also have the opportunity to think about the specific skills they might wish to develop in order to achieve their short, mid and long-term goals.

Growing Up:  This topic builds on children’s knowledge of the human body; how we grow and change, both physically and emotionally. We will learn about their own and others’ bodies and how male and female bodies play a part in human reproduction. The children will also learn about different relationships and family structures

Physical Education:

Outdoor P.E. days are on Fridays and indoor P.E. is on a Tuesday.

 Athletics and OAA (Outdoor Adventurous Activities)

The children will practise some of the races in preparation for Sport’s Day, developing their sprint technique, hurdling and relay. They will also explore the outdoors and develop a range of physical skills. They will work individually and as part of a team.

Dance

The children will explore the topics of Ancient Egypt and Water.

On these days, the children will need to come to school dressed in their P.E. uniform: navy shorts and light blue t-shirt; navy tracksuit and light blue t-shirt. No logos or football kits. Trainers should be plain black or plain white. All long hair should be tied back and earrings should be removed.

Homework:

Maths: Maths homework will be set via Class Dojo on a Wednesday (Y3) and on a Friday (Y4) to be completed by the following week. It is so important to practise Times Tables Rockstars as this will really help your child with later Maths topics of Fractions, Perimeter, Money and Time. Our aim is to improve instant recall of key multiplication and related division facts.

English: English homework will be set via Class Dojo on a Friday to be completed by the following Thursday. We ask that the children also engage frequently with Spelling Shed to practise their spellings.

Reading: At Weston, we encourage children to develop a lifelong love for reading. We ask for children to read regularly at home to adults and to themselves. Reading is fundamental to the wider academic and personal development of children and the need for children to read widely from a broad and challenging range of texts is crucial. Children will be able to select from or will be provided with quality texts appropriate for their age and ability.