Curriculum Newsletter Autumn 2015
34D and 34A
Welcome back! Wow, what a super start to the new academic year. The children have returned to school
focused, smart and eager to learn, a very positive start to the Autumn term indeed. We would like to take
this opportunity to welcome the Year 3 children into Transition Two (lower Key Stage Two), they have
settled into new routines quickly and quietly, well done!
We have some very exciting learning opportunities planned over the next few weeks. Our new topic is
‘Light’ and we aim to link the majority of subjects around this topic area.
The 3/4 team this year is led by Mrs Bright as phase leader and includes 3/4D, taught by Miss Delaney and
supported by Mrs Mallaber. 3/4A, taught by Mr Allitt, is supported by Mrs Mathews. Mrs Shami will be
supporting the teaching of English and maths during the mornings.
English
Maths
Topic
Personal, Social,
Health
Education (PSHE)
ICT
RE
PE
To begin the new term, we will be focussing on the story ‘The Dark’ written by
Lemony Snickett. We will be encouraging the children to write in sentences that
make sense and include target level vocabulary and punctuation.
We will be providing the children with a range of opportunities to explore a
variety of non-fiction writing linked to our topic work.
The children will be learning to explore and extend their knowledge and recall of
mental maths. This will include improving the speed and accuracy of their recall
of multiplication and division facts. We will be encouraging the children to apply
these key skills to real life situations e.g. money.
During our topic work, we will cover a variety of subjects from the National
Curriculum including science, geography, history, art, design technology and
music. Our topic focus will be term will be ‘Light.’ We will be learning about the
history of light, with special focus on the inventions of William Murdoch. More
exciting details to follow soon…
As a school, we use the ‘Core 24 Life and Learning Skills’ to support the
children’s social and emotional development. Each half term, there will be a
whole school focus on one area or skill. Individual classes will then choose their
own target. As it is the beginning of a new academic year, we have been
focusing on establishing rules and routines.
We will be learning to use a range of software to create animations linked to our
topic work.
Throughout the year, the children will learn some of the people, stories and
traditions of Christianity and Judaism. They will reflect on what it means to
belong to a faith community and how this links to living in Cornwall.
PE will take place on Wednesdays. Please ensure your child has a full named PE
kit in school each Monday ready for the week ahead. Kit should include a green
t-shirt, blue or black shorts and plimsolls or trainers in a named bag.
How you can support your child’s learning at home
-Children are expected to read at home at least 4 times a week. Your child’s reading diary will be checked
daily so please ensure it is signed and returned every morning. We monitor closely the regularity of
children’s reading as part of our Reading Sweep.
- Every week your child will have the opportunity to select a library book of their choice and share it with
an adult at home. Library books must be returned before a new replacement can be provided.
- Bug Club is a great way to support your child’s reading at home. Usernames and passwords have been
provided, if you do not have this information, please contact your child’s class teacher. Please notify us if
you do not have home access to the internet.
-Mathletics homework will be set over the weekend, ready for the week ahead. Mathletics is a fantastic
resource which enables children to revisit and consolidate what they have been learning in class at home,
providing you with the opportunity to gauge how your child is progressing in maths also.
Important Reminders
-If your child is asthmatic, please ensure that they have a clearly labelled pump that can be kept safely in
school. We want to encourage the children to be self-sufficient as possible.
-Please ensure your child has a named coat in school every day. The Cornish weather is unpredictable!
-Please check that all items of your child’s clothing are clearly labelled.
-If your child is being collected by another adult, please contact the office.
-If your contact information changes, please notify the office as soon as possible.
-We encourage the children to bring in a named water bottle to help to keep them hydrated throughout
the day. Please ensure that these only contain water.
-Only healthy snacks will be permitted during morning break (e.g. a piece of fruit or muesli bar). Chocolate
and sugary snacks are not allowed. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, hot tuck will be available from the kitchen
for children to purchase.
We look forward to working together with you and your child on the next phase of their exciting learning
journey here at Pennoweth. Should you wish to speak to a member of the team, please find us at the end of
the day or make an appointment via the office.
The 3/4 team.