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= &nb= sp; = &nb= sp; = &nb= sp; = &nb= sp; = &nb= sp; = &nb= sp; = &nb= sp;

4^th September 2009

Dear Parents, = &nb= sp; = &nb= sp; = &nb= sp; =

Welcome to the start of the new academic year in the Turtles class.

I hope you all had a wonderful summer break and the children feel refreshed r= eady to begin a challenging and hopefully exciting year ahead.

The following information will give you details about the Autumn Term and I hop= e it proves useful for yourself and your child.

Literacy

We will be following the Y3/4, Autumn Term programme of study from the Renewed Primary Framework. Some of the texts and pieces of writing will link to oth= er areas of the curriculum, such as our topic about rainforests. Our literacy = work will involve speaking and listening including drama activities, reading, writing, spelling and handwriting.

Spellings

Each week the children will have spellings to learn. These will be sent home ins= ide their spelling books in their book bags on a Friday and the words should be learnt or investigated for a test the following Thursday. Please help your child with their spellings and encourage them to use the ‘look, say, cover, write, check’ method when practising.

Reading

Reading forms part of the weekly homework. Please reco= rd books or texts they read in their reading log, adding your own comments if = you wish. Gradually we will build up to encouraging the children to write their= own comments in their reading logs.

Numeracy

We will be following the Y3/4, Autumn Term programme of study from the Renewed Primary Framework. Practising times tables and telling the time with the children at home would be very beneficial activities to support learning in lessons. Don’t forget to refer to our ‘Helping Your Child at Ho= me with Maths’ booklet, which can be found on our website at the bottom = of the page, if you require some guidance on how to support your child. <= /o:p>

Science

During the term we will be looking at two different areas: in the first half term Teeth and Eating which will be closely linked to our DT work and Helping Pl= ants Grow Well in the second half term. There will be a balance of practical, investigative and written work in these areas.

Topic

During our topic work we will be learning about rainforests, particularly the Amaz= on Rainforest. We will look at the location of rainforests, the vegetation, the inhabitants and the threats facing rainforests. Please encourage your child= to keep an eye out in the news for any articles about rainforests, which they would be happy to bring in and share with the class.

Over the course of this term children will be learning about special times and Seasons, focusing on different religious festivals celebrated throughout the year.

Art and DT

Much of our art work will be linked to our topic work, particularly work by arti= sts who have captured aspects of the rainforest, trying to use some of their id= eas and techniques in our own work. We shall be using various painting and draw= ing techniques and experimenting with appropriate colour tones. Also we shall be investigating different healthy snacks available and experimenting with our= own sandwich fillings, before making packaging for their final product.

PSCHE/SEAL

We will begin the year by focusing on the SEAL topic New Beginnings, moving on= to the PSHCE topic Rules and Rights later on in the term.

PE is on Wednesdays and Thursdays. The lessons will consist of dance, striking= and field games, gymnastics and invasion games. For PE the children will need to bring- a plain pair of blue/black shorts and tracksuit trousers, a plain wh= ite or blue t-shirt and appropriate foot wear for indoor and outdoors. Please m= ake sure your child always has their kit with them and that it is all named.

Homework

This is set every Friday and consists of reading, spellings, learning times tabl= es or number bonds and a piece of work related to maths or another area of the curriculum. Homework should be returned to school by the following Wednesday ready for me to mark. Please help your child be responsible for completing their homework well and ensure it is returned on time. If children have any problems with their homework they should come and see me on a Monday or a Tuesday and I will happily give them further assistance.

I have not covered every area of the curriculum in this letter but do hope th= at the information that I have included will be useful to you. Please feel fre= e to contact me if you have any queries, I will be available every Thursday afternoon from 3.30pm till 4pm. Please book an appointment through myself or the school office.

Best Wishes,

Charlotte James