1. Miss Hyett

2. Meeting objectives To meet you and introduce myself To introduce key features of Year 4 To consider how you can help your child at home

3. Do talk to me! Ask if you are unsure about anything. Best time is usually after school (although I’m in a meeting on Tuesdays) Please don’t hesitate to make an appointment. Open Door...

4. Expectations in Year 4 INDEPENDENCE! Increased responsibility for their learning. Working as a team.

5. The Curriculum English – this term Greek Mythology – The Adventures of Odysseus The Iron Man by Ted Hughes Creative Curriculum (History, Art, DT, geography) Autumn term: Sands of Time (Ancient Egypt) Spring Term: Bright Sparks Summer Term: Around the world in 70 days Sands of Time Mummification Religion Hierarchy and occupations Artwork Construction of pyramids Use of historical sources. PE Tennis Swimming Gymnastics Netball Dance Science Digestive system Balanced diet Teeth Sound

6. PE Games lesson on a Monday afternoon. Swimming on a Friday afternoon. Later in the year – Thursday PE lessons. I encourage the children to keep their kit in school everyday. Please ensure all kit and uniform is labelled.

7. Reading Books Currently: Bring reading books from home. Use reading bookmarks. Soon: Reading monitored. Children guided when choosing new reading books. Coming up: Excellent reading software. Recommendations based on ability.

8. Reading Pro Assesses children’s reading ability – Lexile Test. Matches them with books suitable for age and ability. http://uk.scholastic.com/en/reading-pro

9. Spellings Spellings will be given out on a Monday and tested on a Friday. Children should think about the rules behind the spellings (discussed in class) and know the definition of each word.

10. Homework English and Maths homework (or more creative tasks ) will be given out on a Friday to be completed by Wednesday. Year 4 will also be expected to take responsibility for reading and practising times tables on a regular basis.

11. Helping your child Listen to them read, as regularly as possible. Discussing books with them will create a love of reading and develop their understanding. Spelling and tables practice. Involve children in practical uses of their maths knowledge.

12. Helping your child Reading Reading aloud can still be beneficial. Discuss what your child is reading: What has happened? What are your opinions? How do they characters feel/what do they think? What might happen next? New vocabulary?

13. Mathletics www.mathletics.co.uk

14. Mathletics Usual cost of subscription £40 per child – free to you New levels now set up for new year. Children should aim to achieve a certificate each week. This can usually be achieved in three 20 minute sessions. Previously... GroupAverage Points Progress in maths during the year 10 children in Year 6 who used Mathletics most 5.0 10 children in Year 6 who used Mathletics least 2.6

15. Mathletics makes a difference! Across Key Stage 1 and 2, for all levels of ability: Pupils who achieved 10,000 points (equivalent to 10 certificates) last year made on average 24% more progress than those who achieved less than 5,000 points. Pupils who achieved over 25,000 points (roughly one certificate per fortnight) made on average 38% more progress than those who hardly used it at all.

16. Whole Class Music Tuition Every child will get free hire of a brass instrument for the year. Weekly whole class lessons with expert tutors. Starts this week! Instruments will be taken home from around October half term. Brass Blast – Warwick Arts Centre performance in Spring Term.

17. Holidays in term time We are not able to authorise holidays in school time. Exceptional circumstances may lead to authorised absence days. Government have tightened restrictions and fines are being given more regularly.

18. Dates for your diary Photographs: Tuesday 22nd September Parents Evening: 13 th & 14 th October (Tues/Wed) Harvest Festival: 16 th October (10.15am) Christmas Production: 16 th & 17 th December Class Assembly: 11 th February 2016. Check website for regular updates.

19. www.stmaryandstmargarets.com @stmandmprimary Contact me directly: s90fhyett@ss-m-and-m.solihull.sch.uk Emails checked daily. Phone/email office for immediate response office@ss-m-and-m.solihull.sch.uk 0121 747 2025