A guide to your child’s learning this half term.

 

‘Walk like an Egyptian’

 

Autumn Term 1 – Year 3 and 4

Miss Pattison, Mrs Ridgeway & Mrs Laidler

English

This term we will be extending our knowledge and understanding of the Egyptians through poetry, with a specific focus on performance. We will then look at ‘twisted’ fairy tales. Children will write their own version of a fairy tale with an Egyptian theme. Finally, We will look at diary writing and children will be writing their own diary about the discovery of an Egyptian tomb.

 

Spelling

Each Monday your child will be given a new list of ten words to learn. There are three words from the list of words your child is expected to spell and another seven words from the weekly pattern. They will be tested on Friday. The objectives that will be covered this term are:

1. Homophones or near homophones
2. The suffix -ly
3. If the ending sounds like /ʒən/, it is spelt as –sion

 

Reading

Children will be given opportunities to develop their reading as part of their English lessons.

You can help your child at home by-

• Listening to your child read each day.
• Ask your child to talk about the book they are reading and talk around the story (using skills of inference and deduction)

 

Maths

In maths we will be learning about:

• Number and place value
• Addition & Subtraction

You can help your child at home by:

• All aspects will be taught in line with the new curriculum with an increased focus on reasoning and problem solving, as well as teaching mental and written methods and strategies.
• Developing rapid recall of facts
• Practising basic mathematical facts such as doubling and halving common numbers.

 

Topic – The Egyptians

 

History – This Ancient Egypt unit will teach your child in depth about the achievements of this ancient civilisation. They will learn about how and where the ancient Egyptians lived, what was important to the daily lives of ancient Egyptians, who Tutankhamun was and how mummies were made. The children will also learn about how Egyptian people used hieroglyphs to communicate and compare the powers of different gods.

 

Geography – Children will use maps and atlas to learn the key physical features of Egypt and discuss why people chose to settle there.

 

Science (Investigation) – Your child will learn about the skills required to carry out a scientific investigation over a number of weeks. We will be mummifying tomatoes!

 

Cookery – children will be learning about the foods eaten by ancient Egyptians and will be creating their own feast.

 

PE-/Games – Invasion Games including football and tag rugby.

 

RE – What do different people believe about God?

 

Music – Aspects of the music curriculum will be taught whist your child learns the songs for the Young Voices concert in January 2020.

 

French – Bonjour! An introduction or revision of greetings and basic instructions.

 

Computing – Your child will learn how to produce a branching database.

 

PSHE – Being Healthy.

 

Art / DT – children will design and create several projects linked to our topic work.

 

Useful Websites:

http://www.primaryhomeworkhelp.co.uk/Egypt.html

https://www.natgeokids.com/uk/discover/history/egypt/ten-facts-about-ancient-egypt/

http://www.historyforkids.net/ancient-egypt.html

 

Homework

 

Children will be given one piece of English and one piece of maths work that will either develop or consolidate our learning in class. They should spend at least 20-30 minutes completing it to the best of their ability. They will also get a longer project linked to our topic, which will be due in during the last week of term. They could spend a little bit of time each week, or complete the whole project in one week. Completed work should be handed in every Wednesday and will be returned on Fridays.

 

Reminders!

• Named PE kit needs to be in school for Friday every week

Help your child to practise their weekly spellings.  Look at the word.  Say the word.  Cover the word. Write the word. Check the word. Put the word into an accurate ‘Five Star’ sentence (correct punctuation, correct spelling, cursive handwriting).

 

Please do not hesitate to contact staff at school if you have any questions regarding your child’s learning.  Thank you for your continued support!