Year 4 curriculum evening

General 

Elliott was in a good mood after school today and told me he'd been doing Maths today and was on the middle table for Maths with Aaron. 

Activities

After school we went home for ham sandwiches before his swimming lesson. He enjoyed his swimming lesson and said he'd almost cracked jumping in to the pool and keeping his head above water. After swimming we went to the Year 4 curriculum evening and Elliott sat next to Charlie who was also there. The curriculum evening was interesting. The main messages this year were:

- Homework will be either English / Grammar Punctuation and Spelling or Maths each week, should take 20 to 30 minutes, should be done in the orange homework book, is set on Friday to be handed in on Wednesday and Elliott should be able to do it independently as it reinforces what they've been learning in the week leading up to it's setting - if they can't do it independently or it takes longer than 30 minutes make a note on the homework and support as much as possible

- Reading every day is a really good thing, even if it's only for 5 minutes, and they should record reading in their reading record

- Home learning is more creative and about what they will learn in the next week - it might only be a discussion, or it might involve research or could even be making a poster or similar

- They're learning either Clarinet, Flute or Trombone this year (Elliott says he's chosen Clarinet) and they'll be sending a letter home soon about small charge to rent the instrument to take home with them (to cover insurance costs) so they can practice at home if they want (Elliott sounded like he'd be quite keen to practice at home if he can, we'll see)

- There will be a few trips during the year, a trip to the URE museum and an RE Christmas trip in the Winter Term, a trip to a Science Dome and a visit from an Anglo Saxon in the Spring Term, and swimming (same cost and system as last time), another RE inspired trip and an overnight residential trip to Ufton Court on 10th July to 11th July - the Ufton Court trip will cost £85 to £90 but can be paid for in installments if requested - it's a Tudor House but the two days will focus on The Vikings and include lots of Viking related activities - it's not obligatory but could be good development for the children - a letter will be sent home soon explaining more and allowing sign up

- Finally a typical day consists of 8.50am - Registration, 9am - English or Maths, 10am - Grammar, Punctuation and Spelling, 10.15am - Break, 10.30am - Assembly, 10.50am - English or Maths, 11.50am - Guided Reading, 12.15pm - Lunch, 1.25pm - Registration, 1.30pm - Foundation Subject 1, 2.30pm - Foundation Subject 2, 3.30pm - End of School