Year 3/4 Autumn 2024

• In English, the text, ‘Gangster Granny’ is taught by the popular author David Walliams. The story is about a young, bored boy and his grandma, who decide to join hands and steal the crown jewels, after discovering that she used to be a jewel thief. In writing lessons, pupils write a character profile of the Granny, using descriptive techniques and then also write a newspaper article detailing their criminal activity. A video-based story called ‘Wing’ is then studied through the Literacy Shed. It is a silent short film, and enables pupils to add speech to a narrative, focusing on how to punctuate the dialogue. In terms of non-fiction writing, pupils also explore mystical creatures from the video and write an explanation text. We link our reading lessons to our class text, where we use our DERRIC skills to decode, explain word meaning, retrieve information to answer questions, interpret characters feelings and thoughts, review sections of the text and discuss why authors have used certain techniques. Pupils continue to develop joined handwriting skills that have been introduced during Year 2. In Year 3 and 4, pupils spend time developing their penmanship, focusing on legible, cursive writing and using letters that are correctly formed and sized. Finally, Spelling Punctuation and Grammar is a key focus within writing lessons, focusing on adding detailed descriptions, using past and present tenses consistently, and writing multi-clausal sentences by including fronted adverbials and conjunctions. Pupils progress their punctuation skills, using inverted commas for speech, commas and apostrophes.
   

• For Numeracy lessons, we split into year groups. In Year 3 Maths, we explore place value, as well as addition and subtraction to 100, progressing and applying this to 1,000 using hundreds, tens and ones. Estimation on a number line, as well as comparing and ordering larger numbers, develops pupils’ understanding. Number bonds to 10 are used and applied, as well as place value and addition and subtraction of 1s, 10s and 100s within and across multiples of 10. Methods to add and subtract to 100, as well as inverse operations and multiples of 2, 5, 10 and 3 are developed using sharing and grouping as well as the introduction of the 4 and 8 times tables.
  
  In Year 4 Maths, we explore place value as well as addition and subtraction to 1,000 progressing to 10,000 using thousands, hundreds, tens and ones. Estimation on a number line, comparing numbers and ordering numbers to 10,000 are revisited as well as the introduction of rounding numbers to the nearest multiple of 10. Roman numerals are also taught. Addition and subtraction moves to two 4-digit numbers, initially with no exchange, but progressing to one and more exchanges using efficient, formal methods; encouraging estimation and checking strategies to ensure pupils’ accuracy. Finally, multiples of 3 support the teaching of multiples of 6 - and then 9 - before pupils learn the final multiplication tables of 7, 11 and 12, which all need to be known by the end of Year 4.
   

• In Science, the topics of grouping and classifying living things, data collection and states of matter are studied. Furthermore, pupils carry out practical investigations, making predictions, selecting materials, recording results and drawing conclusions for themselves based on their enquiries.
   

• Through the topic of “The American Dream”, Year 3 and 4 undertake historical and geographical learning. In history, pupils will find out about key individuals, including Christopher Columbus and his journey of discovery, Neil Armstrong and the part he played in the momentous moon landing and Martin Luther King and his work to end segregation. In geography, we study the physical make up of North America, including the different biomes and climate zones across this vast continent, including the mountain ranges and features of some of its major cities. Land use is studied and this is linked to farming, forestry and trade.
   

• In PE this term, pupils will be receiving lessons on hockey and football from Soccer 2000 coaches and netball and tag rugby from their teachers.
   

• In Art, we will be studying painting and mixed media, focusing on tints and shades of colours and creating compositions that show light and dark to make objects appear 3 dimensional. We will also be creating a collage using digital artistry and photography using Andy Warhol’s pop art as a starting point.
   

• Computing is based around computer systems and networks and creating media, including photo editing.
   

• In Jigsaw, we are covering the topic “Being Me in My World” where pupils have the opportunity to develop their understanding of what it means to be a citizen in class and in school, exploring the ideals of democracy, decision making and having a voice in a community. We then move on to “Celebrating Differences” where pupils consider how to challenge assumptions based on appearance, and consider how influences can lead to bullying, as well as how to deal with this, realising how special and unique we all are. We use Project Evolve to deliver linked lessons on online safety based around the themes of self-image, self-identity and online bullying.
   

• DT this term has a focus on cooking and nutrition, where pupils consider seasonality within products and bake a tart. DT explores the design, plan, make and evaluate model. 
   

• In Music, Year 3’s learning focuses around ‘Mamma Mia’ by Abba in the first half term. Pupils will be given the opportunity to listen to and appraise songs, considering their own likes and preferences, as well as making comparisons to other, similar songs with a focus on not only the music and instruments but also the lyrics. Pupils will learn to sing songs and play instruments. The instrumental focus continues in the second half term, with a module on learning how to play the glockenspiel.
  
  Year 4’s are having lessons delivered by Wolverhampton Music School teachers. They are teaching pupils to play the djembe drums.
   

• Language lessons begin in Year 3 and 4 and at Dovecotes we study Spanish. There is a focus this term on basic Spanish phonics, vocabulary and sayings, such as numbers and greetings.
   

• In RE, we will be exploring a Christian unit based around the question, “Why do some people think Jesus is inspirational?”
   

• Our new oracy curriculum is based around speaking and listening and we are filtering discussion opportunities and talk tactics into all other curricular areas, as well as into homework tasks. Reading at home is the main focus and should include a variety of genres. Furthermore, all pupils have access to a Times Tables Rock Stars account, which they can access from home to help them to learn and recall their times tables. This is paramount in Year 4 to help prepare them for the statutory multiplication assessment in the Summer Term.

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Year 3/4 Spring 2024

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• In English, the text, ‘The Silence Seeker’ is taught by Ben Morley. In the story, a new family moves in next door to Joe and his mum explains that they are asylum seekers. Joe hears that they are silence seekers, especially as Mum adds that they need peace and quiet. In writing lessons, pupils write a diary entry, and then write a non-chronological report, about refugees. A video-based story called ‘The Present’ is then studied through the Literacy Shed. It is a silent short film, and enables pupils to add speech to a narrative, focusing on how to punctuate the dialogue. We undertake this narrative learning over a number of weeks to develop the ability to write a number of chapters. We link our reading lessons to the class text, where we use DERRIC to help us to decode, explain word meaning, retrieve information, interpret characters feelings and thoughts, review sections of the text and discuss why authors have used certain techniques in our choice lessons. Joined handwriting is introduced in Year 2, so Year 3 and 4 pupils spend time developing their penmanship, focusing on legible, cursive writing using letters that are correctly formed and sized. Finally, SPaG is a key focus within English lessons, focusing upon adding detailed descriptions, using past and present tenses consistently and writing multi-clausal sentences by including fronted adverbials and conjunctions when writing. Pupils study a progressing programme of punctuation, including inverted commas for speech, commas and apostrophes.
      

• For Numeracy lessons, we split into year groups. In Year 4 Maths, we build upon the topic of multiplication and division that was started in the Autumn Term. We learn about multiples and factors, how to use mental and written methods to multiply 2- and 3-digit numbers by a single-digit and how to divide larger numbers up to 3-digits by a single-digit number. We then undertake a fractions block where we learn what fractions are using differing models including number lines; we consider equivalence, what improper fractions are and how to convert them to mixed numbers and think about how to add and subtract a variety of fractions. After half term, we move onto decimals, considering how decimals relate to fractions. We work with decimals up to three decimal places.
   

• In Year 3, again the unit of multiplication and division that began in the Autumn Term is built upon. There is a focus on the links between multiplication and division, scaling, and learning how to multiply and divide two-digit numbers by a single-digit number. We then undertake a unit related to measures, with a focus upon length and perimeter, comparing and measuring lengths in millimetres, centimetres and metres. After half term, we learn about fractions, and understand what numerators and denominators are, how to compare and order fractions, including on a number line, and how to work out equivalent fractions. In the final unit, we go back to measurement, but this time there is a focus upon mass and capacity, using grams, kilograms, millilitres and litres to measure and compare.
   

• In Science, we have moved onto the White Rose Science scheme of learning and will be studying the topics of fossils, rocks and light. Pupils explore through practical investigations, making predictions, selecting materials, recording results and drawing conclusions for themselves based on their enquiries.
   

• Through the topic of “Extreme Earth”, Year 3 and 4 undertake historical and geographical learning. In history, pupils will find out about Mount Vesuvius and Pompeii. In geography, we study natural disasters including volcanoes, earthquakes and tsunamis.
   

• In PE this term, pupils will receive lessons on dodgeball and dance with Soccer 2000 coaches, and gymnastics and yoga with their teachers.
   

• In Art, we will be undertaking two units. The first is a drawing-based unit called “Power Prints” where we consider tones and textures to make objects appear 3-dimensional on the page. The second is a project based on the painting “The Great Wave” by the artist Hokusai. In this unit, we learn how to use watercolours to make shades of a base colour.
   

• For computing, we study programming where we learn how to sequence sounds and study data and information where we learn how to use and design branching databases.
   

• In Jigsaw, we are covering the topic of ‘Dreams and Goals’ where we think about how to create realistic dreams, achieve goals, build resilience and overcome disappointment, celebrating contributions. After half term, our second unit is ‘Healthy Me’ where we learn about healthy friendships, the impact of smoking and alcohol, assertiveness, peer pressure and celebrating inner strength. Our Project Evolve E-safety lessons revolve around privacy and security, health, wellbeing and lifestyle.
   

• Design Technology this term has focusses upon electrical systems, where we design and make a working torch. DT explores the design, plan, make and evaluate model.  
   

• In Music, Year 3’s learning focuses around ‘Stop!’ in the first half term and ‘Lean on Me’ in the second half term. Pupils are given the opportunity to listen to and appraise songs, considering their own likes and preferences as well as comparing other similar songs with a focus on not only the music and instruments but also the lyrics. Pupils will learn to sing and play instruments, including the continued development of the glockenspiel. Year 4 receive lessons delivered by Wolverhampton Music School teachers. They teach pupils how to play stringed instruments: the violin.
   

• Modern Foreign Language lessons begin in Year 3 and 4 and, at Dovecotes, we study French. There is a focus this term on basic French vocabulary and sayings, using the topics ‘I Can’ and ‘Fruits’
   

• In RE, we will be exploring the question, “What is it like to be a Hindu?” and we will be exploring key leaders from the Sikh and Hindu religions.
   

• Reading a variety of genres regularly at home, as well as keeping up-to-date with homework, (which will provide opportunities to share and practise what has been taught in class) will support pupils’ development. Furthermore, all pupils have access to a Times Tables Rock Stars account, which they can access from home to help them to learn and recall times tables facts.