Hello and welcome to the Maple Class page for 25/26!

We have a fabulous team of 27 children in the Maple Class this year, made up of year 3 and year 4 children. Mr Eustace, Miss Brown and Mrs Prescott will join the team for parts of the week, and the class teacher is Mr Starkey - me!

ClassDojo is the main route of communication for daily updates, but the website will be updated termly for links to our documents and anything else that comes along.

Thank you!

Term 2

Welcome to term 2! (It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...)

In reading this term, we will read Peter Pan. We will enjoy the story, learn how to predict what will happen next, infer about the characters and learn some new vocabulary as well! We will also read a remembrance poem called The Soldier.

In writing, we will write our own remembrance poem inspired by The Soldier. We will also write a narrative based on a fable. In this unit, we will discover how authors use inverted commas to show that a character is speaking. 

Another exciting project is the whole-school Christmas writing project! In this unit, we will choose a Christmas themed story to rewrite as a whole school. Ultimately, the children will write their own section of the story, before getting into groups and creating a real book - amazing!

In maths, we will continue to master the column methods of addition and subtraction. As we become more confident, we will begin to apply these methods to real world problems. Next, we will learn how to tell the time on digital and analogue clocks. We will aim to understand what am and pm is, as well as 12 and 24 hour clock. Finally, we will discover the difference between 2D and 3D shapes, and we will name some common shapes.

In the wider curriculum, we have a geography topic all about rivers. In this unit, we will learn about the different sections of a river. We will also learn about how rivers can be very beneficial to humans, but also pose dangers as well. In PE, we will take part in a fitness unit of work as well as some dance sessions! In science, the year 3 children will learn about different types of rocks and how fossils are formed. The year 4 children will work with Mrs Mason and learn all about electricity. In RE, we will discuss what the true meaning of Christmas is and recap the Christmas story. In PSHE, we will learn about important ways we can stay safe and healthy. 

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to get in touch via the office or on ClassDojo!

Term 1

After a long and brilliant summer holiday, we start with a brilliant term with lots of exciting learning experiences and opportunities ahead!

In maths, we will focus on number. We will explore 3 and 4 digit numbers in detail, as well as look at explaining the place value of each digit. When the children become more confident with this, we will explore mental methods for addition and subtraction.

In literacy, we will read one of my favourite stories: The Iron Man by Ted Hughes. Once we have read this, we will practise our first grammar objective all about using conjunctions. Finally, we will write our own narrative based on The Iron Man as well as writing our own non-chronological report about our history topic.

In history, we dive into the interesting world of The Maya! We will learn where the Maya originated, as well as what life was like when this incredible group civilisation was at its height. 

In PE, the class will focus on moving in different ways and how to improve agility whilst moving at different speeds. We will also combine different movements such as jumping, hopping and landing. The children will also explore how to dribble a ball with their hands and feet, as well as developing their sending and receiving skills. 

In RE, we will learn all about the different parts of the bible, exploring how the Old testament and New testaments are different. We will also read a range of bible stories and explore their meanings for Christian people.

In science, the children in year 3 and year 4 are taught seperately. In year 3, the children will learn about how animals, including humans, need nuritients to survive, and they will learn how they get this. Year 3 children will also learn about the functions of muscles and bones. In year 4, the children will learn about the human digestion system, as well as how and why humans have different types of teeth.

In PSHE, the focus will be all about family and relationships. We will learn what is means to be part of a family, and what it means to be a good and bad friend. We will also explore differences in people.

In computing, the children will explore how to create documents on google docs. The class will explore how to copy images from the internet safely, and then input text onto the documents to explain their images. 

Anything else?

• Please ensure that children have their reading book, reading record and learning journals in school each day.
• Children will need a water bottle in school to fill up and stay hydrated.
• It is best if children have a set of trainers in school for play/lunch, and a set of wellies and a coat when it is really wet and cold in the winter.
• PE kits need to be worn on a Tuesday and a Thursday this term. Year 4 children only will need them on Fridays as well!