Hello all and welcome (or welcome back) to Woodpeckers!
Our first day of term is Tuesday 3rd of September.
We have a very exciting theme this term and we have called it: Where does our food come from? In our geography theme, we will be looking at the different countries which produce some of the foods that we eat. We will learn about physical geography, including: climate zones, biomes and vegetation belts along with human geography including the distribution of natural resources including energy, food, minerals and water.
Our class story this term will be 'The Wild Robot’ by Peter Brown.
We will share this book in class in our RED TED sessions (Read every day, Talk every day). During these sessions, we will practise our oracy skills. Oracy is the ability to articulate ideas, develop understanding and engage with others through spoken language and listening. Oracy skills set children up for success in school and life.
Please ask your child questions about the story to encourage discussion about this wonderful book.
This term, our PE days remain the same and are Monday and Friday. Our Monday session will be cricket with P.H.Sports. Year 5 will also have Dauntsey’s sports on Monday morning. On Friday, we will be learning yoga with Mrs Adams. This year, we are trialling children changing for P.E. in school. As such, the children should not come to school in their P.E. kits. Children are able to keep their P.E. kits in school on their peg in a small bag. We ask that all items are labelled to ensure nothing goes missing.
A paper copy of your home learning will be handed out each week. This term we are doing a project based activity which will allow you to demonstrate your grammar skills. Quality not quantity is the key! A quick reminder that the presentation in your home learning should be of the same standard as that in the class. Homework is due on Thursday.
Spellings for the term will be handed out and children should practise these weekly ready for our spelling quiz, to check progress, on a Thursday.
Times tables are very important in Year 4 and Year 5! We will continue to do daily practice in class to ensure we have speedy recall of multiplication and division facts. Please ensure this is also practised at home.
The next date for National Poetry Day is Thursday 3 October 2024. This year the theme is 'counting'. This annual event provides a fantastic opportunity to explore and celebrate poetry. From engaging with familiar poems we love, to the creative fulfilment of crafting new works, we'll be providing inspiration and accessible activities for all ages to use in your school or setting.
Guinness World Record attempt for National Poetry Day!
We are looking to take part in a Guinness World Records™ attempt this National Poetry Day!
This autumn, we're collaborating with poet Laura Mucha to co-write a poem about ‘what counts’ with 60,000+ 7-12 (Y3-Y7/P4-P7) students and break a Guinness World Records title for largest poetry lesson (multi venue) and display the poem all over the country.
Tuesday 3rd September 2024 - First day of term
Friday 6th September 2024 - National read a book day
Thursday 3rd October 2024- National Poetry Day Guiness World Record Attempt
Wednesday 16th - Friday 18th October 2024- Oxenwood residential (Year 3 / 4)
Wednesday 23rd October 2024 - End of term
Reading is a passion of mine and the children will have lots of opportunities to read in school, however, nothing beats reading little and often at home. Woodpeckers are all fantastic readers, the skills they are improving on now are their comprehension. Reading improves spelling, widens vocabulary and promotes creativity in writing. Being a skilled and well read Woodpecker improves learning across all areas of the curriculum. We have a fantastic reading reward system called 'Read-opoly' in Woodpeckers which many of the children have already been lucky enough to win a reward on. Remember to read 4 times a week in order to move around the board.
If you have any questions or worries, please do not hesitate to email
A final plea! If you are able to help in any way, reading to the children, class trips or general support in the classroom, please email Mrs Adams.
We can't wait to see you on Tuesday!
Mrs. Adams, Mrs. James and Mrs. Marshall.