An Overview of the Topic
This term, our Year 3/4 topic is Rainforests! We will be learning about rainforests, where they are situated, the plants and animals that live there and learning about deforestation. We will also be doing lots of creative art, design and science work relating to plants and animals.
The Core Areas of Learning
Mathematics
Your child will: / Number and Calculation
• Recall all multiplication facts to 12 x 12.
• Round any number to the nearest 10, 100 or 1000 and
decimals with one decimal place to the nearest whole number.
• Count backwards through zero to include negative
numbers.
• Compare numbers with the same number of decimal
places up to 2-decimal places.
• Recognise and write decimal equivalents of any number
of tenths or hundredths.
• Add and subtract with up to 4-decimal places using
formal written methods of columnar addition and subtraction.
• Divide a 1 or 2-digit number by 10 or 100 identifying the
value of the digits in the answer as units, tenths and hundredths.
• Multiply 2-digit and 3-digit numbers by a 1-digit number
using formal written layout.
• Solve two step addition and subtraction problems in
context.
• Solve problems involving multiplication. / Measurement, Geometry and Statistics
• Compare and classify geometrical shapes, including quadrilaterals and triangles, based on their properties and sizes.
• Know that angles are measured in degrees and can identify acute and obtuse angles.
• Compare and order angles up to two right angles by size.
• Measure and calculate the perimeter of a rectilinear figure in cm and m.
• Read, write and convert between analogue and digital 12 and 24 hour times.
• Interpret and present discrete and continuous data using appropriate graphical methods, including bar charts and time
graphs.
Literacy
Your Child Will: /
  • Practise speaking and listening in small and large group situations
  • Participate in activities such as role play and drama
  • Read and write in a range of styles based upon Non- Fiction, Narrative and Poetry texts
  • Practise handwriting with a focus upon letter formation and joining letters to become legible and neatly formed
  • Consolidate and learn spelling patterns and choicese.ging endings to words

Science
Your Child Will: /
  • Learn about the different parts of a plant and their functions.
  • How plants reproduce.
  • Investigating the conditions needed for successful plant growth.

I.C.T
Your Child Will: /
  • Be taught how to use the computer and ipad as a tool for research,
  • Learn how to Word Process, use Paint based tools to manipulate images, use powerpoint, publisher and internet explorer.
  • How to use the internet safely in line with E-Safety procedures.

Learning in relation to Our Topic and Beyond
Our Worldand the Past
Your Child Will: / (History /Geography)
  • To knowhowrainforestshavebeenaffectedbyhumanactivities
  • To knowhowthe natureofrainforestsaffectsthe livesofpeople
  • To beabletousemapsatavarietyofscales
  • To beabletoexpressviews on deforestation
  • To understandhowrainforestsfitintoawidergeographicalcontext
  • To understandthatthe qualityofarainforestenvironmentcanbesustainedand improved

Getting Creative
Your Child Will: / (Art/D.T/Music/Drama/Food Technology)
  • To work with a range of materials e.g. fabrics, papers, weaving, stitching techniques.
  • Weaving, stitchery, basic dyeing, fixing and joining techniques
  • To be abletorecogniseandexplorethewaysthatsoundscanbe organisedand usedexpressively
  • To beabletoperformsimplepiecesrhythmicallyusingalimitedrangeofnotes

Physical Education and Health
Your Child Will: / ( PE and Healthy Lifestyles)
  • Children will be experiencing gymnastics sessions led by a professional.
  • Exploring shape, travel, balance, speed and direction of their movements using a range of stimuli.
  • Making simple sequences of gymnastic movements and performing them with control and accuracy on various pieces of apparatus
  • Games sessions will include a range of equipment which helps to develop basic ball handling skills both individually and as part of a team.

Other Cultures/ Religions/
Ourselves
Your Child Will: / (International Links/French/RE/PSHE)
  • Be setting and achieving personal goals and targets. Within this, your child will also be looking at ways in which they learn effectively, their personal strengths and how to manage and understand their feelings successfully in a range of situations.
  • ‘A Diverse World’ will be studied in which pupils will learn about a range of cultures in Britain Today. This will also provide your child with the opportunity to recognise why they are an individual and to celebrate their own unique talents. During the second half of the Term, ‘
  • ‘Getting On and Falling Out’ alongside ‘Say No to Bullying’ will be the topic titles. These themes will teach pupils strategies for interacting appropriately with others and how to deal with or resolve conflict.
  • In French your Child will be learning how to introduce themselves and learning everyday, basic vocabulary.
  • In Religious Education your child will be learning about religions in the community.

Enterprise and Philosophy
Your Child Will: /
  • Enterprise this term will comprise of pupils being taught basic Enterprise skills e.g. What is Market Research, What is Advertising etc.
  • The Philosophy Curriculum will continue to teach pupils to use a range of age appropriate language in order to have a debate and reason their ideas with others.

Visits and Visitors / Reminders
A trip to a tropical butterfly house. / Homework / Homeworkwill be handed out every Monday
Spelling Tests / Spellings will be tested on every Monday
P.E / PE kits are required to be in school Monday to Friday.
Reading / Guided reading sessions with the class teacher will take place weekly and individual reading will be on-going throughout the week with your child changing their book when required.
How Can you Help? / Other
  • Please regularly listen to your child read and discuss the text. (Also complete orange reading
  • records)
  • Help them to practise and learn their x7, x8and x9 times tables.
  • Help your child to learn their spellings ready for the weekly test.
  • Research areas of the Curriculum with your child.
/ To research any of the topic areas which have been outlined in this newsletter, please visit the school website on :
www.witham-st-hughs.co.uk/
Once there, select the correct year page where you will find numerous games , activities and websites to strengthen and support learning throughout the term.
We value the support of all parents and carers. If you feel that you can help in any way with the work we are covering then please let us know or if you would like any further information regarding this term’s curriculum please do not hesitate to contact school. Thank you.