Lourdes Class 2026 - 2027
Welcome to Lourdes Class
Year 3 and Year 4
Class Teacher: Miss Jones
Our Autumn Term Learning:
The Vine and the Branches
Branch 1: Creation and Covenant
English - Reading
Daily reading is a key priority in primary school and we actively encourage children to read as much as possible at home to help further develop their fluency and comprehension skills. Every child will be able to bring home a banded reading book from school. These will be assigned to children by their class teacher following a short reading assessment. These can be changed regularly in school. Every child is also encouraged to have a 'Reading for Pleasure' book.
Within our Whole Class Reading lessons, we will be exploring a variety of texts within a variety of genres. This will give children plenty of opportunities to practise their reading comprehension skills and learn about new things.
Our current class novel is 'The Train To Impossible Places' by P.G. Bell.
English - Writing
In English, we will be using Seal Surfer as inspiration for our extended writing. Through this text, we will focus on mastering key writing skills from previous year groups while developing our ability to write with greater accuracy and confidence.
We will practise using prepositions, expanded noun phrases, apply fronted adverbials correctly with commas, and organise our writing into clear paragraphs based around a theme. We will also focus on building cohesion within and across paragraphs so that our ideas flow smoothly and effectively. Throughout the unit, we will plan, draft, edit and refine our work to produce high-quality pieces of writing.
There will also be further opportunities for extended writing which develop skills across a range of genres.
Maths
In Maths, we follow Power Maths. This allows children to develop their fluency, reasoning and problem solving skills.
During this half term, our topics are:
Place Value
Four Operations
Measure
Throughout the week, children are given many opportunities to practise their arithmetic skills.
Link to support with arithmetic skills:
Year 3 Mathematics Arithmetic Paper - Compact Version
Year 4 Mathematics Arithmetic Paper - Compact Version
Science
Our Science topic for this half term is Rocks. Throughout this unit, children will practise using a variety of scientific skills to help them learn:
Soil is made from rocks and organic matter.
Fossils are formed over thousands of years.
Fossils are found within sedimentary rock.
Fossils were living things that became trapped in a rock.
History
This half term, we will be exploring:
How was life different in the Stone Age, Bronze Age and Iron Age?
In History, we will be exploring the fascinating time of the Stone Age leading in to the Iron Age while developing our skills in chronology, historical enquiry, interpretation and analysis. We will learn about how life was different during that time, how people lived and the crucial developments through each stage. They are learning to identify similarities and differences between different periods, including changes in homes, tools, food, leadership, farming and metalworking. They are also developing their understanding of cause and consequence, such as how the discovery of bronze and iron led to stronger tools and weapons and changes in society. By exploring evidence of Stone Age and Iron Age settlements on Helsby and Frodsham Hill, the children are learning how archaeological evidence can help us understand the past, while developing skills in interpreting evidence, making comparisons and using historical vocabulary.
Geography
This term, we will be exploring:
Are all settlements the same?
In Geography, we are learning about settlements, population and land use, exploring the differences between rural and urban areas, villages, towns and cities. They will develop their understanding of how settlements vary in size, population, buildings and services, and explore how people use and impact the environment in both positive and negative ways. To end the unit, the children will visit Frodsham town and use the maps they have created to navigate and explore the settlement, applying their geographical knowledge and map-reading skills in a real-world setting.
Art and Design - Drawing
In Art, we will be developing our drawing skills through the exploration of contouring and shading. We will begin by refining key techniques such as followinjg the outlines of shapes and adding texture to create depth and detail in our artwork. As the unit progresses, we will learn how artists use different pressure and techniques to create realistic effects and enhance the impact of their drawings. Throughout the unit, we will develop our observational skills, use a range of drawing techniques and apply our understanding of contouring and shading to produce increasingly confident and effective pieces of art.
Music
Music sessions will be delivered by Amasing music tutors.
PE
Our P.E. day for this half term is Wednesday. Children should come to school in their kit.
All kit must be clearly labelled, and appropriate footwear must be worn. Jewellery, including earrings, must not be worn during P.E. days. School hoodies and jogging bottoms can be purchased online with school uniform.
Personal Development
At St Luke's, RHE is taught using a scheme created by 'Ten:Ten'. Our first topic is Created and Loved by God. This explores the individual. Rooted in the teaching that we are made in the image and likeness of God, it helps children to develop an understanding of the importance of valuing themselves as the basis for personal relationships.
Communication
Messages will mainly be sent using School Spider; please turn on notifications for the app so that you are alerted to new messages/emails. I am always happy to discuss any worries, concerns or general queries you may have. Please feel free to send an email or make an appointment through the school office.
