St Elizabeth's Class 2025 - 2026
Welcome to St Elizabeth's Class
Year 3 and Year 4
Class Teacher: Miss Williams
Autumn Learning:
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 class novel for Autumn 1 is 'Planet Omar, Accidental Trouble Magnet' by Zanib Mian.
Our class novel for Autumn 2 is 'Llama Out Loud' by Annabelle Sami
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English - Writing
Our focus text for this half term is 'Leon and the Place Between' by Angela McAllister. Using our key text, the children will work towards writing an historical narrative. Throughout the unit, children will work towards the Mastery Keys outlined below.
Mastery Keys (Year 3)
Use conjunctions and adverbs to express, time, place and cause
Use a or an according to whether the next word begins with a vowel or consonant
In narratives, create settings, characters and plot
Build a varied and rich vocabulary
Indicate possession by using the possessive apostrophewith singular nouns
Mastery Keys (Year 4)
Use Standard English forms for verb inflections
Extend the range of sentences with more than one clause by using a wider range of conjunctions including when, if, because, although
Build a varied and rich vocabulary
Indicate possession by using the possessive apostrophe with plural nouns
Recognise the difference between plural and possessive ‘s’
Maths
In Maths, we follow Power Maths. This allows children to develop their fluency, reasoning and problem solving skills.
During this term, our topics are:
Year 3: Place Value, Addition & Subtraction, Multiplication & Division
Year 4: Place Value, Addition & Subtraction, Measure - Area, Multiplication & Division
Throughout the week, children are given many opportunities to practise their arithmetic skills. Each morning, all children complete a 'Tough Ten' and on a Friday, all children will participate in an arithmetic lesson.
Science
Our Science topic for Autumn 2 is Biology – Animals including humans. Throughout this unit, children will practise using a variety of scientific skills to help them learn:
Animals and humans have different types of teeth to help them eat.
Different teeth have different jobs.
Food is broken down by the teeth and mixes with saliva and then travels to the stomach and intestines.
Waste is removed by the body.
Nutrients from plants move to the animals that eat them.
Energy moves through the food chain.
History
This term, we will be exploring: Shang Dynasty of Ancient China - How important was Fu Hao and how did they lead the army?
In this unit, pupils will learn about the Shang Dynasty, understanding where it came from, and comparing how life was different back then. They will explore the lives of people from the time, learning about the Yellow River and how both the rich and poor established themselves there. They will learn about the famous Fu Hao and how she led armies into battle. They will look at a range of evidence including artefacts and photographs of bronze and jade objects, weapons, and explore Fu Hao’s tomb. They will understand how evidence helps us to discover more about the past. Finally, they will take a hands-on approach exploring oracle bones and their significance in ancient China.
Geography
This term, we will be exploring: What are rivers and how are they formed?
In this topic, pupils will begin exploring the water cycle and the concept that all water is recycled. They will explore how rivers are formed and the different features of them. They will use cross-curricular skills and build a labelled model to consolidate their knowledge. They will look at national rivers, mapping out using atlases and identifying how rivers are represented. They will also look at rivers around the world and identify where they are found. Pupils will complete a local area fieldwork study, visiting a local river and applying their knowledge of human and physical features to identify these in real life, mapping out their own route along the river using OS maps and grid references.
Art
This half term, we will be focusing on Drawing - Observational Drawings using Paul Cezanne as an artist focus.
In Year 3 we will:
Follow basic contours and outlines of shapes from observation producing a recognisable image
Use feathered lines to follow the contour of a shape.
Change the angle the pencil is held at changes the effect eg. a shallower angle for feathered lines, a greater angle for more precise work.
Shade in the direction of the outline using different pressures for effect
In Year 4 we will:
Sketch from an observation ensuring that contour of the shape are clearly defined.
Cross hatching, hatching, stipling for effect
Identify objects closest to artist and sketch using feathered lines identifying the contours of the shape.
Use scaling to put objects at distance in proportion.
Blend tones to create texture and depth in an observational drawing
Music
Music sessions will be delivered by Junior Jam. This half term, we will be focusing on 'Singing'.
Computing
Computing sessions will be delivered using Purple Mash. This half term we are focusing on Coding.
PE
Our P.E. day for this half term is Thursday. 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 topic this term is Created and Loved by God. Created and Loved by God 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.
Homework
Spelling and Maths homework will be set weekly.
Useful websites to support home learning:
We encourage all pupils to access these websites on a weekly (and sometimes daily) basis.
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.
