The Rissington School Lancaster Class
Lancaster Class
Useful information:
PE days are Monday and Thursday
Reading records are checked on Mondays
Mathletics homework is checked weekly
Times tables are tested on Thursday
Daily spelling lessons with the Jungle club
THE CURRICULUM
Our big question this term will be: Why were the Mayans considered an advanced civilisation?
The children will develop contextual knowledge of the continent of North America, including the physical and human characteristics. They will learn about the ancient Maya people, where and when they lived as well as learning about the Maya number and writing systems. We will find out about their Gods and religion and the history of chocolate. We will look at how corn and chocolate were important foods and understanding the reasons for this. Through Design Technology, we will be creating a healthy tortilla wrap.
In English we begin by Starting the Year with Sport, celebrating many countries that will be participating in the 2026 Winter Olympics this February. As the term progresses, we will be using the stories Oh Maya Gods and The Chocolate Tree, particularly looking at the inference within the text. The novels will allow the children to write short stories, recounts of events, newspaper reports and of course will facilitate lots of discussion and debate.
In Maths we will all begin by looking again at Multiplication and then at measuring length and perimeter. For Y4 we will be building our knowledge and instant recall of our times tables up to 12x. In Y3, the children need to understand the measurement of time, tell the time using both digital and analogue clocks. Please do take the time to teach time at home, this is a tricky concept for the children to grasp and the more analogue clocks the children can practise with the better their time telling will be. We then move onto understanding fractions and decimals, including beyond a whole.
In Science we begin the term looking at Physics: understanding forces and magnets. We will compare how things move on different surfaces. We will notice that some forces need contact between two objects, but magnetic forces can act at a distance.
Throughout the term, in PSHE we will be thinking about how we show kindness to others and ourselves.
In Music, we will be using Mayan inspired sounds to explore how the inter-related dimensions of music can be combined to create an effect.
Computing will start with looking at storing information in a computer's memory and finish with activities based on internet safety to recognise and support
SAFER INTERNET DAY on February 10th.
We will also be using our history unit to inspire our Art this term, and will focus on the celebrated Mexican artist, Frida Kahlo.
PE: On the days that we have PE, the children may arrive in their PE kit and remain in it all day. PE will continue to be twice a week. Dance and Rugby this term.
PE kit should comprise of: Blue t-shirt, black shorts/skort, leggings or joggers, a hooded jumper/school sweatshirt, dark coloured socks. It is essential that your child wears good fitting, outdoor training shoes as we will be outside as much as possible for our Rugby lessons.
Multiplication Tables Check (Year 4)
In June our Year 4 children will be taking part in their multiplication check - further information for parents on this can be found here:
multiplication tables check information for parents.pdf
HOME LEARNING:
It is our aim to support the children in becoming self-motivated and organised with their home learning and as such we will be refreshing passwords during the autumn term.
Maths: Weekly home learning will be set on Mathletics and Times Tables Rockstars is ready to use. (All logins will be provided shortly)
Reading: for at least half an hour each evening and make an entry in their reading journal. Complete 1 reading activity from the suggestions within the Reading Record. This will be explained to the children in school. Reading records will be checked and marked weekly in school.
Spelling lists will be sent home at the start of each term detailing each week’s spelling pattern – children should then learn their spellings for that week, ready for daily jungle club lessons and weekly dictation tests.
Times Tables: each week your child will be set times tables to learn for their times tables test, this will be sent out termly.
CLASSROOM ORGANISATION:
Bags, lunch boxes and pencil cases. Cloakrooms and classroom space is limited and it is important that we minimise the amount of equipment brought in from home. Our cloakroom area is shared and can become cluttered VERY quickly. Please ensure that any bags/lunch boxes brought into school are of a reasonable size and that all personal property is clearly named. We do provide frequent use stationary, however if children would like to bring in a pencil case it MUST fit in the drawer space provided. The children are encouraged to be responsible for their own belongings however, it is still worth checking for letters, texts or emails at the end of the day.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
We are always able to access and drink water throughout the day, as such children should bring a named, and refillable water bottle each day. Water bottles must be taken home and cleaned thoroughly each evening.
If your child has an inhaler, please could you make sure that it is clearly named and in date. Their inhaler should be in school to be accessed at all times. If your child requires any other medication please could you make us AND the office staff aware.
Further detailed information regarding all trips, events and visits will be sent separately. Make sure you check your email, text or the school website which will have more important school dates for your diary.
Formal parent evenings will be held in February to discuss your child’s progress.