Welcome back, I hope you had a restful Easter break. It is lovely to see the children back and already settling into what will be a busy term in Primary 4.
We will continue to explore the UNCRC Rights of the Child, and refer to the Class Charter which we created together, to ensure that our classroom is a place where we feel safe, where we can learn and grow together. We will be learning about the articles and rights involved in and associated with Mental Health Awareness Week (Article 24) in May and then look at the rights linked to World Refugee Day (Articles 10 and 22) in June.
Literacy
In addition to our Bug Club readers, we will access a range of texts including ‘The Iron Man’, which we will complete as a class reading activity, experiencing a range of comprehension strategies such as prediction, metalinguistics, summarising and questioning.
We are continuing to be part of the National Improving Writing Programme. As part of this programme, the children will write for 15 minutes 4 times per week. This writing will focus on one aspect of tools for writing. Each child will have their own individual targets related to the writing focus and this one focus area is assessed daily. This term we will be continuing with a focus on the use of connectives before moving on to looking at punctuation.
Spelling will take the form of active spelling activities, and the children will experience phonemes and blends at their working level.
Numeracy & Maths
The class will continue to participate in daily Number Talk activities, to assist in developing a range of strategies for solving mathematical problems.
We will look at fractions using concrete and pictorial representations as well as appropriate mathematical vocabulary. We will compare and order fractions as well as demonstrating equivalency.
As well as looking at time, during which we will explore 12- and 24-hour time and associated vocabulary, we will also investigate measure estimating how long or heavy an object is, or what amount it holds. Through a range of practical activities, we will become familiar with the appropriate measuring apparatus.
Health and Wellbeing
As we continue our PATHS programme for P4, we will be reflecting on the importance of sharing and the emotion of frustration.
We will also look at the emergency services and how to keep ourselves safe in different situations.
We will continue with the Do Be Mindful programme which will allow us, through the use of a range of strategies, to look at ways we can take a mindful moment each day.
PE
PE is on a Wednesday and Friday. This term we will be covering;
Children will require a PE kit each PE day. Please make sure your child is not wearing jewellery on these days as they will be asked to remove these items. Jewellery is not allowed during PE for health and safety reasons. If your child cannot take part for any reason, please contact the school.
IDL
As part of our IDL, P4 will plan and run a ‘Reading Café’ for some of the other children in school. We will consider the different jobs involved in running our ‘Reading Café’ and we will all have an opportunity to be involved in decision making whilst carrying out a specific role.
Religious Education
We will continue to look more closely at the importance of the Sacraments as some children prepare for their First Holy Communion. We will reflect on the parts of The Mass and the significance of these.
During the month of May, we will remember Mary, the Mother of Jesus in a special way. The children will assist in creating our class May Altar and we will reflect on Mary’s example to us all.
During assembly, the children will reflect on Jesus as a teacher and healer and will become more familiar with some examples of Jesus teaching and healing in the Gospels.
The children will take part in class prayers and School Masses, and we will continue to build on our knowledge of common prayers and Mass responses.
Homework will be distributed on a Monday to be completed and returned by Friday.
Keep an eye on the School App and your child’s Learning Journal profile for a snapshot of some of our wonderful learning!
Thank you for your support, I am looking forward to a really great term 4 with Primary 4!
Mrs. MacKinnon.
This week we will learn all about our amazing natural world and how to take action to look after it in school.
