Week ending 19th September 2014

Literacy This week we have been continuing our work on settings, concentrating on using all of our senses to create and atmospheric and interesting descriptions. Our particular focus in our writing has been remembering to use capital letters and full stops accurately for all sentences as well as using neat, joined handwriting.   Homework: Setting description. To be handed in on MONDAY.
Spellings
Lime Class We have four different spelling groups: ure sh ou adding –s and –es to make plurals.	Maple Class Y3’s spellings focus on the rules for adding –s and –es to make plurals. Y4’s spellings focus on how double consonants in the middle of words affect the length of the initial vowel sound.	Poplar Class Our spellings this week are concentrating on words with a double consonant in the middle. How does this affect the sound of the other letters?
Mathematics   In Mrs Prowle’s group, we have been practising how to use the <, > and ≠ signs as well as adding two or more numbers, including those with up to 2 decimal places using standard column addition.   In Mrs Roche’s group we have been looking at the value of numbers and how to use the < and > signs. We also looked at monetary values and put these in order. In Mrs Williams and Mrs Gilder’s group we have been ordering numbers using the greater than (>) and less than (<) symbols. We used the image of a crocodile to help us remember.       We have also been looking at how we record amounts of money.  We used columns to help us show where the £, 10ps and 1ps go. We then moved onto ordering amounts of money using the < and > symbols.   Useful Websites: http://www.doorwayonline.org.uk/cashingin-fullscreen.html http://www.topmarks.co.uk/Flash.aspx?f=payusingonecoinv3   Homework: Mrs Prowle’s group: Further challenges relating to place value and other characteristics of 4-digit numbers. Please complete this work on the squared maths paper provided and encourage your child to present it neatly, just as they would in their book at school! Mrs Gilder and Mrs William’s group: Money problems   Mrs Roche’s group: Challenges relating to place value.
Topic We continued to develop our familiarity with using an atlas, labelling the continents, oceans and countries where rainforests are located. Can your child locate the following countries on a globe or in an atlas? Brazil, Bolivia, Australia, Malaysia, Indonesia, New Guinea, Cameroon, Gabon, Congo or Madagascar. Useful Websites: http://www.mbgnet.net/sets/rforest/index.htm http://www/rainforestanimals.net/
Science Lime class have been sorting and describing materials.  We used the terms solids, liquids and thought about their properties. Maple Class have been investigating the factors that influence how ice melts. We observed ice ‘hands’ during the day and used what we’d learned to devise our own investigations into the effect of size and shape of the ice block and its location in the classroom. Poplar Class have also investigated the factors that affect how ice melts.
Art We have started learning about traditional South American Mola designs. Traditionally they are made from layers of coloured fabric but we will be using paper to create our own versions in the coming weeks. Usesful Websites: http://victoriarestrepo.com/2012/09/10/art-project-for-kids-how-to-make-a-mola/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1fLgqql0D9c