Beech: Year 3 and Year 4
Welcome to Beech Class - years 3 and 4. Our class teacher is Miss Bowen and our invaluable support staff are Mrs Grundy and Mr Doman. Welcome to our class page!
WELCOME TO TERM 1 IN BEECH CLASS!
It’s the start of a new and exciting year here in Beech Class with lots of amazing learning opportunities heading your way!
Here is an overview of our learning for this term:
As well as the above, we will be taking part in forest school sessions this term. Please ensure your child has wellies and waterproofs in school as well as a warm coat for those impending chillier days!
Homework
It is really important that children spend some time at home each week consolidating their learning at school and it is helpful if they have a quiet space to do so. You can find a copy of our Home Learning Expectations on the policies section of our website.
From the beginning of this academic year, the expectation is that all children are using Doodle for 10 mins a day roughly five times a week. Little and often is key! Year 3’s should access Doodle Maths and Year 4’s Doodle Maths and Tables.
Spelling tests will be conducted every Thursday. Please make sure that children practise these regularly to support their writing development. These were sent home at the beginning of the year but they can also be found here:
If you are unaware of the group your child is in then please let Miss Bowen know.
Assessments
There are some assessments that are statutory. Year 4’s will complete the multiplication test in term 6. Both year 3 and 4 will also have assessments throughout the year in a format that is familiar to them.
Reading at home
Reading isn’t really just one skill – it’s a whole collection of skills- that children must learn to become fluent and independent readers. When hearing your child read at home it is important that you share books together and talk about what they might be about, by looking at the front cover and illustrations. As well as asking their opinion of the story. These conversations help to give them a sense of what is inside the book before they start to read it and preparing them for some of the vocabulary they come across. This means you are setting your child up for success right from the start.
Identifying vocabulary your child does not know is essential to help them become fluent readers. If there are more than five words on a page, or in a passage, that your child is unable to identify they will not be able to comprehend the text. This means that the text is too difficult for them. Therefore, it is important to consider the vocabulary in a book and have discussions around this. Encourage your child to be independent by looking up the word in a dictionary, discuss what specific words mean, and relate them to real-life to build an understanding for your child. Thus, helping them to comprehend the text.
Please ensure your child is reading for 20 minutes at least four times per week.
Model reading with your child or taking turns to read is great to build up confidence. For example, modelling a sentence that they may have misread is a good way to support this, and then ask your child to reread the passage ensuring they address what they have learnt.
Additionally, it is important that they read the punctuation, pausing where appropriate and adding expression. If your child has enjoyed a book, encourage them to recall what has happened so far, can they remember the key events. This helps showcase their understanding of what has been read.
Lastly, praise is crucial to foster a love of reading. Notice what your child has done well and tell them, often. The video below shows how you can support your child at home when you listen to them read.
Example lesson: Supporting your child with reading (year 3 & 4)
Cycle a – Year 3/4 – 2025-2026
Please see the following link for the Year 3 and 4 long term overview: Beech Cycle A Y3/4 2025-2026
