Welcome to Swans Class

2024 - 2025

Class teacher: Miss E Dring

Additional support: Mrs A Turner, Mrs N Laud, Mr C Mooney, Mrs E Russell, Mrs H Mitchell

Welcome to our class web page where you can find out about the many adventures we are having.  Check back regularly to see our work and help with your current learning.  We are looking forward to an exciting year together helping everyone to reach their full potential!

Common exception words are words that are commonly used in written and spoken English but don’t follow normal spelling rules or phonics patterns. Children should be able to read and spell common exception words by the end of each academic year. One strategy is to group words with similar letter strings so children can learn a pattern and apply it to other words.

Multiplication Tables Check

What is the Multiplication Tables Check?

The Multiplication Tables Check (MTC) is a key stage 2 assessment to be taken by pupils at the end of year 4 (in June). The MTC’s purpose is to ensure the times tables knowledge is at the expected level. In the 2024/2025 academic year, the multiplication tables check (MTC) is statutory for primary schools.

The Multiplication Times Tables Check is an online test where the pupils are asked 25 questions on times tables 2 to 12. For every question, you have 6 seconds to answer, and in between the questions, there is a 3-second rest. Questions about the 6, 7, 8, 9, and 12 times table come up more often. The questions are generated randomly based on the rules of the MTC.

How to prepare

A good way to prepare is to start early and build a daily routine practising the times tables. With regular practise you will learn all the questions and gain confidence. We suggest practising 10 to 15 minutes a day for optimal results.

Practise the year 4 Multiplication Tables Check trial run using the link below. This will help you become more comfortable reading and answering on a screen.

MTC Practice

Flag Fen Trip

This term we have been very lucky to be able to explore a local wonder. We travelled to Flag Fen, an archaeological site full of history.

We learned how the Stone Age transitioned into the Iron Age through a hands-on journey, experiencing the daily lives of our ancient ancestors. We hunted for our own food using handmade tools, similar to those used in the Stone Age, gaining a deeper understanding of their resourcefulness. Inside a reconstructed roundhouse, we saw stories of the past told through cave art, offering a glimpse into the lives of early humans. Finally, we crafted clay pots in the style of the Beaker people, connecting with the ancient practice of pottery that helped shape the transition from the Stone Age to the Iron Age.

This trip was organised to create excitement around History and for the children too see that there are many interesting points in time that we can explore.

DT Slippers

This term in Design and Technology, we’ve been creating and designing our own slippers, focusing on developing both our creativity and practical skills. We began by sketching our designs, considering comfort, style, and functionality. To bring our ideas to life, we practiced key sewing techniques, particularly the running and overcast stitch, which helped us securely attach materials and finish our designs neatly. This hands-on experience has not only improved our sewing skills but also taught us the importance of patience and attention to detail in crafting functional and personalised products.

Cave Art!

This term in Art, we’ve had the exciting opportunity to create our own cave art, tying into our topic of "Sticks and Stones." Inside our very own "cave" space, we used natural materials like charcoal and earth pigments to create designs that reflect the themes and styles of ancient cave paintings. By exploring this ancient form of expression, we connected with the past and gained insight into how early humans might have used art to communicate stories, record history, or express their beliefs. This hands-on project allowed us to immerse ourselves in the creativity and resourcefulness of our ancestors, bringing the distant past to life in a personal and meaningful way.

Science

This term in Science, we've explored the fascinating digestive system, learning how our bodies process food and absorb nutrients. To bring this knowledge to life, we even created our own digestive system using tights, biscuits, and water, demonstrating how food travels through the body and is broken down. Additionally, we learned about the importance of keeping our teeth healthy and conducted an experiment to reveal the plaque on our teeth. By using special dye, we were able to see firsthand how plaque builds up and the effect of not brushing properly, reinforcing the importance of good oral hygiene in keeping our teeth strong and healthy.