PE
Our PE days are Thursday and Friday. Children should come to school dressed in the appropriate PE kit. We will endeavour to teach PE outdoors, weather permitting, so children may come to school in black sports shoes or trainers. They do not need to bring an additional change of clothes but should have a pair of pumps or indoor shoes in school, which will be kept in their lockers.
We would also like to remind you that all jewellery must be removed for PE sessions. If earrings cannot be removed and left at home, please provide plasters to cover them.

Uniform
Please refer to the school’s uniform policy on the website for the expectations for uniform at Idle C of E. Please note that pupils should only wear a pair of black, flat-soled shoes or all-black trainers inside school as part of their school uniform.

Water Bottles
We understand the benefits of staying hydrated for general health and effective learning, so children may bring water bottles into school: please ensure that these are clearly named. Children should arrive in school with their water bottle filled and are able to top these up throughout the day.

Reading
At Idle C of E we love reading and are passionate that all pupils are able to leave Idle C of E being successful readers. Reading is an essential part of learning and development and we therefore encourage you to read as often as possible with your child; this can be you to them, them to you, as a family or them to a younger – or older – sibling! Children in Year 4 will be provided with a reading book from our “100 recommended reads.” Where possible, we ask that:
• Children read their book at least 4 times a week to improve fluency
• Home reading should be recorded each week on the reading record attached to your Marvellous Me App.
• Reading books may be changed when finished – children should show new books to their class teacher to be recorded.
• Children will visit the library weekly to borrow a book to read for pleasure. These should be returned when finished and will be changed at the next scheduled visit.
Reading records will be checked by class teachers. If children are not engaging with home reading class teachers will contact parents to see how they can support.

Spellings and Homework
We are continuing our work on the spelling honeycombs and children are currently being assessed to find this year’s starting point. We will have our spelling test every Monday and receive their new spellings on Tuesday. Please support your child in learning these throughout the week – a little every day ensures your child will remember these words in the future!
Times tables are an essential part of the Year 4 Mathematics curriculum. All children are expected to know and recall them up to 12 x 12 ready for the children to be formally assessed through the multiplication tables check in June. Please support your child in learning these by regularly practicing their times tables with them at home through singing, talking, quizzes, games and accessing TTRockstars.

Wider Curriculum
The children will be part of a new and exciting wider curriculum this year, looking at Italy, Romans, Volcanoes and many other exciting topics. Although no formal homework is set in this area, we would love to see any work children have produced at home in response to their learning! Equally, if you have anything that you think might support our work at school, please let us know – we’re always grateful for visits, books, artefacts or pictures!

Cornets
We are very lucky this year to have the opportunity to learn how to play the cornet! Playing a musical instrument is a real skill and one the children have already been introduced to in Year 3, so we are looking forward to building on this. Lessons will be every Friday, and children will need to make sure they bring their cornets on this day every week. A form has been added to Parentpay to sign giving consent for this – children will not be able to take a cornet home until this has been completed.
We look forward to working with you throughout another exciting year at Idle C of E! If you have any questions, queries or concerns please feel free to speak to a member of the Year 4 staff.

Many thanks

The Year 4 Team