Welcome to Key Stage 2!

In the juniors, we currently have six classes: three classes of mixed Y3 and 4 and three classes of mixed Y5 and Y6. We aim to plan an exciting and enriching curriculum based around National Curriculum learning objectives. We plan to give children a variety of new experiences and use a range resources to excite, engage and also suit learning styles. Most of our lessons are cross curricular, where we try to link our Topic (for example, Victorians) into our core subjects like Maths, English and Science.

Our topics planned for this year in upper KS2 are: Lest We Forget (WW2) Wizardry and Warfare (looking at the Anglo Saxons and the Vikings) and Survival of the Fittest focusing on the circulatory system. In lower KS2, they will be looking at Stone Age to Iron Age Britain, Mountains and Volcanoes and Romans. As part of these topics we invite visitors in (for example, we had Professor Collywobbles in to perform a Victorian puppet show last year), go out on school trips (for example, Y5/6 visiting Steam Museum in September) and borrow resources from the Cheltenham Museum.

Across both schools, we feel reading for pleasure and reading comprehension is massively important, therefore, every class stops lessons at 3.00pm to read a class book. The teacher will read to the class and ask questions throughout. We also have reading together sessions every week where parents are invited into the class before school to read with their child. 

Here are some question ideas you could ask your child after they have read to you:

• Where does the story take place?

• What is happening in this part of the play?

• Where can you find an important piece of information about…?

• What does this part of the text tell us about?

• Did any characters help each other in this text?

• If you were going to interview one of the characters, which questions would you ask and why?

• How did one of the characters change their ideas / attitude during the text

• Do you agree with the author’s opinion? Explain your own opinion using the texts to help you.

• What do you think are the important points the author is trying to get over to you as the reader?

• Which do you think are the most important issues and why?

• How did you think this story/poem/play should have ended?

• How does this text layout help the reader?

• What is the purpose of the list / diagram / caption / sun-heading in this text?

• What is the main idea of this / each section paragraph?

• Find and copy some words or phrases that show us that this character is special / helpful / adventurous / unsure / worried etc..?

• Do you notice anything special or unusual about the words the poet has used here?

• How did the story make you feel? Why did it make you feel like this?

• Why do you think the writer included details about….

• When do you think this story / poem was written / How do you know?

• Does the setting remind you of a setting you know from another story / poem?

• Do you know of any other texts with similar issues or themes?

All children are encouraged and expected to complete homework to a high standard and this is monitored by the class teacher. Children receive Rainbow Maths, Core 4 and spelling homework weekly and they are set a topic based project homework each term. House points are awarded for good efforts with homework and we hold homework exhibitions each term for children to share and celebrate the children’s projects.
 
Children are also expected to read at home at least 3 times a week. This needs to be recorded in their reading record and it will be checked by class teachers on a Friday. Children may also wish to read on ‘Bug Club’ where teachers will have made books available to the children. This can also be recorded in the reading record. Please see your class teacher if you have forgotten your child’s login or password. 

 
In KS2, spellings are sent out on a Friday and is expected to be returned the following Friday, in preparation for children participating in a weekly spelling test, where sentences are verbally dictated to children by the classroom teacher. Each child will bring home ten words to learn. Six words are linked to the spelling patterns and rules that have been taught in the classroom throughout the week, while the remaining four words are randomly selected from the appropriate year level ‘Common Exception Word Lists’ from the National Curriculum. When completing their homework, children are expected to follow the ‘Look, Say, Cover, Write, Check’ model. This means: 

• Look at the word. 
• Say the word out aloud, numerous times if necessary. 
• Cover the word, so you can’t see it anymore. 
• Write the word down. 
• Check to see if you have spelled the word correctly. This part is crucial, but often forgotten about.

If you have any questions about spelling or would like a copy of any of the ‘Common Exception Word Lists’ please see your child’s classroom teacher.
 

By the end of Y4, all children are expected to be able to recall all times tables up to 12x12, therefore, it is really important that these are practise regularly. Here are some way to help your child learn their times tables:

• http://www.topmarks.co.uk/maths-games/hit-the-button

• Make and use time table cards

• Create your times table game

• Quick fire question and answer

• Chants and singing – CD’s can be purchased (https://www.amazon.co.uk/Sing-Your-Times-Tables-Audio/dp/B004EF2T8S)