Thematic

This week in Thematic, the children have been exploring both Geography and History through engaging and hands-on activities. In Geography, children have learnt about where the Romans first landed in Kent. The children completed a map activity, carefully labelling key locations linked to the Roman invasion. They also developed their map-reading skills by comparing a historical map with a modern-day map, identifying similarities and differences between the two.

In History, the focus was on the story of Boudicca. The children learnt about her significance and took part in an exciting role-play activity to retell the events of her rebellion. This helped them to better understand the story and bring history to life through drama and discussion.

Next week, the children will be exploring the changes the Romans brought to Britain.

English:

This week in English, the children have been writing in role as the character Marcus. They composed emotive letters to his father, carefully expressing Marcus’s thoughts and feelings and using descriptive language to bring his voice to life. The children have also begun planning their own narratives. They focused on key events from a battle scene in one of the chapters, organising their ideas and thinking about how to build tension and excitement in their writing.

Next week, the children will be using their plans to write their own narratives.

Maths:

This week in Maths, the children have been learning about time. They have been practising how to read the time using 5-minute and 1-minute intervals, developing their confidence with both analogue clocks. The children have also been learning the difference between am and pm, helping them to understand how time is used throughout the day.

Next week in Maths, the children will move on to learning how to find the difference between two units of time. They will build on their understanding of reading the time to solve problems and calculate time intervals.

Supporting Your Child with Times Tables at Home

Times tables are a fundamental part of your child’s mathematical development. A strong knowledge of multiplication facts helps children feel more confident in maths, work more quickly, and tackle trickier topics like fractions and division with ease.

This is especially important for children in Year 4, who will soon take the Multiplication Tables Check (MTC) and Year 3, as they prepare for Year 4. This is a short, timed assessment designed to ensure children can recall their times tables up to 12 × 12 fluently. Developing this quick recall makes a huge difference—not just for the check itself, but for their overall progress in maths.

The good news is that practising times tables at home doesn’t have to feel like hard work. In fact, it can be fun, quick, and easily built into your daily routine.

Quick and Easy Games (no resources needed)

These activities require no preparation and can be done anytime, anywhere:

1. Times Table Tennis Take turns to say a multiplication fact. For example: Adult: “3 × 4” Child: “12” Then swap roles. Try to keep a steady rhythm to build speed.

2. Chanting Patterns Choose a times table and chant it together (e.g. 6, 12, 18, 24…). Try clapping, marching, or bouncing a ball to keep it engaging.

3. Quick-Fire Questions Ask rapid questions during everyday moments—on the way to school, in the car, or at dinner time. Keep it light and encouraging.

4. What’s the Missing Number? Say a question like “__ × 5 = 35” and ask your child to fill in the blank.

5. Beat the Clock Challenge your child to answer as many questions as they can in 30 seconds. Try to beat their own score each time.

Games and Activities

If you have a little more time, these activities can deepen understanding:

1. Create a Board Game Make a simple track game where players roll a dice and answer a multiplication question before moving forward.

2. Card Games Use a pack of cards (remove face cards or assign them values). Turn over two cards and multiply the numbers. The first to answer correctly keeps the cards.

Key dates: 

Monday 30^th March: Parent Teacher Consultations 

Tuesday 31^st March: Parents Teacher Consultations 

Wednesday 1^st April: Year 3 WOW Day

Thursday 2^nd April: Last day of the term.

Home Learning

Attached below is the overarching Thematic Curriculum homework ideas. Please refer to the homework menu which gives a variety of creative tasks for the children to choose from. Children only need to complete one task as a minimum, but can choose to complete more if they wish. Homework is due in on Thursday 2^nd April.

Times Tables Rock Stars  

• Tasks to be completed online. 

• Children’s logins are stuck in their Reading journal.   

Mathletics  

• Mathletics tasks will be set from Friday to Friday.  

• Tasks will always follow the learning that week.  

• Children’s logins are stuck into their Reading journal.  

Reminder to ensure:

• Children are wearing correct school uniform and shoes.

• Children are bringing in their water bottles.

• Coats are being worn to school.

• Children to bring in healthy snacks for breaktimes.  

• 3R and 3Y will have their swimming sessions on Thursdays. Children will need to come dressed in their PE kit to school on this day, and bring with them their swimming costumes to change into. 

• Swimming kit reminder:  full swimming costume/swim shorts and swimming hat.