English         

Our focus texts will be Clockwork, Birthday Boy, The Three Brothers, Beowulf and The Nowhere Emporium. In response to these texts we will write predictions, character analyses, diary entries, persuasive leaflets and letters as well as focussing on grammar. We will also be using co-operative improvement to edit and improve our writing.

In our whole class guided reading sessions we will read a range of fiction and non-fiction texts. We will focus on a different type of question in each session including retrieval, vocabulary, inference and deduction. We will have a regular focus on using evidence from the text to support our answers.

At the end of each day we will spend 10 minutes reading for pleasure. This will vary each day but will include quiet reading, sharing book reviews and teacher-led reading.

Maths           

We will be using the Maths No Problem scheme to support our mastery approach to mathematical learning. We will be reading and writing numbers up to 1 000 000 and looking at the place value of digits and rounding to different amounts.

We will move on to the addition and subtraction of whole numbers, using a variety of different methods. Our learning about multiplication and division begins with factors, multiples, square and cube numbers and prime numbers.

We move on to multiplying and dividing 3- and 4-digit numbers by single- and double-digit numbers. After this, we will be solving word problems that involve multiple steps and a variety of operations.

Our final topic for the term will be reading and interpreting information in tables, including timetables and line graphs.

Throughout the term we will be practising and checking our multiplication tables.

Science        

We will be studying Forces.  This includes understanding friction, water resistance and air resistance.  We will be using scientific enquiry to conduct practical investigations.

History

Our topic this term is the Saxons and the Vikings. This will include using archaeological evidence from the remains of Sutton Hoo to ask and answer questions. We will be discussing the differences between invading and settling. This will involve debating whether the Saxons did invade. 

Art & Design                 

Our topic is Architecture. We will learn how to draw from observation, create a print and draw from different perspectives. We will learn about the role of an architect and will be challenged to consider why houses look the way they do and if there is scope to change and improve them.

Design and Technology (DT)

Our topic this term is Doodlers. The children will analyse an existing product that uses a motor, then redesign it with their own preferred configuration and finally teach others how to make one by writing instructions as part of a D. I. Y. kit.

Music            

In Music this term, we will start by looking rhythm and notation writing. We will use mat drumming and Lego to develop rhythm reading and compose rhythmic phrases that they will notate. After half-term, they will focus on notation reading and ensemble performance technique, learning songs for our Christmas performance.

Computing 

Our work in computing will be on sharing information. Children will develop their understanding of computer systems and how information is transferred between systems and devices

Physical Education (PE)      

In PE this term we will be learning basketball and hockey skills and then using these to play games.

French          

Our topic is Monster Pets. We will review noun gender, article-noun agreement, and adjective placement while exploring monster and body part vocabulary.  The unit culminates in writing and presenting paragraphs about our own Fantastic French beast creations.

We will also be studying Space Exploration. This unit transports us into space, developing our scientific vocabulary as well as grammar. We will develop our listening and language detective skills, use figurative language and develop our sentence structure by adding adjectives, using prepositions and making simple adjectival comparisons.

Religious Education (RE)

This term our topic is Who was Jesus? We will be looking at different representations of Jesus and discussing why Jesus is important to Christians.

Personal, Social & Health Education (PSHE) / Sex & Relationships Education (SRE)  

This term we will be learning about friendships and relationships. This will include managing friendships and peer influences, and respecting ourselves and others.

• Your child should read for at least 15 minutes every day. It is also important that an adult continues to read with your child. Please talk to your child about the book and check their understanding by asking questions about events and the characters’ actions. Please also explain new or unfamiliar vocabulary. Their reading book and reading record should come into school every day. Children should be recording in their reading record at least three times a week and an adult should be writing once a week. 
• Your child will have PE on Tuesday and Wednesday. Their PE kit should stay in school in a named draw-string bag. We will send it home at the end of each term for it to be washed and returned.
• Please ensure all items of clothing are clearly named.
• Your child needs to bring in a water bottle every day. 
• The weather is often cold at this time of year and the children will go out to play if there is light rain. It is important that your child has a waterproof coat, gloves, hat and a scarf.
• We are a Healthy School. Please do not put sweets or chocolate bars in your child’s packed lunch. Please do not send in sweets or other treats when it is your child’s birthday. If you want to celebrate your child’s birthday with their classmates, you could buy the class a book, send in a healthy snack such as boxes of raisins or buy stationery such as pencils, but due to the impact on the environment, we ask you not to send in plastic toys. 
• If your child will be absent from school, please contact the school office. You can call 020 8850 5486 and leave a message detailing why your child is absent, send a message via ParentMail or email office@gordon.greenwich.sch.uk . If your child has vomited or had diarrhoea they can return once they are feeling better. They do not need to be clear of symptoms for 48 hours. If your child has vomited or had diarrhoea they can return once they are feeling better. They do not need to be clear of symptoms for 48 hours. Please try to book medical appointments outside the school day and note that absence due to family holidays will not be authorised.
• If you have any questions or wish to raise a concern, please contact the class teacher in the first instance. Please use the email addresses above. 

Please note the following events and add them to your diary:

• Wednesday 13th September - Safer Neighbourhood Meeting -6:30pm / Lower Hall 
• 25^th to 29th September - Cycle to School Week
• Tuesday 26th September - Nasal flu vaccinations
• Wednesday 27th September - Anglo-Saxon Workshop
• Thursday 28th September - FoG Annual General Meeting – 7pm / Lower Hall
• Friday 29th September - Book Fair (until 4^th October) 
• Monday 9th October - Open Evening – 3:30pm to 7pm
• Wednesday 11th October - Open Evening - 3:30pm to 6pm
• Friday 13th October - Inset Day – school closed to pupils
• Thursday 19th October - Cultural Evening – 5pm to 6:30pm / Sports Hall
• 23^rd to 27th October - Half Term Break
• Friday 3rd November - FoG Quiz Night - 7pm / Sports Hall
• Tuesday 5th December - Christmas performance - 2pm / Sports Hall
• Tuesday 19th December - Carol Concert - 4pm / Methodist Church
• Thursday 21st December - last day of the Autumn Term