Welcome to Topaz Class - Yr 3/4
.jpg?width=1920&height=1080&scale=LIMIT_MAXSIZE "cross(7)")
Welcome to the Topaz class page! I hope everyone feels relaxed (or at least less tired!) and is ready to go for the new school year! On this page, you will find links to useful websites, information about our topics and recent activities and options to download key documents.
As always, if you have any queries or questions, I am available every day after school, or by email at samp@netherfield.e-sussex.sch.uk. If it is more convenient to set up an appointment, please come in before or after school to do so.
Please do not hestitate to contact me if you have any questions or concerns about anything.
Remember: Please bring in your good news from home slips! All news welcome!
Term 2 DICE Topic - Misty Mountain Sierra
This term, our DICE topic is entitled 'Tribal Tales' and focuses on the Stone Age, Bronze Age and Iron Age. Mighty mountains peak above the morning mists, imposing and eternal, rocky outcrops at their feet. Discover how these giants are formed, as a fold or a block, a dome or a plateau.
Follow the water cycle's course from peak to valley and meet the exceptional tribes of the hostile Himalayas. Then, plan a mountain expedition from the BMC that is eco-friendly and safe as can be.
But beware - look out! What's that by that tree? Its footprints are huge! Have we found the Yeti?
Letter-join
Handwriting is a very important element of school life, and the associated skills need to be taught carefully. We have adopted the Letter-Join strategy for handwriting across the entire school and cursive script will be taught to everyone. We would love you to encourage your children to practise using the new letter formation! Details of how to download resources are available below. 
Computing - Purple Mash
A reminder that we have joined the Purple Mash community for teaching and learning computing and digital literacy. The children all have their own logins to access the games , activites and programs on the website, and they will be able to explain to you how it all works. If they have forgotten their login, we have a record of them and will be able to provide them to you! Click the picture to go to the login page.
Our Virtual Classroom
Home Learning
This year Maths Home Learning will be due in on a Friday. Spellings will be due in on Wednesday, as spelling tests will be on this day. Times Table tests will be on Thursdays, therefore Times Table homework will be due in on Thursdays as well. The children will also have an Arithmetic Test and a Grammar Test to help prepare them for similar tests at the end of Key Stage Two, but will be tested solely on knowledge and skills learnt within the classroom.
Those children who forget to bring in their homework, or fail to complete it to the deadline, will have to complete a portion of the homework during their lunch time.
Useful Websites
Here are some useful websites for Home Learning or extra research! As always, the websites have been checked and are all age-appropriate. However, do feel free to check yourselves or choose your own websites.
Mountains – DKfindout An interactive map with links to a wide variety of information about famous mountains.
Encyclopaedia of Everything Mountains – Mountain Professor Useful for teachers. This site includes information about mountain formation and features.
Highest mountains in the world – Science Kids Details about the world’s 10 highest mountains.
Highest mountains on each continent – Science Kids Details about each continent’s highest mountain.
Billy Blue Hair – Where do mountains come from? – YouTube - A four-minute video that clearly explains how mountains are formed.
70 Million Years in 2 Minutes – The Himalayas Forming – YouTube A two-minute film showing the formation of mountains.
When continents collide – Mountain Formation – BBC - A three-minute clip that shows how mountains were formed in New Zealand.
The water cycle – BBC Bitesize – science A one-minute clip that provides a brief explanation of the water cycle.
The Water Cycle – Science Kids - A clear diagram of the water cycle with information about its main stages.
Animals that live on cold mountains – BBC Bitesize - This four-minute clip explains how some animals have adapted to live in harsh mountain conditions.
The Private Life of Plants – Alpine glory – BBC Nature Wildlife - A three-minute clip that shows how some plants have adapted to live on the Alps.