Welcome to Topaz Class - Yr 3/4
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Welcome to the Topaz class page! 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.
Term 1 DICE Topic - Flow
This term, our DICE topic is entitled 'Flow' and focuses on the human and physical geography of rivers, including looking at the features of rivers, the famous rivers of the world and how humans have affected the rivers that we live near, on, or around.
From humble beginnings, the river flows down the mountain and into the sea. Put on your wellies and wade right in! How deep does it go and how fast does it travel? What types of soil can you find by the riverside? Which animals make their homes there? Let's get down to the riverbank and find out!
Now, hop on to an imaginary boat and travel some of the world's most majestic rivers - the Ganges, the Thames, the Amazon, and the Nile - and keep a journal as you follow their course. Time to investigate! As part of the local news team, it's your task to track down the source of some mystery pollution. Where did it come from and who is to blame?
Let's meander through the world of rivers, taking a dip into their watery world?
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 Tuesdays, therefore Times Table homework will be due in on Tuesdays as well.
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.
The River – A Poem By Valerie Bloom – theriverpoem.blogspot A great blog about the poem The River which contains information, games and activities.
River facts – 3D Geography A good website containing interesting river facts, images, videos and 3D model ideas to help children learn about rivers.
Rivers – One Geology kids A simple, clear webpage explaining features of rivers, including key facts, photographs and maps.
Rivers and valleys – BBC Bitesize Useful information and diagrams to help teachers explain features of rivers such as V-shaped valleys, waterfalls, meanders and oxbow lakes.
Clips of the River Severn – BBC Two Landmarks Videos showing different parts of the course of The River Severn.
Water cycle – DKfindout An interactive diagram containing simple information about the water cycle.
Tongland Power Station and the River Dee – BBC Bitesize A short video explaining how hydroelectricity (or hydropower) is produced at Tongland Power Station near Kirkcudbright, using water from the River Dee.
Floods – CBBC Newsround A basic guide to flooding, covering questions such as ‘Why do the same places flood?’
Why is flooding happening? – CBBC Newsround A child-friendly article covering the reasons why southern England was so badly hit by flooding in 2014.
Enjoy the waterways – Canal & River Trust Links to information about leisure activities on or near rivers and canals.
Welcome to the Norfolk Broads – norfolkbroads.com Links to a variety of activities on the rivers and lakes in Norfolk.
Fast Flowing River, HD – YouTube A video showing a fast flowing river, with the sounds of the water.
Waterfall – YouTube A video showing water flowing down a waterfall, with sounds of the water.