Year 3/4 Willow - A Busy Week of Learning and Creativity!
This week in Year 3/4 Willow, we’ve had another action-packed few days filled with hands-on activities, creativity, and teamwork. 
DT: Building Anglo-Saxon Houses
On Friday afternoon, the children had the chance to learn some fantastic new skills in Design and Technology (DT). They’ve been working hard to create their own Anglo-Saxon houses, and this week, they tackled some tricky tasks, including measuring, cutting with a saw and bench hook, using hot glue guns, and hammering nails into wood. Throughout the session, the children listened carefully to instructions, which helped them stay focused and complete each step successfully. It was a busy afternoon, but their ability to listen and follow directions made all the difference. By the end of the session, each child had made the roof, sides, and frame of their house, and next week, we’ll be putting everything together to complete their projects. We’re looking forward to seeing the finished results! A big thank you to all the wonderful parent helpers who came in to support us; we truly couldn’t have done it without you!
Writing Brochures on Anglo-Saxon Life
In our English lessons, the children have been learning about persuasive writing and using these skills to create brochures about Anglo-Saxon life. They’ve been exploring the features of persuasive writing, such as using exciting language, rhetorical questions, and facts to encourage the reader to learn more. Throughout this process, the children listened carefully to feedback from their peers and teachers, which helped them improve their writing. They’ve worked hard to make their brochures both informative and persuasive, and we can’t wait to see the final drafts!
Maths: Exploring Fractions and More
In maths this week, Year 3/4 Willow has been busy learning all about fractions. The children have been developing their understanding of fractions by working on identifying, comparing, and simplifying fractions. They’ve been practising how to represent fractions visually using fraction walls and pie charts, which has really helped them grasp the concept of parts of a whole. As always, the children have been great listeners, carefully following instructions during problem-solving activities and discussions. We’ve also been exploring how to add and subtract simple fractions with the same denominator, and next week, we’ll move on to learning about fractions of amounts. It’s been fantastic to see the children building their confidence with fractions, and we’re excited to continue exploring this important area of maths. Alongside this, we’ve been revising place value, multiplication and division, and problem-solving, ensuring that all areas of the curriculum are being covered. The children are really progressing well, and their ability to listen attentively has been key to their success.
Another wonderful week in Year 3/4 Willow, with lots of learning, creativity, and fun. Thank you to everyone for your continued support!
Looking ahead, we’re excited to see how our Anglo-Saxon houses come together, and we’re already planning more hands-on activities for next week. Stay tuned!

This week, our spellings focus is on apostrophes for both Year 3 and Year 4 students. We’ll be learning how to correctly use them in various contexts.
In History, we have been learning all about Anglo-Saxon villages. It’s great to see the children developing such a positive attitude towards their learning, taking on new challenges with enthusiasm. Their ability to ask questions and seek clarification shows they’re building their resilience and confidence in tackling difficult tasks.
Today in DT, we practised measuring and cutting with saws. The children worked brilliantly in pairs, with wonderful support from parents and grandparents. A huge thank you to our fantastic volunteers! This session was a perfect opportunity for students to show their perseverance and attention to detail, qualities that will help them grow both in and outside of the classroom. We’re really proud of their resilience as they continued to try, even when things didn’t go exactly as planned!
We’ve been talking a lot about the importance of a positive attitude towards learning. It’s so inspiring to see the children persevering through their mistakes and approaching each new task with determination. Resilience is key to their success!
This week, we have been completing our end-of-unit English writing. We’ve been exploring travel brochures and practising persuasive writing. The children have used features such as sub-headings, descriptive language, rhetorical questions, commands, and conjunctions. I’m incredibly impressed by their efforts. Not only have they been applying their skills thoughtfully, but they’ve also shown incredible perseverance, taking time to revise their drafts and improve their work. They’re really beginning to understand that resilience isn’t just about being good at something right away—it’s about the effort we put in and learning from the process.

​In Art, we’re enjoying exploring light and shade in different ways. The children have been sketching and shading 3D shapes and mixing tints and shades with watercolours. It’s been fantastic to see them experimenting and trying new techniques with a positive attitude, embracing the learning process even when the results weren’t exactly what they expected. This is exactly the kind of resilience we want to nurture in all aspects of their learning.

Week beginning 2nd March - World Book Day & PSHE
What an amazing week! The highlight of the week was World Book Day! The children came dressed as their favourite book characters, showcasing their creativity. We spent the day reading, sharing stories, and discussing our favourite books. The kids also took part in a book-related quiz where they had to guess characters from popular stories based on clues. It was a fantastic celebration of reading!
In PSHE, we focused on understanding emotions and how we can express ourselves in healthy ways. The class participated in a group activity where they discussed different emotions and shared strategies for dealing with difficult feelings. It was a great reminder of how important it is to be in tune with our emotions and understand others' feelings.

Week beginning 7th March - Homework Focus, Learning & PSHE
This week, Year 3 have been enjoying reading a snow poem and working on their reading comprehension, while Year 4 has been exploring the fascinating world of habitats, learning about how animals adapt to different environments. In Maths, Year 3 students have been tackling missing number problems. They’re learning to start with the answer and work backwards, which has been tricky but fun. Year 4 are continuing to master column addition and subtraction with numbers up to 5 digits.
In PSHE, we discussed the importance of kindness and empathy. The students shared stories of times when they helped others or received help, reinforcing the idea of kindness in both big and small ways. It’s been heart-warming to see how thoughtful and supportive the class is toward each other.

Week beginning 16th February - Science, PSHE, & Homework
We’ve been busy in Science, with Year 3 learning about the best conditions for plants to grow, including light, water, and soil quality. The students were interested to test their ideas and see the results of their experiments!
In PSHE, we focused on teamwork. We discussed what makes a good team and how each member contributes to the success of the group. The class participated in team-building activities, solving problems together and reinforcing the value of cooperation and trust in group settings.
In Maths, Year 3 students worked on column addition and subtraction with 2 and 3-digit numbers, while Year 4 students practiced column addition and subtraction up to 5 digits. They’re gaining confidence and becoming faster with these skills.

Week beginning 24th February - PE, PSHE, & Maths
This week, we had a PE update — our Saints South West coaching staff has changed, and we now have two sessions per week on Tuesdays and Fridays. The students are loving the lessons, working on their fitness, coordination, and teamwork. Don’t forget to send your child in their PE kit on these days!
In PSHE, we focused on setting goals. The students discussed personal goals they would like to achieve, and we worked together to come up with practical steps to reach them. It’s been a great way to inspire them to think about their future aspirations and how to work toward them.
In Maths, Year 3 students continued practicing column addition and subtraction with 2 and 3-digit numbers, while Year 4 worked on numbers up to 5 digits. They’re improving their fluency every day!

Week beginning 11th February - A Thank You from Mrs. Nuthall & PSHE
This week, we had a special farewell for Mrs. Nuthall. She said goodbye to the class with a fun egg hunt (93 chocolate eggs hidden around the classroom!) and a heartfelt thank you. She expressed how much she’s enjoyed teaching the class and how proud she is of each of them. It was a lovely way to end the week.
In PSHE, we discussed how to handle change and transitions. The students shared their thoughts and feelings about the change in teachers and how they could approach new experiences with a positive attitude. It was a great conversation that helped the children feel confident and supported.
We also enjoyed our first every school talent show!

Week beginning 10th February - Book Club fun and amazing watercolours!
We wrapped up our book club this week, with the class finishing the text and having a fantastic time discussing the plot, characters, and what they enjoyed most about the story. We’re all excited to watch the film adaptation together soon!
In PSHE, we focused on friendship and what makes a good friend. The children shared qualities they look for in a friend and reflected on how they can be a supportive and kind friend to others. It was a meaningful conversation that reminded the class of the value of strong, trusting friendships.
Art Focus: Watercolours and Still Life Compositions 
In Art, the children have been working hard on their watercolour techniques. They’ve been focusing on light and shade, creating tints and shades to make their drawings appear more 3D. Next week, they will arrange and sketch their own still life compositions, putting everything they’ve learned into practice. The class is doing a fantastic job with their artwork.