WELCOME TO CLASS 9
MR HUGHES
ahughes@thewilmslowacademy.co.uk
SPRING TERM - 1ST HALF
In English, the children will be writing story openings and instruction texts based on 'Arthur and the Golden Rope' by Joe Todd Stanton. They will aim to answer these enquiry questions 'Can I write an opening to a myth?' and 'Can I write instructions to look after a mythical beast?' They will continue to learn spelling, punctuation and grammar skills each week, as well as participating in shared reading sessions, where we will be concentrating on vocabulary, inference, prediction, explanation, retrieval and summarising. Children will regularly practise their handwriting, in order to be able to express themselves more easily and more quickly. We would like to encourage you to hear your child read at least three times per week and record reading in your child's reading diary.
In maths, the children will be learning the divisibility rules for the 3, 6 and 9 times tables and using these tables to solve problems. They will continue to learn more about the 7 times table and square numbers. The children will also practise mental methods for solving problems. Practice and recall of multiplication facts will be a focus throughout the year, the aim being for the children to know all the times tables up to 12x12.
In science, the children will be answering the enquiry question 'How does a simple electric circuit work?' They will be investigating conductors and insulators and building different circuits. Key vocabulary includes: mains, battery, plug, bulb, buzzer, motor and complete circuit.
In geography this half term, the children will be exploring the enquiry question, ‘How do we choose where to build a city?' They will learn why settlements develop in certain locations and compare the human and physical features of Manchester and Mumbai. Key vocabulary includes: water source, environment, trade link, flood, drought, location and land use.
Please note that Class 9 will have outdoor PE on Wednesdays and indoor PE on Fridays.
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY
Start of Spring Term (1st half) - Tuesday January 6 2026
End of Spring Term (1st half) - Friday February 13 2026
Start of Spring Term (2nd half) - Monday February 23 2026
Conway residential trip - March 23-25 2026
End of Spring Term (2nd half) - Thursday March 26 2026 1:15 p.m.
WHAT ARE WE READING IN CLASS 9 AT THE MOMENT?
So far this year, we have read 'The Wizard of Oz' by L. Frank Baum, 'Peter Pan' by J.M. Barrie, 'Treasure Island' by Robert Louis Stevenson, 'Black Beauty' by Anna Sewell...
WHAT IS OUR AUTUMN TERM CURRICULUM MAP?
WHAT IS OUR YEAR 4 CURRICULUM OVERVIEW?
WHO IS OUR STAR OF THE WEEK?
Every week, a new 'Star of the Week' will be chosen. This will be someone who has impressed Mr Hughes or one of the other adults who work with Class 9. Their picture will appear here and then below in the gallery for the rest of the year. The 'Star of the Week' is allowed to choose the register language for the following week.
w/c 5-1-26: Congratulations to our new Star of the Week - a two-time winner! He was chosen for being a quality audience in class and also in KS2 assemblies. What a fantastic role model!
WHO IS THE DAILY GREETER?
In Class 9, we always try to start the day in a friendly and positive way. Every morning, a different child greets the class when they come into the classroom. Children can choose from a handshake, a high five or a fist bump.
WHAT IS READING FOR PLEASURE (RfP)?
Every week, Class 9 enjoys Reading for Pleasure (or RfP). Children are allowed to sit wherever they like - including under tables, on top of tables and even on Mr Hughes' chair - and either read to themselves or each other. They are encouraged to talk about their book choices and make recommendations.
At home, please read with your child at home every day and record this in their reading record. Here are some titles you might like to try...
STAR OF THE WEEK GALLERIES
AUTUMN TERM - 1ST HALF
AUTUMN TERM - 2ND HALF
SPRING TERM - 1ST HALF
SPRING TERM - 2ND HALF
SUMMER TERM - 1ST HALF
SUMMER TERM - 2ND HALF
PE
Our class will do PE every Wednesday and Friday afternoon. Our topics this half term are tennis and gymnastics. Please come to school wearing your school uniform and bring the correct kit with you. Please remember to tie long hair back and wear layers to keep warm during outdoor sessions.
HOMEWORK
Every Friday, you will be given this homework to complete by the following Wednesday:
- Maths
- Spellings (words will be tested on Wednesdays)
- Reading comprehension or SPAG exercise
In addition, all children will be expected to bring their signed reading records into school each day. If you have any difficulty completing any of your homework, please ask for help before it is due in.
