Beech Class - Years 3 & 4

Welcome

Welcome to Beech Class!

Teachers

Mrs Rance

Mrs Riches

River Explanations

Class Reads:

This term, our class novel will be 'The Boy at the Back of the Class.'

We will also be reading a selection of classic stories, picture books and non-fiction books related to this term's topics.

In English lessons, we will be reading the book 'The Journey', by Frenci Sanna. This book is a heart-warming refugee story, and we will be using it as a basis for some writing of our own.

Books we have read this academic year:

Termly Homework

Every half-term, children in Beech class will receive a grid with a selection of 'pick-and-choose' homework suggestions that cover a range of the topics being studied in school. We would like children to complete one task from this grid a week. Homework will be shared in class on a Thursday, with homework accomplishments regularly celebrated with marble rewards and in our weekly celebration assembly on a Friday.

You can find the homework grid for this term here:

Autumn Term 1 Homework Grid (Stone Age to Iron Age)

Autumn Term 2 Homework Grid (Being a Geographer)

Daily Reading, Spellings and Times Tables

Reading is a crucial part of our homework expectations for children in Beech class. We would like them to read at home every day, for a minimum of 15 minutes. Reading diaries will be checked in school each morning. Children who read 4 or 5 times a week will receive raffle tickets and be entered into our reading prize draw during our Friday assembly.

Children will need to choose their book from the 100 book list, or another age-appropriate text. Please ask if you are not sure.

Every day, the children will also bring home a homework folder, containing spelling sheets to practice their weekly words, and their times tables.

Click here for the statutory word list for Years 3 and 4. These are the words that the children are expected to be able to spell at the end of Year 4.

Spellings and times tables will be tested every Friday.

Year 3 and 4 common exception words

Year 1 and Year 2 common exception words

Weekly Spelling List for Autumn 1

Weekly Spelling List for Autumn 2

Multiplication Check information and links to brilliant games

Year 4 Multiplication Tables Check Dates

Schools must administer the multiplication tables check within the 2-week period from Monday 2 June 2026.

We ask that parents/carers ensure that children are in school and that no term time holidays are booked. Thank you for your support with this.

Parent Information

Multiplication tables check: information for parents - GOV.UK

Times table Year 4 Multiplication Test

Primary school children are expected to know all their times tables up to 12x12. Under the current National Curriculum, children are supposed to know their times tables by the end of Year 4, but they are not formally tested on them other than through multiplication questions in the Year 6 SATs.

Why has the test been put in place?

The DfE says the check is part of a new focus on mastering numeracy, giving children the skills and knowledge they need for secondary school and beyond. The purpose of the MTC is to determine whether pupils in Year 4 can recall their multiplication tables fluently (being able to answer times table questions accurately and quickly, without having to work out the answers).

Announcing the tests in 2017, the then education secretary Justine Greening said, 'A good primary education lays the foundations for success at secondary school and beyond. The year's (2017) Key Stage 2 results showed our curriculum reforms are starting to raise standards and it is vital that we have an assessment system that supports this.

How will children be tested?

Children will be tested using an on screen check (on a computer or tablet), where they will have to answer multiplication questions against the clock.

This will be the first time that the DfE has used computerised tests in primary schools. Calculators and wall displays that could support he children will be removed from the room the MTC is taking place in.

The test will last no longer than 5 minutes and is similar to other tests already used by primary schools. Their answers will be marked instantly.

Children will have 6 seconds to answer each question in a series of 25. Each question will be worth one mark and be presented to the child in this format:

n1 x n2 = ___

Questions will be selected from the 121 number facts that make up the multiplication tables from 2 to 12, with a particular focus on the 6, 7, 8, 9 and 12 times tables as they are considered to be the most challenging. Each question will only appear once in any 25-question series, and children won't be asked to answer reversals of a question as part of the check (so if they have already answered 3x4 they won't be asked 4x3).

Once the child has inputted their answer on the computer or device, there will be a the second pause before the next question appears. Children will be given the opportunity to practise answering these questions in this format before the official check begins.

The six second timer per question has been decided by the DfE because it should allow the children enough time to recall the times tables without giving them time to work them out.

How will the results be reported?

Pupils' individual results will be made available to schools, and the Department for Education will report national results to track how they change over time. Schools will be required to report the results to parents.

What happens if my child does not score very high on the test?

There will be no 'pass mark' or expected standard for this test and no child will 'fail'. Multiplication facts will be the only thing tested.

The DfE says the purpose of the test is to help teachers identify which children are falling behind and target areas where they're not being given the chance to succeed.

How can I help my child?

Times tables are learnt best when learnt regularly and in short bursts. Here at Greatworth Primary we Mathsframe and Hit the Button as an online and paper support. There are many other ways children can be supported however.

Please use the link below for some great ideas.

KS2 Maths: The 8 Times Table with Filbert Fox - BBC Teach

Hit the Button - Quick fire maths practise for 6-11 year olds

Multiplication Tables Check - Mathsframe

Times tables games - Learn them all here!

Help with times tables: fun ideas, videos and quizzes - Oxford Owl

https://home.oxfordowl.co.uk/maths/primary-multiplication-division/help-with-times-tables/

number_square_3_times_table.png (750×750)

Times Table Rock Stars: Paper Support Documents:

2,5,10 times tables

3,6,9 times tables

6 and 7 times tables