Welcome to Year 4
Our Team
This year's fantastic learning themes!
Autumn Term
We can’t wait to get stuck into the learning we have planned for the autumn. Our topic this term is Bridges ‘How we can bridge the gap’. We will be familiarising ourselves with some famous bridges, with a particular focus on the work of Brunel. Using our new knowledge on bridge architecture, we will be designing and creating our own prototypes and working models in school.
Our focus text this term will be ‘Race to the Frozen North’ and the majority of our writing will be based on this compelling story of how two men where the first to reach the North Pole. Alongside this, we’ll also be delving into other areas of the curriculum such as sound and electricity in Science and Picasso in Art, before getting lost in the world of Victorians and a ‘Christmas Carol’ in the run up to Christmas.
Spring Term
On our return to school, our learning will be taking us into the depths of the Amazon Rainforest. We will be finding out all about this amazing habitat which is home to an astonishing number of plants and animals. This will lead us into thinking about deforestation and environmental changes. Our focus text, ‘The Explorer’ by Katherine Rundell, takes us on an adventure through the Amazon!
After this, our focus moves on to the Ancient Egyptians and Africa. The focus will be on History and Geography which will also link in with our science focus; vertebrates and invertebrates. We will hopefully have a chance to meet with some rainforest creatures with a visit from Zoolab!
Summer Term
With the start of the summer, we’re getting stuck into ‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory’ (which of course involves eating a fair amount of chocolate!) Inspired by this delightful tale of delicious treats, the children will be turning their hands to design as they plan, make and market their own snake bar. Alongside this, our focus in Science will be materials and changing states.
However, this is not the only highlight of the term, as we will be going on our two-day camping trip. This trip will give the children the opportunity to experience a number of different activities designed to develop their confidence and skills, both as individuals and as part of a team.
Multiplication Check
In preparation for the Year 4 multiplication check, happening in June, we will be vigorously practising our times tables in class all year.
We have come across a number of fantastic resources but have found the following sites to be particularly useful:
It would be fantastic if your child could spend 5-10 minutes a day practising their times tables, as it would really support all of their hard work in class!
Useful Information
Homework will consist of reading, spellings, times tables, Maths and Home Learning Journal tasks.
Reading expectations: 3 x a week to an adult, signed each time in their reading diaries, due every Monday.
Spellings: word lists to practise at home with a test every Friday.
Times tables: the children should be becoming more confident with their times tables and learning associated division facts at speed.
Home Learning Journals: activities will be set regularly with clear hand-in dates on each task.