Year 4

This term we will be working on the following topics:

English   

Across the Spring term, pupils will develop their writing skills through a range of engaging fiction, non-fiction and poetry outcomes inspired by high-quality texts. Using Escape from Pompeii, Christina Balit and A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Andrew Matthews, pupils will explore recounts, narratives, playscripts and instructional writing. They will learn to write for different purposes and audiences, applying key grammatical features such as tense consistency, punctuation for effect, passive voice, dialogue and organisational features. Pupils will develop their ability to structure writing effectively and convey emotion, viewpoint and clarity.

We will also read Shackleton’s Journey, William Grill where pupils will write letters, speeches, persuasive leaflets and poetry. They will deepen their use of descriptive language, persuasive techniques and varied sentence structures to engage and influence the reader. Across all units, pupils will be encouraged to rehearse sentences orally, use Alan Peat sentence types to improve impact, and edit their work for cohesion, accuracy and effect.

When reading, we will engage with a variety of fiction and non-fiction texts and answer questions focusing on retrieval and inference.

    

Maths           

We will be using the NCETM scheme to support our mathematical learning. Pupils will focus on multiplication and fractions. They will learn and practise the seven times tables, developing quick recall and a clear understanding of how multiplication works through grouping and repeated addition. Pupils will also review their understanding of fractions, including recognising equal parts and identifying unit and non-unit fractions. They will then extend this learning to explore fractions greater than 1, understanding improper fractions and mixed numbers. Throughout the term, pupils will practise explaining their thinking and solving problems using a range of representations.

 

Science       

We will be studying Sound and Changing State this term. For Sound, pupils learn that sounds are made by vibrations and that these vibrations travel to the ear. They explore how sounds can be loud or quiet, high or low, and how sound gets quieter as it travels further away.

For Changing State, pupils learn about solids, liquids and gases and their properties. They find out how materials can change state, such as melting, freezing, evaporation and condensation, and that heating or cooling causes these changes.

Pupils develop their skills by observing, investigating and using simple scientific vocabulary to explain what they notice.

 

History         

In our Romans topic, we will explore why the Romans invaded Britain and the consequences of the Roman invasion. The children will also understand how the Roman army were equipped for war and identify their battle formation. They will also deduce about life in Roman times by using artefacts.

 

Geography         

In Geography, we will be thinking about who lives in Antarctica. We will be understanding the terms longitude, latitude, hemisphere and climate zone. The children will also consider the work of researchers and become familiar with reading and drawing a map.

 

Art & Design               

We will explore Sculpture and 3D – Mega Materials. They will use familiar shapes to create simple 3D drawings and plan designs with an understanding of how they can be carved or constructed. Pupils will successfully transfer drawn ideas into finished outcomes, such as soap carvings and wire or shadow sculptures, making thoughtful choices about tools, materials and techniques. They will demonstrate increasing control when shaping and joining materials, consider how their work is displayed, and explain how their ideas and outcomes have been influenced by artists such as Sokari Douglas Camp and El Anatsui.

 

Music            

In Music this term, Year 4 will continue with the 1st Access programme. They will be moving on to their second instruments (either trombone or violin) and learning about instrument care, playing techniques, notation and rhythm.

 

Computing  

The children will develop their understanding of how digital images can be changed and edited, and how they can be resaved and reused. They will consider the impact that editing images can have, and evaluate the effectiveness of their choices.

Following this unit, the children will consider how and why data is collected over time. The children will collect data as well as access data captured over long periods of time. They will look at data points, data sets, and logging intervals. The children will then spend time using a computer to review and analyse data.

 

Design Technology                  

By the end of the Year 4 DT unit Mechanical systems: Making a Roman Chariot, pupils will be able to design and make a model chariot that moves using a simple mechanical system. They will create a design that includes a functioning axle and wheels, choose appropriate materials and tools, and assemble their model with increasing accuracy. Pupils will test and evaluate how well their chariot moves, identify improvements, and explain how their design links to Roman transport and engineering.

 

Physical Education                   

We will be developing ball games skills and gymnastic skills as well as having weekly swimming lessons on Thursdays until the February half-term break. 

                       

French                  

We will be learning key vocabulary and phrases through the following topics French Numbers, Calendars and Birthdays and Weather and the Water Cycle.

                       

Religious Education                 

In Year 4 RE, pupils learn about Buddhism by exploring the life of Siddhartha Gautama (the Buddha) and the key beliefs of the religion. They learn about the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path, understanding how these guide Buddhists in their everyday lives. Pupils also explore Buddhist practices such as meditation, the use of symbols, and the importance of kindness, mindfulness and compassion. Through discussion and reflection, pupils are encouraged to make links between Buddhist teachings and their own experiences and values.

In addition to this, we will be learning about Christian Life in Britain that explores how Christianity influences people, communities, and traditions in the UK. Pupils learn about Christian beliefs and values, and how these are expressed through worship, festivals, and daily life. They consider how Christians live out their faith through actions, moral choices, and community involvement. Pupils are encouraged to reflect on their own values and experiences, making connections between Christian teachings and life in modern Britain.

 

PSHE/RSE  

This term we will be exploring the following themes:

Belonging to a Community - The children will recognise that they belong to different communities as well as the school community and the different groups that make up and contribute to a community. The children will also show compassion towards others in need and the shared responsibility of caring for them.

Media Literacy and Digital Resilience – The children will consider how data is shared and used and that a digital footprint is created. They will also understand that organisations can use personal information to encourage people to buy things and consider why people might choose to buy or not buy something online.

Money and Work – In this unit, the children will consider how people make different spending decisions based on their budget, values and needs, alongside how and why it is important to keep track of money.

• Your child should read to an adult for 15 minutes three times a week and independently every day. It is also important that an adult reads to your child regularly. Please talk to your child about the book and check their understanding by asking questions about events and the characters’ actions. Please also explain new or unfamiliar vocabulary. Their bookbag should come into school every day.

• In order to help develop the children's confidence when articulating their ideas and communicating with others, we will be spending time in class discussing weekly 'Let's Talk' tasks.  These can be found in the weekly newsletter and Google Classroom. Please spend time at home in discussion with the children so that they are ready to share their thoughts and ideas in class each week.

• Your child will have PE on Mondays. They should wear their PE kit to school. Please make sure your child has an outdoor PE kit consisting of jogging bottoms and a sweatshirt. Swimming lessons are to continue and take place at the Eltham Centre. A swimming kit consists of close-fitting shorts, not board shorts, or a one-piece swimming costume, a towel, swimming cap and goggles. Children can also bring in a piece of fruit as a snack on their return walk to school. The snack needs to be in their swimming bag.

• Your child needs to bring in a filled water bottle every day.

• The weather is often cold at this time of year and the children will go out to play if there is light rain. It is important that your child has a waterproof coat, gloves, hat and a scarf.

• We are a Healthy School. Please do not put sweets or chocolate bars in your child’s packed lunch. Please do not send in sweets or other treats when it is your child’s birthday. If you want to celebrate your child’s birthday with their classmates, you could buy the class a book, send in a healthy snack such as boxes of raisins or buy stationery such as a pencil, but due to the impact on the environment, we ask you not to send in plastic toys.

• If your child is absent from school, please contact the school office: 020 8850 5486 and leave a message detailing because your child is absent. If your child has had an upset stomach, they can return to school when they are better. Please try to book medical appointments outside the school day and note that family holidays will not be authorised.

Please see the school calendar and weekly newsletters for information about events for Year 4.