Year 4 Summer 2 Curriculum Information

Wow – It’s the last half term of the year! Let’s see what exciting things we have planned!  We will be reading, ‘PAX’ by Sara Pennypacker - In Pax, war brews at an unknown time in an unknown place, and Peter’s father forces him to leave his beloved pet fox along the side of the road. Devastated by the loss of his fox, Pax, Peter attempts the impossible; he decides to embark on an almost 300-mile quest to return to the spot along the side of the road where he believes Pax will still be waiting… This book encourages friendship, resilience, and change– which links in with our Personal, Social and health Education topic, ‘Changing me’. In religious education, we will also be looking at what can we learn from religions, when deciding what is right and wrong.

In English we shall be exploring the ‘Bike boy’. We follow this adventure story and understand a mother’s worry as her son grows up attempting to fly and find the world. We will be focusing on football and yoga this half term in PE – Stretch and hold! In class, we will be learning about Japan for Geography! Exploring this, so we can answer our BIG question: How is Japan different to other parts of Asia? In this unit, children will study the physical and human geographical features of Japan. They will begin by identifying Japan’s location in the Northern Hemisphere. They will learn about Japan’s position on tectonic plate boundaries and what the consequences are for the islands of Japan and the people who live there!

In Maths –We will continue developing our times tables knowledge to aid our ability to tackle problem solving and reasoning questions. In addition to this, we will be working on decimals, and percentages.  

In Science, we will be learning about ecology and seeking to answer our BIG QUESTION: How does our ecosystem impact living things and the environment? Pupils will learn about the seven things that all living things have in common: movement, sensitivity, respiration, nutrition, excretion, respiration, and growth. They will also look at food chains and ecosystems!

Finally, in History we will continue to learn about the Stuarts, thinking about our BIG question: Why do we remember certain events of the Stuart period? Focusing on chronological knowledge beyond 1066 and looking at fundamental British. The children will also, use a range of sources to interpret the cause and consequence of significant events, such as the English Civil War, The Gunpowder Plot, and the Great Fire of London, as well as analysing the influence of significant people including Oliver Cromwell and Sir Christopher Wren.

Please keep a look out on Class Dojo for photos of our learning, information, and updates. We post every week and love to share your child’s learning with you! We also have lots more exciting experiences planned for this half-term, such as, a trip to Leicester gallery and museum, a music festival and a trip to Belvoir cricket club!

Keep a look out!

Year 4 Summer 1 - Curriculum Information

Are you ready for a summer term of learning? We will be reading, ‘The Jungle Book’ by Rudyard Kipling – this is about a boy named Mowgli who gets lost in a jungle when he is just a little boy. When mother wolf finds him and accepts him as one of her own calves, Mowgli is brought up and raised among animals and is taught the laws of the jungle. Will he live happily or will the tiger Shere-Khan spread fear among the jungle animals, scaring Mowgli as well. What follows is a story of understanding and adventure, encouraging all to look after one another. Thus, encouraging friendship and acceptance of each other – which links in with our Personal, Social and health Education topic, ‘relationships’. We will also be looking at Hinduism in Religious Education and What does it mean to be a Hindu in Britain today?

In English we shall be looking at the traditional tale of ‘The princess and the pea’. As readers, we are taught not to judge people based on their appearances, as can be seen when a shabby-looking princess passes a test orchestrated by the queen! I wonder what the test will be! We will be focusing on hand ball and athletics this half term in PE – let’s get physical! In class, we will be learning about London and the southeast for Geography! Exploring this, so we can answer our BIG question: What makes London a great capital city? Naming and locating counties and cities of the United Kingdom, geographical regions and their identifying human and physical characteristics, key topographical features (including hills, mountains, coasts, and rivers), and land-use patterns; and understand how some of these aspects have changed over time!

In Maths –We will continue developing our timetable knowledge and focusing on place value, to aid our ability to tackle problem solving and reasoning questions. In addition to this, we will be developing our fluency with fractions, decimals, and percentages.

In Science, we will be learning about SOUND. We shall identify how sounds are made, associating some of them with something vibrating, recognise that vibrations from sounds travel through a medium to the ear. But also find patterns between the pitch of a sound and features of the object that produced it. All whilst, thinking about our pitch perfect BIG question - What is sound and how do we hear?

Finally, in History we shall be learning about the Stuarts, thinking about our BIG question: Why do we remember certain events of the Stuart period? Focusing on chronological knowledge beyond 1066 and looking at fundamental British. The children will also, use a range of sources to interpret the cause and consequence of significant events, such as the English Civil War, The Gunpowder Plot and the Great Fire of London, as well as analysing the influence of significant people including Oliver Cromwell and Sir Christopher Wren.

Please keep a look out on Class Dojo for photos of our learning, information, and updates. We have lots more exciting experiences planned for this half-term such as a military resilience session with 7th Infantry Brigade and many more!

Year 4 Spring 2 Curriculum Information

Hello Year Four! I hope you had a restful half term! Let’s talk about all about the new and exciting things we will be learning! Firstly, we will be reading the beautiful and heart-warming ‘The boy at the back of the class’ by Onjali Q. Rauf. This is the story about how one ordinary nine-year-old child and three classmates, who are full of empathy for Ahmet. A boy that comes to their school as a refugee from Syria (he is the boy at the back of the class). Through their sensitivity, curiosity, ingenuity, bravery, and innocent niceness, they make a massive impact on Ahmet’s life, friends, class, school, community, and wider world. This story will focus on hardships and friendships. Thus, encouraging the acceptance and help from others– which links in with our school values and Personal, Social and health Education topic, ‘Healthy me’.

In English we shall be looking at the narrative ‘Float’ by Daniel Miyares. This is a thoughtful, rich picture book about a boy and his paper boat. It's a rainy, gloomy day and he decides to head out to play in the water with his paper boat. We will be following along the story to see how his day with his paper boat unfolds. This compliments our new Science topic ‘The Water cycle’, where we shall be delving into states of matter, thinking about our BIG QUESTION: How does the water cycle recycle?

Right, let’s talk about History! We will be thinking about Why were certain people influential during the rise and fall of Rome? Exploring the Roman Empire! Looking at Julius Caesar, the Punic wars, and the fall of the Roman Empire!

We will be focusing on Cricket in PE! Learning about bat moment and control. The children will also continue their swimming lessons. Marching into Maths –We will continue developing our timetables knowledge and focus on Division, Fractions and Decimals.

Onto Geography – This half term we will be looking at Northern Ireland, including the Giant’s cause way, The Marble Arch Caves and thinking about our BIG QUESTION… What are the physical and human features of Northern Ireland?

Additionally, as part of their history, the children have been learning about the Roman Empire, so we have organised a trip to go to Bosworth Battlefield Heritage Centre on Thursday 10th March! This is only a small insight to what we will be learning in class, so please keep a look out on Class Dojo for photos of our learning, information, and updates. 

Thank you for your continuous support.

Year 4 Spring 1 Curriculum Information

Welcome back Year 4! I hope you had a lovely Christmas and New year! Let’s tell you all about the new and exciting things we will be learning about this half term! Firstly, we will be reading the thrilling ‘Julius Caesar’ by the famous, English poet and playwright, William Shakespeare. Shakespeare tells the story of the conspiracy against Caesar, his assassination, and the great defeat of his conspirators! This tragic tale will focus on hardships, friendships, and the betrayal of others. Thus, encouraging the acceptance and help from others to reach your goals – which links in with our school values and Personal, Social and health Education topic, ‘Dreams and Goals’. This compliments our RE topic ‘Why do some people think that life is a journey?’ which explores what a journey means to us.

In English we shall be looking at the fascinating explanation of Microbes! This journey takes us into the wonderful world of our own Microbes – looking at how they help us stay healthy! Everywhere we go there are microbes. Volcanoes and toxic waste dumps – there are microbes. Icy glaciers and the darkest depths of the ocean – there are microbes. The scorching hot deserts – yes, there are microbes. They really are everywhere! This links with our new Science topic ‘The Human body’, where we shall be delving into cells, nutrients, LOOKING AT REAL HUMAN TEETH and digestion! Thinking about our BIG QUESTION: Why and how should we look after our bodies?

We will be focusing on Hockey in PE! Learning about ball moment and control. The children will also begin their swimming lessons for the next twelve weeks.  Marching into Maths –We will continue developing our timetables knowledge and focus on Division, Fractions and Decimals.

Year 4 Autumn 2 Curriculum Information

I’s time for a new and exciting half term! We will be reading, the spectacular ‘Oliver Twist’ by the marvellous Charles Dickens. We will delve into the novel - Oliver twist is a young, innocent boy who runs away from the brutality of the workhouse, only to find himself taken in by a gang of thieves! The devilish Fagin runs the show alongside his violent side kick, Bill Sikes, and the irreplaceable Artful Dodger. Rescued from London’s dingiest and darkest dens, but then forced to help in a violent burglary, Oliver’s chances of survival are slim and his chances of happiness almost nil. Will he survive? This novel will focus on hardships, friendships, and the understanding of others. Thus, encouraging compassion, teamwork, and acceptance of each other – which links in with our Personal, Social and health Education topic, ‘Celebrating differences’. We will also be thinking of our school and British values as we commemorate Remembrance Day and celebrate Diwali. We will also be spending time thinking about kindness and sharing at Christmas time as we have a visit from the local ‘Storehouse’ team. 

In English we shall be looking at the great story ‘The Iron Man’ by Ted Hughes. This story includes a gigantic metal robot who appears out of nowhere, crashing onto the beach and shattering into many parts. He is discovered by a young boy called Hogarth, who becomes his friend. The Iron Man proceeds to devour farm machinery, until the farmers rise up against him and threaten to bring in the army. Hogarth comes to his rescue and suggests that the monster should be left in peace to feed from the scrap metal yard. But is the Iron Man the only strange creature to visit Earth?

We will be focusing on Gymnastics and Football this half term in PE – I think I’ll need shinpads! Marching into Maths –We will continue developing our timetables knowledge and focus on written Addition and Subtraction methods. As well as Multiplication and division!

In our shining classroom, we will be learning about Electricity in Science and thinking about our BIG QUESTION: How do we make a light shine? This will include circuits, switches, and lots of electrifying fun.

We will also be carrying on with our Ancient Greece topic in History, looking at Greek art, architecture, legacies, and the Olympics games. In Geography, we will look at Mediterranean Europe and be asking ourselves ‘How has it impacted Britain!

We also have an Art Day in December and in Art, we will be looking at Space, focusing on how to create colour, backgrounds, dimensions, and different compositions, when creating Artwork.

Please keep a look out on Class Dojo for photos of our learning, information, and updates. I personally, am looking forward to the whole school Jack and the Beanstalk performance. So yes, we have lots more exciting experiences planned for this half-term such as our Farm trip, an all about Greek Art session and many more.

Year 4 Autumn 1 Curriculum Information

Are you ready for a new year and lots of learning this half-term? We will be reading, the ‘The Wolf Wilder’ by Katherine Rundall, as our adventurous class story. We will delve into the novel, starting with Feodora and her mother who live in the snowbound wood of Russia. But down the road, in a ruined chapel, lives a pack of wolves. We will learn later that Fedora’s mother is a wolf wilder, and Feo is in training to become one too. This means they teach tamed animals to be wild again – fighting, running, fending for themselves and being wary of humans. This thrilling tale will find Feo running for her life, trying to escape the Russian Army who threatens her very existence. What follows is a story of revolution and adventure, encouraging all to stand up for what you love and of course, wolves. Thus, encouraging compassion, teamwork, and acceptance of each other – which links in with our school values and Personal, Social and health Education topic, ‘Being Me in My World’.

In English we shall be learning about the Greek myth ‘Theseus and the Minotaur’. We will meet kings, a ravenous beast, and a brave boy. Linking with our History topic, Ancient Greece! According to legend, King Minos ruled Athens and forced the people to deliver children every nine years to keep the beast’s hunger at bay. We will be unpicking the rich vocabulary from this novel to use in our narrative writing. Who will win, beast or boy? 

Complementing our English unit, History will be bursting with fun! Thinking our big question: Why are some people remembered from Greek history and others are not? We will be using artifacts from the library and looking at philosophers, warriors, myths, and legends! I am hoping Ancient Greece won’t be our Achilles heal by the end of this half term!

We will be focusing on Basketball and Golf this half term in PE – I think a lot of ducking might be involved for me!

 In Geography, we will be learning about Spatial sense. We will be identifying and locating tropics on a globe, looking at scales and grid references to help us. Linking to our BIG question: How has our local area changed over time? We will also be using our map reading skills to identify where we live and look at our local area - perhaps you already know some famous facts about Melton Mowbray... cheese and pork pies come to my mind.

Moving swiftly onto Maths –We will continue developing our timetable knowledge and focusing on place value and how this can aid our ability to more problem solving and reasoning questions.

In Science, we will be learning about the classification of Plants and Animals. Developing our grouping skills, looking at different classes of fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals. Thinking about our Big question: Why do we classify plants and animals?

We are also very lucky to have some specialists in school from Leicestershire library services who are going to be teaching us about how animals adapt and food changes. They will be bringing the children some brilliant artefacts of wild animals to look at!

We will also be looking at Jesus in Religious Education and how he is an inspiration to many.

Please keep a look out on Class Dojo for photos of our learning, information, and updates. We have lots more exciting experiences planned for this half-term such as Ronald Dahl day, Farm in a box activity day and many more.