Spring 1
Our learning in Year 4 will build upon prior knowledge and learning as well as delving into and exploring new topics and skills.
English
This term pupils will be focusing on writing a narrative based around a book called Zelda Paw. Pupils will be taught through Pie Corbett’s’ Talk for Writing Approach which ensures that pupils are confident with retelling a story orally before being supported to write a similar version. At the end of the half-term, pupils will then write one independently using all the skills and features they have learnt along the way.
Grammar
Many grammatical terms and features will be taught through our English lessons but pupils will also take part in separate grammar lessons. Pupils will start by recapping basic punctuation before moving onto apostrophes and subordinate clauses. We will also use these grammar lessons to recap our previous terms learning which was focused on fronted adverbials and word classes.
Vocabulary
Bedrock will continue to be used to improve pupils’ vocabulary knowledge. Pupils will be given opportunities in class to complete these sessions but the expectation for pupils to complete at least 2 lessons a week at home still remains.
Vocabulary
omission fronted adverbials determiners nouns adjectives inverted commas apostrophes pronouns possession subordinate conjunctions FANBOYS contractions
Guided Reading
Pupils will continue with their work on reading for inference which was introduced last year and continued last half-term. Pupils will focus on inference and visualisation, both of which will support the pupils’ ability to unpick and relate to a text. This approach enables the pupils to gain a deeper understanding of what they are reading and helps pupils to learn strategies to support them in becoming good and confident readers. In addition to this, our focus will be on retrieval and ensuring that the evidence used from the text is accurate and specific to the question.
Vocabulary
fluency infer relate specific accurate relevant evidence point explanation argument retrieval
Maths
Initially, pupils will focus on multiplication and division. The first focus is on multiplying and dividing by 10,100 and 1000. Pupils will then move on to using the formal methods of short and long multiplication. Within division, we will look not only at the division facts related to our times tables but also at how we can split numbers in order to divide more easily. We looked into this at the end of last half-term, so again it will be about embedding this learning and using it to reason and problem solve.
Once pupils have become confident with multiplication and division, we will move on to length and perimeter.
Every week pupils will complete a Number and Lightning and skills for this will be taught in addition to their daily Maths lesson. Pupils who are already competent in various areas will further embed their understanding through a range of reasoning and problem-solving activities.
Times Tables will be a huge focus in class as we prepare for the multiplication check in May. It is imperative that pupils are able to recall all multiplication and division facts up to 12 x 12 in order to access all the curriculum. Pupils should also work on their times table at home.
Vocabulary
Multiplication division share divide multiply split remainder length unit perimeter area polygon
Other Subjects
Science
Our topic this half-term is Living Things and Their Habitats. Within this topic, we will look at different habitats and how animals have adapted to suit the ever-changing environment. Pupils will also look at grouping animals and plants based on their characteristics. As well as this, pupils will look at plastic pollution and how our littering and way of living is affecting our oceans.
Vocabulary
Animals plants habitats environment adapt / adaptation characteristics classification similarities differences plastic oceans
Computing
We will be following Kapow for our Computing this term and our topic is Creating Media: Website Design. Within this unit, pupils will gain a strong understanding of how the Internet works and how websites are created. Pupils will look to develop their own website and four web pages based on a specific topic.
Vocabulary
Internet website webpage tabs create embed content hyperlink insert picture caption homepage images google sites audience
PSHE and RSE
Our topic this half-term is citizenship. This topic will look at Human Rights, how everyone needs to play their part in looking after the environment, the various groups with the community and the role of local councillors.
Vocabulary
Citizenship environment authority community reuse cabinet diversity Human Rights protect volunteer
Religious Education
Our topic within RE is People of God – What is it like to follow God? Pupils will look at the story of Noah and how it must have felt to be stuck on the Ark for so long. Pupils will also look at the promises that Christians make to God and how they live whilst adhering to these.
Vocabulary
Christianity Ark promises rules commitment Noah sacrifice covenant Old Testament commands worship
Physical Education
Pupils will take part in two PE lessons each week. One lesson will be focused on O.A.A (Outdoor Adventurous Activities) and the other on Dance.
Outdoor Adventurous Activities - this will get the pupils working together in order to reach a certain goal or solve a situation that they are posed with. They will also be looking at orienteering and map skills.
Vocabulary
Team work co-operation target orienteering maps compass direction pulse heart rate preparation warm up cool down resilience determination analyse resolve adapt tweak
Dance - pupils will learn a range of skills and dance moves that they will link together. Pupils will choreograph their own sections using both moves they have been taught and moves that they choreograph.
Vocabulary
Dance choreograph beat transition rhythm performance rehearse static dynamic counting evaluate improve adapt levels speed patterns links canon gestures sharp smooth continuous rigid dynamics
History
In History, we are focusing on Roman Britain. Within this topic we will be looking at the Roman’s invading Britannia, Caratacus, Boudicca, the Roman town of Aquae Sulis, Hadrian’s Wall and Black Romans in Britain.
Vocabulary
Britannia Veni, Vedi, Vici Invasion Celtric tribes Claudius chreftain Caratacus warriors ambushed captured forces fort ascend breast-plates defeat placed in chains heavy taxes revenge capital city Colchester stationed revolt Iceni Boudicca Army Londinium Watling Street Aquae Sulis fortune strigil hypocaust furnaces palestra intersecting aqueducts forum basilica temple theatre frontier Hadrian Hadrian’s Wall garrison
Geography
In Geography, we will be looking at Coastal Processes and Landforms. Within this topic we will focus in on erosion, the Jurassic Coast, Coastal habitats and the Indian Ocean.
Vocabulary
Coastline waves erosion transport transportation groynes depositing deposition landforms bay cliffs headland shingle Juassic Coast preserved fossils cave arch stack habitat rock pools sand dunes teeming coral reefs Cardigan Bay.
Modern Foreign Languages
The topic in French this half-term is adjectives of colour, size and shape. Pupils will be able to use a range of vocabulary to describe various of items in French before then creating their own Art work in the style of Matisse.
Vocabulary
Rouge jaune blanc orange brun et c’est de quelle couleur l’ar –en-ciel bleu vert noir rose violet c’est marron cercle rectangle triangle
Design and Technology
This half-term we are focused on pneumatics. Pupils will be creating their own sea creature which will was open and close in response to an increase or decrease in air pressure.
Vocabulary
Pneumatic increase decrease inflate deflate plan draft amend evaluate
Music
Our focus in Music is Changing Pitch, Tempo and Dynamics. Pupils will listen and create different types of music to represent various emotions and scenarios. The final compilation will focus on a river and pupils will work together to create a series of sounds that represent the running of the water.
Vocabulary
A cappella dynamics listen tempo percussion breathing harmony texture ostinato layer.
Useful websites:
https://www.topmarks.co.uk/Search.aspx?Subject=9
https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/levels/zbr9wmn
https://app.bedrocklearning.org/
https://www.timestables.co.uk/
Key Dates:
Thursday 5th January – Start of Spring Term
Thursday 9th February – Valentines Disco
Friday 10th February – Last day of term.