Autumn 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
Our first topic in Year 4 is going to be focused on a suspense narrative with the final outcome being for pupils to produce their quest that uses suspense. This will be delivered through Talk For Writing so they will imitate the text orally as well as analysing and modelling the text type before then applying it to their independent piece. The model text we will be using is called Staying Out and our class read to support this learning is The Race to the Frozen North by Catherine Johnson.
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 prior learning - looking at things such as word classes, sentence structures and punctuation before delving into new areas such as fronted adverbials and noun phrase.
In addition to this, each week pupils will complete a Grammar and Lightning which is designed to embedded key concepts and vocabulary that are needed to reach expected at the end of Year 4.
https://www.topmarks.co.uk/english-games/7-11-years/spelling-and-grammar
https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/topics/zhrrd2p
Bedrock will continue to be used to improve pupils’ vocabulary knowledge. Pupils will be given opportunities in class to complete sessions but the expectation for pupils to complete at least 2 lessons a week at home still remains.
Vocabulary:
Adjectives verbs nouns adverbs phrases noun phrases compound complex simple perspective retell emotional language tenses recount word class punctuation fronted adverbials
https://app.bedrocklearning.org/school/class
https://www.topmarks.co.uk/Search.aspx?q=vocabulary
Guided Reading
Pupils will continue with their work on Reading for Inference which was has become familiar with the pupils over the past few years. Pupils will look at and annotate texts with prior knowledge and links that they can make to either themselves or other books that they have read. As a class we will then discuss our opinions and ideas. This approach enables the pupils to gain a deeper understanding of what they are reading by allowing them to familiarise themselves with plots and characters. In addition to this, pupils will look at different question types and be able to pick out and understand key vocabulary within them to ensure they have a solid understanding of what is being asked.
Vocabulary:
Background knowledge links pace stamina fluency prior knowledge familiar text to text to self text to world knowledge annotate
https://readtheory.org/auth/login
https://www.education.com/games/reading/
Maths
We will start off with a focus on place value as this underpins all Mathematics. Pupils will look and work with numbers up to 10,000 - ordering, comparing, partitioning, rounding, representing and identifying different place values. After this we will move onto addition and subtraction using 4-digit numbers. Alongside using the column method, pupils will have to reason and problem-solving using all the above.
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. These skills will be taught in small groups as to ensure a confident understanding is achieved by all pupils.
Time Tables will be a huge focus in class, with daily teaching and practice. 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:
Ones tens hundred thousand ten thousand place value digit integer value figure compare more than less than equals ascending descending rise fall rounding nearest total method perseverance trial and error systematic
https://www.topmarks.co.uk/maths-games/hit-the-button
https://www.timestables.co.uk/
https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/subjects/z826n39
Other Subjects
Science
Our topic to start this term is Grouping and Classifying living things. Within this, pupil will distinguish between various animals and plants based on a selection of criteria e.g. vertebrates and invertebrates. After the completion of this topic, we move on to looking at data collection. This is an introduction for pupils as they learn to analyse and draw conclusions from a set of data. Throughout Year 4 this topic will be recapped and pupils’ ability to work with data will increase.
Vocabulary:
Animals invertebrates vertebrates flowering plants spikes Movement Respiration sensitivity Growth reproduction excretion nutrition data conclusions analyse statistics
https://wowscience.co.uk/resource/material-properties/
Computing
We will be following Kapow for our Computing this term and will be focusing on collaborative learning. This includes different ways in which you can work with others using the computer. Through this unit pupils will be introduced to Google Forms, Power Points, Word and Shared Spreadsheets. This unit will provide pupils will the skills and knowledge to complete the remaining units across the year.
Vocabulary:
collaborate comment edocument edit email icon insert link presentation presentation software reply reviewing documents share spreadsheet transition
PSHE and RSE
After an initial introductory lesson where rules and expectations will be established, pupils will be focusing on families and relationships. This unit will look at manners, respecting others, healthy friendships, social behaviours, bullying, gender and disability stereotypes, different types of families and coping with change/ loss.
Vocabulary:
Act of Kindness authority bereavement bullying bystander manners permission respect stereotypes
RE
Our topic within RE is Are all Religions Equal? Within this topic we will be looking at how Religions are connected and how people have different views of God. In addition, we will look at why it is important for all Religions to respect one another and how we can ensure that we live in harmony.
Religion harmony God belief respect opinions equality origin unity sacrifice script guidelines Guru connections understanding acceptance
PE
Pupils will take part in two PE lessons each week. One lesson will be focused on Health and fitness and the other on Gymnastics.
Health and Fitness - Pupils will be introduced to various components of fitness such as co-ordination, stamina, agility and reaction time and these will be tested and practised in a bid to improve. Pupils will evaluate a peer’s performance and look to offer ways to improve. Alongside this, pupils will learn why we have to stay physically active and healthy and the impact both this and a sedentary lifestyle can have on a human’s body.
Vocabulary:
Warm up cool down stamina coordination agility balance reaction skill active activity performance evaluate improve.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAxW1XT0iEJo0TYlRfn6rYQ
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=workouts+for+kids
Gymnastics – As well as recapping the different shapes used within gymnastics pupils will focus on a range of floor work such as handstands, headstands and cartwheels. Pupils will be taught to safely support others and again pupils will look to evaluate and improve others.
Vocabulary:
balance shape arch straddle pike dish front support back support support strength tension head stand hand stand cartwheel propulsion V sit
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=szwLVN9OwKc
History
In History, we will be learning about the Roman Republic. Within this topic we will look at how Rome was formed, the Romans v Carthage, Hannibal’s attack on Rome, how Scipio saved Rome and culture in the Roman Republic.
Vocabulary
Romulus Remus Tiber shepherd omen Rome senators unity toga temples cunning Sabine signals seven hills Tarquin Tarquin the Proud Brutus represent consuls SPQR Carthaginians Punic Wars Hannibal ambushed Calvary Scipio Patrician Plebeians elect representatives
Geography
In Geography we will be looking at the Rhine and Mediterranean. Within this topic we will be looking at the River Rhine in depth, focusing in on key cities along its route such as Cologne and Rotterdam. We will look at how it changes in the Alps before focusing in on the Mediterranean and the Suez Channel.
Vocabulary
Alps tributary Upper Rhine Lower Rhine confluence banks flooding flood walls port harness importing exporting canal wetlands drained lock strait enclosed sea mainland Suez Channel
MFL
In French this half-term we will be learning how to describe people in French. This could be to describe their appearance, personality or interests. Pupils will then use the vocabulary to write their own sentences using all they have learnt prior to this point.
Vocabulary
Les yeux les cheveux les nez marron noir brun rouge rose vert bleu jaune gris serious petite grand sportif fort poli
https://www.lightbulblanguages.co.uk/estrellas-french-index.htm
Music
Music will be taught through a programme called Kapow and our first topic is body and tuned percussion. We will look at the structure of music and will focus on the pitch, tempo and dynamics within a song. As we develop an understanding of the key vocabulary, we will explore the sounds that we can make both with our body and a range of instruments.
Vocabulary:
Tempo structure dynamics pitch texture percussion tuned un-tuned composition rhythm melody loops layers
https://www.games.co.uk/games/music
Art:
In Art our topic is Power Prints and within this pupils will be exploring how to make a range of items appear 3D. They will be introduced to a range of different sketching techniques and will use various pieces of equipment to create their own 3D drawings.
Vocabulary:
Dimensions sketch proportion detail outline abstract collaborate collage hatching shading contrast combine symmetry highlight gradient cross hatching
Key dates:
Staff training day (School closed to pupils) - Friday 1st September 2023
School opens for Autumn term - Monday 4th September 2023
Half-term - Monday 23rd - Friday 27th October 2023