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 centred around our core book – The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane by Kate DiCamillo. This book centres around a journey as it tells the story of a young rabbit who encounters many walks of life as he searches for the true meaning of loving others. By the end of the half-term, pupils will have written a narrative and a diary entry based on an aspect of this book.
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 phrases.
https://www.topmarks.co.uk/english-games/7-11-years/spelling-and-grammar
https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/topics/zhrrd2p
Vocabulary
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 their background knowledge and links that they can make to either themselves or other books that they have read. 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.
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 within a number. 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 solve using all of the above.
Every week pupils will complete a Number and Lightning and skills for this will be taught in addition to their daily Math’s 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 that 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 this half-term will be States of Matter. Pupils will carry out various experiments in order to understand the differences between gases, liquids and solids and the methods required to convert between different states. In addition to this, pupils will learn all about the Water Cycle and will be exposed to numerous representations to aid understanding. A book called ‘The Rhythm of the Rain’ will be used to support pupils' understanding of the cycle and the various stages it goes through.
Vocabulary:
changes cloud collection condensation evaporation heat lakes rivers liquids mountains oceans precipitation rain rivers sea snow stream steam sun transpiration underground vapour water weather wind solids liquid
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 documents and shared spreadsheets. This unit will provide pupils will the skills and knowledge to complete the remaining units across the year.
Vocabulary:
collaborate comment e-document 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 What does it mean to be a Sikh in Britain today? Pupils will look at their beliefs and place of worship. Who and when they worship, their values and the difference between Sikhism and other religions.
Vocabulary:
Sikhism Guru Guru Nanak worship value Gurdwara community symbol service belief
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 the importance of staying physically active and healthy plus the impact both this and a sedentary lifestyle can have on a human’s body.
Vocabulary:
warm up cool down stamina co-ordination 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 forward rolls and somersaults. Pupils will use also use various size vaults. 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 the Mediterranean Sea. 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 - French
In French this half-term, we will focus on portraits and using french adjectives. Pupils will look at various ways to describe people's appearances and also their personality. Pupils will formulate sentences where the adjectives agree with the noun.
Vocabulary:
les yeux les cheveux fort/forte sportif/ sportive traviailleur/ travailleuse petit/ petite grand/grande paoli/polie heureux/heureuse ill/elle
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
Key dates:
Thursday 8th September - rearranged end of year disco
Tuesday 13th September - Road Dahl Day
Friday 23rd September - Jeans for Genes Day
W/C 17th October - Parent Engagement event
