Our learning in Year 4 will build upon prior knowledge and learning as well as delving into and exploring new topics and skills.

English

Pupils will be working this half term towards writing an information text. We are continuing to use Talk For Writing which means pupils will learn the text orally before unpicking its features and then writing their own.  This will be based around the idea of a mythical creature, We will be looking at ‘The Fire Unicorn’ as our model text.

Alongside this, we will read ‘The Story of a Christmas Elf’ by Ben Miller as our class 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 sentence structures before moving on to pronouns and apostrophes. We will use these grammar lessons to recap our previous terms learning on fronted adverbials and word classes.

opinions   tenses    person   perspective   audience   diagrams  

Guided Reading

Pupils will continue with their work on reading for inference which provides pupils with the skills to gain a deeper understanding of a text through various skills and techniques. 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 finding evidence that is appropriate to the point being made. Pupils will have to ensure that every answer given is supported by information taken from the text.

Vocabulary:

fluency    infer     relate     relationship    evidence      point     explanation     argument   

Maths

Initially, pupils will move on to finding the area of shapes before ending with multiplication and division. Within multiplication we will focus on short multiplication and becoming confident with the method and the process of it. Within division we will look not only at the division facts related to our times tables but also dividing and multiplying by 10, 100 and 1000.

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.

Times Tables will continue to 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 of the curriculum. Pupils should also work on their times table at home.

Vocabulary

Addition    subtraction    sum    multiplication    division   divisor    product   share   split   even    split    total   method    perseverance   trial and error    systematic    reasoning  area    shape 

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 also 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   liquid      mountains   oceans   precipitation    rain     rivers    sea    snow stream    steam    sun    transpiration     underground     vapour    water 

Computing

We will be continuing with our focus on collaborative working this half term. Pupils will be required to communicate online in order to create a project with another pupil in the class. In order to be successful with this, pupils will not only need to listen to each other, make compromises and take turns but they will also be putting their computing skills to the test.

Vocabulary

collaborate    comment   edocument    edit    email    icon    insert    link    presentation presentation software     reply     reviewing documents     share    spreadsheet     transition

PSHE and RSE

Continuing on from last half term, pupils will look at families and relationships. Within this they will look into what makes a good friend, how to deal and overcome bullying, how to deal and cope with change and loss and finally we will look at stereotyping and different types of families across the world.

Vocabulary

Act of Kindness    authority    bereavement    bullying    bystander    manners   permission   respect    stereotypes    gender   behaviour    healthy    actions  

RE

Our topic within RE is What makes some texts sacred? Within this topic we will be looking at how we can share beliefs without words, how and why different religions have scriptures to share their beliefs and the reasons why some religions have more than one. In addition to this, we will delve into the reasons as to why they are so important in people’s lives and how they play a crucial part in their day to day living.

Vocabulary:

Authoritative   communication    scripture    scared     source    origin    value    divine      Guru Nanak     Guru Granth Sahib      Buddhist      holy  

PE

Pupils will take part in two PE lessons each week. One lesson will be focused on Gymnastics and the other on Health and Fitness.

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

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.

Geography

In Geography we will be looking at Volcanoes. We will look at how volcanoes are formed, what happens when they erupt, the different states of a volcano and Mount Etna.

Vocabulary:

Volcano    dormant     extinct      active    formation     surface    core    mantle    crust     rock    lava    molten rock    magma   explosive   pressure    erupt    vent     magma chamber    crater    destructive    Mount Etna   

DT

Or focus this half term is structures and pavilions. Throughout this term we will produce a range of free standing frame structures. We will be selecting appropriate materials and joining techniques and add cladding to our final products.

Vocabulary:

3D shapes    cladding    structure    pavilions    innovative    design   reinforce    natural   materials    joins