Spring 2
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 focus this term is writing a persuasive text. This will be based on a text called Visit Planet Zygon. We will then use Talk 4 Writing to learn, unpick and understand the features used within this text type before then planning our own narrative based on our class text – Visit Sandy Cove.
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 work on writing in paragraphs to organise ideas around a theme and using repetition to persuade. We will also use these grammar lessons to recap our previous terms’ learning, which was focused on fronted adverbials and word classes.
Grammar and Lightning will be completed once a week. This enables pupils to practice and recap all the required grammatical terms for Year 4.
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 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
This term, pupils will focus on fractions and decimals. We will develop our understanding of mixed numbers by exploring them on a number line, as well as comparing and ordering them. We will then explore the relationship between improper fractions and mixed numbers. We will explore equivalent fractions, in addition to adding and subtracting fractions and mixed numbers.
We will be exploring tenths as fractions, as decimals, on a place value chart and on a number line. We will learn how to divide 1 and 2 digit numbers by 10, before exploring hundredths as fractions, as decimals and on a place value chart.
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, they have access to TTRS to assist with this.
Vocabulary
Mixed number compare order equivalent fraction add subtract tenths decimal decimal place divide
Other Subjects
Science
Science this term will all be focused on electricity and circuits.
The children will learn about a range of electrical appliances and how to classify them as mains or battery-powered, explaining why. We will look at how to explain how to test if a circuit works and identify when simple electric circuits will work. We will learn a range of symbols for open and closed switches and give examples of how switches are useful.
Through our working scientifically, we will predict whether a circuit will work based on whether the switch is open or closed and explain that it works by breaking and completing a circuit. We will also consider the impact of adding additional components to circuits.
Most importantly, we will look at how to describe precautions for working safely with electricity and explain some precautions using knowledge of circuit diagrams, electrical components, conductors or insulators.
Vocabulary
circuit, bulb, electricity, switch, wire, cell, battery, gap, broken, incomplete, motor, buzzer, conductor, insulator, component, circuit diagram.
Computing
We will be continuing to following Kapow for our Computing this term and will be focusing on programming and using Scratch. Within this topic, pupils will be looking at different variables and using these to create their own codes.
Vocabulary
Code variables code block conditioning direction icon project stage variable tinker orientation programmer feature decompose
PSHE and RSE
During this half-term we will focus on MyHappyMind and looking at the Celebrate topic and Media Literacy. The Celebrate module is focused on introducing the evidence-based theory that we all have different Character Strengths and that, by understanding what they are and then using them as much as possible, we can be at our best! In this context, Character Strengths refer to those character traits that make us unique. We all have different characters, and this is something to celebrate! This is not about what we are 'good' at, like football or maths. It is about who we are, such as being kind or brave
Vocabulary
Character Strengths, Love and Kindness, Bravery and Honesty, Exploring and Learning, Teamwork, Friendship, Love of Life and Our World, Unique, Special, Strengths Spotting, Neuroplasticity, Team H-A-P, Dopamine, Habits, Neural Pathways
Religion and World Views.
In this half term we will look at ‘Who was Jesus really?’
The children will explore who Jesus was and how he has been represented in different ways. They will create deductions about Jesus by interpreting Bible stories. They will also explore what the Easter story might suggest about Jesus for many Christians.
Vocabulary
Crucified, Easter, evidence, Gospels, impact, literal, opinion, origin, perspective, prophecy, resurrection, sacrifice, spiritual, viewpoint, betray, Jesus, morals, parables, psalms, tomb
PE
This half term, pupils will focus on Gymnastics and Tennis.
Gymnastics - pupils will be embedding their learning from our previous topic and introducing a veriety of rolls, balances, jumps and transitions to their gymnastic routines.
Vocabulary
Transition rhythm performance rehearse static dynamic evaluate improve adapt levels speed patterns
Tennis - pupils will learn how to use their forehand and backhand in a rally situation before getting into competitive matches. We will also explore the most effective way to travel around the court.
Vocabulary
Tennis forehand backhand serve return rally footwork
Geography
We will be learning about where our food comes from thinking about food chains, supply and demand as well as whether it is better to buy local and how our food choices impact on the environment.
Vocabulary
Agriculture, farming, food chains, supply, demand, local, environment
Music
Music will be taught through a programme called Kapow and our topic is ‘Changes in pitch, tempo and dynamics’. We will listen to a range of music, with a focus on the pitch, tempo and dynamics within the songs.
Vocabulary
a cappella breath control cue diction directing dynamics expression harmony line in the round layer melody mood notation opinion ostinato parts percussion rhythm staff notation texture tempo vocal ostinato
Art and Design
Electrical systems and creating torches
This unit of learning will enable the children to apply their learning from our Science curriculum.
They will have an opportunity to make a working switch, identify the features of a torch and how it works. We will also consider what makes a torch successful as well as creating designs that fit our success criteria.
Vocabulary:
circuit, bulb, electricity, switch, wire, cell, battery, gap, broken, incomplete, motor, buzzer, conductor, insulator, component, circuit diagram, torch, wire, test
Key Dates:
Monday 23rd February- school opens
Tuesday 24th February- Year 4 trip
Friday 27th February- Non School uniform day
Friday 27th March- Last day