Welcome to Year 4
This year, our class has 22 kind, brave and curious pupils!
Our Learning
We have a broad and balanced curriculum in Year 4.
In English, we study a fantastic variety of texts including The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane, Escape from Pompeii and The Firework Maker’s Daughter. Children will write for a range of purposes and in different degrees of formality as well as reading for meaning.
In maths, we learn place value of numbers up to 10,000, we add and subtract 4 digit numbers as well as furthering our multiplication and division skills. We also cover topics such as area, perimeter, time, money and fractions and decimals.
In science we study a range of topics including sound, animals including humans focussing on the human digestive system and states of matter. Children will spend time planning and carrying out investigations and recording and explaining their findings as well as discovering more about key scientific figures.
In history we study the Romans in Britain and the Anglo-Saxons. Children will ask questions about the past, research, work closely with artefacts and study primary and secondary sources to gain a greater understanding of life at the time. Furthermore, they will begin to question whether a source is reliable or not.
In geography we explore ‘Is the UK the same everywhere?’, ‘Why does Italy shake and roar?’ and ‘What happens when land meets the sea?’ Children will develop their fieldwork skills through these topics.
In art we study painting, drawing and sculpting. We study the artwork of Monet, Frida Kahlo and create sculptures in the style of Anthony Gormley. In DT we study 2D shapes to 3D structures, simple circuits and switches as well as pneumatics. The children will plan, design, make and evaluate their own products.
In computing we study systems and networks, creating media and programming. Online safety units of work are taught every half term.
In PE we study topics focussed on dance, gymnastics and team games. We work closely with the Schools Sports Partnership who come into school and deliver specialised events.
In RE we look in depth at Christianity. We focus on beliefs, worships and celebrations.
In music, children start their journey of learning a brass instrument, whether this be the cornet, trumpet or baritone. They learn the different notes, how to start to read music as well as the definitions of terms such as pitch and tempo.
Each half term in PSHE, we look at a range of topics including ‘what makes a community’, ‘keeping ourselves safe’ and ‘how to be a good friend.’ To ensure that all children have a voice, we hold class councils where the information is then fed back to school council.
Times Tables
We will be putting in a lot of hard work to ensure we know our times tables this year as in July we have the MTC – Multiplication Tables Check. This is where the children are given 25 questions on their times tables, up to 12 x 12, and they have 6 seconds to answer each question. Children will be accessing Times Table Rockstars daily in school and should be accessing this at home for 10 minutes daily as well.
Reading
Our children are given a reading book appropriate to their current reading level and this needs to be read daily at home and be signed by an adult. Children should bring this book into school every day so they can be heard reading in school. While some children are more confident readers than others, all children could be practising the key reading skills they are taught during whole class reading at home to improve their understanding of the text they are reading. These skills are: prediction, clarify and read, questioning and summarising.
All children also have the opportunity to choose a ‘reading for pleasure book’ from an in class selection or from our new school library. These books can be swapped for others when they have been finished.
Furthermore, the children have access to a program called ‘Reading Plus’ and this encourages our year four children to practice scaffolded silent reading. Children have their own usernames and passwords. To access this at home visit https://student.readingplus.com/seereader/api/sec/login
The children also have the opportunity to access Fiction Express which is an innovative book platform that connects students with professional authors. This encourages reading for pleasure through fun co-creation of stories. To access this at home visit https://en.fictionexpress.com/account/login/
Reading for Pleasure
At Ropery Walk Primary School, we are passionate about reading and creating an environment that promotes reading. We believe that high-quality literature is key to motivating children to read and instilling in children a love of literature. All classrooms have a book area where books and information about books are displayed attractively and where browsing, choosing and reading can take place as a visible way of establishing and promoting a positive ethos for reading for pleasure. We carefully consider the range of texts made accessible to children to cover a breadth and variety of genres and formats; ensuring children can experience a full and rich range of reading. At the end of each day, children have the opportunity to enjoy listening to a story read by their class teacher.
The books we have already enjoyed during story time are:
PE
Our PE days are Tuesday and Wednesday. On these days, children will be expected to attend school in their school PE kit and trainers. A reminder that the PE kit includes joggers or leggings for when the weather is cooler.
Homework
Similar to Year 3, spellings will be sent home every Friday and tested on the following Friday. Children will also be set additional homework aligned with their KIRF (Key Install Recall Facts) targets in Maths. These will also be tested every Friday.
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