Year 4

Welcome to Year 4’s Class Page!

We have had a fantastic start to Year 4. The children have settled in well and have started to become role models for the new Year 3 classes. We have some interesting topics and texts to be covered over the next few weeks so there will be plenty to keep you occupied!

Religious Education

Our Autumn topics in R.E. are Creation and Covenant (Branch 1) and Prophecy and Promise (Branch 2). The children will be engaging in the new RE curriculum where they will explore Abraham as is one of the most important figures in religious history. When considering this ancient figure, pupils must understand the sort of text they are reading. In theology, this is referred to as hermeneutics. Teachers may find it helpful to reflect on the following three areas in studying biblical texts. In Branch 2, pupils will compare two accounts of the appearance of John the Baptist, noticing what is the same in St Mark and St Matthew’s accounts. Alongside physical appearance, both gospel writers draw on the prophet Isaiah, suggesting that the one Isaiah speaks of is fulfilled in the person of John. For Christians, this is true as it is a sign that Jesus is the Messiah. In the gospel accounts, John prepares the way for Jesus’ ministry, whereas, in Advent, the figure of John the Baptist asks Christians how they will prepare a way for Jesus in their own lives and at the end of all things. As with the prophet Isaiah, pupils should reflect on how John speaks to Christians today to prepare the way of the Lord.

English

In English, we are reading The Great Kapok Tree, a text which links to our History topic - The Maya, and there will be many opportunities for the children to develop their creative writing skills. The children will use different techniques to support them in writing their own non-chronological reports related to deforestation and the Amazon rainforest. 

This term, we will also explore the following books: The Firework Maker’s Daughter, Krindlekrax, providing the children opportunities to write narratives, describe settings and characters.

Handwriting

Handwriting is a focus this year. Children must be able to write with neatly joined handwriting. Pupils will be following the Sassoon Penpals Handwriting programme and focussing on joining letters in all written work. 

Comprehension

Pupils will be completing multiple comprehension tasks in order to improve reading skills such as: retrieval, inference, summarising or predicting. We will be running specific guided reading lessons in small groups to help the children progress.

Maths

In Maths, we are working to consolidate our knowledge within Numbers up to 10,000, understanding Place Value, number bonds and apply these within problems involving addition, subtraction, multiplication and division.

It is important that the children are able to apply this knowledge into every day and relevant problems and can recognise the key mathematical vocabulary within word problems. Children will be learning arithmetic skills during lessons and will need to be proficient in all of their times tables for the Autumn Term. 

It is essential the children know their times tables up to 12. 

History

The children are developing their knowledge of The Maya. In this topic we will be exploring aspects of their lives such as:

• Who The Maya were;
• The lives and traditions of Maya;
• Where The Maya fit on the timeline of history;
• What were their beliefs;
• How they lived: structure of society, role of Gods, examining temples;
• Daily routines and diets;
• We will also learn about Volcanoes and earthquakes.

Science

In science this term we will be exploring States of Matter. The children will learn to:

• Gathering evidence: of experiment involving solid to liquid.

• The transition between the three states.

In our Animals Including Humans topic, the children will learn to draw conclusions and use straightforward scientific evidence to answer questions about how living things function. The children will be classifying different living things and recognise that living things can be grouped in a variety of ways. They will also construct and interpret a variety of food chains, identifying producers, predators and prey.

Expectations

We encourage all children to demonstrate a high standard of behaviour at all times in order to create a safe, respectful and happy learning environment.

Each class has participated in the process of making a set of ‘Golden Rules.’ The children have agreed to follow the rules as they understand that this will help their learning.

Respecting each other and all members of staff is expected and reflects the ethos of our school. 

The children are required to listen carefully and to develop their self-control and concentration in class and in the playground. 

Working together with parents and guardians plays a big part in establishing good relationships and standards of behaviour.

Homework

There may also be additional topic homework sent home through the year to extend the children’s learning.

Thank you for your continued support and we look forward to the term ahead!

Miss Fitzgerald and Mr Marston