Welcome to Year 4

Teacher: Miss Bates

Teaching assistants: Mrs Bain (AM), Mr Nash (PM- Monday and Wednesday), Mrs Parish (PM- Tuesday, Thursday, Friday)

Term 1

Welcome to the new school year!

Welcome to Year 4! We hope you have all had a wonderful summer break and are ready for an exciting new school year. We are looking forward to getting to know the children and supporting them as they settle into Year 4. We have lots of engaging and exciting learning planned across the curriculum and are looking forward to a fantastic first term together!

English

In English, we will begin the year with Journey, an illustrated picture book by Aaron Becker. Children will explore how illustrations can tell a story and will develop their ability to write effective sentences using a range of grammatical techniques.

We will also explore poetry through The River by Valerie Bloom, developing children's use of descriptive and imaginative language.

In SPaG, we will revisit and develop our understanding of punctuation and word classes, as well as exploring alliteration, similes, adverbial openers and expanded noun phrases. Children will be encouraged to apply these techniques in their own writing.

Our whole class reading texts will include The Promise by Nicola Davies and Voices in the Park by Anthony Browne. Through shared reading, discussion and comprehension activities, children will develop their vocabulary, inference and understanding of different texts.

We will also continue to develop our love for reading in weekly library sessions.

Maths

As mathematicians, we will begin by developing our understanding of place value. Children will represent numbers to 1,000 before extending their learning to numbers up to 10,000.

We will explore partitioning, ordering and comparing numbers, as well as estimating and rounding. Children will also learn about Roman numerals and develop their written methods for addition and subtraction of 4-digit numbers.

Throughout the term, children will develop their mathematical reasoning and problem-solving skills through practical activities and challenges.

Science

In Science, our topic is Grouping and Classifying Living Things. Children will learn how living things can be grouped according to their characteristics and will explore how plants and animals can be identified and classified.

We will investigate how classification keys can help us identify living things and consider the important question: Why do scientists group and classify living things?

History

In History, our topic is How hard was it to settle in Britain? Children will learn about the Anglo-Saxons and the Scots, exploring who they were and why they came to Britain.

We will investigate what life was like during Anglo-Saxon times and explore how and why Anglo-Saxon rule came to an end. Children will use evidence from the past to develop their historical knowledge and understanding.

Art

In Art, our topic is Storytelling Through Drawing. Children will explore the work of artists who use drawing to tell stories and will use sketchbooks to respond to artists' work and develop their own ideas.

They will experiment with line, shape, colour and a variety of materials before creating a finished piece containing sequenced imagery to describe a narrative.

Computing

In Computing, our topic is Systems and Networks. Children will learn about class rules for using the internet and develop their understanding of how the internet works.

We will explore questions such as what is the internet made of?, what is a website? and who owns the internet? Children will also consider how information is shared online and develop their understanding of staying safe and making sensible choices when using the internet.

Religion and World Views

In Religion and World Views, our topic is Spirituality: How does music and silence express beliefs?

Children will explore what spirituality means and consider how people experience it. We will investigate how music can express beliefs and emotions and how silence can be used for prayer, reflection and meditation.

Children will also explore how different religions and worldviews use music and silence in meaningful ways, considering how these experiences can create feelings of connection, peace and belonging.

PSHE

In PSHE, our topic is Me and My Relationships. Children will develop their understanding of different feelings and learn how to recognise and name them.

We will explore friendships and relationships, identify when our feelings may change and consider the difference between being unkind and bullying. Children will be encouraged to develop positive relationships and understand how their actions can affect others.

French

In French, we will be learning the basics of communicating with others. Children will practise formal and informal greetings, learn how to introduce themselves and develop their vocabulary for numbers 1–10 and colours.

We will use games, songs and simple conversations to help children build confidence in speaking and listening in French.

Music

In Music, we will be learning This Little Light of Mine. Children will explore the use of instruments, percussion and body sounds and will work together to create and perform music.

They will develop their ability to keep a steady beat, listen to others and contribute to a group performance.

Forest School 

Forest School will take place on Wednesdays. Children should come to school in school uniform and bring appropriate outdoor clothing suitable for all weather conditions. This is a fantastic opportunity for children to develop teamwork, resilience and confidence through outdoor learning experiences.

P.E.

P.E lessons will take place on Mondays and Thursdays. On Mondays, we will be developing our tag rugby skills with a sports coach and on Thursdays we will be practicing our cricket skills.

Please make sure children come to school in the correct P.E uniform as detailed below. 

You will need to wear:

• Plain black / navy shorts, plain white t-shirt or white t-shirt with school logo
• Daps for indoor PE
• Trainers for outdoor PE
• Plain black / navy joggers and a plain black / navy sweatshirt or ‘hoodie’ may be worn for cold weather outdoor PE in the winter.
• A blue school fleece with logo is also available.
• Please remember to pack socks for those who wear tights with their normal school clothes.

 Please do not wear different colours or clothes with other logos. 

• Mondays – Tag Rugby

• Thursday – Cricket

Home Learning

This term, home learning will continue to be set every Friday. Home learning will include daily reading for approximately 15 minutes. Children are expected to record at least five reads each week in their reading records to show regular practice and progress. As part of our reading rewards initiative, children are working towards earning bookmarks for every 25 reads, along with other exciting reading milestones to celebrate their commitment and achievement. Children will also be expected to practice their weekly spellings, which will be tested on Fridays. Children will also be expected to complete regular times tables practice using TT Rockstars, and complete a sound check, which helps to prepare them for the Multiplication Tables Check (MTC) which is an assessment all Year 4 children will complete in June 2027.

If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to speak to me after school or contact the school office.

Miss Bates
Class Teacher 

 

Key Dates:

Tuesday 1st September: TD Day

Wednesday 2nd September: TD Day

Thursday 3rd September: Back to school