Year 4

We have some really fascinating topics to look forward to this year. This term, we will be investigating human geography and the threat to gorillas in their habitat through deforestation and hunting. We will develop our map skills to use the 8 points of a compass, 4-6 figure grid references and locate the world's countries, especially in Europe and North and South America, as well as learning about their human and physical characteristics. 

We will also be finding out about the Victorians, discussing similarities and differences between Victorian schooling and schools today. We will discover what life was like in Victorian workhouses and begin to understand the importance of Queen Victoria and her impact on Britain. We will timeline significant Victorian events and discuss the impact on Britain today and use a range of sources to compare the Victorian Christmas with our own festive season.

Autumn 1

Rise Up: Ordinary Kids with Extraordinary Stories by Amanda Li

Winner of the Blue Peter Book Award 2020

Featuring over 29 tales of amazing young girls and boys who have achieved the unimaginable – from surviving a plane crash in the jungle to striking against climate change – this book includes tales of triumphing over illness and injury, and of overcoming bullying. Entries include Greta Thunberg, Boyan Slat and Phiona Mutesi, to name a few.

How we read in our guided reading lessons:

Autumn 1

Counting on Katherine by Helaine Becker

The bold story of Katherine Johnson, an African-American mathematician who worked for NASA during the space race and was depicted in the film Hidden Figures.

You've likely heard of the historic Apollo 13 moon landing. But do you know about the mathematical genius who made sure that Apollo 13 returned safely home?

As a child, Katherine Johnson loved to count. She counted the steps on the road, the number of dishes and spoons she washed in the kitchen sink, everything! Boundless, curious, and excited by calculations, young Katherine longed to know as much as she could about math, about the universe.

From Katherine's early beginnings as a gifted student to her heroic accomplishments as a prominent mathematician at NASA, Counting on Katherine is the story of a groundbreaking American woman who not only calculated the course of moon landings but, in turn, saved lives and made enormous contributions to history.

In this unit, children will write a fact file about Katherine, including a short biography.

Autumn Term

This term, we will look at place value (4-digit numbers), addition and subtractions, multiplication and area. 

We will look ahead to the Times Table Check that takes place towards the end of the year. Check out www.timestables.co.uk for some fantastic games to aid learning as well as TTRS and www.topmarks.co.uk. 

Coats - please can you send your child in with a coat every day as we will be learning in and out of the classroom in both rain and shine. It is imperative that all belongings, including coats, are clearly named.

Water bottles - children should bring a water bottle in with them each morning so that they can access a drink during the day.

Reading - in Key Stage 2, reading continues to be something that children should be doing regularly so that they are able to build their fluency and comprehension. Please can you record in your child's reading diary each time that they read so that we can monitor their progress more accurately.