WELCOME TO YEAR 4
Concept question: What influence are humans having on the climate across the world?
During our geography project in the spring term, we will be exploring the concept of climate, firstly in the United Kingdom and then further afield, around the world. We will also be considering how humans are impacting on the climate. After this, we will explore the reasons behind by so many people globally live in cities, including in megacities.
Shared/Guided Reading Text
This term we will be reading Journey to the River Sea. This is an adventure story, set in the 1910s and mostly takes place in and around the Amazon river (linking nicely to part of our Geography project). During shared reading sessions, children will continue to develop a wide range of comprehension skills to enable them to become fluent, competent readers.
English
This half term, we will be exploring descriptions of unfamilar settings. They are developing their understanding of using a range of expanded noun phrases, through the use of a story map (below), to create a rich and detailed setting description.
Maths
This half term, we are starting by revisiting the informal methods of multiplication and division. The children have started by understanding how to find factor pairs of a given number. They have developed their understanding that if a number only has factors of 1 and itself, then it is called a prime number.
Spring Term PE
In gymnastics this half term, children are exploring sequences of movement based on the concept of 'bridges'. In games, children are developing their understanding of how to play squash.
Wider Curriculum
Photos and examples of work from the wider curriculum will be added here as they become available. Pictures included below include: an outdoor maths lesson on rounding numbers (Maths), our science investigation into the impact of sugary drinks on our teeth (Science), learning a game for writing a set of instructions (English) and creating nativity scenes based on the Gospels (RE).
REMINDERS
PE days: Tuesday (squash) and Friday (gymnastics) this half term.
PE kit: Blue 'Layer' PE top, navy blue shorts and trainers.
Please ensure children have layers on for outdoor PE days during the colder weather as they cant wear their coats.
Diary Dates
Safer Internet Day 2025: Tuesday 11th February.
Parent Partnership session: Wednesday 5th March at 9:05am in the Hall.
World Book Day 2025: Thursday 6th March
Easter Performance for parents: Thursday 3rd April at 2:00pm at the church.
HOMEWORK
Reading: Children are expected to read at home every day, either with an adult or on their own. Please ensure children bring their reading journal and reading book to school every day.
Times Tables Rock Stars: Children should access Times Tables Rockstars at home every day for 10 minutes. Being able to recall times tables is essential to success in Mathematics and underpins many mathematical concepts. Children should know their times tables to 12 x 12 by the end of year 4.
Spellings: Spellings will be set as part of homework on a Wednesday and should be given in with homework on Monday. Our class spelling text will continue to be done on a Wednesday.
Times Table Rockstars
Times Tables Rock Stars: Children should access Times Tables Rockstars at home every day for 10 minutes. Being able to recall times tables is essential to success in Mathematics and underpins many mathematical concepts. Children should know their times tables to 12 x 12 by the end of year 4.
The Multiplication Tables Check: The multiplication tables check (MTC) is statutory for primary schools. The purpose of the MTC is to check whether children can recall their times tables fluenty, as this is essential for future success in maths. It is an on-screen check consisting of 25 times tables questions. Children will be able to answer 3 practice questions before taking the actual check and they will then have 6 seconds to answer each question.
The MTC will take place in June 2025.
Children are regularly playing Times Tables Rockstars at school and it is expected that they play at home for 10 minutes per day.
If you have any questions about the MTC, please feel free to contact me, via the school office.