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Year 4's Learning Blog

2024 - 2025

What are Year 4 up to?

1.1 

 

In English, we will be looking at 'Rainforest Calling', where we will be writing a setting description and an explanation about the rainforest too. We will be writing a letter to David Attenborough informing him about what we have learnt about the rainforest and asking him questions about his experience there. 

 

In Maths, the focus is in place value. We will be exploring representing numbers, partitioning numbers, estimating numbers and rounding. We will be working with 1's, 10's, 100's, 1000's and 10,000's.

 

Throughout the whole year we will be focusing on timetables to prepare for the end of year timetables check that the children need to complete. We will be providing lots of support for this for the children.

 

In Topic, we are going to look at why rainforests are important to us. We will look at where in the world the rainforests are, what the Amazon rainforest is like, who lives in the rainforest, how the rainforests are changing and then visiting our local area to see how our local woodland is used. 

 

In Science, we are looking at living things and their habitats. We will be grouping living things, such as vertebrae and invertebrates, plants, habitats and seasonal change and human impacts on habitats. We may even have a visit from the animal man to link to our Geography too. 

2023-2024

3.1

 

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2.2

 

Awaiting content

 

2.1

 

In English this half term, we are looking at The Great Kapok Tree which links to our geography topic. Our first polished write will be about writing a persuasive letter to persuade the loggers to stop chopping down trees in the Amazon rainforest. We will be learning about emotive language, expanded noun phrases and rhetorical questions to support us with our persuasive writing.

 

In maths this half term, we will be continuing our learning of multiplication and division. We will start the term by looking how to times and divide by 10 and 100. Throughout this maths topic, we will be using resources to support our learning such as place value counters, place value charts and base 10. We also encourage the children to work on their times tables via TTRS to prepare for the upcoming test in June.

 

In science this half term, we will be looking at circuits and conductors. We will look at different types of devices and sorting them into which ones need electricity and which ones don’t. Children will also be building different circuits practically and understanding the different names for the equipment.

 

In geography this term, our topic is rainforests! We will be learning about different biomes and which one the Amazon rainforest belongs to as well as finding out what the rainforest is like and who lives there. Please look at our topic grid for some project ideas!

 

1.2

 

English

We are looking at the story ‘Escape from Pompeii’ which links to our Roman topic. Children will be learning about Mount Vesuvius during these lessons and how the volcano ruined the city of Pompeii. Children will also be using fronted adverbials, expanded noun phrases, similes when describing the volcano. The children’s polished write will be writing a newspaper article about what happened when Mount Vesuvius erupted.

Maths

We will be recapping learning how to add and subtract numbers using a place value grid and using column method with exchanges. After that we will be looking at estimating answers based upon a question and using our knowledge of rounding numbers to help us. We are having a big push on times tables in year 4 so make sure you’re practising!

Science

We will be working on teeth and digestion. Looking at how to keep our teeth healthy by writing out an interview with a dentist and answering these questions using an information sheet to aid us. Finally, we will end the topic by labelling parts of the digestive system.

 

Our topic this term is the Romans! We will be looking at the uniform the roman soldier wore, the roads they built, what their houses and towns looked like, the Hadrian war and more!


Computing

This term, we are looking at scratch and how to program! Children will be exploring what a Sprite is and how they can make it move using the movement blocks. Children can also change their sprite and the backdrops to make whichever story they wish. Children can access this from home if they type in ‘Scratch’ into google.

 

 

Learning the French names for vegetables. Tres bon!

 

Year 4 were thrilled to win the X Factor competition with our amazing singing.

 

There were many steps to making our Christmas cards but they turned out very well.

 

1.1

2022-2023

 

3.2

 

In Summer 2, we will begin a new topic all about the seasons. We will learn about the weather that you might see in each season. We will be focusing on our pronunciation of tricky words. Ask your child what their favourite season is in French!

 

 

3.1

 

 

English- This half term we are focussing on ‘Spy Fox’. Children will be working towards writing an explanation text as we explore the different spy gadgets used in the short film. Children will then use the key features in explanation texts to write to persuade someone to buy a spy gadget that they come up with themselves.

 

Maths – Our focus will be fractions and decimals. Children will be learning how to compare and order fractions, add and subtract fractions and look at how decimals can be represented as fractions too. We will have a focus of what an improper fraction is and how we can convert them to a mixed number fraction.

 

Geography - Our topic this half term is ‘water’. We will be learning about what the water cycle is, how clouds and rain are formed, how we get drinking water and understanding what causes floods.

 

Science- In science this half term we will be looking at states of matter. Children will be understanding the differences between gases, liquids and solids and how certain things can change states e.g. water. We will also be conducting a variety of experiments throughout this term to ensure children recognise the differences between the states. 

 

In Summer 1, we will continue to work through our topic on vegetables. We have learnt the names of lots of different foods and we will be focusing on spellings and correct pronunciation. Ask your child what their favourite vegetable is in French!

 

 

2.2

 

 

English- This half term we are focussing on ‘How to be a Viking’ which links to our Viking topic. Children will be challenged to create their own story by using the structure of this story. Children will be using fronted adverbials and expanded noun phrases throughout this process of story making. After this, children will be understanding the features of a fact file and understanding the difference between fact and opinion.

 

Maths- We will be focussing on multiplying and diving numbers this half term. We will begin with multiplying numbers without regrouping with children using a variety of different representation to show their working using expanded and short method. We will then move onto using dividing numbers with and without remainders and children using manipulatives to support their learning.

 

Topic- Our topic this half term is ‘Vikings’ We will be learning about where the Vikings came from and what their aim was when coming to this country. The children will be learning the timeline of the Vikings and the different kings who were present at this time. Furthermore, we will be researching Viking life and understanding the Viking laws that were in place.

 

Science- In science this half term we will be looking at circuits and conductors. We will look at different types of devices and sorting them into which ones need electricity and which ones don’t. Children will also be building different circuits practically and understanding the different names for the equipment.

 

In Spring 2, we will be continuing our French topic called “Les Fruits”. We will be completing our work on naming and spelling the different fruits before moving on to our new topic “Les legumes”. This will be all about our favourite vegetables and we will be working hard to pronounce the words correctly. Ask your child to name a vegetable in French!

 

 

2.1

 

English

Allens group are looking into the ‘Bog Baby’ story and then work towards writing a narrative based on the events of the story. They will be looking at predicting events, exploring past and present tenses, recapping expanded noun phrases and more! Croft group are looking at a short film called ‘Girl and Robot’ and then work towards writing an alternate ending to the story. They will also be predicting, writing a diary entry, writing out a set of instructions to help them prepare for writing an ending.

 

Maths

This half term we are having a big push with multiplication and times tables. We will start the new year with multiples of 3 and then using move onto dividing and multiplying by 6 by using arrays, pictures to help us. We will then move into the 7s, 9s, 11s and 12s times table as well as dividing with this as there is a big push of this in year 4 so make sure you’re practising by using Timetable Rockstars!

 

Science

We will be learning about ‘living in environments’ and we will be learning about different habitats of animals and why they live where they do to help them survive. We will also be looking at classifying animals by grouping them with something they have in common with another animals. Furthermore, we will be introducing the children to new vocabulary for instance, vertebrates and invertebrates.

 

History/Geography (topic)

Our topic this term is the ‘Somewhere to Settle’! We will be looking at why certain people (Romans, Anglo Saxons, Vikings etc) decided to settle in Britain and where they were most likely to set up their towns. For example, what do humans need to survive, what might they like to have and what won’t they have and using reasoning to tell us why.

 

Computing

This term, we are continuing to looking into scratch and how to program! Children will be exploring what a Sprite is and how they can make it move using the movement blocks. Children can also change their sprite and the backdrops to make whichever story they wish. Children can access this from home if they type in ‘Scratch’ into google

 

In 2023 we will be starting a new topic called “Les Fruits”. We’ll be learning the names of lots of different fruits and trying hard to learn the spellings for these words too. As a challenge, we will try reading the words and pronouncing the words correctly. Ask your child to name a fruit in French!

1.2 

 

English

We are looking at the story ‘Escape from Pompeii’ which links to our Roman topic. Children will be learning about Mount Vesuvius during these lessons and how the volcano ruined the city of Pompeii. Children will also be using fronted adverbials, expanded noun phrases, similes when describing the volcano. The children’s polished write will be writing a newspaper article about what happened when Mount Vesuvius erupted.

 

Maths

We will be recapping learning how to add and subtract numbers using a place value grid and using column method with exchanges. After that we will be looking at estimating answers based upon a question and using our knowledge of rounding numbers to help us. We are having a big push on times tables in year 4 so make sure you’re practising!

 

Science

We will be continuing our work on teeth and digestion. Looking at how to keep our teeth healthy by writing out an interview with a dentist and answering these questions using an information sheet to aid us. We will also be looking at how the digestive system works by having an experiment using vinegar! Finally, we will end the topic by labelling parts of the digestive system.

 

History/Geography (topic)

Our topic this term is the Romans! We will be looking at the uniform the roman soldier wore, the roads they built, what their houses and towns looked like, the Hadrian war and more! We are also having a visitor come in and tell her lots about the Romans too.

 

Computing

This term, we are looking at scratch and how to program! Children will be exploring what a Sprite is and how they can make it move using the movement blocks. Children can also change their sprite and the backdrops to make whichever story they wish. Children can access this from home if they type in ‘Scratch’ into google.

 

We will be continuing with our French unit - “Je Peux” which means “I can”. We have learnt the words for TEN French verbs and can create a sentence using these. This term, we will be focusing on our written French knowledge. Ask your child how to say “I can dance!” in French!

 

 

1.1

 

English- This half term we are focussing on ‘The BFG’ by Roald Dahl. We will start with describing what the BFG looks like and how he moves by using noun phrases and then making our own wanted poster for the children’s own giants and using their imagination for this. Furthermore, children will be creating recipes and using record commands to create a recipe for giants and using fronted adverbials in sentences. We will end this half term with the children writing their own fantasy adventure story based upon the story ‘The BFG’.

 

Maths- We will be focussing on place value this half term. We will begin with revising numbers up to 1000 and showing our understanding by partitioning these numbers. We will then look at numbers up to 1000 and we will then look at ordering the numbers and positioning them on a number line.

 

Topic- Our topic this half term is ‘All Around the World’ We will be learning about the world around us and how there are differences depending on where you live. We will look at countries that sit on the equator and the impact this has on time zones. We will also be comparing the polar and tropical regions.

 

Science- In Science this half term we will be looking at eating and digesting. We will look at herbivores, carnivores and omnivores whilst classifying different animals based on their diets. We will be interpreting and constructing food chains. Finally, we will be looking at teeth in order to identify different types of teeth and examining their purpose.

 

 

Our MFL unit this half term is called “Je Peux” which means “I can”. We will be learning the names of ten common verbs which we might enjoy doing – such as dance and eat. By the end of the unit, we’ll be able to use our French verbs in complete sentences!

2021-2022

3.2

 

English

This half term, we will be reading the story “Until I Met Dudley” which is about a Dog called Dudley who tells the reader how everyday items work (e.g. toasters, fridges etc.). Children will be using their imagination to create their own invention such as trainers that help you fly in the first lesson. Children will be using ideas from the text to write a letter to Dudley asking for his help and later in the term, writing a formal explanatory paragraph about how one of the everyday items work.

 

Maths

This half term, we have been looking at multiplication and division. We will look at column multiplication and use this to solve word problems. We will then use base 10 to understand division and to identify remainders.

 

Science

We will be looking at states of matter. We will start by looking at a variety of objects/items and determining whether they are a solid or a liquid and defining the difference between them. This will then move onto learning about temperature and how an objects state may change depending on the temperature (e.g. water/ice). Throughout this topic, we will be experimenting using different materials to ensure children understand the difference between solids, liquids and gases.

 

Geography/Topic

We are going to be taking a deep dive into the USA! Children will be learning where the USA is on a map and the fact that it is a country within the continent of North America. We will then be looking at various landscapes of the USA such as, mountains, coasts, prairies, forests and deserts by comparing photos. Furthermore, children will also learn about the most common natural disasters in the USA and the effects these have on people and the landscapes. We will consolidate their understanding of the USA by considering which state they would most like to visit on holiday and write a persuasive advert to encourage tourists to go to the particular state they have chosen.

 

PE

We will be going swimming this half term. During our swimming lessons, we will work on becoming more confident and competent swimmers.

3.1

 

English

Our focus text for this half term is “Escape from Pompeii.” We will be looking at the impact of Mount Vesuvius erupting. We will track the emotions of the characters and how these changed as events unravelled. We will then focus on fronted adverbials and how we can effectively use these in a piece of writing. We will finish off by writing a newspaper article based on the eruption.

 

Maths

We will be continuing with understanding perimeter on a grid and the converting how many centimetres are in a meter how many millimetres are in a centimetre etc. We will then be looking at using column method to work out multiplication and bus stop method to work out division questions. After that, we will be looking at decimals, specifically tenths and hundredths.

 

Science

We will be looking at states of matter. We will start by looking at a variety of objects/items and determining whether they are a solid or a liquid and defining the difference between them. This will then move onto learning about temperature and how an objects state may change depending on the temperature (e.g. water/ice). Throughout this topic, we will be experimenting using different materials to ensure children understand the difference between solids, liquids and gases.

 

Geography/Topic

Our focus is History and we will be looking at the Romans and the invasion of Britain. We will look at where the Romans come on the timeline of British History and their impact. We will spend some time looking at the Roman Army and working out why they were so successful in invading other countries. We will finish by looking at Roman shields and they significance and use this to magpie ideas for designing and creating our own Roman Shields.

2.2

 

 

English

We will be looking at the story “Kai the Monkey King” by Joe Stanton. We will be using our prediction skills to look at the story and how the author portrays the illustrations to convey how the characters are feeling. Children will then be using illustrations from the story to write their own narrative using their own key vocabulary. After this, we will look at features of adverts to write an advert based on an item in the story.

 

Maths

We will be continuing with our multiplication and division unit this half term. We will be looking at our 3,6,9 and 7 times tables and using the inverse to find all related division facts. We ill then revise perimeter and look at how we can find the perimeter of a shape as well as converting measurements between cm and m as well as m and km.

 

Science

We will be looking at environments and habitats this half term. We will start by looking at a variety of habitats and looking at what animals might live in a particular habitat. We will then group and classify animals based on their characteristics. We will then use a key to identify a range of plants and animals.

 

Geography/Topic

We will be looking into rainforests this half term. We will be looking into where rainforests are on a map, considering if we would live in the rainforest by discussing the climate, what animals live there and how we can help protect the rainforest. To start our topic, we will have a day to introduce children into what the rainforest is like doing activities such as, making our own rainforest in a jar, making cookies with fruit from the rainforests and more fun activities.


Computing

We will be doing the first half of our coding unit for this term. This will be done through a programme called Scratch which is a great way for children to learn to code. We will explore the concept of sequencing in programming and we will look at a range of motion, sound and event blocks. We will finish by making a computerised piano which will work by following our coding.


Art

We will be looking at the work of Andy Warhol and find inspiration through his work to complete our own painting.

 

2.1

 

English

We have been looking at the story “How be a Viking” by Cressida Cowell. We started by looking into the story on a deeper level and looking at how the author builds up suspense. We then imitated the story and wrote our own version by changing the character and setting. We also revised fronted adverbials and expanded noun phrases and used these in our final pieces. After doing this, we wrote our own fact file about Vikings and their impact on British life.

 

Maths

We have spent most of this half term revising fractions. We spent some time looking at the significance of numerators and denominators and representing fractions in shapes.  We then revised how to add and subtract fractions. Finally, we have finished off our half term looking at multiplication and how to multiply and divide by both 10 and 100. We will continue our multiplication and division unit next half term.

Times tables have been a key part of our Maths learning this half term and making sure that we can remember as many as possible. At the start of every Maths lesson, we chant times tables to make sure we are keeping these fresh in our minds. You can log into Times tables Rockstars to help support you with this. https://ttrockstars.com/

 

History

Our topic for this half term is “Vikings.” We have been looking into who the Vikings were, why had such a significant impact on British life and their first big raid on the Island of Lindisfarne. We finished our topic by making a Viking Longship out of clay and looking into the reasons why they were built the way that they were.

 

PE

4M have been focussing on Badminton this half term. They have been practising their skills and improving their hitting skills.

4W have been focussing on Netball this half term. We have been practising our chest shot and applying these new learnt skills into matches which we played on a full size netball court.

 

Computing

We have been looking at computer networks and how they are set up. We then distinguished between a wired and a wireless network and the difference in how they are set up as well as the advantages and disadvantages of each way.

 We created our own story about kind friendship and turned it into a comic!

1.2 

 

English

 

Our focus text this half term is The Ghanaian Goldilocks written by Tamara Pizzoli. We will be analysing the main character and writing a character description about him. We will also be writing a newspaper article about the Notting Hill carnival which will describe what happens at the carnival and its significance. 

 

Computing: We have been looking at photo editing. We have looked at a variety different way that we can change digital images and altered the composition of images to make us look like Roman Soldiers. 

 

Science:

 

We are focussing on Sound this half term and looking at how sounds are made. We will be doing lots of science investigations. We will fund out patterns between the pitch of a sound and the features of the object that caused it as well as the patterns between the volume and the strength of the vibrations that caused it. 

In 4G, we discussed how to be a good friend. We spoke about the friendship highs and lows that we often encounter. We looked at different friendship scenarios where children needed support gave them some advice

 

 In Year 4G  We had lots of fun with our puppet show. We created a story for our puppet with our partners and then we performed this story to the class using our puppets. It was so much fun and there were lots of giggles at the funny characters and stories with came up with. 

 In 4W, we worked really hard to create beautiful designs for our Mental Health pebbles. This one was inspired by nature.

What a careful job we did in 4M of painting our pebbles to go into our mental health garden. We thought carefully about how we wanted them to look and then started painting. Super job!

 

We had story time with Miss Bradley and enjoyed sharing our ideas. 

We have been designing in Art. 

We designed an outfit for a new character that was joining Hogwarts. 

1.1

 

English: we are exploring the magical world of Harry Potter. We are examining descriptive elements of the text and trying these in our own writing, creating character profiles and even conducting our own OFSTED on Professor Snape! We can't wait to share our magical writing with you!

 

Topic:  For History we are examining great historical figures of the 21st century, including Emmeline Pankhurst and Winston Churchill. We will learn all about their lives, what they did for Britain and how they helped to create the country we live in today.

 

Geography: we are examining different jobs and roles that make up the work force in the U.K. We will discuss what different jobs entail and explore all the amazing jobs that our awesome Year 4's can grow up to do when they get older. 

 

Maths: This half term, we have been revising place value in hundred numbers and have been representing this in different ways. We have also been ordering numbers and comparing numbers. We have been revising addition and subtraction using the column method and have been talking about when we might need to regroup or exchange.

 

Science: We have studying "Eating and Digesting." We have looked at the dietary requirements of different animals and have categorised animals based on whether they are a carnivore, herbivore, or an omnivore. We then looked at teeth and have learnt the names and functions of each group of teeth. We created our own radio interview show where we took on the role of dentists explaining how to protect our teeth. Finally, we have studied the digestive systems, looked at the different parts of our digestive system and the function each part has. 

 

Computing: We have been looking at photo editing. We have looked at a variety different way that we can change digital images and altered the composition of images to make us look like Roman Soldiers. 

PSHE Overview 2021-2022