Welcome to Year 4
Year 4 Chad: Mr Clark, Miss Mukwende and Ms Patel
Year 4 Vale: Mrs Moore, Mrs Gaines, Mr Fennech and Miss Gebremichael
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Autumn Term
English
This term, we will be using ‘The Write Stuff’ as our model for English. Children will learn the features of different text types and then apply these to their very own version. The genres that we will be focusing on during this term will be journey stories, explanation texts, creative narratives and information texts. Also during English, there will be an emphasis on S.P.A.G (Spelling, Punctuation, and Grammar).
Reading
In Year 4, reading will take form of Whole Class Reading. Children will read an extract from a book, a short story or an information text and they will learn how to use key reading skills. They will have opportunity to predict, summarise, infer and explain but will work collaboratively as part of a whole class or group. They will also choose a reading book to have on their desks and a story will be read to them by a teacher every day.
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It is vital that children read as often as possible when they are at home. We recommend approximately 15 minutes per day with an adult. Please talk to your child about what they are reading, as this will ensure that they really do understand what is happening in the book.
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Maths
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We use the Maths – No Problem syllabus in order to ensure all curriculum areas are covered adequately. Initially, when teaching a topic, we will go over any remaining Year 3 skills. Number, place value and calculation will be covered in the first half-term.
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There will be an emphasis on the use of vocabulary and how it is used by the children to explain or articulate their own thoughts and findings.
By the end of Year 4, all children should be able to recall all times tables (up to 12 x12) quickly and we expect to be completing the statutory times table check in the summer term. For this reason, we cannot emphasise enough how important it is to spend approximately 10 minutes per day on learning and remembering them. Children can do this with an adult or independently, depending on their needs.
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Topic
This term, Year 4 will be studying the Ancient Egyptians as our history topic. Children will be encouraged to examine various artefacts, in order to determine what life was really like. They will also have the opportunity to develop their independent learning through a research project. Year 4 children will also use hieroglyphics to decipher and write their own messages. Furthermore, the children will learn about the daily lives of Ancient Egyptians and their beliefs, by using evidence uncovered by archaeologists. Art lessons will also be structured around history and children will make their own canopic jar made of clay.
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In design technology, children will build on their knowledge of moving cards. They will be taught about various levers and pivots with a view to complete a moving story!
During science, the children will be studying teeth, the human digestive system and feeding relationships within environments. This leads on to the second part of the term, when we will learn about habitats and the environment.
In computing, children will make full use of the laptops and iPads to work together to research and present information. They will also create and debug computer programs.
In Music, children will follow the Charanga curriculum where they will learn a variety of songs. They will also get the opportunity to experiment with rhythm and pitch.
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Swimming will take place on Mondays, with Vale visiting the university pool for the first half of each term. Chad will swim for the second half of each term. All children will need to wear a full PE kit every Friday. Please ensure their kit is suitable for both indoor and outdoor activities.
Homework
Every week, children will be given homework, with a maths page and some spellings to learn. We may send some resources home to assist with times tables. You may either keep homework at home or choose to submit to the teacher any time of the week.
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Visits
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During the year, we hope to arrange exciting, curriculum-themed visits to the Think Tank and The Black Country Living Museum!
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The Year 4 Team
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