Welcome back to the summer term in Year Four!
I connot wait to get stuck into our brand new topics for the summer term! I believe that the children are going to enjoy every minute of our thrilling learning journey which we have already begun to delve into this week . We have a very busy term ahead of us with lots of exciting opportunities and fun-filled activities! Please read on to find further information about our topic as well as the general routines in Year Four.
For this term, Mrs Tomlinson will be teaching Year 4 every Thursday.
If you require any further information then please feel free to pop in and see me or write a note in the message book.
Miss Adams
Please click here to view this year's curriculum map!
Our topic this term is...
World Citizens - Can we make the world a better place?
During this term, we will explore many texts based on refugees. These texts will provide the children with the perfect opportunity to find out more about Refugees and how they can become global citizens of the world. Additionally, the children will be engaged in exciting and hands on learning that will inspire them to help make the world a better place. These exciting new exerpiences will include: comic strip artwork, fair trade food tasting and comparing their own traditions to those from other cultures.
What Wonderful Things Will We Be Doing?
Whilst keeping this term's topic as cross-curricular as possible, the main focus for our learning will very much be geography-based encompassing aspects of global learning, including PSHE and Citizenship.
English - For the first half term, children will be focussing on the topic of Refugees. Our key text will be: 'Wisp: A Story of Hope'. This topic will give the children the oppourtunity to master key skills such as: expanded noun phrases, fronted adverbials, and exciting and varied vocabulary.
Maths - We will have a heavy focus on learning our times tables, practising each day! Alongside our times tables, we will be continuing to develop our fractions and decimal knowledge. Later in the term, we will consider length, area and perimeter using our over-arching Refugee topic as our stimulus!
Science - We will be continuing to investigate animals, including humans, and especially exploring teeth. Additionally, as part of our cross-curriculuar learning, we will explore states of matter, focussing on the importance of the water cycle!
RE - We will investigate Christianity and whether you can be a good Christian without going to Church.
Geography - This topic will allow the children to explore many areas of geography including comparing homes across the world, fair trade products and the water cycle!
Art/Design Technology - We shall be focussing on creating 'Homes for the Future' looking at using many different materials and textures to create a collage.
Physical Education - For the first half term, the children will develop their agility, co-ordination and teamwork skills through ball games and racket sports such as cricket and tennis.
Our focus text for the first half term is...
Wisp: A Story of Hope by Zana Fraillon
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Who is Our Class Author?
Zana Fraillon
Author of Wisp and No stars to wish on. Zana was born in Melborne Australia, but spent most of her childhood in San Francisco. As a child, she always had her head in a book and her love of reading remained a central part of her life.
She believes that by opening a new book you are "preparing to step into the unknown where a whole world of possibilities await!"
Times Table Practice
Generate your own times table tests:
http://www.timestables.me.uk/printable-pdf-quiz-generator.htm
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Copy the link below to help with your multiplication practice. There are lots of games to choose from...
www.topmarks.co.uk/maths-games/7-11-years/times-tables
Here are a list of some of the best times table apps:
https://www.educationalappstore.com/best-apps/best-times-tables-apps-for-5-to-11-year-olds
Try this fun times tables game!
Homework
Children in Year 4 receive the following homework:
English (on a weekly rotation)
Mathematics (on a weekly rotation)
Spellings (on a weekly basis)
Learning Log (on a half term basis)
Times Tables - please work with your child on learning their times tables. We focus on a different one from the 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11, and 12 every two weeks.
All homework should be handed in on time unless otherwise agreed with the class teacher.
P.E
The children have two P.E sessions each week; one on a Monday afternoon and one on a Wednesday monring. We recommend kits are brought in a Monday and taken home on a Friday.
Children should have both an indoor and outdoor kit in case of inclement weather during the colder months.
Girls with long hair should tie it back and all jewellery, including earings, must be removed for P.E.
Any child who does not have a suitable P.E kit may be asked to complete alternate work.
Reading
Children receive one guided reading session with the teacher every week. Aside of this, they have follow up sessions which are linked to their text. They will also have the opportunity to participate in SPaG (spelling, punctuation and grammar) activities during guided reading sessions. I will endeavour to read with your child during any quiet reading time throughout the day but I cannot stress the importance of your child reading at home with you as much as possible.
Outside of school, we ask that children are read with 3 times a week. If you would like any extra support in how to get the most out of reading with your child, please do not hesitate to come and speak to me.
