Subject overview:
WE WILL BE LEARNING ABOUT…
MATHS
In Maths this half term, we will continue to develop our knowledge of fractions. This will involve understanding how fractions are created, the different types of fractions and how to convert between mixed numbers and improper fractions. We will also be training the children to use mental maths where possible to encourage their fluency and recall skills. Later this half term, we will begin to explore length and perimeter.
Here are some links you can access to help support your child’s learning at home:
Fractions: https://www.theschoolrun.com/maths/fractions
A variety of Times Table Rockstar sessions should be completed throughout the week to ensure that children regularly practice their times tables. Garage will help the children practise times tables facts based on their current level of attainment and automatically self adjusts. They are aiming to know their times tables facts up to 12×12. Soundcheck always gives 25 random questions with a time limit. This replicates the Government Multiplication check that happens at the end of Year 4. Studio allows children to focus on a range of facts up to 12×12. Children can also challenge their peers and teachers in the Rock Slam section. You can also look at their heatmap to see which specific areas they need to focus on.
English
Our next writing topic will a re-imagining of the classic tale, Cinderella. Our work on traditional tales will begin in guided reading where will examine a variety of Cinderella stories from around the world and discuss the different themes prevalent in each tale. We will also develop our understanding of inference by using multiple sources of evidence from different paragraphs. In writing, we will create our own narrative using the core ideas of Cinderella which will develop a variety of skills including: creating a clear plot, using a range of descriptive devices, using effective speech and using adverbs and a variety of tools to create cohesion.
You should be continuing with your daily reading. You may have a library book, your own book from home or you can use MyOn or the SLS website to access Ebooks.
When you finish a book, it will say completed with a green box and then you can complete the linked quizzes. Please check you have linked your MyON account to Accelerated Reader for this to be successful. When you first log in to MyON, if you account is not linked, the option will be as a banner across the top to link with STAR. Your log in details are the same for both AR and MyON.
Just finished a book? Log onto Accelerated Reader using the link to quiz yourself: https://ukhosted105.renlearn.co.uk/6708094/
Don’t forget that you can still complete quizzes at home even if you don’t have the quiz number. Just search for the title of the book to see if it has a quiz.
Spelling
Each week, two or three spellings will be sent home to practise with a task sheet for each. These will be the ones that we will be practising in school. For this half term, the spelling words are:
| Guard |
| Exercise |
| Extreme |
| Guide |
| Particular |
| Popular |
| Potatoes |
|
Purpose Remember |
Topic – Blue Abyss
Our next topic this year is called Blue Abyss and is all about the oceans. We will investigate the different locations of the oceans and how they differ from each other. We then look at the layers of the ocean and how humans have made an impact to this area. Our final outcome for this unit will be a short script based on an episode of Blue Planet in the style of David Attenborough. Our homework project this term will build on this idea and children can explore any aspect of the oceans they wish to create their project.
Science
Our next unit of Science this year is Living Things and their habitat. We will be investigating why different animals live in the habitats they are in and how different animals can be grouped together. To develop our working scientifically skills, we are going to be focusing on how to carry out careful and accurate observations and gathering and recording data. To sum up our learning, will be creating our own guess who game based on the animals found in our local habitat.
PSHE
During our PSHE, we will then be looking at relationships. We will examine the variety of relationships people have, such as friendships and families, understand what makes a positive relationship and how we can ensure these relationships stay positive by maintaining it. We will also be exploring different family units and looking at how all families are unique.
Computing
In this Computing topic, we are discovering what computers are. The components that we are going to look at are input, processing, memory and output. We are also learning about the ways to be efficient when using a computer, for example keyboard shortcuts and internet searching techniques. Our outcome is to create a poster to help people understand how computers work.
Later in the term, we will start our next Computing topic where we are learning about computer programming and coding. At the end of this unit, we will be looking to create a simple game using coding. We will look at how to create simple repetitive loops of code and how to animate simple designs before editing a version of a game. We will then design and create our own game.
PE
In PE this half-term, our outdoor PE sessions will be focusing on developing our balance and ball skills. This unit will also allow us to develop our Cognitive Cog where we will look to further our awareness of space, be able to explain what I am doing well and what can be improved.
Our indoor PE sessions will consist of Real Gym this term. This unit will encourage our children to develop their balance and rotation skills. We will be also looking at this unit through the lens of the Personal Cog so they can continue developing the personal skills in concert with their outdoor PE lessons.
Our outdoor PE sessions take place every Tuesday and our Indoor PE will be on a Monday.
Children must wear the correct PE uniform during Real Gym sessions; black shorts, leggings or ‘skins’ and a white t-shirt. Children cannot wear tracksuit bottoms or sweatshirts during Real Gym sessions. As we are asking your children to wear their PE kit into school, we encourage children to wear their tracksuit bottoms/sweatshirts to school in the winter months over their shorts and t-shirt. They can still wear tracksuit bottoms or sweatshirts during their outdoor PE session.
No jewellery can be worn during Real Gym sessions, this includes any earrings, even studs. If your child cannot remove their own stud earrings for these sessions, we would ask that you do not send them into school wearing them on their Real Gym days.
Watches must not be worn during Real Gym, so we ask you not to send your child in with a watch on the days they have their indoor sessions.
During Real Gym sessions, your child will be asked to remove their shoes and socks as this will increase their grip on the equipment greatly. If there is a medical reason as to why you would like your child to not go barefoot, please discuss this directly with their class teacher.
French 
In French this year, we will learn new phonics through day of the week. As part of our unit, we will learn how to identify various members of our family and describing their relationship to us.
Music
Our next unit of music is about “Music of the Caribbean”. We will explore the different types of musical instruments used in Caribbean music and the different rhythms we can spot in the music. We will continue to develop our understanding of written music and use this to perform a piece on steel pans.
RE
In RE, we will begin to explore the concept of temptation. We will look at this in regards to the Christian faith and Lent as well as our own experiences of this concept. We will reflect back on the learning from the first session using our new understanding.
Useful Websites
Accelerated Reader- Log in here to complete your quizzes.
https://ukhosted105.renlearn.co.uk/6708094/
You can log onto Language Angels – details on how to do this are on Google Classroom.
https://www.todaysparent.com/family/fun-typing-games-for-kids/ typing games that are fun and good for beginners.
Visit Interland and explore each of the 4 kingdoms. Use you e-safety knowledge to navigate your way through!
https://beinternetlegends.withgoogle.com/en_uk/interland
http://www.primaryresources.co.uk/english/englishbooks.htm lots of different English resources.
We regularly watch Newsround – there are lots to explore on the Newsround website. Use this link to access the website: https://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/news/watch_newsround
Joe Wicks regularly posts 5 minute workouts for children. These make an excellent brain break when working hard.
Both of these websites have a range of different maths activities to complete at home
Dates for the Diary
Tuesday 14th March – 4BW class assembly
Tuesday 21st March – 4DS class assembly
Tuesday 28th March – 4SB class assembly
Monday 3rd April – Easter holidays begin
Homework Expectations
Our homework has 3 elements:
1 – Daily reading
Regular reading of a variety of genres is an integral part of the curriculum and develops a range of skills that children can utilise on a daily basis. We expect children to read regularly and aim for at least 5 times a week.
2 – Daily times tables practise
This could be chanting, rapid recall or quick fire questions with a family member, use of Times Tables Rockstar or playing different times tables games. By the end of Year 4, Government expectations are that children will have rapid and fluent recall of all times tables up to 12×12.
3- Spellings
We expect children to learn the Year 4 National Curriculum spellings and each week, a one or two new words will be sent out to learn. In addition, they will be tested on them at the end of each half term.