AUTUMN 2023
The Autumn terms are always busy - and long! As we approach half term, it is lovely to be able to report that the children seem to have adjusted well to being in Year 4 - with new teachers, new expectations and new academic challenges. In line with the rest of the school we are focusing on behaviour as well as learning: we know that the two must go hand-in-hand.Hopefully you will begin to see the children flourishing and SHINING thanks to our fresh approach.
After half term, the Year 4 team will consist of Mr Pegg, Mrs Walpole, Miss Brice, Mrs Kilminster and Mrs Colabella. Our PPA day will be Thursday, when 4P will be lead by Mrs Hill and 4W by Mrs Bennett.
PE will be on Friday. Can we please remind everyone of the school's expectations so far as PE kit is concerned. No logos (other than the school one!); PE shirts to reflect the child's House Colours; plain shorts/joggers
History topic – Roman Britain
Geography - Mountains and Rivers
Having considered the invasion of Britain by the Romans and studied their legacy, we remain 'at home' for our Geography Unit on the Rivers and Mountains of Great Britain. We will learn about the highest peaks in all four countries of the UK and will follow the River Severn from its origin in the Welsh Mountains to its emergence into the Bristol Channel.
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Autumn 2 and Spring 1 will see the children studying HINDUISM - a fascinating faith full of fabulous fables and deities. We will look at the ways in which Hindus pray and worship - and think about some pretty complicated concepts such as KARMA and REINCARNATION.
SCIENCE:
Our first science topic of the year is SOLIDS, LIQUIDS and GASES. This will include studying the Water Cycle, tying in nicely with Geography. If you get the chance over the half term week, please visit the Severn Bore and let the children see a tidal river in action. You will find an extract from the Severn Bore calendar for October further down this page.
During GUIDED READING 4W will study "The Firework Maker's Daughter" by Philip Pullman, whilst 4P will read " Danny, the Champion of the World" by Roald Dahl. Both books enable the children to focus on the ways in which authors create characters and plots. In English the focus turns to non-fiction texts and recounts. We will use the inspirational Malala Yousafsai's story to inform our writing.
In MATHS we will be focusing on addition, subtraction and multiplication. However, as you know, the statutory Y4 Times Tables Challenge will be administered in June 2024. That seems a long way off - but we know from experience that the weeks and months will fly by! We do encourage you to practise the tables with your children - every little helps. The children will be doing LOTS of practice on the iPads. A reminder that Times Table Rock Stars is still available: the children should all have their logins. If they have forgotten/mislaid them, please contact us.
Also useful are the URBrainy site
https://urbrainy.com/mtc
and https://www.timestables.co.uk/multiplication-tables-check/
Please do not hesitate to let us know if you need any further support with this, or if you have any other queries.