Yellow 2023 - 2024

Welcome to Yellow Class

We are a Year 4 class and are taught by Mrs Whittaker, supported by Mrs Inskip. 

Here is all of the exciting learning that we will be doing in the Summer term:

Maths:

Decimals: Making a whole, partition decimals, order decimals, compare decimals, round to the nearest whole, halves and quarters as decimals.

Money: Write money using decimals, convert money between pounds and pence, compare amounts of money, estimate with money, calculate with money, solve problems with money.

Time: Years, months, weeks and days, Hours, minutes and seconds, convert between analogue and digital times, convert to the 24-hour clock, problem solving with converting units of time.

Geometry – Angles and 2D Shapes: Identify angles, compare and order angles, triangles, quadrilaterals, polygons, reasons about polygons, lines of symmetry, complete symmetrical figures

Statistics: Interpret charts, solve problems with charts, interpret line graphs, draw line graphs

Geometry: Position and Direction: Describe position, describe position using coordinates, draw 2D shapes on a grid, translate on a grid, describe translation on a grid.

English:

In English we will be looking at the text ’Egyptology’ by Dugald Steer, as well as the text ‘Into the Forest’ by Anthony Browne. 

Egyptology is a language-rich picture book which where we will become immersed in the world of Ancient Egyptians. We will be creating an Egyptian mystery narrative with twist and turns and create a secret diary. We will be focussing on paragraphs, prepositions, similes and using conjunctions. We will learn the difference between a synonym and an antonym.

Through the text ‘Into the Forest’ we will look at writing a lost narrative where we look at describing emotions through character’s behaviour. We will then create a newspaper recount, look at headlines, subtitles and paragraphs. We will be focussing on fronted adverbials, conjunctions and modifying adjectives.

Science:

Plants

In this unit, we will learn the names of different parts of the plants, and the jobs they do. They will investigate what plants need to grow well, and will present their findings to their classmates. Furthermore, they will have chance to predict what will happen in an exciting investigation into the transportation of water within plants. The class will work on identify the parts of a flower, and will explore the different stages of the life cycle of a flowering plant.

Scientist and Inventors

The class will learn about famous scientists and inventors. They will learn about the dangers posed to living things in Madagascar, and Gerald Durrell’s conservation efforts on the island. The children will learn about Alexander Graham Bell and his invention of the telephone, as well as modern improvements on his invention by inventors like James West and Gerhard M. Sessler. The children will look at the early uses of solar energy in homes, invented and built by Maria Telkes and Eleanor Raymond, then build their own basic solar oven. Finally, they will find out about the invention of toothpaste, and will invent their own brand of toothpaste to compare against real brands. They will develop their scientific enquiry skills, making observations, predictions and conclusions.

History:

World War 2

The children will learn about the about when and why World War II began and find out about the key individuals and countries involved. In addition to this, they will discover what it was like for people on the home front and how they contributed to the war effort. We will explore the significance of the Battle of Britain; participate in wartime songs, dances and games. The children will learn to organise information chronologically and understand how past events have helped to shape the world we know today. We hope to visit Stockport Air Raid Shelter as part of this topic.

Geography:

The U.K.

In this geography unit, the class will take a look at the geography of the UK, from the physical features of mountains, rivers and seas to the man-made administrative regions and counties. They will find out how the UK has changed over time, looking at how London grew and how the population of the UK as a whole has changed throughout the course of history. 

Computing:

Turtle Logo and Scratch

In computing this term, we will be learning how to create and debug algorithms. The class will use the basic commands in Logo to move and draw using the turtle on screen, and then further develop algorithms using the “repeat” command. Using these skills and applying them to Scratch, we will create algorithms.

Online Safety

The children will learn about emails and other forms of online communication. They will look at how to write and send emails, as well as how to decide if an email is safe to open. As a class, we will develop their existing knowledge of cyberbullying and how to deal with unkind behaviour online. The use and importance of privacy settings is introduced and the children will discuss the types of information we should not share online. The class will build on the idea of a digital footprint by thinking about how the adverts they see online are targeted at them. 

Art:

Bodies

In our Art lesson,s the children will learn about how to use pen, charcoal, felt tip, make maquettes, make paper clothes and sculpt Giacometti-inspired models to create quality artwork. The children will also have the opportunity to explore the work of ‘Bodies’ artists Julian Opie, Alberto Giacometti and Henry Moore.  

Design and Technology:

Let’s Go Fly a Kite

This unit gives children opportunities to develop their understanding of frame structures and how they can be strengthened and stiffened. The children will discover information about a key event involving a kite that helped shape the world. The children will gain knowledge and understanding about the parts and shapes of kites. This will help them when designing and making their own kites. Finally, the children will test and evaluate their kites against design criteria they have created.

RE:

How do Jewish People Show a Commitment to God?

In this topic, the class will learn what is important to Jews and be able to express an opinion on the best ways for Jews to show their commitment to God and start to give reasons.

Prayer and Worship

The children will learn about what is important to Christians during worship and explain some of the symbolism of the Holy Communion and baptism.

Music:

Human Body

The class will learn a call and response and recognise sounds. We will be using parts of our body to keep and rhythm and learn some chanting.

French Songs

The children will learn to learn to understand pitch through singing and playing a melody. They will learn pitch shapes and notations to play a melody.

M.F.L. - French:

Food Glorious Food

In French this term, the children will learn the vocabulary for a range of food, to express likes and dislikes, and to count and use plural nouns. Your child will learn about colours and learn from a French story called The Very Greedy Dog.

PSHE:

Aiming High

In this unit of work, the children will focus on goals and aspirations. They will start by discussing achievements they have accomplished so far and the type of attitude that helps us to succeed. The children will identify ways of applying a growth mindset to new challenges and learn about the importance of resilience. Opportunities will also be provided for the children to share aspirations for their future employment and personal goals and through this learning, they will consider different jobs and careers. In doing this, we will explore some of the difficulties faced by stereotyping. The children will also have the opportunity to think about the specific skills they might wish to develop in order to achieve their short, mid and long-term goals.

Growing Up

This unit builds on the children’s knowledge of the human body; how we grow and change, both physically and emotionally. The children will learn about their own and others’ bodies and how male and female bodies play a part in human reproduction. They will also learn about different relationships and family structures.

Physical Education:

The children will have two P.E. sessions. Outdoor PE will be taught on a Thursday. In the Summer term, the children will be working to improve athletics and striking and fielding skills Indoor PE will be taught on a Tuesday. The children will be learning gymnastics and dance to two themes: Egyptians and Water.

On these days, the children will need to come to school dressed in their P.E. uniform: navy shorts and light blue t-shirt; navy tracksuit and light blue t-shirt. No logos or football kits. Trainers should be plain black or plain white. All long hair should be tied back and earrings should be removed.

Homework:

Maths: Maths homework will be set via Class DoJo on a Friday to be completed by the following Friday. We ask for all children to continue to access Times Table Rockstars online to practice and improve instant recall of key multiplication and related division facts.

English: English homework will be set via Class DoJo on a Friday to be completed by the following Friday. We ask that the children also engage frequently with Spelling Shed to practise their spellings.

Reading: At Weston, we encourage children to develop a lifelong love for reading. We ask for children to read regularly at home to adults and to themselves. Reading is fundamental to the wider academic and personal development of children and the need for children to read widely from a broad and challenging range of texts is crucial. The children will be provided with or able to select from quality texts appropriate for their age and ability.