Welcome to Year 4

Welcome to Summer 2 and Year 4! 

As always we will continue to adhere to our school values of Respect, Good Manners, Patience, Perseverance and Honesty. We will understand the school rules of 'Be Safe, Be Kind and Be the best you can be!'  We will continue with our 'Brookhouse Dojo' rewards scheme to acknowledge positive attitudes and behaviours that are consistent with our values.  Homework will be collected in on a Wednesday to be marked and returned by Friday.  There will also be online tasks to complete on Purple Mash, SPAG.com, Reading Plus and Times Tables Rockstars. 

Our topic for this half term is 'Hunted'

English

The unit for this half term is Debate. We will develop our speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills through learning how to take part in debates. We will explore different viewpoints on topics that are relevant and interesting to us, learning how to express their opinions clearly and respectfully. We will practise using persuasive language, giving reasons to support their ideas, and listening carefully to the arguments of others before responding. Through structured debate activities, we will build confidence in public speaking, improve their critical thinking skills, and learn the importance of considering different perspectives. We will develop our understanding of persuasive writing by planning and writing arguments for and against a given issue. We will learn how to structure a debate by introducing a topic, presenting clear points supported by reasons and evidence, and concluding with a summary of their viewpoint.

Reading is a priority of ours at Brookhouse therefore Whole Class Reading sessions take place everyday, where children are expected to read a range of texts and answer questions by summarising, retrieving, making inference and explaining.  We also have a specific focus on vocabulary, which will be sent home to learn before the lesson.  In school, we will continue to use the online reading resource called 'Reading Plus' and encourage children to complete lessons at home.  It is imperative for you to support your child with reading, please use the question stems to ask your children questions to check for understanding.  Also, ensure your child is learning their spellings for ten minutes daily. 

Oracy - Voice 21

As a school we are developing our Oracy, learning through talk and learning to talk.  In class, we provide opportunities for discussion in all areas of the curriculum.  We encourage children to fully participate by taking on a range of roles and utilising the discussion guidelines created at the start of the academic year.

Mathematics

In Maths, our aim is to improve Maths Fluency, Reasoning and Problem Solving.  We do this through concrete, pictorial and abstract models.  In Summer 2, we will focus on geometry and learn about different types of angles.  They will name and compare angles and use this information when classifying triangles and quadrilaterals.  Pupils will explore symmetry and symmetrical figures. Next, pupils will learn how to describe the position of objects and figures. They will learn how to describe positions on grids using coordinates, introduced to the x and y axes and build an understanding of how coordinates are written.  Finally, pupils will focus on number and place value, learning how to read and write roman numerals, how they were originally used and how they are still used today.  They will then apply this knowledge to Reasoning and Problem Solving by utilising the QUACK method.  Summer 2 concludes with an end-year review of learning and remediation of key concepts taught. 

Science

In Science we will learn about 'Living Things and Their Habitats' (Biology).  By the end of the unit, children will be able to name living things in a range of habitats and use classification keys when sorting living things.  To conclude the unit, pupils will provide examples of how an environment may change both naturally and due to human impact.  Children will be expected to work scientifically by setting up simple practical enquiries including comparative and fair tests, making careful observations, identifying similarities and differences, gathering, classifying and presenting data, recording findings using scientific language, drawing and labelled diagrams. They will use scientific evidence to answer questions or support their findings. Please encourage your child to learn their knowledge organiser which will assist them with their weekly quizzes. Pupils will be expected to work scientifically by setting up simple practical enquiries including comparative and fair tests, making careful observations, identifying similarities and differences, gathering, classifying and presenting data, recording findings using scientific language, drawing and labelling diagrams. They will use scientific evidence to answer questions or support their findings. Please encourage your child to learn their knowledge organiser which will assist them with their weekly quizzes.

Design Technology

In Design Technology, children will start their food technology unit where they are required to make a vegetable raita with nutritional benefits.  They will taste test different fruits and vegetables and plan the ingredients for their own.  Pupils must also think about the aesthetic qualities (look, taste, smell and texture) as well as presentation.  The final product will be evaluated by themselves and others. 

Physical Education

P.E sessions will take place on a Monday afternoon, our unit is Cricket.  Children will master the fundamental movement skills of running, throwing (underarm and overarm) and catching within in sporting context.  Pupils will develop their striking and fielding skills.  Please ensure your child comes into school wearing their full P.E kit.  The kit should include a yellow P.E top with the school's logo matched with black shorts, joggers or leggings and black pumps or trainers.  Over the top, children will wear their school jumper or cardigan.  All jewellery must be removed, ensure earrings are taken out before the session or covered with plasters.

History

In History we will be learning about the Ancient Egyptians, developing our understanding of where this civilisation fits within a wider historical timeline, including the Roman Empire and the Great Fire of London. We will explore the importance of the River Nile, identifying key reasons why it was vital for survival and daily life. We will also learn about significant events from this period and began to recognise differences between early and later Ancient Egyptian societies. Throughout the topic, we will be developing our enquiry skills by asking thoughtful questions and using a range of resources to find answers, showing curiosity and growing confidence in our historical learning.

PSHE

This half-term or focus will be on 'Money and Work'. We will develop our understanding of money and financial decision-making by exploring different methods of payment and considering when each may be used. We will investigate how businesses and services use advertising and persuasive techniques to encourage people to purchase products and services. We will discuss how spending choices can have both positive and negative effects on individuals, communities, and the environment. We will also learn about stereotypes in the workplace, recognising that jobs can be done by people of any gender, background, or ability. Through a range of practical activities and discussions, we will identify situations in which people may need to save money for future goals or borrow money to meet important needs, helping them to develop responsible attitudes towards money management.

If you have any queries, do not hesitate to discuss these with us at the end of the school day or arrange an appointment through the school office.

Thank you for your support.

All the best from the Year 4 team!

Miss Woodhouse (Class Teacher)

Mrs Khonat (Higher Level Teaching Assistant)

Mrs Matador (SSA)

Mrs Saleem (Teacher Assistant)