Our Curriculum

    Willow

    Welcome to

    Willow Class

    Year 4

    Autumn Term

    Willow Tree Transparent PNG Clip Art Image | Tree drawing, Tree painting,  Tree art

     

    Homework, Spellings and Times Tables

    Homework

    Reading

    Children will receive a book band reading book from school, which they should read every day. It is also encouraged for them to read their own books, comics and magazines at home too, to develop a love of reading and an experience of a range of genres. Please log all reading in your Home School Planner.

    Spellings

    These will be set weekly and practised in school every day. As well as specific spelling patterns, the Year 3/4 words below will be learnt throughout the year.

    We are now using Spelling Shed to support the children's learning and activities can be accessed by logging in. A parents' guide to using Spelling Shed is attached below.

    Timetables

    Children have been learning their multiplication and division facts since the beginning of Year 2. Children should be using their own personalised programme on the online platform Times Table Rock Stars - https://ttrockstars.com/ every day to practise these, so that they know all of their facts up to 12 x 12 by the end of Year 4.

    Homework Projects:

    This first half-term, our topic is history based all about the Ancient Egyptians. For our homework project, children can choose one or more of the projects on the grid below, enabling them to be creative in ways that they enjoy. This is a long-term project, to be handed in by Wednesday 25th October to be shared with the class, so please ensure the finished work reflects the time and effort expected.

    These projects will be exhibited for parents, along with the homework for the second half-term, nearer Christmas.

    If you have any questions about any of the above, please ask via Google Classroom.

    Autumn Term - Topic

    Ancient Egyptians

    Ancient Egypt for Children in Schools

    This term, our topics are going to be history based. For the first half-term we will be studying the ancient Egyptians. As a class we will understand and become familiar with the ancient Egyptian civilisation. From mummification to the River Nile, we will find out all about life in Ancient Egypt and what we can learn from the evidence the ancient Egyptians left behind.

    English

    This term, in English, we will be: 

    • Revising sentence structure.
    • Comparing different versions of a traditional story, make a story plan and write our own narrative. Concentrating on character and setting, writing our own version of The Egyptian Cinderella.

    • Write instructions, explaining mummification.

    • Continuing to evaluate and edit our own and others writing.

    • Practising our reading comprehension through classic literature, poetry and non-fiction texts.
    • Continuing to practise our knowledge of vocabulary, grammar and punctuation.

                      ​​​​​​

    Remember reading is the key to your education...

     

    Maths

    This half-term we will investigate

    • Place Value
    • Addition and Subtraction
    • Times Tables

    Have a look on the WRM Website (click on the logo below) for resources to support your child with these topics. 

    Continue to practise your maths facts - there is a great leaflet below giving you fantastic advice on how to make learning maths fun at home.

    Time Tables

    Multiplication tables Check

    Your child will be participating in the multiplication tables check in June 2024. The purpose of the check is to determine whether your child can fluently recall their times tables up to 12, which is essential for future success in mathematics. It will also help us identify if your child may need additional support.

    What is the Multiplication tables check? It is an on-screen check consisting of 25 times table questions. Your child will be able to answer 3 practice questions before taking the actual check. They will then have 6 seconds to answer each question. On average, the check should take no longer than 5 minutes to complete.

    What if my child cannot access the check? There are several access arrangements available for the check, these can be used to support pupils with specific needs. Your child’s teacher will ensure that the access arrangements are appropriate for your child before they take the check in June. The check has been designed so that it is inclusive and accessible to as many children as possible, including those with special educational needs or disability (SEND) or English as an additional language (EAL). However, there may be some circumstances in which it will not be appropriate for a pupil to take the check, even when using suitable access arrangements. If you have any concerns about your child accessing the check, you should discuss this with your child’s teacher.

    Do I need to do anything to prepare my child for the check? No, you do not need to do anything additional to prepare your child for the check. As part of usual practice, we will ask you to practise times tables with your child. We will have unlimited access to a 'try it out area' from March. We can use this to make sure pupils have the necessary support required to access the check. This includes opportunities for pupils to familiarise themselves with the check application and try out any access arrangements that may be required.

    How will the results be used? We will have access to all our pupils’ results, allowing those pupils who need additional support to be identified.

    Will I receive feedback on my child’s check? Yes. Your child’s teacher will share your child’s score with you, as they would with all national curriculum assessments. There is no pass mark for the check.

    Taken from: Information for parents: 2022 multiplication tables check (see below)

    Science

    In science, we will work scientifically to investigate and learn about:

    Electricity

    Throughout the term, we will

    • identify common appliances that run on electricity
    • construct a simple series electrical circuit, identifying and naming its basic parts, including cells, wires, bulbs, switches and buzzers
    • identify whether or not a lamp will light in a simple series circuit, based on whether or not the lamp is part of a complete loop with a battery
    • recognise that a switch opens and closes a circuit and associate this with whether or not a lamp lights in a simple series circuit
    • recognise some common conductors and insulators, and associate metals with being good conductors.

     

    Computing

    In computing, this term, we will cover:

    Online Safety and Coding

    Most of the classwork will be done using Purple Mash. Log on below to complete any tasks set or to just explore and have some fun.

    purple mash logo - Thomas Gray Primary School

    PE/LOTC

    This term in PE we will be taking part in:

    • Ball Skills 
    • Dance
    • Daily Mile (please ensure outdoor trainers are in school)
    • Outdoor activities 

    Please ensure your indoor and outdoor PE kit is in school at all times.

    Sports Coaches in Term 3

    In LOTC we will be doing:

    Team building

    Problem-solving

    Risk Assessment

    Seasonal changes

    Natural materials - building Ancient Egyptian Structures 

    Localities

    Cathedral - Forest School

     

    LOTC is on Thursdays - please ensure you are wearing and have suitable clothing (arms and legs to be covered at all times) for the activities and weather conditions.

    Contact Us

    Fairfield First School, Stourbridge Road, Fairfield, Bromsgrove, Worcestershire, B61 9L

    01527 873081

    office@fairfield.worcs.sch.uk