Year 4

MEET THE TEAM

Our Topic this term is: Ancient Civilisations

We will be learning about the Ancient Sumerians and Ancient Egyptians in our topic. Our curriculum takes the form of mini projects which really allows us to look at the subject in depth. This project teaches children about the history of three of the world’s first ancient civilisations: ancient Sumer, and ancient Egypt civilisation. Children will learn about the rise, life, achievements and eventual end of each civilisation. We hope the children will be captivated by the challenges of the mini projects and are looking forward to our new topic.

These activities are for you to do at home with an adult. You can do all of them or choose the ones that you find most interesting.

At home, children can take part in fun, practical activities such as:

Create a small museum box displaying artefacts from Sumer or Egypt with labels.
Build a model of an ancient structure such as a ziggurat or pyramid.
Recreate ancient writing systems, like cuneiform in clay or hieroglyphics on paper.
Write and illustrate a short “day in the life” diary from a Sumerian or Egyptian person.
Make a food poster showing what people ate and how they got their food.
Create a mini‑poster about an important invention from ancient Sumer or ancient Egypt.

Maths

In Maths, we will move onto Time, shape, statistics , position and direction. It is of particular importance for children to continue to practise their times tables on TTRockstars regularly, especially the soundchecks which reflect the Multiplication Check that all Year 4 pupils nationally will complete the first two weeks of this half term.

The link to their site with home learning and advice on can be found here:

https://whiterosemaths.com/advice-and-guidance

Here is an overview of the year.

Reading & Writing

In Reading we will be reading the book 'Secrets of a Sun King' by Emma Carroll which fits nicely with our history project 'Ancient Civilisations'. Our writing will focus around the book and our History project to create a persuasive guide to Egypt.

RHSE

In RSHE, we will be learning about This term, we are learning all about how to help at home if someone gets hurt. First, we will learn about what first aid is and how it can help. Then, we learn what to do if someone hurts their head, gets a burn, or starts bleeding. We will also find out how to call 999 in an emergency and what to say. At the end, we go over everything we’ve learned so we feel confident helping others if they need it.

Science

In Science, we will be studying Electrical circuits and conductors. This project teaches children about electrical appliances and safety. They construct simple series circuits and name their parts and functions, including switches, wires and cells. They investigate electrical conductors and insulators and identify common features of conductors. It also teaches children about programmable devices. They combine their learning to design and make a nightlight.

Music

We will continue to use our music platform, Charanga, This unit is built around Reflect, Rewind, Replay giving children the chance to revisit the music lessons they enjoyed this year.

This half term we will be teaching the children run, jump, throw and target, control, combine from our Beyond the Physical scheme; they will need to come in their P.E. kits on Tuesdays and Fridays.

Design and Technology

In Design and Technology, we will be learning all about Tomb builders. This project teaches children about simple machines, including wheels, axles, inclined planes, pulleys and levers, exploring how they helped ancient builders to lift and move heavy loads.

Art and Design

In Art and Design we will be learning all about Islamic Art. This project teaches children about the features of Islamic art. They make geometric patterns and motifs on paper, with fabric and in clay. They use their learning to create a high relief clay tile, decorated with geometric patterns.

The children will explain their understanding of ‘spiritual’ and explain some ideas and beliefs that are important to them. They discuss how some Christians express their beliefs using visual imagery. They recognise that Muslims use other forms of art, such as pattern, instead of images. Pupils explore how words and poetry, music and dance are used by some faiths as an art form and to express beliefs.

Homework

Homework:

Reading books are changed weekly, every Friday. Home readers should be returned on a Thursday so there is time to sort new books

Times table worksheet goes home every Friday and should be returned on Monday

On seesaw we have the kahoot quiz and spellings

Please contact us if you have any problems accessing or completing homework by email year4@stthomas.org.uk

Library will be on a Monday

PE will be Tuesdays and Fridays

Here is your Year 4 Class Charter challenge sheet. You can also download a copy by clicking on the image.

Download all the Charters as a PDF file