Our Topic this term is: Ancient Civilisations

This project teaches children about the history of three of the world’s first ancient civilisations: ancient Sumer, ancient Egypt and the Indus Valley civilisation. Children will learn about the rise, life, achievements and eventual end of each civilisation.

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.

🌾 Ancient Sumer

1. Cuneiform Writing on Clay Tablets

   • Use clay or salt dough and styluses (e.g., wooden skewers) to inscribe simple cuneiform symbols.

   • They can write their names or basic words using a cuneiform alphabet.

2. Build a Ziggurat

   • Create small model ziggurats using LEGO, sugar cubes, or cardboard boxes.

   • Discuss their purpose and structure as they build.

🏺 Ancient Egypt

1. Mummify a Tomato or Apple

   • A hands-on (and safe) science experiment showing preservation using salt, baking soda, and gauze.

   • Children can compare fresh and preserved fruit over a few days.

2. Design an Egyptian Headdress or Collar

   • Use gold paper, gems, and beads to recreate pharaoh-style headgear and jewelry.

3. Hieroglyphic Name Art

   • Use hieroglyphic stamps or printable alphabets to write their names on papyrus-style paper.

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Maths

In Maths we will be continuing this half term with Decimals. This will include learning about partitioning, ordering and comparing decimals. After our Decimals unit, we will move onto money. This term, year 4 will be doing their Multiplication test check. Please ensure your child spends time at home learning the times tables they do not know. 

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The overviews and lessons follow the White Rose Maths plans closely.

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

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

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Here is an overview of the year. 

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Reading & Writing

In Writing, we will be writing adverts and stories linked to our text Secrets of a Sun King and our main project Ancient Civilisations. Secrets of a Sun King is a book set in 1922, where Lilian (the main character) and her friends embark on a journey to return a package to its resting place in order to stop a curse .                                                                        

RHSE

In RSHE, we will be learning about How we manage risk in different places. We talk about the pressures from our peers and the safety of medicines and household products. 

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Science

In Science, we will be studying 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.

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Music

We will be using our music platform, Charanga, which the children seem to be thoroughly enjoying. This half term, we will be learning the song 'Lean on me' by Bill Withers.

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PE

This half term in PE, we will do two units called ‘Accuracy, power, distance’ and ‘Run, jump, jump’. The first unit focuses on ball skills. The second unit focuses on the skills needed for sports day. 

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Design and Technology

In Design and Technology, we will complete a project called 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..

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​​​Art and Design

In Art and Design we will be studying Statues, Statuettes and figurines. This project teaches children about the 3-D representation of the human form, including statues, statuettes and figurines. They study examples from ancient civilisations, and use their clay skills to create a Sumer-style figurine.

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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 

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Please contact us if you have any problems accessing or completing homework​​

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On a Friday afternoon, in class, we will be doing a Kahoot quiz based on the previous week's learning. The quiz will then be placed on Seesaw for the children to attempt at home. 

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