TRINITY AND ST. MICHAEL’S LEARNING PARTNERSHIP
YEAR 4 CURRICULUM FOR TERM BEGINNING 5 January 2015
FROM STONE
AGE TO IRON
AGE
Happy New Year! Hope everyone had a lovely Christmas! Welcome to the Spring Term where we go back to prehistoric times to the period in
history of immense change in human development, spanning from the early hunter-gatherers who roamed the countryside to the organised groups
of the late Iron Age. We will learn how the way people lived changed significantly and how the discovery of bronze then iron helped people make
better tools for farming as well as weapons and jewellery. Are you ready to explore? Let’s go back in time!
English
Our main theme is Myths and
Legends. Reading a variety of
stories will help us to write our own
as we look at the features of myths
and legends and how to write
successfully. In addition we will
continue our daily reading workshop
reading a variety of fiction and nonfiction and in particular looking at
how authors create characters and
settings. Whilst reading we will also
continue to practise prediction and
inference. In addition we look at
newspaper recounts and how the
layout and features are different to
stories and also write explanations
linked to our History and Science
work.
With regard to spellings, a list of
words will be sent home each
fortnight focussing on a particular
spelling rule. Please ensure these
spellings are practised.
History
Archaeologists have divided the Stone Age
into three periods, the Palaeolithic,
Mesolithic and Neolithic. It lasted a very long
time, from the first dawn of man 3 million
years ago to farmers of a few thousand years
ago. Animals that are now extinct would have
been roaming round. Ancient people carved
the world that they saw around them into the
walls of caves. What will we discover when we
investigate the past?
Science
We investigate Electricity and construct a
simple electrical circuit, identifying and
naming its basic parts, including cells, wires,
bulbs, switches and buzzers. Do you know the
difference between conductors and
insulators? We will investigate which metals
are good conductors.
Geography
The climate was very cold at times during the Ice
Ages, and the world would have looked very
different to the way it does now. Using atlases
and a range of maps we will locate the world’s
countries, focusing on Europe, and find out about
the key physical and human characteristics of
countries. How many major cities can you name?
Also did you know that Stonehenge is a
prehistoric monument located in Wiltshire,
England? What does this monument reveal about
the past?
Mathematics
We continue to learn the multiplication tables
and the related division facts including finding
remainders. Knowing the division facts will also
help us to find fractions of numbers and decimal
equivalents. Practising addition and subtraction
and learning the most efficient methods of
calculating with also be our aim. We will enhance
our knowledge of 2D shapes looking at polygons
and identifying perpendicular and parallel lines.
We apply the skills learnt to solve problems
involving money and measures.
Art
We learn about the artist Vincent Van
Gogh and look, in particular, at his paintings
‘Sunflowers’ and ‘Starry Night’ and attempt
to create our own versions.
R.E.
How do the actions of Jesus show that he is the Son
of God? As always we will discuss and reflect during
our R.E. lessons looking at the life of Jesus. As we
approach Easter we remind ourselves of the story
and the themes of betrayal and trust.
Useful websites
http://myths.e2bn.org/ mythical stories to read and enjoy
http://timetravellerkids.co.uk/time-travel/stone-age/ Stone Age facts
http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/handsonhistory/ancient-britain.shtml various
resources on ancient Britain
www.mymaths.co.uk
For set homework children will also need to enter their personal password, the
completion dates will be displayed on screen. However, this website can be accessed at
any time and we do encourage children to use it to practise skills they are learning in
school.
Computing
We continue to use Scratch to create sequences and
in particular create a prototype of an interactive toy!
Yes indeed, get ready to input!
Music
On a Tuesday afternoon we will
continue to learn to play the recorder learning new
notes so we can play new tunes. However, as practice
makes perfect then extra practice at home will be
needed.
Username: TASM
Password: addition
Homework will be set each Friday but please check the
Homework Diary regularly for any additional information.
Children are always given a day on which homework is to be
returned and this can vary. Please also sign the diary weekly.
Children read a variety of fiction and non-fiction during our daily reading workshops
and as part of our English lessons. However, please still encourage your child to read
regularly at home. They do not have to read a book chosen from school but a variety
of reading materials like magazines, newspapers, poetry etc would be beneficial as
this would help with understanding different genres.
Spanish
Mrs Heron continues to teach us Spanish. This term our class will be learning
about the seasons and weather conditions. Buena suerte!
P.E.
This term we start our weekly swimming lessons on a Thursday morning.
Please refer to separate letter. In addition our outdoor P.E. session will
be on Wednesday afternoon. Our sessions will involve circuit training
and tennis. Please make sure that trainers, joggers and sweatshirts are provided
in school for these outdoor sessions, thank you.
Please read the fortnightly newsletter and website for
diary dates. Please also look at the gallery section of the
website, which is updated regularly, to see photographs
of the children at work.