Curriculum Overview
Year 4
Autumn Term 2012
Welcome to Year 4!
(This is a brief summary of the curriculum that will be covered during the Autumn term.)
We have a very busy start to the term with our exciting visit to Moat Mount.
Literacy
This term Year 4 begin the new school year by focusing on texts with historical
settings, linking with our Tudor topic. Next we will look at the structure and
language of persuasive texts, working towards persuading Catherine Parr whether
or not she should marry Henry VIII !
After half term we will focus on some different types of poems and I’m sure the children will come up with
some fabulous ideas of their own. Next we will look at stories from different cultures and compare their
themes and styles.
During the term we will also be continuing our skills circuit program, where children will have the opportunity
to build on and develop their literacy skills: we will be focusing on developing spelling, handwriting,
punctuation and grammar.
Numeracy
At the start of our autumn term we will be concentrating on various aspects of number work. The children
will continue to develop efficient methods for the four operations
(addition, subtraction, multiplication and division) and we will also be practising
using mental strategies. The children will be using mathematical knowledge and
understanding to continue to solve word problems and also be consistently working
on extending their knowledge of times tables.
Science:
History:
This term our science topic is ‘Moving and Growing ’. The children will be engaging in
many experiences and experiments that allow them to learn about skeletons and
muscles. They will plan an experiment to find out about growing and record the
information in a chart. We will create large diagrams of the body, showing all the
things we already know; the children will work in groups, sharing ideas and knowledge.
During the Autumn term the children will embark on a historical quest, finding out about
‘The Tudors’: We have received a letter from Catherine Parr asking for our advice about
the wisdom of marrying Henry VIII! In order to advise her, we will need to find out
about Henry’s six wives and think what else she should consider such as his personal
qualities and who else her decision might affect.
On the 8th October, we will be visiting the Museum of London to find out about Tudor
dance and society. To finish this topic, I am planning a debate, where the children can
use their persuasive skills – perhaps we will change the course of history!
PSHE (personal, social and health education):
In PSHE this term the children will think about ‘New Beginnings, with lots of
opportunities to discuss and share their ideas and feelings.
ICT:
We will be using our ICT lessons for activities to link with our science and numeracy
and word processing activities as part of our literacy work.
The children will also create a keynote presentation about Henry VIII’s wives, using
the internet for research (focusing on safe use of the internet).
Creative Art:
Linking in with our Tudor topic work, children will explore the portraits of the
kings and queens. We have already begun to think of important things about
ourselves and will relate this to how the Tudors were portrayed by artists such as .
Hans Holbein, We are working towards creating Tudor portraits which we will
create by collage (so the children could start collecting any interesting scraps of
fabric or paper they think might be useful).
D & T:
In the second half of the term, children will have the opportunity to make a
purse, thinking about the design and materials. We will learn some sewing
techniques, so if anyone wants to practice threading a needle before we start…
Physical Education:
Year 4 will participate in one hour of physical education per week with Hugh, our PE
Coach. Last year, Hugh provided our children with fabulous high quality and engaging PE
experiences.
*All children are expected to have FULL P.E kit in school at all times. This should
include a tracksuit as we are now coming into the cooler weather.
Homework:
In line with the school policy, in Year 4 the children are expected to spend 20 minutes a
day reading independently plus 5 minutes spellings and 5 minutes maths. They will also
receive one additional piece of homework per week. Homework will be set every Friday and
should be returned on Wednesday morning.
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Finally.. I am looking forward to the term ahead and hope the children enjoy and achieve.
If at any time you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact or
come to see me. I am available after school on Thursdays – please call the office for an
appointment.
Warm Regards,
Jane Corkill