Year 4 - Sharks

Welcome back Sharks. We hope you have had a fantastic Christmas Break.

In PE, we will be continuing with our swimming lesson until February. Please can children bring in their swimming kits to school on Mondays (if your child needs a swimming hat, these can be purchased at the front office). We will have our second P.E. lesson on Wednesday, where we will be having Cricket lessons. Can children please wear their PE kit on Mondays and Wednesdays (black jogging bottoms or leggings, a t-shirt with their house colour and the school hoodie). Children are to wear normal school uniforms to school unless it is P.E. day.

Please don’t forget you will need a pair of plimsolls to change into inside - this means that we can use our field and Basecamp even in the wetter weather, and we can change out of muddy shoes when playtime and lunchtime are over.

In English, we will be studying poetry and writing our fantasy poem based on the poem by Ian McMillan – Ten Things Found in a Wizard's Pocket. We will then be exploring a portal story – The Journey by Aaron Becker. Children will be innovating and writing their setting descriptions using the story for inspiration.

In Maths, we continue to follow the White Rose Scheme. In Spring, we will be looking at Multiplication and Division, Length and perimeter, fractions and then starting decimals.

In History, we will be learning about the achievements of the ancient civilisation, with an in-depth study of ancient Egypt. On Cultural day we will be learning about China and will throughout the day explore and learn about the Shang Dynasty, too. 

In DT, children will be making Mini greenhouses. They will learn how to use equipment safely, to plan and assemble their projects. The children will then move on to Food and look at produce and seasonal vegetables. Children will learn to safely use kitchen equipment storage and preparation of food and produce a selection of dishes.

 In Science, we will be investigating and learning about materials. The children will take part in experiments to explore solids, liquids and gasses learning through scientific enquiry. We then move on to learn about Sound and how sound is created and travels.

This term, in R.E., we will be learning about Islam and the key beliefs and concepts of Muslims. In the Autumn term, we visited the Lincoln Central Mosque, and the children began to learn about the Muslim faith. This term, we will develop that knowledge and extend on that prior learning. We have introduced Faith Afternoons, whereas a school we will celebrate and learn about a range of different faiths.

In PSHE/RHE we will be learning about Healthy bodies and Healthy minds, the children will be learning about healthy lifestyles, how to develop healthy relationships and how to make healthy choices. We will be looking at our emotions and developing our emotional literacy to understand a range of feelings and how to use strategies for a healthy mind. 

We will be looking at Healthy and Happy friendships and the qualities needed to develop friendships, exploring the values of friendship, personal boundaries and how to maintain good friendships.

 

In Art, we will be looking a 3D art and learning about a local artist - Helena P-Stylianides. Children will be using clay, jointed puppets and small-scale models to explore 3D art in a cross-curricular link with ancient Egyptians. 

For homework this term, we would like the children to focus on reading fluency and reading for pleasure. It is important that the children develop a love of reading and that comes with practice. Please can you support your children by listening to them read and share in conversations about reading in your homes. Children have access to Spelling Shed, and Times Table Rock Starts (TTRS) and they will need to complete the challenges set. Children will be provided with copies of their logins.

Finally, as ever, if you have any questions or would like to offer any help, please do get in touch, either at the school gate at the end of the day or through the office.

Here’s to another great term!

 Mrs Oaks, Miss Marshall, Mrs Lovely and Miss Dickinson