Topic Summary
Do we treat others fairly?
This half term we reflect on our relationships with others. We look at the lives of inspirational figures, such as Rosa Parks and Walter Tull. We find out about who they were and what they did that was so inspirational. We will be historians, looking at a range of sources. We will write newspapers on key moments in their lives.
We also look at bullying today, taking into account cyberbullying, what this is and the impact it can have.
We will also learn about Islam. We look at how the beliefs and practices of this religion, though may seem different in many ways, have many similarities with other belief systems.
In the topic we will be teaching the children the following key concepts:
- Acceptance – Why are people not always accepted?
- Resilience – How have people shown resilience?
- Segregation – What does segregation mean?
- Conflict – In what ways can people be in conflict with each other?
Visits/Events
- Friday 17th November - Children in Need
- Tuesday 28th November - Author Vashti Hardy in school
- Monday 18th December 2:45pm - Year 4 Carols
- Tuesday 19th December - Christmas Jumper and Decorations Day
- We are also hoping to organise a visit to a local Mosque.
Subject Information
English
This half term we will continue to develop our reading and writing skills through a variety of lessons. We will be writing a range of poetry including Haikus, sine poems and free verse on a range of topics. The children will learn how to write inspiration speeches linking to our black history topic, using emotive and persuasive language. We will also be developing our use of descriptive language to write setting descriptions. We will finish the half term using some Christmas inspired books and writing with a festive theme!
To develop our grammar we will continue to learn about:
- Word classes such as nouns, verbs , adverbs and adjectives.
- Punctuation such as apostrophes and inverted commas.
- Homophones and synonyms.
We will use a variety of books and stimulus this half term to support our English lessons including:
- Fields of Glory
- The Wild Way Home
- Santa's Marvellous Mechanical Workshop
- The Man on the Moon Christmas Advert
Maths
This term in maths we will be looking at the following topics:
Measurement and Area We will learn that area is the amount of space taken up by a two-dimensional shape or surface and explore different ways of working out the area of a shape. We will use the strategy of counting the number of squares inside a shape to calculate its area.
Multiplication and Division This term our multiplication and division learning will include:
- Multiples of 3.
- Multiply and divide by 6, 9, 7.
- 3, 6, 7, 9, 11, 12 times tables and division facts.
- Multiply by 1 and 0. Divide a number by 1 and itself.
- Multiply three numbers.
Science
This term in science we will look at states of matter.
- We will explore and look at the properties of materials and objects, which can be grouped into solids, liquids and gases.
- Work scientifically to understand how to use a thermometer and a stopwatch accurately.
- Plan and carry out experiments such as: investigating whether the temperature of water affects the time it takes for ice to melt and water to evaporate. We will work scientifically to analyse data, make conclusions and evaluate our experiment.
- Study the water cycle, building on our understanding of evaporation and condensation and look at these processes as parts of the water cycle.
History
The children will be looking at Black British History this term. We will look at evidence about the first black people in Roman Times and their links to Hadrian’s Wall. We will study the role of black people in the wars and look at a case study of Walter Tull. We will also look at the Windrush and the impact this had on future generations. We will study significant events such as the Bristol Bus Boycott and compare these events with others from around the world, such as when Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat on the bus.
Music and RE
In Music the children will be exploring the musical genre linked to black history through poetry and performance. We will be thinking about the influence this era of history has on our modern music.
In RE, the children will be learning all about Islam such as key beliefs and how Muslims worship. Children will visit a local mosque as well as comparing the Muslim festival of Eid to Christmas.
Art
In our art lessons, the children will continue to develop their work from last half term looking at abstract versions of the human/animal form. They will develop their painting skills using a variety of brushes. The children will take inspiration from Paul Klee and Picasso, using light for the foreground and shadows in the background. They will begin to use complementary and opposing colours in their work.
Computing
Perhaps controversially for our children we will be thinking about the positives and negatives of technology! We will explain how using technology can be a distraction – both in a positive and negative way, and when someone may need to limit the amount of time they use technology.
We will ensure the children understand how to keep safe online and describe strategies to keep personal information private. The children will analyse information to make a judgement about its accuracy, and explain why lots of people sharing the same information doesn’t necessarily make it true.
PE
The children will be take part in two PE lessons a week. Miss Burn's class will also go swimming everyday for two weeks (w/c 20th November). The tiger class will be swimming in March.
Wednesday – children will continue work with the Lee Sterry staff and will be working on building team games focusing on netball skills.
Friday – children will be doing gymnastics. They will be looking at balances and different ways of moving flexibly.
If you would like any further details about this half term's curriculum in Year 4, please speak to your child's teacher.