Year 4 is a pivotal year in the National Curriculum, serving as a bridge between the foundational skills learned in earlier years and the more complex concepts that await students in Year 5 and beyond. This year is significant as it helps students further develop critical thinking, resilience, and independence. The curriculum emphasises a balanced approach, integrating core subjects. This holistic framework supports students in becoming well-rounded individuals, prepared for the challenges of future learning.
English
This Year will see the students develop their creative writing skills with a focus on building vivid imagery by using creative language. Following on from their exceptional descriptive writing about dragons, here in Year 4, we have now moved onto a new unit, full of cross curricular links to our Thematic topic about the sustainability. Using the renowned Talk for writing approach developed by Pie Corbett, our students will be innovating the poignant story of The Lorax.
The students’ imagination was immediately captivated as they returned to school this term to find colourful Truffula trees had been growing in their corridors! With the students inspired, we are sure to have some fantastic pieces of writing. Our units of writing in Year 4 do not stop at fictional content however, and as we progress through the term, our students will also have the chance to write persuasive letters and poetry. Writing in a variety of text types is a vital element of our teaching, equipping students with the necessary skills for their future.
Mathematics
Here at Britannica School, we are in no shortage of exceptional mathematicians and the UK curriculum allows our students to be stretched and challenged with a variety of questions from the embedded White Rose approach to learning. This concept sees our pupils guided through the different levels of mathematical fluency before moving onto problem solving with real life concepts and finishing on open ended questions that elicit mathematical reasoning. Currently our students in Year 4 have been showing their numerical prowess by dividing 3-digit by 1-digit numbers with potential remainders!
Science
Our Year 4 students excitedly look forward to our Science lessons each week! “Do we have an investigation?” they ask! Children are naturally inquisitive, and Science provides a wonderful platform to cultivate this curiosity.
Having previously looked at States of Matter and Sound, our pupils have now enthusiastically begun their new unit of work about electricity. And what better way to hook the children into this topic than an investigation using our well stocked array of electrical components to discover what is required to make a light bulb work! We place high emphasis on Working Scientifically and therefore scientific enquiry and explorative learning is fundamental to our lessons. After making their predictions about circuit arrangements, the children had great fun systematically testing to come to conclusions about what is needed to transfer energy – A complete circuit!
Topic Work
A new term here at Britannica commences and with it, a new and exciting topic begins. Sustainability will be at the forefront of much of our learning this term. From renewable energy to Pollution levels, our students will be exploring the most significant and current topics about preserving our planet. Importantly, we will delve into discussions that will make the children deeply question their own attitudes towards sustainability and create pragmatic solutions. What alternative energy sources do we have? What is the significance of Fair Trade in today’s world? As we progress, we will also have opportunities to enrich learning and gain deeper understanding such as a school trip to the fair-trade Zotter chocolate factory!
ICT Integration
Year 4 has, so far, been a dynamic and transformative year for our students. They have not only developed academically but also socially and emotionally, laying the groundwork for future success. We look forward to celebrating their achievements and supporting them in their next steps!
Whether it be researching terminology in Topic lessons, presentation projects in Science or 3D structural design in Mathematics, ICT skills are more prevalent than ever and this year provides an excellent starting point to enable the integration of technology. Our students leave Year 4 with a greater understanding of how technology can assist them.
Year 4 has, so far, been a dynamic and transformative year for our students. They have not only developed academically but also socially and emotionally, laying the groundwork for future success. We look forward to celebrating their achievements and supporting them in their next steps!
