Year 4 - Spring Term Curriculum

Our main topic this term will focus on

Rivers

In our geography lessons this term we shall be developing our understanding and knowledge of maps with a focus on Europe and the the countries and their populations, capital cities and rivers within.  We will learn about the water cycle and investigate rivers using geographical vocabulary to explain our knowledge.  Our work will encourage investigation skills and give opportunities to present and communicate information - a key aspect of our school vision.

In addition to this topic, we will be covering all areas of the curriculum.  If you would like to know more about the depth of learning, please see the curriculum pages on this website. A summary of our topics can be viewed below.

Support at home makes a world of difference to every child's progress so here are some ideas you can explore together at home.

In maths, please make every use of Times Table Rock Stars (TTRS).  Find times table songs that you can sing together in the car! In addition, this website has lots of fun games https://www.timestables.co.uk/

In spelling, please talk through all the words and help your child to understand how to use them in a sentence.  Can they make up a sentence with the word indefinite or inedible?

Many parents have found https://spellingframe.co.uk/ helpful. Please note, there is a fee of £10 to register.

Display the word list of statutory spellings for children in Year 3 and 4 in your home.

In English, a vital way to help your child is to encourage a routine of reading, so please make this a priority.  Reading is the base for all learning across the school.  We ask that you discuss with your child what they have read and ask them questions to deepen their understanding.  Asking for a summary of what a character is like or what a chapter was about, is an excellent way to help children develop key reading skills.

Please note down their home reading in their reading record books which should be in school every day.

Don't forget to keep reading to your child and give them access to high quality audio stories to demonstrate to them that you value reading.

In Geography and Science, you could consider a making a trip to a local river and then ask some questions about it.  Maybe find out about where it starts and flows to and it's impact on the area historically (eg the River Gade and the Frogmore Paper Mill). Look at a map/atlas/globe with your family and find out where your different friends and family have lived or travelled in Europe.  What can they tell you about the landscape and the culture? Draw attention to puddles that evaporate, condensation on windows and take opportunities to investigate and discuss the impact of heating, melting and freezing things in the home.

In RE, why not look through the non-fiction section in Hemel Hempstead library and borrow books about Buddhist beliefs and practices?

In Computing, take time to go over how to stay safe online and have conversations about the issues the children face using this website as a resource https://www.thinkuknow.co.uk/8_10/.

To encourage confidence in coding, use tutorials from https://hourofcode.com/uk/learn such as Dance Party.