Year 4/ Year 5 Class

Teacher: Mrs Holloway

Teaching assistant: Miss Lewis

English

In English this term we will be exploring a wide range of writing styles linked to the books ’Where the Forest Meets the Sea’, ’Jungle Explorer’ and ’Blue John’. Our main focus in English will continue to be on sentence structure where we will ensure we punctuate sentences correctly and we are confident at using a wide range of sentence types. In guided reading we will use the book ’Street Child’ and alongside this we will explore a wide range of non-fiction texts linked to our topics.

Maths

In maths we will continue working on fractions and decimals. After this we will cover statistics, time, shape, position and direction. In June, the Year 4s will be taking the government times table checker test which requires them to know all of the times tables facts. This involves answering 25 random questions based on all of the times tables facts. They have 6 seconds per question with the target of getting all 25 questions correct. Therefore it is vital that your child learns and knows the times tables facts as soon as possible. As a result we have been and will continue to  work very hard on the times tables facts through teaching and using the home school apps (Times Tables Rock Stars and Maths Shed) with the aim of improving speed and accuracy. The more your child practises their times tables at home the easier they will find the maths in class! Plus research shows that children that know the times tables facts by Year 4 are more likely to pass G.C.S.E maths.

Topic

Our first topic this term is ‘The Vikings’ where we will investigate areas such as chronology, main events and conflict. Alongside this we will explore artefacts to help us have a better historical understanding. Our second topic is ‘Where does our food come from?’ where we will be investigating food miles, food imports and trading. We will also be collecting and analysing data.

Science, DT, Art and Computing

Our first science topic is ‘Animals including humans’ which will involve learning about teeth and digestion. Plus we will learn how to construct and interpret food chains and look at a variety of different life cycles. We will follow this by looking at the changes that occur in humans as they develop into old age which will be closely linked to RSE (relationship and sex education). In design and technology we are going to be adapting a recipe, budgeting and designing packaging. In art we will be investigating various techniques linked to 3D sculpture. Stiperstones will continue to look at e-safety and how to be safe online. Alongside this we will be looking at video editing and coding.

Reading

In class we are going to be reading ‘Street Child’ based on a child who finds himself in a Victorian workhouse. Also we will look at a range of non-fiction texts linked to our geography, PSHE and our science topics. Alongside these books there is a wide range of books for your child to choose from in class. In school, we provide daily reading opportunities, some of which are guided where we focus on the following skills: vocabulary, inference, prediction, explanation, retrieval and summarising. For those children who require further support with their reading they will take part in additional reading sessions as much as possible.

Other

In PSHE we will look at a range of topics linked to ‘Being my Best’ which covers independence, responsibility and community spirit. Plus we will cover some basic first aid. In French we will be enjoying the topics ’Verbs’ and French songs. Whereas PE this term we will be doing rounders, cricket, athletics and swimming. Within RE we will have a focus on world views – creation and science: conflicting or complementary?