Reading and Writing in Class 4
In the first half of this term, we will be focussing on non-fiction writing. We will be exploring instructions, letters and persuasive writing. We will learn about the features of these types of writing and practise incorporating lots of grammar skills into our own writing.
We will be reading a story set inside the human body, linking to our science focus for the half term. The story ‘The Lucky Escape’ (part of the Human Body Detectives series) will follow the Human Body Detectives, Merrin and Pearl through their brother’s body as they travel through their little brother Robbie’s digestive system in search of a penny he has swallowed. As Merrin and Pearl travel through the twists and turns of Robbie’s digestive system, Class 4 will face lots of new and exciting vocabulary and learn lots of facts about the human digestive system.
In the second half of the term, we will be learning all about the Ancient Greeks and their myths and legends. We will recount events through the writing of newspaper reports, as though we were present during some of these magnificent moments, legendary battles and endless journeys. Then we will write a myth all of our own, creating brave heroes, terrifying monsters and fascinating lands to include in our stories.
To assist our writing in the second half of the term, Class 4 will be reading a range of Greek Myths from the story of Theseus, the Minotaur and the Maze, to the tale of Pandora’s Box. Reading these stories will expose the children in class 4 to the kinds of description used in this kind of writing and how these stories are structured. They will also have the opportunity to explore language and the roots of the English language, a lot of which finds itself originating from these types of stories.
Maths
This term will be a busy term for class 4 when it comes to maths. There are a lot of areas still to be covered. The children have spent a lot of time learning and developing their understanding of the key mathematical functions and concepts (addition/subtraction/multiplication/division, and fractions and decimals), they are now ready to apply these skills to other concepts such as time, money, measurement and shape. It will be a fun term of exploring and applying maths.
As always, now that the children in class 4 have learnt all of their times tables, we will continue to focus on these. It would be helpful if parents of children in this class could maintain this focus on times tables at home too.
Science
In the first half of this term, Class 4 will be learning all about the human digestive system (including a focus on teeth). We apologise in advance for any talk of ‘poo’ that may occur at home during this time. We will finish the half term with a detailed look at food chains, with the children learning about producers and their role in the food chain.
In the second half of the term, the children will be discovering the wonders of electricity. We will explore the uses of electricity and how it has changed our lives. We will look at how electricity works with a focus on circuits and switches, before learning about the key components of circuits. We will learn to recognise insulators and conductors and identify the materials associated with each.
Geography
This term we will be looking at human and physical geography and comparing the UK to Greece. The children have already learnt about the location of Greece and should be able to apply this to their understanding of the differences between the 2 countries. They will be given a series of key questions to explore that will help them to understand how the UK compares to another European country such as Greece.
History
In history we will be maintaining our focus on Greece, but we will travel back in time to Ancient Greece. We will explore how the Ancient Greeks lived, with a focus on their culture and beliefs. The children will face a series of key questions that they will have to explore to not only learn about the Ancient Greeks but to learn discover how they were similar or different to us now.
Art
In art we will be making collages inspired by what we have learnt about Greek culture.
Design and Technology
This term Class 4 will focus on food and preparing food. This will all link to their understanding of Greek culture and they will create a menu of Mediterranean dishes to enjoy. Whilst doing this they will develop a number of key skills required in the kitchen.
Music
This term the children will develop their understanding of musical timing by focusing on finding the pulse in a piece of music, learning about tempo and recognising rhythm. We will also look at the impact the Ancient Greeks had on music and how it has developed since then.
PE
Class 4 are lucky enough to receive swimming lessons throughout the year and so will continue to access this on a Thursday afternoon. Alongside their swimming lessons the children will cover dance, by learning a traditional Greek celebration dance, and athletics in the latter part of the term.
