Year 4 is taught by Mrs Walters on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Mrs Dinham, our school SENDCo, teaches the class on a Monday. Miss Law supports teaching and learning in our class.
This half term, we are reading ‘Wolf Brother’ by Michelle Paver and will be travelling back in time to the Stone Age. We’ll then travel through the Bronze Age and Iron Age!
Reading
Our class text, on which our daily reading sessions are based, is ‘Wolf Brother’ by Michelle Paver. We begin each week by learning the definitions of new vocabulary coming up in the text and recap on these each day. We then read the text together and work on a range of tasks focussing on author choice, vocabulary, compare, contrast and comment, retrieval, inference, summary and prediction.
We also read a non fiction text each Monday. This half term we are reading ‘Burial Places’ by John Malam.
English
During our writing sessions, we will write a missing chapter for ‘Wolf Brother’, focussing on developing character. Building on our listening in history, we write a report, ‘Life in the Stone Age’. Later in the term, we will be having fun writing Stone Age rap poetry. Included in our English lessons is a ‘Sounds and syllables’ spelling lesson and we practise handwriting daily.
Maths
As mathematicians, we will be learning about place value, addition and subtraction, area and multiplication and division. We learn formal written methods for all four operations; please visit our Maths page for our current calculation policy.
Science
As scientists, we will learn about the digestive system and teeth of animals including humans. We will ask and answer these questions:
- What are the different types of teeth we have and what are their functions?
- What does dental care look like throughout history?
- Whose teeth are whose?
- How does the digestive system function?
- What can we learn from excrement?
History
As historians, we will be learning when the Stone Age was and what it was like. We then study the changes which happened during the Bronze Age and Iron Age.
We will ask and answer these questions:
- When was the ‘Stone Age’ and how can we find out what it was like then?
- How had life changed by the Neolithic era? (New Stone Age.)
- How much did life change when humans learned to farm?
- What was everyday life like in the Bronze Age?
- What was everyday life like in the Iron Age?
- What can Carn Euny tell us about everyday Iron Age life?
- Can you solve the mystery of the bodies found at Maiden Castle?
Computing
We will be learning about the internet and how to use it safely.
Art
We’ll be studying the sculptor Emma Walker and using her work to help us make willow dragonfly sculptures.
PE
Each week, we will be enjoying 2 PE sessions: Bridges (gymnastics) on a Thursday and Handball on a Friday.
RE
We will be asking- What is the ‘Trinity’ and why is it important to Christians?
MFL
We’ll be learning the French for the phonic sounds ch, oi, ou and on.
Music
We’ll be listening to, learning and performing the music of Abba. Mamma Mia!
PSHE
We will be learning about relationships and reading a range of books to help us explore and answer these questions:
- What is ‘peer pressure’ and what can I do about it? (Including ‘dares’.)
- Why might people behave differently online?
- How can I recognise online risks and what can I do about it?
- How should I respond to hurtful behaviour and who can help? (in person and online)
- Should I keep a secret or share it?
It is our aim that every child in Year 4 has a great year. Please come and see us if you have any questions or concerns. Thank you for your continued support.
Learning at home
It is expected that all children read every day for at least 15 minutes. Please sign your child’s diary to confirm that they have read, even if they read independently. Thank you.
Times tables are set on Times Tables Rock Stars for your child to practise regularly. Again, the best way to really embed these key number facts is, little and often. It is essential that children are working on these often as there is a compulsory times tables assessment at the end of year 4.
All children should be practising their times table skills regularly on TTRockstars please, alongside practising the ‘format’ of the online times table assessment in June. This can be found at:
https://mathsframe.co.uk/en/resources/resource/477/Multiplication-Tables-Check
This is particularly important this year as, in June, the children undertake an assessment of all tables up to 12X12.
‘Maths whizz’ can also be used to practise maths skills at home; your child’s log in is stuck in their reading diary.
We now do all spelling practise in school which will give you more time to complete reading and times tables practise.
Thank you for your support- it really makes a difference!
More on reading
We love reading at Lanner! Reading to, and with, your child is one of the greatest gifts you can give as this early acquisition of a love for reading will ensure your children becomes a reader for life. Research shows that reading and talking to your child about stories, information books and poems from an early age benefits them for life.
Sometimes, knowing which book to choose can be a little confusing with such a wide range available, so why not have a look at the recommended reads below for Year 4 children. Many of these books are also available at the local library so, if you’re not already a member, why not take a look at the link below to join up?
2025-Checklist-50-Best-Books-Y4