English

This half term our writing units will continue to be based on the book, The Iron Man by Ted Hughes. This story is about a gigantic iron robot who appears out of no-where, crashing onto the beach and shattering into many parts. He is discovered by a young boy, Hogarth. The Iron Man proceeds to cause trouble to the villagers, devouring their machinery, until they decide to rise against him and entrap him. 

We will be studying how tension is created and writing our own narrative. We will also be studying features of a formal letter of apology and a newspaper report. We will also watch the film version and compare similarities and differences between this.  

Maths

This term we will be covering topics including area, rounding, multiplication and division, and effective addition and subtraction techniques. We will be focusing on learning the 6 and 9 times tables and their related division facts, in addition to recapping prior multiplication and division facts. 

We will be working to cover the objectives:

As a school we use TT Rockstars to practise our times tables. We encourage the children to practise regularly at home. Year 4 have a termly challenge to earn raffle tickets and wow cards for playing regularly at home!

History

What does the Staffordshire Hoard tell us about the Anglo-Saxons?

The Staffordshire Hoard is one of the largest pieces of Anglo-Saxon treasures discovered. This half term we will be learning about:

• What is the Staffordshire Hoard?
• Key artefacts within the Staffordshire Hoard
• The mystery of the Staffordshire Hoard and the theories about why it was buried
• The Kingdom of Mercia and why it was important
• Life in Mercia in the Anglo-Saxon times
• The ruler Aethelflaed

Science

Changing States

We will be continuing our unit on changing states this term, which will teach us all about the three states of matter, solids, liquids and gases. We will be looking at:

• Solids, liquids and gases and their properties
• Temperature and how we measure it
• The process of changing states between solids, liquids and gases by heating, cooling, evaporation and condensation
• The Water Cycle and how it uses these processes
• Investigating the effects of these changes

French

We will be continuing our unit on numbers 11-20, as well as recapping previous numbers learned. We will recognise Euros and prices, dates and birthdays. 

Music

Our unit this half term focuses on developing our musical notation skills. We will be looking at recognising different letter notes and the names and duration for each note. We will be playing glockenspiels to a variety of pieces and begin to compose our own pieces. 

PSHE

Safety First

We will be learning about different responsibilities that we have and how to keep ourselves safe. This includes school rules, emergency situations, road, water and railway hazards, and how to deal with common and simple injuries. 

DT

Seasonal Stockings

In this textiles unit we will be exploring different stocking products. We will use these to design, make and evaluate our own Christmas Stockings! 

Computing

We will be looking at Animation this term using Purple Mash. We will be using animation software to create out own 2D animations. 

RE

What can Christians learn from the Christmas Journey?

We will look at the importance of Bethlehem, the journey that Mary and Joseph took, the visitors baby Jesus received and the gifts they shared, and King Herod's jealousy. 

PE

We will develop our understanding of attacking and defending principles of invasion games with our Netball and Football units this term. We will use skills and strategies to outwit the opposition, whilst playing fairly and honestly.