Autumn 1 2023
Year 4 Penguins
Autumn 1 2023
English
This half term we will developing our reading and writing skills using the text 'The Tin Forest' by Helen Ward. We will explore the language choices authors make and the relationship between words and illustrations in a picture book. We will reflect on themes addressed in the book, such as environmentalism and an individual's role in a community. Writing opportunities in this unit include diary writing, descriptive writing and poetry. We will finish this unit by creating book trailers.
Geography
This half term we will explore the question 'Why do some earthquakes cause more damage than others?' We will come to understand why it is that earthquakes only tend to occur in particular areas of the world as a consequence of the pattern and movement of the tectonic plates of the Earth's crust. We will initially investigate the causes and impact of one specific recent earthquake before looking widely at global patterns.
DT
Structures - Pavilions
We will explore pavilion structures, learning about what they are used for and investigate how to create strong and stable structures before designing and creating our own pavilions, complete with cladding.
Art
This term we will focus on painting. We will look at how artists use colour to create mood. We will develop our skills by mixing and painting with tertiary colours to create mood in our own work.
RE
Buddhism
This half term we will learn about key aspects of the Buddhist faith. We will find out about where Buddhism originated, about special places linked to Buddhism and about key festivals in Buddhist life. The children will also learn about symbols in Buddhism, the Buddhist holy book and the main beliefs held by Buddhists.
Click on the link to learn more about Buddhism https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/topics/zh4mrj6
Click on the video below to hear the Buddhist story of Siddhartha and the Swan and the Monkey King
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PE
Games - Dodgeball
This half term we will develop our understanding of the rules of dodgeball and learn to work tactically as a team. We will develop our throwing skills to throw accurately, over distance with power. We will begin to understand how, when and why to jump, duck, catch and dodge.
French
Language angels - Les Fruits
In this unit we will learn how to name and recognise up to 10 fruits in French. We will attempt to spell some of these nouns. We will ask our friends in French if they like a particular fruit and say what fruits we like and dislike.
Click on the link and login to pupil games to practice your French
Username: links
Password: pupil
Maths
This half term we will focus on place value and addition & subtraction, using 4-digit numbers.
Remember to log on to DoodleMaths every day to consolidate your skills and collect your stars. Use the app or login online using this link DoodleMaths
Science
Living Things and their Habitats
We will explore a variety of ways to identify, sort, group and classify living things. We will learn how animals are split into ‘vertebrates’ and ‘invertebrates’ and begin to consider the differences between living things within these classifications. We will use and create classification keys to group, identify and name living things from the local habitat and beyond. We will be introduced to the idea that environments are subject to man-made and natural changes and that these changes can have a significant impact on living things. We will work scientifically by gathering, recording and presenting information in different ways.
Click on the following links to find out more: animals, what is adaptation?, food chains and habitats, how do human beings affect the environment?
History
This half term we will ask the question 'Why did the arrival of the Romans change Britain?' We will explore the concept of invasion by finding out what it was about Britain that the Romans wanted. We will find out why, at one point, the Romans were one battle away from being forced to retreat from Britain. We will use evidence to find out how they might have lived and analyse evidence of ruins to suggest what these tell us about the way their towns were designed and for what purpose. Finally, we will begin to understand what gladiators were, what they represented and why they were an important aspect of Roman life.
Click on the image below to find out about Roman gladiators.
PSHE
Jigsaw - Being Me
We will be introduced to Jigsaw Jaz and begin the unit by learning about being part of a class team and a good school citizen. We will then go on to learn about our rights and responsibilities and how democracy works through our school. We will consider rewards and consequences and what motivates our behaviour.
Music
This half term we will recap our previous learning of the Ocarina before learning new notes and simple tunes.