This Autumn term in year 4 we will be learning the following:

English

This term, children will enjoy rich and engaging texts including Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White and War Horse by Michael Morpurgo. Through these stories, they will explore themes such as friendship, loyalty, and resilience.
Pupils will be developing their writing skills by creating a range of texts, including non-chronological reports, narrative stories, poetry, and newspaper articles.
They will learn to:

• Use technical vocabulary linked to our topics.

• Build detailed and descriptive sentences using fronted adverbials, expanded noun phrases, and a wider range of conjunctions.

• Edit and improve their writing by checking punctuation, grammar, and clarity.

Maths

This term focuses on deepening children’s confidence with number and calculation. Pupils will:

• Explore place value in numbers up to 10,000, including ordering, comparing, rounding, and partitioning.

• Use written and mental methods for the four operations: addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.

• Apply their mathematical understanding to problem-solving tasks, explaining their methods using mathematical vocabulary.
  Regular arithmetic practice will help build fluency and accuracy.

Science

Our young scientists will explore two key areas this term:

1. Living things and their habitats – Children will learn how to identify, group, and classify a variety of living things. They will ask scientific questions, make predictions, and use careful observations to reach conclusions.

2. Animals including humans – Pupils will discover how the human digestive system works and investigate the function of different teeth.
   Throughout the term, children will take measurements, carry out practical enquiries, and record results using scientific diagrams and tables.

History

We will be travelling back in time to study the causes and events of World War One. Pupils will explore:

• What led to the outbreak of the war.

• How life changed for soldiers and their families.

• The impact the war had on local communities.
  Children will also study the history of Retford, including the story and journey of the Mayflower Pilgrims, learning how local history connects with world events.

Geography

This term we will become geographers by exploring Europe. Pupils will:

• Use atlases, digital maps, and globes to locate European countries, capital cities, and significant landmarks.

• Compare and contrast different regions, looking at climate, human features, and physical landscapes.

• Build skills in map reading, interpreting symbols, and using compass directions.

Art

Children will develop their drawing skills and explore how real artists use line, shape, texture, and pattern. Inspired by the natural world and living things, pupils will practise observational drawing and learn how to improve accuracy and detail.

Design & Technology

This term’s DT project focuses on designing and building a stable structure.
Pupils will learn:

• How to plan and sketch ideas.

• How to use tools safely.

• How to evaluate and improve their finished product.
  Teamwork and problem-solving will be key elements of our design process.

Computing

Children will continue to develop their digital literacy by:

• Improving their word processing ability, including formatting text, adding and editing images, and organising information.

• Learning how to stay safe online, understanding privacy, respectful communication, and how to respond to risks.

Religious Education

Our RE work will explore beliefs and practices in Islam and Christianity. Pupils will:

• Learn about key religious celebrations, places of worship, and important figures.

• Reflect on how different people express faith.

• Consider their own ideas and ask thoughtful questions about belief and belonging.

RESPECT (PSHE)

We will focus on wellbeing, emotional understanding, and community values. Pupils will learn:

• How to care for others, including animals and the wider environment.

• Strategies to recognise, manage, and express their emotions appropriately.

• What our school RESPECT values mean in everyday life.

• How to use the Zones of Regulation to understand and talk about their feelings.

Music

Children will listen to and respond to different musical styles. They will practise keeping a steady beat, learn new songs, and begin experimenting with creating their own rhythms and simple compositions.

PE

Through a mixture of fitness, football, dance, and basketball, pupils will develop:

• Coordination, balance, agility, and spatial awareness.

• Teamwork and communication skills.

• Confidence in learning and applying new physical techniques.

French

This term, pupils will learn new French vocabulary including colours, body parts, and animals. They will practise speaking and listening, take part in simple conversations, and enjoy joining in with French songs.