During the Spring term we will be learning the following:

English

We’ll be enjoying some exciting books, including Escape from Pompeii and Romans on the Rampage. Using these as inspiration, we’ll create our own stories, poems, reports and newspaper articles. Children will practise improving their work through editing and will develop descriptive writing by using their senses to bring ideas to life.

Maths

This term we’ll build confidence with multiplication and division using written methods and apply these skills to real-life problems. We’ll explore measuring distances, including converting between metres and kilometres. Our work on fractions will continue as we compare, order and convert them, before moving on to decimals and how they link to fractions. Times table practice will also continue with TT Rock Stars.

Science

We’ll be discovering how sound works — how it’s made, how it travels and why it changes in volume and pitch. Later in the term, we’ll explore electricity by building simple circuits, learning about different components and finding out which materials conduct or block electrical current.

History

Our History journey takes us to Roman times! We’ll place key events on timelines, compare Roman life with the Celts and explore how the Romans changed Britain. We’ll also look at different historical sources and how they can tell the same story in different ways.

Geography

We’ll become volcano experts by learning how they are formed and where they are found around the world. Using digital maps, we’ll explore how volcanic eruptions shape the land and consider how they affect communities living nearby.

Art

Children will be working with clay to create sculptures inspired by artist Magdalene Odundo. We’ll experiment with shaping, modelling and finishing techniques to produce unique creative pieces.

Design & Technology

Linking with our science learning, we’ll design and make a simple electrical product. We’ll explore existing designs, choose suitable materials, build our creations and evaluate how well they meet our design goals.

Computing

We’ll be introduced to HTML and learn how simple code can be used to create and design content on a webpage.

Religious Education

Our focus will be Hinduism. We’ll learn about key beliefs, festivals and a Hindu pilgrimage, while making thoughtful comparisons with other faiths.

RESPECT 

Children will explore diversity, rights and responsibilities. We’ll discuss online safety, how to recognise reliable information and what to do if something feels wrong. We’ll also revisit our school values and emotional regulation strategies.

Music

We’ll listen to music from different times and styles, sing together and learn how to read and write simple musical notation. Children will also try playing instruments to accompany songs.

Physical Education

In PE we’ll develop balance, strength and coordination through gymnastics, and practise teamwork and skills in games such as dodgeball, handball and volleyball.

French

We’ll have fun learning new French words and phrases through songs, rhymes and speaking activities while improving our pronunciation.

 

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.