English |
In Year 4, children will be taught in classes for English lessons and some children will benefit from small group support. Children will have regular reading sessions and also use Accelerated Reader to develop their independent reading skills. Below the programme of study for Years 3 and 4 is outlined as a guide to what will be covered during this academic year. Note that there is a single programme of study for both Year 3 and Year 4 given in the new National Curriculum to allow for the consolidation of key concepts and skills.
Reading - Word Reading
Pupils will be taught to:
Reading Comprehension
Pupils will be taught to:
Writing Transcription - Spelling
Pupils will be taught to:
Handwriting and Presentation
Pupils will be taught to:
At Greswold we use the Nelson handwriting scheme to teach handwriting.
Writing Composition
Pupils will be taught to:
Writing - Vocabulary, Grammar and Punctuation
Pupils will be taught to:
The Types of Texts to be Studied in Year 4
The children will read and produce pieces of writing inspired by a range of poetry, non-fiction and narrative texts including both modern and classic writing. These texts provide the context for the learning outlined above. During Year 4, the children will explore these genres and texts:
Autumn Term
Troll's Search for Summer by Nicolas Van Pallandt
An author study and biography of Roald Dahl
Journalistic writing and newspaper reports
Seasonal poetry
Work inspired by the short film 'Dream Giver'
Spring Term
Charlie Small Gorilla City study and journal writing
Descriptive writing including classic American texts
Letter writing with different audiences
Summer Term
A comparison between a classic and modern version of Pinocchio
Persuasive writing and leaflets
Plays by Shakespeare including an author study
Mathematics |
In Year 4 children will be taught in classes for Maths, with some children benefiting from small group support. Written calculation methods will be taught as set out in our Calculation Policy to ensure continuity and progression.
Number and Place Value
Pupils will be taught to:
Addition and Subtraction
Pupils will be taught to:
Multiplication and Division
Pupils will be taught to:
Fractions, Decimals and Percentages
Pupils will be taught to:
Measurement
Pupils will be taught to:
Geometry - Properties of Shapes
Pupils will be taught to:
Geometry - Position and Direction
Pupils will be taught to:
Science |
At Greswold we are using the Engaging Science scheme as the basis of our Science planning. This scheme was chosen for its strong focus on practical investigation. Pupils are encouraged to be curious and think both scientifically and creatively, using the outdoor environment to learn Scientific ideas in context.
Throughout the year, the children will be learning about respecting their environment. Pupils will look at the area within and near the school grounds and at the impact of humans on the environment. They discuss the need to balance human requirements against those of the environment.
Autumn Term
During this term the children will learn about sound. Pupils listen to and identify sounds and learn how our ears work to detect sounds. They carry out experiments to help them learn about loudness and pitch and use data loggers to investigate the best material for muffling sound. They make and play musical instruments. Also during this term the children will investigate states of matter. Pupils learn that materials come in three states of matter: solid, liquid or gas. They identify materials as solids, liquids or gases, including some that are harder to classify such as sand or sponge. They investigate changes of state. They learn about the water cycle.
Spring Term
Pupils learn about electricity and find out that some materials allow electricity through them and others do not. They learn about the history of electricity and they make and test electrical circuits with a variety of components. They use their knowledge of electricity to design and build a model of a burglar alarm for a house. Pupils will also learn about classification. They learn about the variety of living things and how they can be grouped according to shared characteristics. They use and construct keys to identify unfamiliar animals and plants.
Summer Term
In this term the children learn about digestion. They learn about the structure of the mouth and about how to care for their teeth, investigating which drink stains teeth the most. They learn about the structure of the digestive system, build a model of the digestive process, using their new knowledge to produce a piece of creative writing. They explore interrelationships in food, constructing food chains and food webs.
Computing |
We are using Solihull's Scheme of Work to deliver the requirements of the Computing programme of study. This scheme has an annual focus on esafety, using the Internet and finding out about technology pupils will be familiar with. Each year computer science skills and transferable ICT skills are also developed in a progressive way.
Autumn Term
Pupils are taught that information on some websites may not be reliable and that careful evaluation and verification is needed to ensure information accuracy. They learn what plagiarism is and that other people’s work should not be copied without crediting the source. They learn the importance of using technology safely, respectfully and responsibly as misuse can lead to problems with health and well-being. They also learn about how emails are sent across the internet. During this term the children develop their transferable skills of word processing and design by creating newspaper reports with a suitable design and formatting.
Spring Term
In this term there is a focus on computer science using the Code3 and Scratch languages. Pupils design, write and debug programs that accomplish specific goals, including controlling or simulating physical systems; solve problems by decomposing them into smaller parts. They use logical reasoning to explain how some simple algorithms work and to detect and correct errors in algorithms and programs. They use sequence, selection, and repetition in programs; work with variables and various forms of input and output. Also this term the children develop their presentations skills using PowerPoint.
Summer Term
Pupils are taught about control systems in the home and the wider world. They use technology safely, respectfully and responsibly; recognise acceptable/unacceptable behaviour; and can identify a range of ways to report concerns about content and contact. They understand that if they make personal information available online it may be seen, used and altered by others. This includes still and moving images. They recognise that data loggers are one of many devices that can be used to collect data for analysis, evaluation and presentation.
History |
Autumn Term
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During the Autumn term the children will learn about the Viking and Anglo-Saxon struggle for the Kingdom of England. The children will investigate the Vikings using a range of sources and understand the reasons that they invaded England. The children will also find out about the longer term influence the Vikings had on the United Kingdom.
Spring Term
There will be a geographical focus during this term.
Summer Term
The children will put the Tudors into the wider history of the United Kingdom. They will look at the reliability of different sources of information. They will learn about the War of the Roses and why Henry VIII married six times. They will find out about life in Tudor times.
Geography |
Autumn Term
There will be an historical focus during this term however the children will use geographical skills to explore where Vikings came from and raided in the United Kingdom.
Spring Term
During the Spring term the children will find out about the many different environments found in North America. The children will learn about the states and find out about how the landscape has influenced settlements. We also focus on the geography of the continent and use atlases as part of this study.
Summer Term
There will be an historical focus this term.
Physical Education (PE) |
Each week the children have two PE lessons each week - normally swimming and an indoor or outdoor Games lesson.
Autumn Term
Indoor PE - Gymnastics
Swimming
Spring Term
Indoor PE - Dance and Sportshall Athletics
Swimming
Summer Term
During the Summer Term, the majority of PE lessons will be outside. Children will develop their athletic skills including running, jumping and throwing. They will also play striking and fielding games including cricket and rounders.
Art |
Throughout Year 4, pupils will be taught to develop their techniques, including their control and their use of materials, with creativity, experimentation and an increasing awareness of different kinds of art, craft and design.
Autumn Term
The children will explore patterns and how they can be formed. They look at patterns from various sources e.g. Islamic, Aboriginal and discuss how the patterns are made up. The children will form their own symmetrical and repeated patterns, using a variety of media.
Spring Term
The children explore how relationships are portrayed in art. Also, they will have the opportunity to study the works of American artist John Sargent.
Summer Term
Through the technique of pouncing, children produce portraits of famous Tudors. In addition, children evaluate the school environment and use clay to make clay sculptures.
Design and Technology (D&T) |
Autumn Term
The children use different fabrics to create their own bottle container, linked to work on the BFG.
Spring Term
Linked to our Science unit on electricity, the children will design and make a security system for a house.
Summer Term
This term, the children design and make Tudor Houses using woodworking skills. This will involve the children measuring and cutting wood using saws and using different techniques to join the wood together to create structures.
Music |
In Year 4 the children are incredibly lucky to have the opportunity to learn a brass instrument free of charge. Every child is able to have an instrument to take home for the duration of the year and receive weekly tuition from specialist teachers as part of the class. During the year there will also be opportunities to perform pieces that the children have been learning. Many of our children choose to continue to play an instrument after Year 4 and take part in the many musical opportunities available at Greswold.
Religious Education (RE) |
We follow the locally agreed Solihull syllabus for RE.
Autumn Term
During this term the children consider the question 'Should I help others?'. They learn how helping others is part of different faiths. They also study the topic of 'Light and Dark' and how these are important in different religions.
Spring Term
In the Spring term the children reflect on how art helps Christians to learn more about their faith. In the second half term they explore the concept of sacrifice and how this relates to their lives. They also learn about the crucifixion of Jesus.
Summer Term
The children reflect on what wisdom really means and how sacred texts can teach people. In addition to this, the children learn about vows and commitments and how rituals are marked in different religions.
Spanish (Primary Modern Language) |
Spanish in Year 4 is delivered by the year group teachers. The children learn through oral activities, songs and some written language.
Autumn Term
The children recap greetings and the numbers to 10. They respond to classroom instructions and answer questions such as "How are you?" They also learn the colours.
Spring Term
During this term they learn the names of fruit. They focus on days of the week and months of the year.
Summer Term
The children continue by describing the weather. They move on to learning the parts of the body and also animals. They also revise asking for Spanish translation.
Personal and Social Development (PSD) |
We are using the Jigsaw teaching materials to deliver our PSD teaching across Greswold. This scheme offers a mindful approach to the teaching of PHSE through quality teaching, reflection and discussion with the children.
Autumn Term
In the Autumn Term the themes are ‘Being Me in My World’ and ‘Celebrating Difference’. In the first half term, the children reflect on what it feels like to be part of a team both as a class and also as part of the wider school community. They begin to look at democracy through School Council and how groups come together to make decisions, including developing a Learning Charter. Children also consider how their actions affect themselves and others. In Celebrating Difference, pupils understand how assumptions can be made based on appearance and the need to judge people for who they really are. They look at bullying and ways in which it can be challenged. They also reflect on their own personalities and what makes them special.
Spring Term
During this term the themes covered are ‘Dreams and Goals’ and ‘Healthy Me’. The children focus on their hopes and dreams and how to cope with setbacks and feelings of disappointment. They reflect on how to be resilient and also how to work effectively as part of a team. After the half term break, they look at healthy relationships and group dynamics. They also consider the impact of smoking and alcohol on somebody's health. They also think about themselves positively and reflect on their inner strength.
Summer Term
‘Relationships’ and ‘The Great Growing Up Adventure’ are the two themes in the Summer Term. During this term the children learn relationship webs focusing on family and pets and including those more distant. They consider love and loss and the importance of memories. about maintaining positive relationships with each other. In the last half term they consider what makes them unique. Children also look at life cycles and how they have changed since they were babies. They focus on accepting change, including the changes which happen during puberty, and having a positive attitude towards this.
Curriculum Enrichment
In addition to the academic curriculum outlined above, Year 4 also offers:
Key Stage 2 Harvest Festival.
Roald Dahl Day and performance dedicated to this popular author.
Brass Blast performance.
Cricket coaching by Warwickshire Cricket Club.
A visit to Selly Manor.
A residential visit to Standon Bowers Outdoor Education Centre.
Children also have opportunities for instrumental tuition and the chance to join extra-curricular clubs.