Year 4

English Overviews

Reading Overview

Year 4.pdf

Writing Overview

Writing 4.pdf

Mathematics Overview & Support

We are proud to work with the Maths Hub for 2020-2022 to develop a mastery approach when teaching mathematics. 

Termly Overview

Key Instant Recall Facts (KIRFS)

Topics & Overviews

AUTUMN

Science

Digestive System

This project teaches children about the human digestive system. They explore the main parts, starting with the mouth and teeth, identifying teeth types and their functions. They link this learning to animals' diets and construct food chains to show the flow of energy. 

Science

Sound

This project teaches children about sound and how sounds are made and travel as vibrations through a medium to the ear. They learn about pitch and volume and find out how both can be changed. 

History

Invasion

This project teaches children about life in Britain after the Roman withdrawal. Children will learn about Anglo-Saxon and Viking invasions up to the Norman conquest. 

Geography

Interconnected World

This essential skills and knowledge project teaches children about compass points and four and six-figure grid references. They learn about the tropics and the countries, climates and culture of North and South America. Children identify physical features in the United Kingdom and learn about the National Rail and canal networks. They conduct an enquiry to prove a hypothesis, gathering data from maps and surveys before drawing conclusions. 

Art

Contrast & Complement

This project teaches children about colour theory by studying the colour wheel and colour mixing. It includes an exploration of tertiary colours, warm and cool colours, complementary colours and analogous colours, and how artists use colour in their artwork. 

Art

Warp & Weft

This project teaches children about the artform of weaving and how it has developed over time, including the materials and techniques required to create woven patterns and products.

DT

Fresh Food, Good Food

This project teaches children about food decay and preservation. They discover key inventions in food preservation and packaging, then make examples. The children prepare, package and evaluate a healthy snack. 

Music

Rhythm Revolutionaries - Pulse and Rhythm

This unit focuses on helping children develop their rhythm skills through listening, internalisation, and ensemble composition. Children will learn to identify and respond to the rhythm of a piece of music, internalising the pulse to improve their timing and coordination. They will also develop their ensemble skills by working collaboratively to compose rhythm for a piece of music. Through this unit, children will improve their ability to listen to and respond to different rhythms, as well as their teamwork and creativity skills. By the end of the unit, children will have a greater understanding and appreciation for the role of rhythm in music and will be able to create and perform rhythm compositions as a group.

Music

Vocal Virtuosos - Singing

This unit teaches children to sing and speak expressively and creatively by using their voices to sing songs, speak chants, and rhymes. They will learn the basics of singing and develop their language skills while gaining confidence in expressing themselves. By the end of the unit, they will have improved their vocal skills and communication abilities. 

Computing

Sounds of The Cinema
Sound

This term the children will be producing their own iMovie using and combining a variety of software to design and create a video all in the context of history.

Computing

Debug!
Programming

The children will be using their logical reasoning to explain how some simple algorithms work and to detect and correct errors in algorithms and programming.

PE

Core - Personal

This unit supports children’s understanding of the importance of having coordination when moving using different foot work. The progression is through developing different footwork and balances (on one leg) throughout the unit. 

PE

Core - Social

This unit focuses on the children’s dynamic balance to agility, looking at how they can jump and land safely. We will also be focusing on their static seated balancing and changing positions. 

SPRING

Science

States of Matter

This project teaches children about solids, liquids and gases and their characteristic properties. They observe how materials change state as they are heated and cooled, and learn key terminology associated with these processes. 

Science

Grouping & Classifying

This project teaches children about grouping living things, known as classification. They study the animal and plant kingdoms and use and create classification keys to identify living things. 

Geography

Misty Mountain, Winding River

This project teaches children about the characteristics and features of rivers and mountain ranges around the world, including a detailed exploration of the ecosystems and processes that shape them and the land around them. 

Art

Vista

This project teaches children about the techniques that artists use when composing landscape images, such as colour and atmosphere. 

Art

Animal

This project teaches children about the historical and cultural portrayal of animals in art. They study the visual qualities of animals through sketching, printmaking and clay modelling. 

DT

Functional & Fancy Fabrics

This project teaches children about home furnishings and the significant designer William Morris. They learn techniques for decorating fabric, including block printing, hemming and embroidery and use them to design and make a fabric sample. 

Music

Music Genre Explorers / Symbolic Singers - Music Appreciation and Listening 

This unit teaches children to explore different music genres and develop personal preferences. They will listen to high-quality live and recorded music, learning to identify and describe genre features and communicate their music preferences. By the end of the unit, they will have developed a greater appreciation for various genres and enhanced their critical listening skills. Year 3 and 4 will perform together for an Easter production. 

Computing

Music Masters
Data Handling

This unit helps children develop their digital skills by using a variety of software and digital devices to accomplish given goals related to their favorite music genre. They will learn to collect, analyze, evaluate, and present data using digital tools. By the end of the unit, they will have improved their digital literacy and analytical skills.

Computing

Lights, Camera, Action

This unit focuses on helping children develop their digital skills by using software to record and evaluate their retelling of a text learned through Talk for Writing (T4W). Children will learn how to use digital tools to capture and edit audio and video content, as well as how to evaluate their peers' work. Through this unit, children will improve their communication and collaboration skills, as well as their ability to use digital tools effectively. By the end of the unit, children will have developed a deeper understanding of T4W and how to use digital tools to enhance their learning and communication.

PE

 Core - Cognitive

This unit focuses on the children’s ability to dynamically balance on a line. We will also be working on their ball skills by getting them to roll and control a given ball to a partner. 

PE

Dance - U1

The children will be able to select and link movements together to fit a theme. They will also be able to recognise similarities and differences in movements as well as expression.  

PE

 Core - Gym

This unit focuses on the children’s coordination to send and receive a ball by bouncing to and from a partner. We will also be focusing on their ability to counter balance with the support of a partner. 

SUMMER

Science

Electrical Circuits & Conductors

This project teaches children about electrical appliances and safety. They construct simple series circuits and name their parts and functions, including switches, wires and cells. They investigate electrical conductors and insulators and identify common features of conductors. It also teaches children about programmable devices. They combine their learning to design and make a nightlight. 

History

Ancient Civilisations

This project teaches children about the history of three of the world’s first ancient civilisations: ancient Sumer, ancient Egypt and the Indus Valley civilisation. Children will learn about the rise, life, achievements and eventual end of each civilisation. 

Art

Statues, Statuettes & Figurines

This project teaches children about the 3-D representation of the human form, including statues, statuettes and figurines. They study examples from ancient civilisations, and use their clay skills to create a Sumer-style figurine. 

Art

Islamic Art

This project teaches children about the features of Islamic art. They make geometric patterns and motifs on paper, with fabric and in clay. They use their learning to create a high relief clay tile, decorated with geometric patterns. 

DT

Tomb Builders

This project teaches children about simple machines, including wheels, axles, inclined planes, pulleys and levers, exploring how they helped ancient builders to lift and move heavy loads. 

Music

Expressive Ensembles -Composition and Notation

This unit focuses on helping children develop their performance skills to perform with confidence, accuracy, fluency, control, and expression in front of an audience. Children will learn the basics of live performance, such as stage presence, breathing techniques, and vocal control, and how to apply these skills to different musical styles. Through this unit, children will improve their musical abilities and develop their confidence in performing in front of others. By the end of the unit, children will be able to perform with greater skill and expressiveness, communicating their music to an audience with confidence.

Music

Stage Sensations - Performance 

This unit focuses on helping children develop their performance skills to perform with confidence, accuracy, fluency, control, and expression in front of an audience. Children will learn the basics of live performance, such as stage presence, breathing techniques, and vocal control, and how to apply these skills to different musical styles. Through this unit, children will improve their musical abilities and develop their confidence in performing in front of others. By the end of the unit, children will be able to perform with greater skill and expressiveness, communicating their music to an audience with confidence.

Computing

AR & VR Museums

This unit helps children develop their programming skills by learning how to use sequence, selection, and repetition to create a virtual history museum exhibit. They will improve their logical and problem-solving skills while also learning to use digital tools to create interactive content. By the end of the unit, they will have a basic understanding of programming concepts and how to use them in a museum context.

Computing

If This, Then That

This unit teaches children how to program a robot by conducting their own algorithm, using logical reasoning to detect and correct errors in the program. It improves their problem-solving and logical thinking skills and helps them use digital tools to control robots. By the end of the unit, children will have a basic understanding of programming concepts and how to use them to control robots.


PE

Core - Creative

This unit focuses on the children’s reactions and responses when a ball is thrown or bounced towards them. We will also be working on our static balance focusing specifically on floor work.

PE

Core - Physical

This unit focuses on the children’s ability to chase a ball effectively and maintain control. We will also be looking at our static balance by focusing on our stance - how we position our bodies. 

Religious Education - Love To Celebrate!

We look at six celebrations from across the major religions of the world

Sikhism

Vaisakhi

Spring 2

Sikhs usually celebrate Vaisakhi on the 13th and 14th April. It is the most important festival day for Sikhs because, in 1699, Guru Gobind Singh created the Khalsa. The Khalsa are ordained Sikhs who make promises to wear the Five Ks and follow the Sikh religion faithfully. To become part of the Khalsa, Sikhs drink a sugary liquid called amrit and have it sprinkled onto their eyes and hair. Some Sikhs choose to take amrit during Vaisakhi.

Sikhs might also take part in a Nagar Kirtan during Vaisakhi, where the Sikh holy book, the Guru Granth Sahib, is driven through the streets accompanied by many members of the local Sikh community. Free food, called langar, is provided and dancing and martial arts demonstrations are enjoyed.

Vaisakhi is also a New Year and harvest festival in the Punjab.

Christianity

Holy Week and Easter

Spring 1

Holy Week is the last week of Lent. It starts with Palm Sunday, which commemorates Jesus' arrival in Jerusalem over 2000 years ago. During Holy Week, the story of Jesus' last supper and trial are commemorated. Good Friday is a day of mourning in many Christian churches as Jesus' crucifixion is remembered.

Easter Sunday is the day when Christians remember the resurrection of Jesus with church services, candles, acclamations, great food and Easter eggs.

Judaism

Shabbat

Summer 1

Shabbat (Sabbath) is the Jewish day of rest. Jews believe God created the world in six days and rested on the seventh. Shabbat begins at sunset on Friday and ends on Saturday. During Shabbat, families spend time together, rest, eat special meals and attend the synagogue. However, there are many things to prepare before Shabbat arrives and rules to follow to make sure that Shabbat is truly a day of rest. 

Islaam

Eid ul-Adha

Summer 2

Eid ul-Adha, also known as the Greater Eid, is the second most important festival in the Muslim calendar. It commemorates the Prophet Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice his son when Allah ordered him to.

Muslims believe that Allah appeared to Ibrahim in a dream and asked him to sacrifice his son Isma’il as an act of obedience. The devil tempted Ibrahim by saying he should disobey Allah and spare his son. As Ibrahim was about to kill his son, Allah stopped him and gave him a ram to sacrifice instead.

Eid ul-Adha is celebrated at the end of the Hajj pilgrimage.

Buddhism

Kathina

Autumn 2

Kathina is a celebration held in October or November after Vassa, the Rains Retreat, which is sometimes known as the Buddhists Lent. Buddhist monks stay in a vihara or monastery during the rainy season in Asian countries and spend time studying the Dharma (Buddha's teaching) and meditating.

During Kathina, members of the local community give a new robe to the monks who have completed the Rains Retreat. The monks then decide which of them will receive the robe. Many Buddhists believe that giving a new robe is merit-making and will earn them good karma in their next life.

The story of Kathina can be found in ancient Buddhist scriptures. The ceremony is named after the sewing frame that monks and nuns would use to create new robes.

Hinduism

Janmashtami

Autumn 1

The festival of Janmashtami celebrates the birthday of Lord Krishna and falls in August or September. Krishna is one of the Hindu faith's most popular gods.

The festival lasts for two days. Worshippers may sing songs, tell stories of Krishna's life, dance, rock his cradle and wait for midnight to arrive to mark his birth. Some Hindus fast during the day of Janmashtami and only eat after midnight.

P.S.H.E - Personal Social Health Education (Including Relationships & Sex Education)

We follow six key themes in P.S.H.E. that are taught at the same time across the school, below is the specific theme covered. 

Being Me In My World

Celebrating Difference

Dreams & Goals

Healthy Me

Relationships

Changing Me