Year 4 – Summer Term (2nd Half) 2015 Literacy  We will look at the genre of short stories using Short! by Kevin Crossley-Holland. Children investigate the use of adverbials to link sentences or paragraphs together. Children plan and write short mystery stories elaborating by use of descriptive words and further details. As we close in on the Summer Holidays, Year 4 will be taking a look at classic fiction:  Through The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien, investigate settings, character development, dialogue and narrative style. Writing includes: dramatisation, playing with point-of-view and writing a 'Lost Tale'. Grammar includes: complex sentences, relative clauses and elaboration. In literacy this half of term, we will be looking at short stories (mysteries) : We will also be studying non-chronological reports:  The children will be writing non-chronological reports – a topic that has been very popular in the past! It will be based around computer and video games, where children will read reviews, play games and will be itching to write their own game reports! Pronouns and tense activities are thrown in too!

In this final half term, Year 4 will:  Divide numbers (up to 2 digits) by single-digit numbers with no remainder, then with a remainder  Recognise which numbers are divisible by 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9 and 25 and identify multiples; find factors; recording results systematically and finding all factors of a given number; compare and place fractions on a line; find equivalent fractions and reduce them to their simplest form  Know properties of equilateral, isosceles, scalene and right-angled triangles; find that angles in a triangle have a total of 180°; sort triangles according to their properties; use scales to weigh amounts to the nearest half interval; convert from grams to kilograms and vice versa, from millilitres to litres and vice versa, and from metres to kilometres and vice versa; read scales to the nearest half division; understand that we measure distance in kilometres and miles; use ready reckoning to give approximate values of miles in kilometres and vice versa; draw line conversion graphs  Understand what a polygon is; draw polygons using dotted square and isometric paper; revise terms obtuse, acute and reflex angles, perpendicular and parallel sides; recognise quadrilaterals as polygons and identify their properties; classify quadrilaterals; draw regular polygons and explore their properties; revise metric units of weight, capacity and length; understand that we can measure in imperial units and relate these to their instances in daily life  Revise converting 12-hour clock times to 24-hour clock times; find a time a given number of minutes or hours and minutes later; calculate time intervals using 24-hour clock format; measure lengths in mm and convert to cm; find perimeters in cm and convert cm to m  Place numbers to and decimals up to two places on a line, round numbers to the nearest 10, 100 and 1000 and decimals up to two places to the nearest whole number; compare and order numbers with up to two decimal places; reduce fractions to their simplest form; know and recognise equivalent fractions and decimals to half, tenths and fifths Maths

This half term we will be looking at electricity. We will be studying each of the following areas:  Mains vs. electricity  Circuits  Electrical conductors  Cables and plugs  Switches  Bright bulbs  Scientists Science

Computing Topic: We are researchers Researching a topic UNIT SUMMARY The children will research a topic – safely, effectively and efficiently – using a structured approach (mind mapping). They will share their findings with others through a short multimedia presentation. Skills Content creating, researching Vocabulary Google mind map presentation research search search engine E-safety: The pupils will consider how to stay safe while researching online, and show respect for others’ ideas. Safe search filters are in place for using Google or Bing and the school internet access is filtered.

Topic This term the children will continue studying the Egyptians! We have looked into daily life and culture and have also touched upon Pharaohs and pyramids. We will now go onto: Religion and burials:  Egyptian creation and gods  Terrific temples  Fantastic festivals  The valley and the kings and the mummy’s curse  Tutankhamen  Mummies We will also briefly study modern Egypt, looking specifically at:  The Suez canal  Egypt today

Music We will be exploring descriptive sounds, and it will be based around ‘Animal Magic’. We will be looking more specifically at:  Assorted animals – discuss composers descriptions and discuss use of words and music in ‘The Bellipong’.  A Gnu – learn how the music describes the way a gnu moves and invent a gnu walk.  Bellipong and Zippi – move in character to the music, learn to sing (and then combine the two and then invent musical motifs.  Animal consequences – invent new animals, create a factfile about the animal’s appearance, movements, personality and habits and then invent movements to reflect it’s attributes.  May I present? – invent animal presentations which combine music, movement and narration  Animal competition – prepare for ‘made-up animal competitions and then perform

Art/DT In art and DT we will continue to link it in with our Egyptian topic. We will be using the skills and techniques we have absorbed this year to create the following things:  Mummies and sarcophaguses  Egyptian cuffs  Falcon necklaces  Canopic jars  Cracked wax tomb picture

RE Year 4 will continue learning about the beliefs and practises of Sikhism, as there is still a lot left to learn! The children will understand that:  That Guru Nanak founded the faith and understand some of his teachings  Some Sikh beliefs about God through Sikh stories  About the significance of the Guru Granth Sahib to Sikhs  To reflect upon their own views about God  About the importance of the Sikh gurdwara to the Sikh community

PE and games PSHE This half term we will be learning how to play rounders. We will look at all aspects of the game, including the rules, batting, backstop, catching, fielding and strategy! We will also be doing athletics, leading us nicely into sports day. The children will learn and practise their skills in sprinting, long distance running, shot- put, discus, javelin and long jump. I will be educating the children on the consequences and truths of ‘drugs and alcohol’ this half-term. There will be lessons on:  Knowing common substances are drugs – alcohol, tobacco, over the counter medicine and caffeine  Knowing what the effect of these substances are  Understanding what the school rules and the law says about these substances

Handed outCollected in LiteracyMondayThursday MathsThursdayMonday PE is on Wednesdays and Thursdays. Please make sure you have the correct kit, labelled and in school all week. Earrings must be removed for PE. On occasion, homework will be handed out on different days due to work needed to be taught beforehand. If this happens, the children will still have 3 days to complete it.