This term we will be working on the following topics:

English   

Our focus texts will be Escape from Pompeii by Christina Balit, Free Lance by Paul Stewart and Pugs of the Frozen North by Philip Reeve. Through these texts we will draft and write by composing and rehearsing sentences orally and sequence sentences to form short narratives. In our narrative work, we will create settings, characters and plot. We will write for different purposes, including fictional personal experiences and narratives. We will also edit our writing to check for cohesion and make improvements to engage the reader.

When reading, we will engage with a variety of fiction and non-fiction texts and answer questions focusing on retrieval and inference.

    

Maths           

We will be using the Maths No Problem scheme to support our mathematical learning. We will be working on Further Multiplication and Division, Graphs, Fractions, Time and Decimals. Throughout these units, the children will be multiplying two- and three-digit numbers, dividing two-digit numbers, including remainders, and applying their knowledge to word problems. The children will learn how to interpret picture graphs, bar graphs and line graphs as well as make predictions based on trends identified in the data. When exploring the concept of fractions, the children will be introduced to hundredths, mixed and improper fractions. Additionally, they will learn to add and subtract fractions and solve word problems. The children will also learn about the 24-hour and 12-hour clock, and convert between seconds, hours and minutes. They will apply their knowledge to word problems.

 

Science       

We will be studying Electricity this term. The children will be learning how to construct a simple series electrical circuit and identify and name its basic parts, including cells, wires, bulbs, switches and buzzers. They will also identify whether a lamp will light in a simple series circuit and recognise that a switch opens and closes a circuit. The children will recognise some common conductors and insulators. We will also explore Sound, identifying how sounds are made, how we hear sounds, and we will investigate distance from sound source, pitch and volume. We will design investigations and find patterns in sounds. 

 

History         

In our Romans topic, we will explore why the Romans invaded Britain and the consequences of the Roman invasion. The children will also understand how the Roman army were equipped for war and identify their battle formation. They will also deduce about life in Roman times by using artefacts.

 

Geography         

In Geography, we will be thinking about who lives in Antarctica. We will be understanding the terms longitude, latitude, hemisphere and climate zone. The children will also consider the work of researchers and become familiar with reading and drawing a map.

 

Art & Design               

We will explore Texture and Patterns. The children will develop a range of mark-making techniques, make their own textured stamp for printing, draw a ‘flip’ pattern and recreate a famous and ancient geometric pattern.

 

Music            

In Music this term, Year 4 will continue with the 1st Access programme. They will be moving on to their second instruments (either trombone or violin) and learning about instrument care, playing techniques, notation and rhythm.

 

Computing  

The children will develop their understanding of how digital images can be changed and edited, and how they can be resaved and reused. They will consider the impact that editing images can have, and evaluate the effectiveness of their choices.

Following this unit, the children will consider how and why data is collected over time. The children will collect data as well as access data captured over long periods of time. They will look at data points, data sets, and logging intervals. The children will then spend time using a computer to review and analyse data.

 

Design Technology                  

During these lessons, the children will be designing, making and evaluating a torch with a functioning switch. 

 

Physical Education                   

We will be developing ball games skills and gymnastic skills as well as having weekly swimming lessons on Thursdays until the February half-term break. 

                       

French                  

We will be learning key vocabulary and phrases through the following topics ‘French numbers, calendars and birthdays’ and ‘Weather and the water cycle’.

                       

Religious Education                 

Our topic this term is ‘Why is the Bible the best-selling book of all time?’. The children will identify events involved in the compilation and creation of the first Christian Bible and will compare different types of writing found in the Bible. They will explain the criteria used to decide which texts were included in the canonised Bible and describe how and why the Christian Bible has developed over time.

 

PSHE/RSE   This term we will be exploring the following themes:

Belonging to a Community - The children will recognise that they belong to different communities as well as the school community and the different groups that make up and contribute to a community. The children will also show compassion towards others in need and the shared responsibility of caring for them.

Media Literacy and Digital Resilience – The children will consider how data is shared and used and that a digital footprint is created. They will also understand that organisations can use personal information to encourage people to buy things and consider why people might choose to buy or not buy something online.

Money and Work – In this unit, the children will consider how people make different spending decisions based on their budget, values and needs, alongside how and why it is important to keep track of money.

Reminders:

• Your child should read to an adult for 15 minutes three times a week and independently every day. It is also important that an adult reads to your child regularly. Please talk to your child about the book and check their understanding by asking questions about events and the characters’ actions. Please also explain new or unfamiliar vocabulary. Their bookbag should come into school every day.
• In order to help develop the children's confidence when articulating their ideas and communicating with others, we will be spending time in class discussing weekly 'Let's Talk' tasks.  These can be found in the weekly newsletter and Google Classroom. Please spend time at home in discussion with the children so that they are ready to share their thoughts and ideas in class each week.
• Your child will have PE on Mondays. They should wear their PE kit to school. Please make sure your child has an outdoor PE kit consisting of jogging bottoms and a sweatshirt. Swimming lessons are to continue and take place at the Eltham Centre. A swimming kit consists of close-fitting shorts, not board shorts, or a one-piece swimming costume, a towel, swimming cap and goggles. Children can also bring in a piece of fruit as a snack on their return walk to school. The snack needs to be in their swimming bag.
• Your child needs to bring in a filled water bottle every day.
• The weather is often cold at this time of year and the children will go out to play if there is light rain. It is important that your child has a waterproof coat, gloves, hat and a scarf.
• We are a Healthy School. Please do not put sweets or chocolate bars in your child’s packed lunch. Please do not send in sweets or other treats when it is your child’s birthday. If you want to celebrate your child’s birthday with their classmates, you could buy the class a book, send in a healthy snack such as boxes of raisins or buy stationery such as a pencil, but due to the impact on the environment, we ask you not to send in plastic toys.
• If your child is absent from school, please contact the school office: 020 8850 5486 and leave a message detailing why your child is absent. If your child has had an upset stomach, they can return to school when they are better. Please try to book medical appointments outside the school day and note that family holidays will not be authorised.
• If you have any questions or wish to raise a concern, please contact the class teacher in the first instance:  ecodd@gordon.greenwich.sch.uk and afaiers@gordon.greenwich.sch.uk.

 

Friday 24^th January - Cosmos Class Assembly - Middle Hall - 9:10am/2:40pm

Tuesday 28^th January - 'Everyone Belongs' Evening 5pm to 6:30pm 

Friday 31^st January - Friendship and Boundaries workshops

Friday 7^th February - NSPCC Number Day

Tuesday 11^th January - Fuchsia Class visit to Guildhall Roman Amphitheatre

Wednesday 12^th February - Cosmos Class visit to Guildhall Roman Amphitheatre

Thursday 13^th February - Last swimming session for Year 4

17^th to 21^st February - Half-term break

Thursday 6^th March - World Book Day 

6^th to 11^th March - Book Fair 

Tuesday 11^th March - Road Safety workshop

Wednesday 12^th March - Year 4 visit to the National Maritime Museum 

Friday 14^th March - Understanding Anxiety workshop

Tuesday 18^th March - Gordon Day Concert – Years 4 and 5 (2pm)

Wednesday 19^th March - Gordon Day Concert – Years 4 and 5 (9:30am)

Monday 31^st March - Open Evening 3:30pm-7:00pm

Wednesday 2^nd April - Open Evening 3:30pm-6:00pm

Monday 7^th to 21^st April - Easter break

Tuesday 22^nd April - Summer Term begins