Welcome to Year 4
Our Class Teachers are Miss Capper and Mrs Sumser
Year 4 Website – Spring 2
India
KEY QUESTIONS
1. What is the climate in India?
2. What geographical features could I find in India that I wouldn’t have seen before?
3. What are the major rivers in India?
4. Why is the population of India more than 20 times bigger than the United Kingdom?
5. What is daily life like in India?
Geography
Year 4 will be taking an in-depth look at the fascinating country of India. Through this study, children will develop their geographical knowledge and understanding by exploring both the human and physical features of this diverse nation.
Children will begin by locating India on a map, identifying its neighbouring countries and key geographical landmarks. They will then explore India’s physical features, such as the Himalayas, rivers, and climate, as well as its human features, including major cities, famous landmarks, and daily life in different regions.
In addition, children will have the opportunity to discover India’s rich culture, looking at traditions, festivals, food, and daily life. They will also compare India and the UK, considering similarities and differences in landscape, population, and ways of living.
Through research, discussions, and creative activities, this unit will help children build a broader understanding of the world and develop their skills as global citizens.
Science
The children will continue their learning about different ‘States of Matter’.
The children will also explore how materials can change state when they are heated or cooled, learning about key temperatures like water freezing at 0°C or boiling at 100°C. They will discover how these changes, such as melting and freezing, are reversible and how evaporation and condensation are key parts of the water cycle.
As they dive deeper, Year 4 will find out how temperature affects evaporation and examine what happens to particles in solids, liquids, and gases.
CLASS NOVEL and PATHWAYS TO WRITE TEXT
This half term, Year 4 will be exploring the beautifully illustrated book Wisp: A Story of Hope. This powerful story follows a young boy living in a refugee camp who discovers a magical wisp, unlocking memories, dreams, and hope for a brighter future. Through this book, children will deepen their understanding of empathy, resilience, and the importance of storytelling.
As part of our English learning, the children will be developing key writing skills, including:
- Expanding noun phrases to add detail and description
- Choosing nouns and pronouns carefully for clarity and cohesion
- Using inverted commas and punctuation correctly in direct speech
- Applying commas after fronted adverbials to structure their sentences effectively
Throughout the term, children will be using these skills to produce a range of exciting writing pieces. They will create descriptive character profiles, write their own version of the story, and compose a diary entry from the perspective of one of the characters. Additionally, they will work on writing a blurb to summarise the book in an engaging way.
We look forward to seeing the creativity and thoughtful writing that Wisp will inspire in our young authors!
This half term, alongside Wisp: A Story of Hope, Year 4 will also be reading The Firework Maker’s Daughter by Philip Pullman. This exciting adventure story follows a young girl named Lila, who dreams of becoming a firework maker like her father. However, to achieve her dream, she must embark on a dangerous journey to uncover the secret of the greatest fireworks. Along the way, she faces thrilling challenges, meets fascinating characters, and learns the true meaning of courage and determination.
Children’s Rights and SDGs
The children will continue to be exploring important topics that connect to Children’s Rights and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The children will focus on Article 15 of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, which highlights every child’s right to join groups and make friends. Through discussions and activities, they will explore what this means for us in school, in their communities, and around the world, and why it is important for every child to feel included and connected.
The children will also learn about SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation, which aims to ensure that everyone has access to safe water and sanitation. Pupils will investigate how clean water affects health, education, and well-being, and think about ways they can contribute to protecting water resources and supporting global efforts.
These topics will help us think about fairness, responsibility, and how The children can play a part in making the world a better place.
PSHE
This term, pupils will be taking part in PSHE lessons that focus on developing important life skills to support their health, safety, and personal development. This unit of work will continue into the summer term, allowing children time to build confidence and understanding.
During this unit, pupils will:
- Learn about why age restrictions exist and how they help to keep people safe
- Explore how quickly information can spread and discuss some of the risks linked to sharing information
- Learn how to assess a situation and give basic first aid to someone experiencing breathing difficulties during an asthma attack
- Understand the difference between private and public information, and between secrets and surprises
- Develop skills to question information and decide whether it is useful or reliable
- Learn about the changes they have already experienced and become aware of some changes that may happen as they grow
- Understand that everyone changes physically as they develop into adults
- Learn about some of the risks of smoking and the benefits of being a non-smoker
Please check the Curriculum map for more information.
Remember to check Seesaw for posts about their learning, as well as announcements, homework and additional information.
Miss Capper and Mrs Sumser