Year 4

Autumn Term 2018

This term we are learning all about the Polar Regions.  We are going to be studying explorers such as Roald Amundsen, Ernest Shackleton, Sir Edmund Hillary and Robert Scott. We will also be looking at how difficult it would be to survive in such extreme temperatures.  The children are already able to name a range of different animals who live in Antarctica. 

Homework Opportunities

Some of our homework activities include making igloos, creating fact files, compiling a quiz about Antarctica, sketching animals and finding out about the Welsh explorer, Edgar Evans.

Language

This term we will be focussing on Instruction writing and Recount writing. We have already learnt a story with actions focussing on the teaching methods of Pie Corbett which then helped us to create our own exciting stories using a range of descriptive words. We are also looking forward to studying creative writing and learning about different styles of poetry.

Reading

Children will have a reading book to take home with them every week. Please ensure your child brings their reading book into school in order to collect a new book.

Library Visits

We will be visiting Townhill Library regularly throughout the year. Children will have the opportunity to borrow a book from the library which they will keep in school.

Science

Our Science topic this term is materials. We are looking forward to visiting Techniquest at some point after half term to see a show all about materials and their properties.  We will be carrying out investigations focussing on warning food and the best way to melt ice.

Welsh

We have been concentrating on writing about what we did in the summer holiday and on the weekends in Welsh.  We have worked individually, in pairs and in  groups and this week we are going to video each other talking about where we have been and what we have done.

Art

This term we will study the work of the Welsh Artist Mary Lloyd Jones. We will make pic collages of our favourite pieces of her artwork and then create our own masterpieces in the same style she uses. We will use pastels and take our inspirations form landmarks around our local area of Swansea and the beautiful Gower.

DT

This term we will be making torches.

We will be studying how a circuit works and what effects the brightness of a bulb. We will then be putting our circuits inside a casing to make our very own torch. Watch this space for our finished designs.....

Physical Education

This year, our PE lessons are on a  Wednesday(Year4SS) and a Tuesday (Year4EG).

During the Autumn term we will be focussing on gymnastics and football. We will also be using apparatus and exploring a range of ways to travel using them.

Spring Term 2018

This Term we will be learning about 'Castles and Castle Life'

We will be studying the jobs people did, what clothes they wore, what they ate and drank. We will look at Castles through time and how they changed over the years. We will study where Castles were built and the reasons for this. There are many Castles still standing in Britain, we will discuss Castles local to us and will  go to visit a Castle. We will learn about the art of jousting, methods of attacking a castle and defending them from enemies. 

Homework Opportunities

Some of our activities on our homework menu this term include visiting a local castle with a family member, making a castle, write a 'Castle' acrostic poem, draw /paint a picture of Henry VIII, draw a castle with as many shapes as you can and create your own word search using words related to castles. 

Language 

This term we will be writing a letter to The Lord of Swanse Castle, applying for a job as a knight. We will be describing parts of a castle and their purposes. We will be focusing on comprehension, grammar and extending our story writing and creative writing. 

Science

This term we will be studying forces and friction. We we be carrying out investigations into which is materials are the best conductors and insulators. We will investigate lubricants and the best ways to keep warm.

Welsh 

We will firstly discuss Christmas and the gifts we received. Then we will discuss our hobbies and write conversations about our likes and dislikes. We will also discuss our friends hobbies and if them are similar to our own. 

Art

During this term we will be studying 'coats of arms' and creating our own which will be personal to us. We will use our sketching and painting skills to achieve the desired effect. Watch this space for our finished products 😍

DT

During the spring term we will be studying 'structures', with particular focus on what makes a bridge strong. We will be discussing how drawbridges were kept during medieval times.

PE

During this term we will be studying different styles of dance. We will explore Bollywood dancing and the styles of dance of the 'Tudors' and present day. 

Summer Term 2018

This Term we will be learning about underwater animals and their habitats. We will study the importance of water to humans, plants and animals and its importance in the world. 

Homework Opportunities  

Some of our activities on our homework menu include creating a fact file on an underwater animal, sketching underwater animals, exploring our local community and getting out an about with family members to the 'Gower' and 'Breacon Beacons' to take full advantage of the wonderful areas of beauty we are so lucky to live so close to. 

Language

This term we will be focusing on Argument and Persuasion. We will continue to build on our bank of stories using the 'Pie Corbett' actions which in turn help us to create interesting and exciting stories with lots of excitement and description. We will be creating persuasive leaflets based around the importance of recycling.

Reading

Children will have the opportunity to enjoy reading a range of different genres of books. They will continue to have reading books sent home with them every week which will be changed on a regular basis. Please continue to listen to your child read as much as possible.

Bedtime Stories

Lots of children have been sharing their wonderful knowledge of stories which are being red to them before bed. This in turn helps with your child's imagination and story writing. 

Library Visits

We will now be able to visit the newly refurbished 'Townhill Library' based in the 'Phoenix Centre'. After its closure to update the library the children have been eager to get back to borrowing books which they will keep in school. These books will be changed regularly throughout the term. 

Science

Our science topic this term is keeping healthy, our local environment and food chains. We will be spending time in the school garden looking at habitats of different animals, going on a field trip to the local pond to carry out pond dipping and assessing if the environment is safe for plants and animals to live safely without litter and pollution. We are looking forward to going on our annual beach trip on Thursday 12th July to Langland Beach to enjoy the sunshine with pupils from years 3, 5 , 6 and the STF!!

Cymraeg - Welsh

This term we will be discussing subjects we study in class, which ones we like, love, don't like and hate, also giving reasons for our choices. We will be learning to describe where items are kept around the classroom and discussing daily routines and timetables. 

We will be writing passages about friends and famous people, giving information about where they live, what they look like, their likes, dislikes and reasons for their choices.

Art

This term we will be studying underwater animals. We will be using iPads to explore underwater animals of the world, sketching our favourite animals and creating 3D sculptures of them using air drying clay.

DT

This term we will be making purses.

We will be designing the perfect purse and putting our sewing skills to good use to make an item we can take home and use. Watch this space for our finished designs :) 

Physical Education

During the summer term we will be going to the National Pool for a 4 week block of swimming lessons. We will be taking part in outdoor games, team games and relay races.

We are looking forward to our annual sports day which will be help at the 'Phoenix Centre fields' on Friday 6th July. Watch this space for pictures :)