Year 4 Curriculum Overview
Autumn 1 - Coming to England
WOW! Factor: Caribbean-themed day. Making Johnny cakes, learning traditional songs and dances and comparing life between the UK and the Caribbean.
Fantastic Finish: Afternoon Tea
Book: Coming to England Author: Floella Benjamin
We will begin this term by focusing on the Windrush generation and the lasting, positive impact this generation has had on British society. We will then look at the roots of Calypso music before using instruments and computing programs to create our own masterpieces. To finish our unit we will study carnival dress, before designing, creating and reviewing our own carnival headdresses.
Autumn 2 – The Firework Maker’s Daughter
WOW! Factor: Be an Inventor!
Fantastic Finish: Building and erupting Volcanoes
Book: The Firework Maker's Daughter Author: Philip Pullman
This term we will be focusing on our earth, how it is structured and the changes of state that occur in nature. We will study volcanoes and their effect on the environment and focus on the art of Margaret Godfrey.
Spring 1 - The Boy with the Bronze Axe
WOW! Factor: Make Viking Shields and swords and raid other classrooms for treasure. Make and play Viking games (Hnefatafl).
Fantastic Finish: Sail Longships on the River Lea
Book: The Boy with the Bronze Axe Author: Kathleen Fidler
We will begin this term by making a Bronze Age axe. We will learn about life during the Bronze Age and how this differed from the Stone Age. To finish we will make a pendant that would have been worn during this time.
Spring 2 - Charlotte's Web
WOW! Factor: Making a Spider's Web
Fantastic Finish: Jam Sandwich Picnic
Book: Charlotte's Web Author: E B White
Our foundation subjects will be taught as we progress through our class based book.
We will be learning about where our food comes from, as well as designing a veg patch for the school and growing our own vegetables and herbs. We will investigate what a settlement is and how the land is used.
We will create Mr Zuckerman's farm in Minecraft by using Redstone to simulate electricity before using wires, batteries and switches to make our own hands-on electrical circuits.
As part of PHSE, we will be understanding how to make informed choices to stay healthy and have a 'balanced lifestyle' including eating a balanced diet.
Summer 1 - There's a Pharaoh in our Bath!
WOW! Factor: Farmer for a day
Fantastic Finish: Food from the farm
Book: There's a Pharaoh in our Bath! Author: Jeremy Strong
We will begin this term by immersing ourselves in the lives of the Ancient Egyptians: learning about hieroglyphics and building pyramids. During the term, will learn how to dance 'like an Egyptian' and showcase this at an end of term extravaganza.
Summer 2 - Running Wild
WOW! Factor: Rainforest Animals Art Gallery
Fantastic Finish: Trip to Whipsnade Zoo
Book: Running Wild Author: Michael Morpurgo
Our foundation subjects will be taught as we progress through our class based book.
We will be learning about different climate zones around the world and the habitats associated with each climate zone. While exploring habitats we will be focusing on the animals that can be found in each area.
We will be researching endangered species such as the Sumatran Tiger and the Borneo Orangutan. We will be using a classification table to sort animals by their features.