Merton Bank Primary School

Welcome to Year 4 

Attendance is key to academic success and social development. 

Please aim for your child to be in school EVERY day! 

English:

Basic skills:

 Each Monday, every year group completes an English lesson called Basic Skills. This lesson focuses on developing the basic skills that the children need to support them in their writing. There are four sections of focus (Handwriting, Spelling, Punctuation and Grammar).

Talk for writing:

This term, Year 4 are focusing on writing suspenseful stories, with a focus on writing detailed and descriptive settings.

Our model text is called 'Zelda Claw and the Rain Cat'. 

To start this unit, the children had a go at writing a suspenseful story with minimum help to demonstrate their progress at the end, called a 'cold task'.

Then, we had a clues hunt in the playground to search for clues about our model text.

Once the story was revealed, Year 4 worked hard to learn the meanings of unfamiliar vocabulary.

We all created a story map of the story and recited it to learn it off by heart. Afterwards, we used drama techniques such as hot seating to help us to understand the characters further.

As we continue through this unit, we will be working on specific skills to improve our writing and innovating the model text to slowly build more independence and confidence when story writing.

Maths:

This term, the first topic we are learning about is place value.

Guided reading:

Each week has a different theme throughout school, following our reading spine. This gives the children access to many quality texts to strengthen reading comprehension skills and encourage reading for pleasure.

Science:

This term, Year 4 are learning about states of matter in science.

Art:

This term, Year 4 are developing their skills in figure movement sketches. Our focus artists are Gian Lorenzo Bernini and Myron of Eleutherae.

My Happy Mind:

...

PE:

This term, Year 4 are developing their ball skills in PE.

Computing:

This term, Year 4 are learning all about internet safety.

Music:

In Year 4, we learn to play the ukulele every Tuesday with Mr Garner!

Learning to play an instrument is a valuable and enriching experience that stimulates the brain and provides numerous cognitive and emotional benefits. The ukulele, a versatile and accessible instrument, offers a unique opportunity for our children to develop essential skills while discovering the joy of music.

Studies have shown that engaging in music education improves cognitive functions such as memory and abstract reasoning, which are crucial for success in subjects like mathematics and science. Playing the ukulele also fosters skills in leadership and team-building, as our children learn to collaborate and communicate effectively in group settings. Moreover, it instils a deep appreciation for the rewards of working with others towards a common goal.

Embracing music as a regular part of life has the added benefit of promoting emotional well-being. Music has the power to soothe the mind and keep individuals calm, helping them navigate through the challenges of everyday life. In addition, mastering a musical instrument, such as the ukulele, instils a sense of pride and achievement, boosting confidence and self-esteem.

Furthermore, the process of learning to play the ukulele encourages individuals to express themselves creatively, fostering a deep sense of self-awareness and confidence. It also requires the use of both sides of the brain, enhancing memory power and cognitive abilities.

Spanish:

This term, Year 4 are learning how to say greetings, classroom commands, numbers, days and months, school room names and classroom objects in Spanish.

Multiplication tables check (MTC)

Learning times tables is a crucial skill for every child in their mathematical journey. That's why, every week, we dedicate time to practising and mastering our times tables. By using fun and interactive tools like TT Rockstars on the iPad, we make learning times tables enjoyable and effective. The regular practice helps children to build fluency and confidence in their numerical abilities.

The weekly times tables practice is not just about assessment, but also about identifying areas of improvement and providing individualised support to each child in Year 4. By consistently revisiting and reinforcing times tables, we ensure that children have a solid foundation for tackling more complex mathematical concepts in the future.

With dedication and regular practice, our children are able to develop a deep understanding of multiplication and division, setting them up for success in their academic pursuits. So, let's rock those times tables and conquer the world of maths!

Forest School Sessions

Every Friday, Year 4 have a session in our Forest Area led by Mr Woods. This gives our children the chance to connect with nature.