Autumn-2-Year-4-Curriculum (ID 1107)

• English
  English

  This half term in English, children will be diving into the magical world of Leon and the Place Between by Angela McAllister and Grahame Baker-Smith. Set against the backdrop of a mysterious circus, the story invites children to explore themes of wonder, bravery, and imagination. Through drama and discussion, they’ll develop their use of descriptive language, expanded noun phrases, and powerful verbs to create atmosphere and bring settings to life. Later in the unit, children will learn how to write in the first person, using paragraphs and conjunctions to organise and link their ideas. Their final piece will be a diary entry written from Leon’s point of view, capturing his thoughts and feelings during his incredible adventure inside “The Place Between.”

• Maths
  Maths

  This term in maths, children will begin by exploring statistics, learning how to interpret and present information using pictograms, bar charts, tables, and line graphs. They’ll ask and answer questions about the data they collect, spotting patterns and making comparisons. They will then move on to investigating area, discovering how to measure the space inside different shapes by counting squares and comparing areas in practical, hands-on ways. Finally, children will build confidence with multiplication and division facts up to 12 × 12, using arrays, number lines, and reasoning strategies to solve problems and explain their thinking. Together, these units develop fluency, problem-solving, and a deeper understanding of how maths connects to the world around them.

• Science
  Science

  This half term in Science, Year 4 children will be exploring the fascinating topic of sound. They will learn how sounds are made, discovering that many sounds are caused by vibrations. The children will investigate how these vibrations travel through different materials (or mediums) to reach our ears, allowing us to hear. They will also explore how the pitch of a sound can change depending on the features of the object producing it — for example, whether it is small or large, tight or loose.

  In addition, they will find out how the volume of a sound is linked to the strength of the vibrations that make it.

  Finally, the children will observe how sounds become fainter the further you move away from their source. Through exciting experiments and investigations, pupils will deepen their understanding of how sound works in the world around them.

• Geography
  Geography

  This half term in Geography, Year 4 children will be developing their knowledge of the world’s countries, with a particular focus on Mexico. They will explore the environmental regions, key physical and human features, and major cities within these continents. The children will also compare and contrast Mexico and the United Kingdom, identifying geographical similarities and differences between the two countries.

  In addition, they will learn about the Earth’s lines of latitude and longitude, including the Equator, Hemispheres, Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn, Arctic and Antarctic Circles, and the Prime Meridian.

  Through this topic, pupils will gain a deeper understanding of how our world is organised and the ways in which places can differ and connect across the globe.

• Design Technology
  Design Technology

  This half term in Design and Technology, children will be designing and making their own slingshot cars. They’ll begin by building a sturdy car chassis and exploring how energy and mechanisms make movement possible. Using what they learn about air resistance, they’ll design and create a car body that is both aerodynamic and visually appealing. Once assembled, children will test and evaluate their cars, recording results and suggesting improvements. This exciting project combines creativity, problem-solving, and scientific thinking, helping children understand how design choices affect performance.

• RE
  RE

  This half term in RE, children will explore the question How do festivals and family life show what matters to Jewish people? They will learn about key Jewish festivals including Shabbat, Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, and Passover, discovering how each celebration helps Jewish people remember, reflect, and show their faith in everyday life. Through stories, videos, and discussion, children will explore themes such as forgiveness, freedom, and belonging. They’ll learn how Jewish traditions are practised in different ways around the world today and reflect on what we can all learn from taking time to say sorry, be thankful, and spend time with family and community.

• Computing
  Computing

  This half term in Computing, Year 4 children will be learning about Artificial Intelligence (AI) and micro:bits. They will explore what AI is, how it is used in everyday life, and begin to understand how computers can be programmed to make decisions and solve problems. Using BBC micro:bits, the children will have hands-on opportunities to create simple programs, experiment with sensors, and see how coding can control real devices. Through these exciting activities, pupils will develop their computational thinking, problem-solving, and creative coding skills while gaining an understanding of how technology can be used to design smart solutions for the future.

• Spanish
  Spanish

  This half term, children will learn how to describe parts of the body and say how they feel. They’ll use songs and games to learn new vocabulary and practise saying sentences such as ‘My head hurts’ or ‘I have a sore tummy.’ 

• PE
  PE

  This half term in PE, children will be developing their hockey skills. They will focus on improving how they hold the stick, using the correct grip and posture for better control. They will refine their dribbling skills, learning how to stop the ball, change direction, and use the “bridge” technique. Children will also continue to practise push passing, receiving, and tackling. As they take part in small games, they will begin to understand simple attacking and defending roles and learn how to communicate effectively to support good teamwork.

• PSHE
  PSHE

  • This half term in PSHE, children will focus on health and wellbeing. They’ll begin by learning how to look after their teeth and why good dental hygiene is important. Through guided relaxation and mindfulness, they’ll explore ways to manage stress and find calm. Children will also develop a growth mindset by recognising that mistakes are part of learning and success. As the unit progresses, they’ll reflect on their personal strengths, what makes them happy, and how to take responsibility for their own wellbeing. Finally, they’ll explore emotions and begin to understand what mental health means, learning when and how to seek help if they or others need support.

• Music
  Music

  Year 4 pupils will continue developing their musical skills through singing in parts, performing rhythmic patterns, and using notation to play and compose simple melodies. They’ll learn to follow a conductor, change dynamics, and sing with confidence and control. Children will explore different instrumental families (like strings, brass and percussion), and use body percussion and instruments to create layered compositions. Using listening and appraising skills, they’ll identify instruments, tempo and texture in well-known pieces, and discuss how composers use music to create atmosphere or tell a story.

• Dance
  Dance

  In Year 4 dance, children will build confidence in expressing ideas through movement, using actions, space, and dynamics to bring creativity to their performances. They will develop their modern and hip-hop dance skills, learning moves such as top-rock, helicopter, and isolations. Working with partners and in groups, they will explore using different levels and patterns to make their routines more interesting. Throughout the unit, children will focus on improving their technique, timing, and balance to perform with greater control and precision.