Jaguars - Year 4
Welcome to Jaguar Class :)
Autumn 2 Newsletter 2024
Welcome back Jaguars! I hope you've had a good break!
This page will give you an outline of all the topics we will be studying this half-term. I have planned lots of fun and engaging lessons this half-term and all I ask is that you work hard and get stuck in! Parents - If you have any questions/queries about anything, then please email me on jaguars@parkgate.cheshire.sch.uk.
Reading:
The children will be given a levelled book from Oxford Owl and this will be changed once a week. It’s important to re-read the book once finished as it will help to build reading skills like being able to summarise.
English:
This half-term you will be studying a range of non-fiction text types and, to help us with our work, we will be watching and studying a documentary called 'Blackfish'. We will also be reading the books 'Big Blue Whale' and 'The Morning I met a Whale'.
We will be learning how to write a newspaper article, an information text on whales, an informal letter to humans describing life in captivity, a persuasive speech to SeaWorld encouraging them to set their Orcas free, and finally, a descriptive free verse poem about whales.
Guided Reading:
For Guided Reading, we will be reading The Boy Who Biked the World: Part one On the Road to Africa by Alastair Humphreys. This book will link nicely with our African theme, running through some of our subjects such as Geography, DT and Music.
Maths:
This half-term, we will be moving onto area and then multiplication and division.
In our Area unit we will look at:
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What is area?
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Counting squares
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Making shapes
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Comparing areas
In our Multiplication and Division unit we will look at:
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Multiply by 10
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Multiply by 100
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Divide by 10
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Divide by 100
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Multiply by 1 and 0
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Divide by 1
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Multiply and divide by 6
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6 times-table and division facts
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Multiply and divide by 9
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Recall and use multiplication and division facts for multiplication tables up to 12 × 12.
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9 times-table and division facts
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Multiply and divide by 7
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7 times-table and division facts.
Times Tables:
Times tables are really important and by the end of year 4 it is expected that you should recall your timetables up to 12 x 12. In school, we will be playing daily timestable games and there will be a weekly timestable challenge called Rainbow times tables (This is a timed test. You will progress through the colours once you achieve full marks in each colour) To help you achieve full marks, ensure you practice your tables at home too.
Click on the timestable icon at the bottom of this page for some useful websites and games.
Here is a link with more information about the timestable test:
Here is a link to Maths Frame. https://mathsframe.co.uk/en/resources/resource/477/Multiplication-Tables-Check
This website gives you an example game of what the test will be like, so you can practise one here as much as you like.
You will have to get used to the time element - I do understand that the time element can upset some children and make them anxious, but if we start now and practise as much as we can, we can build up their confidence for when it comes to the actual test.
Science: Living things and their habitats
The skills you will be learning this half-term are:
Reasoning
I can explore and use classification keys to help group, identify and name a variety of living things in the local and wider environment.
Observation
I can make systematic and careful observations.
Discussion
I can recognise that living things can be grouped in a variety of ways.
Planning
I can make simple predictions based on everyday knowledge.
Obtaining and Presenting Evidence
I can record findings using scientific language.
I can record findings using drawings and labelled diagrams.
I can record findings using keys.
I can record findings using bar charts and tables.
I can gather, record, classify and present data in a variety of ways to help with answering questions.
PE:
PE will be taught by Mr Hall and Mr Kelly every Tuesdays and Wednesdays. You can wear your full PE kit on these days. Can you also please remember to bring in spare socks and shoes/trainers in case we go out onto the field where it can be set and muddy.
Geography:
Our Geography topic this half-term is called: Exploring Madagascar.
The skills that you will be learning this half-term are:
I can use correct geographical words to describe a place and the things that happen there.
I can recognise and use the 8 points of the compass to navigate around a map of the world.
(N, NW, W, S, SW, SE, E, NE)
I can describe and understand key aspects of climate zones, biomes and vegetation.
I can use maps to locate countries and describe features.
I can understand geographical similarities and differences through human and physical geography between the two regions.
I can identify the position and significance of the tropic of cancer and the tropic of capricorn.
I can use a 4 figure grid reference
I can describe and understand key aspects of human geography, including trade links and the distribution of natural resources, including energy, food, minerals and water.
DT
DT will be taught by Miss Whiteway and this half-term you will be studying African Picture Frames.
The skills taught throughout this unit:
Design:
I can describe the design features of my products that will appeal to intended users.
I can model my ideas using prototypes and pattern pieces.
I can make design decisions that take account of the availability of resources.
Making:
I can select tools and equipment suitable for the task.
I can refer to my criteria as I design and make.
I can measure, mark out, cut and shape materials and components with some accuracy.
I can assemble, join and combine materials and components with some accuracy.
I can make strong, stiff shell structures.
Evaluation:
I can use my design criteria to evaluate my completed products.
I can evaluate how well my product meets the users' needs and wants.
PSHE:
Learning Intention:
To compare the lives and cultures of people in the UK and Africa.
Success Criteria:
I know that life is different for refugees.
I know how difficult life is in a Third World country.
I can identify famous African people and their contributions to society.
Other learning:
British Values and Picture News
RE:
Our focus for this half-term will be Christianity, and we will be doing lots of activities and discussions about our big question: Why do Christians think about the Incarnation at Christmas? What is the Trinity?
Throughout this topic, we will learn and explore:
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How do different Bibles tell the story of the Nativity?
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What is a Christingle, and how does it help us develop our understanding of the Incarnation?
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Why is the incarnation an important concept in Christianity?
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How do Christians around the world celebrate the Incarnation?
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How can we think more deeply about incarnations using Christmas Carols?
Computing: Data Handling
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Search the web efficiently to find the temperatures of different cities and record this accurately.
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Design a weather station that gathers and records sensor data, explaining how it works and the units of measurement it will use.
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Design an automated machine that uses selection to respond to sensor data.
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Search for and record weather forecast information in a spreadsheet and explain how this data is collected.
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Create a video which includes weather forecast information.
Music:
South and West Africa
Skills taught throughout the unit:
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I can sing a traditional African song unaccompanied.
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I can play a chord progression on tuned percussion.
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Recognising the stylistic features of South and West African music.
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Learning how music evolved into different traditions.
Homework
English homework will be set on Google Classrooms every Wednesday and is expected to be completed by the following week. Maths will be set on My Maths every Wednesday and is expected to be completed by the following week. Your child will come home with a letter with their login details.
Miss Raissis :)