In this section
Year 4
Remote Learning
In the event of remote learning being activated, please follow the timetable below:
Google Classroom Information
English
In English pupils will have the opportunity to read and write different fiction and non-fiction genres including poetry, narrative verse, stories from other cultures, journalistic recounts, newspapers and persuasive writing. Each week pupils will be taught comprehension, grammar and writing within English lessons.
Grammar
Pupils will continue to be taught to extend sentences by using clauses and a wider range of conjunctions, use the present perfect form of verbs, choose nouns or pronouns appropriately and use conjunctions, adverbs and prepositions. They will also continue to learn about the correct use of direct speech and the use of apostrophes and commas.
Spellings
Your child will continue to receive weekly spellings which are based on key words and spelling patterns. These need to be learnt at home and the children encouraged to then use them in their writing. Pupils will also receive a ‘Word of the Week’ at the beginning of every week, where they are encouraged to use this in their spoken language and written work.
Handwriting
The focus on handwriting will continue in year 4 and pupils will be expected to use continuous cursive script in all pieces of writing. Pupils will continue to be taught how to write in pen and on single lined paper. Pupils are encouraged to practise their handwriting in order to receive a pen licence.
Mathematics
In Mathematics pupils will continue to learn the four operations: addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. They will investigate these operations through calculations and word problems. The children will be encouraged to apply these skills to real life situations through problem solving activities and investigations. Other areas that the children will be studying are 2D and 3D shapes and their properties, angles, symmetry and using decimals.
To support your child’s learning at home, daily practice of all of the times tables will enable them to be more confident at school and making the transition to upper KS2. Also work on telling the time to the nearest 1 minute on an analogue clock; digital 12 hour and 24 hour clock and time duration word problems linked to real life situations. Asking your child the number bonds to 20 and expecting quick-fired responses from them will also be very beneficial.
Science
In Science this year pupils will be studying a range of topics including ‘Eating and Digestion’, ‘States of Matter’, ‘Circuits and Conductors’, ‘Changing Sound’, ‘What do Scientists do?’ and ‘Living in Environments’. The children will be given the opportunity to take part in hands-on investigations which will enhance and deepen their learning and understanding.
Religious Education
Throughout the year pupils will learn about many religious stories as well as important times in the liturgical year such as Christmas, Easter and Pentecost. Pupils will continue to use Bible references to find and read scripture. Pupils will be asked to make links between religious stories and their Christian beliefs. Pupils will also be encouraged to recognise, describe and explain actions of Christians. Continue to encourage your child to read stories from the Bible and discuss how this relates to their daily lives. During his weekly visits to the school, our Parish Priest supports the learning on the current Religious Education theme.
History
The history topics taught in Year 4 are: The Anglo-Saxons, The Mayans and The British Empire. Our history topics offer an exploration of chronology, historical sources, significance of past people and events, and change and continuity between time periods.
Please click here for more information about history teaching and learning at St. Joseph’s.
Geography
The geography topics taught in Year 4 are: Europe, Settlers and Settlements and How to Earn a Living. Across the topics, children develop their skills in key geographical strands: locational geography, physical geography, human geography, place geography and geographical skills and fieldwork.
Please click here for more information about geography teaching and learning at St. Joseph’s.
Art and Design Technology
This is closely linked with the Religious Education curriculum, plus current and cultural events. The children will participate in ‘Themed’ Art weeks, whereby they develop their artistic and creative talents, advancing their art, design and technology skills will be achieved through exploration, refinement and consolidation. We shall also use Art galleries’ websites to study specific artists and art styles to complement the learning. Children use a variety of materials to create interesting pieces of art and sculpture based on their investigations. Design and Technology skills are developed through investigating how 3D creations bring an object to life. This Year, the themes will cover ‘Diwali – the Festival of Light’ from the Hindu religion, the Disney production ‘Aladdin’ and Brent – City of Culture 2020.
Computing
During the first half-term, children will be completing the unit ‘We Are Software Developers’ where they will design and create their own software using the ‘Scratch’ program. During the second half-term, the children will be completing the unit ‘We Are Toy Designers’ where they will develop their own toy designs.
Physical Education
This year all pupils will have the opportunity to attend swimming lessons and Irish dancing lessons and basketball lessons.
Music
In Year 4, all children learn percussion instruments such as the African Djembe and the Djun Djun drum as well as basic drum kit patterns. By exploring the history of African music and rhythmic patterns in this way, children learn how pop and rock music is built up and how it can be used in song-writing and composition.
French
In Year 4, the French curriculum focuses on a variety of topics including numbers and telling the time, body parts, hobbies and pastimes, the weather, European countries and nationalities, asking and answering questions about self, family and pets. The children learn to read and understand a variety of familiar written phrases. The children write some familiar words and phrases using a model and some from memory and they understands basic grammar appropriate to French such as feminine and masculine forms.
Home Learning
As well as reading for 30 minutes every evening, your child should continue to practice their multiplication facts (1-10) and number bonds to 20. Homework will be given on Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday and also whenever it is important to reinforce or consolidate learning in class.
Please click on the links below to access learning resources which will complement the current teaching and learning in Year 4. If you require any other support or have any questions regarding our Curriculum, please do not hesitate to contact your child’s teacher via the school office to arrange an appointment.