3/4S
Welcome to 3/4S
Curriculum - Spring term 1
Maths
Times Tables
We feel that it is vital that there is plenty of practice of times tables facts. This will help children with their future learning in many areas of mathematics.
To practice your times tables at home you can visit this website:
https://www.timestables.co.uk/
All year 4 children will take a test at the end of the year where they will be expected to recall all the times tables up to x12 within 6 seconds.
Multiplication and Division
Building on our knowledge from last half term, this half term we will move onto multiplying 2 and 3 digit numbers by 1 digit numbers and dividing 2 and 3 digit numbers by 1 digit numbers.
Areas and Fractions
We will learn what area is and how to calculate the area of a shape by counting squares. We will then move onto look at non unit and unit fractions. The children will learn about equivalent fractions, fractions of quantities and adding & subtracting fractions.
English 
Our core text this half term is Ice Trap by Meridith Hooper. We will use the text to work on a range of reading skills in whole class reading sessions. The children will also read independently daily in class and will be expected to read independently at home too. They will need to continue to sign and comment in their reading record that they were provided with at the beginning of the year.
In Reading Pupils will be taught to:
develop positive attitudes to reading, and an understanding of what they read, by:
reading books that are structured in different ways and reading for a range of purposes.
using dictionaries to check the meaning of words that they have read.
identifying themes and conventions in a wide range of books.
discussing words and phrases that capture the reader’s interest and imagination
understand what they read, in books they can read independently, by:
checking that the text makes sense to them, discussing their understanding, and explaining the meaning of words in context
asking questions to improve their understanding of a text.
drawing inferences such as inferring characters’ feelings, thoughts and motives from their actions, and justifying inferences with evidence.
predicting what might happen from details stated and implied
In English lessons, to begin with we will be writing diary entries as Ernest Shackleton based on our class novel. 
We will also write a biography on Ernest Shackleton and then we will go on to research and write a non-chronological report on Arctic animals.
These are some of the key sills we will be teaching in Writing:
choosing nouns or pronouns appropriately for clarity and cohesion and to avoid repetition.
identifying and using powerful verbs.
extending the range of sentences with more than one clause by using a wider range of conjunctions, including when, if, because, although
using commas after fronted adverbials.
organising writing into paragraphs and using sub-headings
assessing the effectiveness of their own and others’ writing and suggesting improvements.
To practise English skills, visit this website: https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/subjects/zv48q6f
Science - Light
This half term, our unit of work is called The Science of Light.
The children will:
recognise that they need light in order to see things and that dark is the absence of light
notice that light is reflected from surfaces
recognise that light from the sun can be dangerous and that there are ways to protect their eyes
recognise that shadows are formed when the light from a light source is blocked by an opaque object
find patterns in the way that the size of shadows change.
History - The Indus Valley
About eight thousand years ago, the people of the Indus Valley began to farm the fertile land around the River Indus. As they got better at growing food, they could grow extra food to sell. Some left farming to make things or become merchants. The dancing girl was made by a skilled craftsmen. It might have been bought and sold by merchants in a market. By 3000 BCE, cities had begun to grow around the markets. We call these cities, the Indus Valley civilisation.
In this unit of work, we will learn about discoveries made by archaeologists that have helped us to gain more of an understanding as to what it was like during the Indus Valley civilisation. We will look at trade and travel and rulers and religion within this period of History.
Geography -Settlements
In this unit the children will learn what a settlement is and about different types of settlements. They will learn about hamlets, villages, towns and cities and discuss similarities and differences between these. They will then go on to look at London and Cardiff as examples of cities.
RE - Living with Hindu Traditions
In RE this half term we will look at how Hindu’s worship together and what is included on the family puja tray. We will look at how they worship Hindu gods and when they worship.
We will study Ganesha, the god of good fortune and the story of Ganesha’s birth. We will also look at Shiva and a festival for Parvati.
Computing 
This term we will select, use and combine a variety of software (including internet services) on a range of digital devices to design and create a range of programs, systems and content that accomplish given goals, including collecting, analysing, evaluating and presenting data and information
PE
This half term we will have two PE sessions each week. One lesson will focus on Gymnastics which will involve creating sequences with partners using the apparatus. The other lesson will be Dance.
Art 
This half term our Art will link to our English. We will be working from both drawing and sculpture.
We will create backward forward sketches with a soft pencil and charcoal. We will then go onto make polar bear sculptures and cover them in Modroc.
Spanish 
This half term we will be learning Spanish. We will start by looking at counties that speak Spanish and look at the Spanish culture. We will then go on to learn words to greet people, words related to the weather, classroom instructions, colours and numbers.
RHE 
This half term we will focus on Respectful relationships.
Pupils will learn:
- practical steps they can take in a range of different contexts to improve or support respectful relationships
- that in school and in wider society they can expect to be treated with respect by others, and that in turn they should show due respect to others, including those in positions of authority.
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