Year 4

Spring 1

As part of our RE topic, we have been exploring Pilgrimages.  We have defined what a pilgrimage is and how they are different from a holiday.  We have then explored pilgrimages within different faiths – discussing why particular places are considered sacred.  We then learned about pilgrimages to St Bernadette and Lourdes.

In DT, we have investigated different pencil holders including pencil cases.  We looked at what they are made from, how they are constructed and how they are fastened.  We also used CAD to help us design our own pencil case before practising the blanket and running stitches.

In our geography topic this half term, we have been learning about The UK and rivers.  We went on a local walk to Bestwood Country Park and then we had a go at drawing a map of the route putting on local landmarks and Ordnance Survey symbols.  We built models of a river and labelled each part before explaining what happens at each part.  We used atlases and digital maps to locate the countries of The UK and major cities including Nottingham. We also identified towns, cities and villages and compared them – thinking about the advantages and disadvantages of living in different places. We  also looked at the impact of the water cycle on different places: exploring when there is too much water or not enough.

In Science. we are learning about states of matter.  We identified different solids, liquids and gases as well as how they are different from each other by their particle structure. We then investigated the impact of heating chocolate.  We have looked at and labelled the water cycle and have set up an investigation into evaporation.

In reading we have read different texts.  We have explored the lyrics of Castle in a cloud as well as using different non-fiction texts to extract information linked to our topics.

In writing, we have been inspired by Greta Thunberg to write a persuasive speech about saving our local environment as well as writing persuasive leaflets to encourage people to visit Bestwood Country Park.

Autumn 2

In History this half term we have been learning about the Anglo-Saxons.  We investigated where, when and why they invaded England.  We placed the Anglo-Saxon period in context by placing the eras we’ve already studied into chronological order.  Then, we enjoyed our visit to Perlethorpe where we explored a replica Anglo-Saxon house as well as trying to build our own shelter.  Upon our return to school, we imagined we were Anglo-Saxon settlers and we designed our perfect settlement.  We also learnt about Pagan beliefs and how the Anglo-Saxons converted to Christianity.  Finally, we explored the legacy of the Anglo-Saxons.

In English we were inspired by the Anglo-Saxon story of Beowulf.  We wrote setting descriptions and retold Beowulf’s heroic battle with Grendel’s mother.

During our Science lessons, we have learnt about sounds – how they made, how they travel.  We investigated how we could use different materials to muffle sounds and make them more difficult to hear. The children thought about how to alter the pitch and volume of sounds, and even took the time to use instruments to demonstrate what they had learnt.

In Computing, we have been learning about how systems and the internet work, including sessions on online safety.

In Art, we have explored the work of a local artist Anna Collete Hunt, who displays her work at Nottingham Castle. We were also inspired by Anglo-Saxon artefacts such as decorative bowls.  We then designed a small bowl using papier mâché.

In Music, we have enjoyed learning how to play our guitars and have learnt some notes and put them together to play some simple tunes. We have also appreciated the music of different artists.

Autumn 1 2025

Design and Technology

Firstly, we looked at different types of torches considering what they were used for, by whom and what features they had in common and why.

Next, we looked at the internal workings of a torch and using our knowledge of electrical circuits and insulators we constructed a simple circuit with a switch and considered how this could be added and used to our own torch designs.

Then we looked at different materials that could be used as casing for our torch design.  We considered the properties of the casing such as weight, waterproofing and malleability.

After that, we decided on our design and making teams and we set about designing a torch for an explorer considering our previous learning.  Our design hand to include a switch.

Then we worked together to make and evaluate our torch.

RE

During our RE sessions, we have explored how different faiths and those with no faith consider life to be like a journey.  We began by identifying what we mean by the term “milestones” and then drew the journey of our life so far and the mile stones we’ve already reached.

Then, we considered the milestones of birth and marriage.  We explored how Christians, Hindus and Muslims celebrate these different milestones.  We discussed our own personal experiences as well as identifying similarities and differences between them.  We also discussed what people with no religious faith, such as Humanists, might do.

Finally, we considered the end of life and how life is commemorated in different ways and different beliefs about the afterlife. We then considered our own reflections on this area.

Geography

In Geography, we considered The Big Question: Would we prefer to live in the Arctic or Antarctic and why?

We began by locating the Polar regions on a map and globe and using pictures and videos we discussed what it might be like living there. Then, we compared the Arctic and Antarctic biomes (population, plants, animals, climate, land). Next, we considered how these regions have changed over time before developing our geographical skills by naming and using the 8 points on a compass and locating places on a map using 4 figure grid references.  Finally, we had enough information to answer our Big Question.

Music

In Music throughout this year, we will be learning to play the guitar.  This work has begun by learning how to hold a guitar correctly for both playing and resting.  We have also learnt the names of the strings and learned different accompaniments to songs such as Get Back by the Beatles.  During our sessions we have also learnt about the pulse and rhythm of a piece of music as well as singing different songs.

English

In our writing sessions, we were inspired by Polar explorers especially Ernest Shackleton and Matthew Henson.  We used drama and reading first, and then read second-hand accounts of their explorations and achievements.  We then wrote in character, firstly as a crew member on Shackleton’s 1914 expedition to the Antarctic expedition, which resulted in on of the greatest rescue missions of all time.  Finally, we wrote diary entries imagining we were on Matthew Henson expedition to the Arctic. To relate to their experience, we used drama to act out the stories of both Shackleton and Henson.

In reading, we have read different types of text to continue developing our reading skills such as inference and vocabulary.  We particularly enjoyed reading (and singing) A Spoonful of Sugar and developing an understanding Louise Bourgeois and her sculptures by reading Cloth Lullaby, a story about her life.

Computing

In Computing, we combined creative thinking with our developing computer skills to edit photos by cropping, changing colour, cloning and combining. Mr Berry challenged year 4 to edit and improve his holiday photos!

Children cropped and recoloured photos of the Eiffel Tower twinkling.

Then we challenged ourselves by combing images to create unique and surprising scenes!

Summer 2025

Our main topic this term has been History based, learning about Ancient Egypt. We have learnt about hieroglyphic writing and done some ourselves. We have learnt about pyramids and mummification. We have looked at the importance of the River Nile and all the different ways in which it was used.

In Science, our topic has been animals and humans. We have learnt about teeth and how to look after them. We have compared the teeth of different animals and worked out why then need different teeth. We have learnt about the digestive system and food chains of different animals

In art, we have looked at the work of William Morris. We have looked at patterns in nature and used these ideas to design our printing. We have practiced foils prints, tile prints and string prints.

In DT, we have looked at bread from around the world and how it is made. We tasted lots of bread and then we made our own bread, which was so tasty!

In RE, we have learnt about the Hindu religion. We have learnt about the different gods within the Hindu religions and how they are worshipped at a shrine at home and in a Mandir. We have learnt about Hindu celebrations and compared them to celebrations of our own.

Summer 2025