Welcome to Our Swallow Class Page!
Knowledge Organisers
Maths
This half term, Year 4 will be sharpening their mental maths skills and becoming more confident with multiplication and division. They will build fluency in the 6, 7, 9, 11 and 12 times tables, using their knowledge to solve calculations quickly and efficiently. They will also investigate what happens when we multiply by 0 or 1 and divide by 1, as well as exploring factor pairs and different ways to multiply numbers mentally. Alongside this, the children will tackle increasingly challenging addition and subtraction problems, using clever strategies such as rounding, compensating and counting on to find differences, even when calculations cross hundreds or thousands.
English
Our journey through Oliver Twist continues as Year 4 prepares to redraft and publish their own narrative scenes, bringing their writing together with clear, connected ideas. They will delve deeper into Dickens’ story, exploring the question, What do we learn about true friendship in Oliver Twist, and how does Charles Dickens show this? The children will use evidence from the text to explain their ideas and opinions. They will also step back in time to compare life in ancient Athens and Sparta through a non-fiction history essay, learning to organise information into clear, well-structured paragraphs. To round off the unit, they will discover the atmosphere and mystery of The Listeners by Walter de la Mare, exploring rhyme, rhythm and metre before bringing the poem to life through expressive performance.
Science
What makes a bird different from a bat, or an insect different from a spider? This half term, Year 4 will become scientists as they investigate how plants and animals are grouped and classified. They will discover the work of Carl Linnaeus and explore the features that help us identify vertebrates, invertebrates and different animal groups, including fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, mammals, insects, arachnids and molluscs. They will also compare flowering and non-flowering plants. Through careful observation, asking questions and spotting similarities and differences, the children will develop their scientific vocabulary and use classification keys to identify living things. They will record their discoveries using labelled diagrams, tables and scientific explanations.
History
Our adventure through Ancient Greece continues as Year 4 discovers how this fascinating civilisation shaped the world we live in today. The children will compare life in Athens and Sparta, exploring their different ways of life and finding out how democracy developed in Athens. They will investigate the dramatic Persian Wars and discover how Alexander the Great built a vast empire. Along the way, they will explore Greek gods and mythology, meet influential philosophers and admire the art and architecture of Ancient Greece, including the famous Parthenon. They will also compare the ancient Olympic Games with the modern event. By examining historical sources and evidence, the children will piece together the past and uncover the lasting legacy of the Ancient Greeks.
Geography
Pack your bags! This half term, Year 4 is heading to Mediterranean Europe to explore its countries, coastlines, landscapes and cities. Using maps and atlases, the children will locate countries and islands around the Mediterranean Sea, including Cyprus and Malta, and identify important rivers and mountain ranges. They will discover how the region’s hot, dry summers and cool, wet winters influence farming, including the growing of olives. The children will also compare the fascinating cities of Athens and Venice, investigating their landmarks, transport, population and physical and human features. Finally, they will compare Mediterranean Europe with Northern and Western Europe, looking at how climate, landscapes and settlements differ across the continent.
Art
How do artists make a flat picture look as though it stretches into the distance? This half term, Year 4 will explore the art of creating space, depth and three-dimensional effects. They will experiment with pencil shading and different tones before discovering how artists such as Matisse, Millet, Bruegel and Turner use colour, scale and foreground, middle ground and background to bring their work to life. The children will then put their skills into practice by designing and creating their own three-dimensional cardboard landscape relief. Using cutting, acrylic paint and oil pastels, they will add layers of colour, texture and detail to create an artwork of their own. Throughout the project, they will experiment, observe carefully and reflect on their finished creations.
Music
Get ready to swing! This half term, Year 4 will dive into the lively world of swing jazz, listening to music by legendary performers Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong. They will discover the instruments that make up a big band and explore the rhythms that give swing its distinctive sound, including pulse, metre, off-beat and swung rhythms. The children will also have a go at improvisation and scat singing, using their voices like musical instruments. Working together, they will compose their own swing-inspired piece using voices and body percussion, experimenting with rhythmic patterns and an AABA structure. They will then rehearse, perform and evaluate their music, developing their confidence, creativity and teamwork along the way.
R.E.
This half term, Year 4 will explore what Christians believe about God through the concept of the Trinity: God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. Using passages from Genesis and John’s Gospel, the children will consider what the Bible teaches about God and Jesus. They will explore the Incarnation—the Christian belief that God came to Earth as Jesus—and discover how Jesus’ words and actions demonstrate love and compassion. They will also learn how Christians believe the Holy Spirit guides and supports them in everyday life. Through discussion and reflection, the children will consider how these beliefs influence Christian choices and actions, share their own ideas and listen respectfully to different viewpoints.
PE
This half term, Year 4 will bring history to life through Roman dance! Inspired by Roman soldiers, celebrations and everyday life in Ancient Rome, the children will explore how movement can tell a story and reflect a culture. They will develop their rhythm and coordination by moving in time with music, linking actions together and creating their own dance sequences. Working both independently and as part of a group, they will practise performing with control, expression and confidence. By the end of the unit, they will have the chance to showcase their movements and bring a little Roman spirit to the dance floor!
Our P.E. day will be Friday.
