Summer 1

Mathematics

This term in Mathematics, Year 4 pupils are building their confidence and understanding across geometry and measurement, applying their learning through practical activities and problem-solving.

In Geometry, children are learning to compare and classify 2D shapes, including triangles and quadrilaterals, by carefully examining their properties and sizes. They are identifying and drawing lines of symmetry, even when shapes are presented in unfamiliar orientations, and are learning how to complete simple symmetrical figures accurately. Pupils are also developing their understanding of angles, learning to recognise acute and obtuse angles and compare and order angles up to two right angles.

Alongside this, pupils are developing essential measurement skills by learning to convert between different units, such as kilometres and metres or hours and minutes. They are estimating, comparing and calculating a range of measures and applying these skills to solve real-life problems. This helps children understand how mathematical concepts connect to everyday situations.

Throughout the term, pupils are encouraged to explain their reasoning clearly, use accurate mathematical vocabulary and apply their knowledge confidently. By building strong foundations in geometry and measurement, children continue to grow as capable and thoughtful mathematicians.

 

Reading

During the Summer term, Year 4 pupils continue to strengthen their reading comprehension skills through a wide range of high-quality fiction and non‑fiction texts.

Children focus on developing inference skills, learning how to read between the lines and justify their ideas using evidence from the text. They explore how authors use vocabulary, sentence structure and language choices to influence the reader, and discuss how meaning can change depending on context and purpose.

Pupils are taught to retrieve key information, summarise main ideas and monitor their understanding as they read. They practise explaining their thinking clearly, both verbally and in writing, and are encouraged to ask questions about what they have read to deepen their understanding.

Throughout the term, children also develop their ability to compare texts, identify themes and consider how information is organised. Regular opportunities for discussion help pupils to share opinions respectfully and build confidence in expressing their views.

By the end of the Summer term, Year 4 pupils are thoughtful, engaged readers who can explain ideas clearly, support answers with evidence and approach a wide range of texts with growing confidence and independence.

 

Writing

During the Spring term, Year 4 pupils develop their writing skills through two exciting learning journeys: narrative writing and explanation texts.

In their narrative unit, children explore how to write powerful story openings from a first-person viewpoint. Inspired by The Tin Forest by Helen Ward and Wayne Anderson, pupils learn how to create atmosphere by carefully describing settings, characters and emotions. They are encouraged to use ambitious vocabulary, carefully chosen verb and adverbial phrases, and a range of sentence structures to engage the reader from the very beginning.

Alongside this, children explore explanation texts, focusing on how to explain how something works. Using texts such as Until I Met Dudley by Roger McGough and The Way Things Work: Stories Behind Awesome Structures by Roma Agrawal, pupils learn how to organise information clearly, use technical vocabulary accurately and explain processes step by step. This learning links closely with their science work on electricity, allowing children to apply their writing skills across the curriculum.

Throughout both units, pupils focus on planning, drafting, editing and improving their work. They learn how to revise vocabulary choices, vary sentence length for effect and use paragraphs to organise ideas clearly. By the end of the term, children are able to write confidently for different purposes and audiences, using language creatively and precisely.

Science – Electricity

In Science, we are becoming electricity experts! Through hands-on investigations, we are learning how electricity powers our everyday lives. We are building simple series circuits using bulbs, buzzers, switches and wires, testing what works and what doesn’t.
By experimenting with different materials, we are discovering which are conductors and which are insulators, and confidently explaining how electricity travels around a circuit. Our practical work is helping us think like real scientists — asking questions, testing ideas and explaining our results.

Spanish – ¿Puedo, por favor?

In Spanish, we are learning how to be polite and confident speakers. We are practising how to make requests and share opinions using phrases such as por favor, gracias and porque.
Through role-play and interactive conversations, we are building our speaking and listening skills. We are also beginning to explore how Spanish sentences are structured, using verbs like poder and tener to help us communicate more clearly and accurately.

Religious Education – The Good Samaritan

In RE, we are exploring the powerful story of the Good Samaritan from Luke’s Gospel. We are learning what it truly means to be a good neighbour and how small acts of kindness can have a big impact.
Through discussion and reflection, we are discovering how Jesus used stories to teach important lessons and how these messages are still meaningful in our lives today.

Physical Education – Tennis and Real PE

In PE, we are developing our agility, balance, coordination and reaction time through both Real PE and tennis. These skills are helping us move with greater confidence and control.
During tennis lessons, we are practising forehand and backhand strokes, improving our ball tracking and learning how to return the ball accurately. Alongside improving our technique, we are also learning the importance of teamwork, resilience and encouragement.

Geography – Andalusia

In Geography, we are travelling to Andalusia, a vibrant region of Spain. We are researching its landscapes, culture, history and famous landmarks, building a rich picture of what makes the region unique.
Linking our learning with computing, we are creating a persuasive PowerPoint presentation to showcase Andalusia. We are carefully editing images, adding informative text and using digital skills to convince others why this fascinating region is worth visiting — a fantastic blend of creativity, research and technology.

Music

This half term, Year 4 pupils explore music inspired by journeys. They listen to and perform The River Is Flowing, a Native American Indian song, developing their understanding of rhythm, dynamics and structure.

Children sing and play classroom instruments with increasing confidence, focusing on accuracy, expression and performing together as an ensemble. They also begin to create their own short musical pieces, using sound to represent movement and atmosphere.

Through listening, performing and composing, pupils develop independence and confidence as young musicians.

History

In this unit, Year 4 pupils learn about the Vikings and their impact on England. Children explore who the Vikings were, where they came from, and why they travelled to the British Isles. They develop an understanding of life in England before the Viking invasions by learning about the Anglo‑Saxons and the reasons they defended their land. Pupils use maps to trace Viking routes from Scandinavia to England and consider the challenges of sea travel. Through discussion and debate, children are encouraged to think historically by examining different viewpoints and asking whether the Vikings or the Anglo‑Saxons were justified in their actions. This unit helps pupils build chronological understanding, use historical vocabulary, and develop empathy by exploring the past from more than one perspective.

 

Computing

 

This half term, Year 4 pupils are learning how to use digital images and information technology creatively and responsibly. They explore how images can be captured, saved and edited using a range of simple tools, including cropping, adjusting colour and applying basic effects.

Children learn how images are used for different purposes and consider how editing can change meaning or impact. Alongside this, pupils develop their understanding of online safety, learning how to keep personal information private and how to behave responsibly when using technology.

Through practical activities, pupils build confidence in using computing tools safely and effectively.