Alder, Oak and Rowan Classes

 

Year Four is a busy year at Northgate, with historical focusses of the Romans and Ancient Mayans and a geographical focus on rivers, mountains and rainforests. With visits to Fishbourne and a local river, and a rock-climbing visitor and Maya Day in school, it is a busy year of learning experiences and fun. 

During this year, children continue to develop their times table fluency, ready for the MTC (Multiplication Tables Check) that takes place across the country in June. They also become more confident in formal methods for the four operations in maths and begin to deepen their knowledge of fractions. During the year, pupils work on their writing stamina, beginning to produce lengthier pieces of writing inspired by their core texts.

In PE, the children benefit from working with a range of sporting coaches and enjoy having the opportunity to represent the school at a wider range of events. 

Find out more about the termly learning by clicking on the term buttons on the right. 

The Year Four Team 

 

This year’s topics:

Autumn term – “Long Ago and Far Away - Why did the Romans invade Britain?''

Spring term – “ A World of our Own- Mountains and Rivers"

Summer term – “Exploring The Unknown - Mayan life in the rainforest''

Helping your child at home

We encourage all children to read to an adult 5 times a week. Please ensure you sign your child’s 'monkey book' each time you read. Remember, every time your child reads at home this gives them 1 mile towards their reading miles. Where will each class end up at the end of the term? 

Even though your child may be enjoying becoming an independent reader, sharing stories with your child is just as important now as it was when they were in Year1! It is not only a great way to spend time together, but it will support your child to become familiar with new words and develop their own story language. Reading to your child gives them the opportunity to listen to a story that they aren't yet able to read to themselves.  It also provides a great opportunity to develop their understanding as you talk about characters and their actions.  Remember, by being a part of the local library in Crawley you can borrow LOTS of books for free!

Helping your child to learn to read and spell their weekly spellings (which include some of the Year 3/4 statutory spellings) is a great way to support them with their reading and writing. Practising their joined handwriting, using the correct pencil grip, helps these words engrain in their muscle memory. The statutory spelling words can be found using the homework link below. 

Maths is everywhere so don't feel you have to do 'formal maths' with your child. Using their TTRS app can help them to practise and consolidate their times tables and will support with their progress through our 'Times tables travels'. We ask children to use the app 3x weekly at home to continue to develop confidence and fluency.  If your child wants to practise more formal methods, and you need some support or advice, please let us know. Remember that cooking, using money in shops, telling the time and playing board games all includes maths too!

• Homework

School Library

Every class has a weekly library session during which time they can exchange their reading books and ask for guidance and support for their individual book choices from our School Librarian.

Forest school days:

Year 4 visit the forest school on Fridays during the Autumn Term. Please ensure they have the correct forest school clothing with them. 

PE days 

Year 4 PE days change each term. Please look on dojo (or your termly overview) for details of days. 

Please come to school dressed for PE on these days. Click below to visit our Uniform page for more information about sports and PE kit.

• Uniform

If your child wears earrings it is easier to remove them before school on these days. Children will be asked to take out their own earrings for PE. If they are unable to do so, they must be covered with micro-porous tape during PE.

Water bottles

All children are encouraged to bring a water bottle to school each day to drink regularly in their classroom and maintain good hydration. Please ensure your child’s name is written clearly on their bottle.

Mid-morning snack

Please provide your child with a piece of fruit or vegetable to eat during their mid-morning break. Parents have the option of ordering a small carton of milk.

Click below for more information about fruit and milk.

• Fruit and Milk

Lunch

A healthy and nutritious lunch will help to boost your child’s energy levels for learning throughout the afternoon. Children can have a hot meal (ordered through our provider) or they can have a home-packed lunch. If you choose to provide a packed lunch for your child, please remember that Northgate is a ‘nut-free’ school.