Willow (Year 4)
Our topic for Term 2 is Extreme Weather. In this unit, we will explore different types of weather, with a focus on extreme events such as floods, global warming, and storms. During this topic, we will learn about the impact of the Lewes flood, as well as other significant storms around the world. Through these studies, we will gain a deeper understanding of how extreme weather affects communities and the environment.
In English, we have started the term by looking at the book ‘Flood’ by Alvaro Villa. This is a textless book about a family who encounter a flood, but end up coming back afterwards and repairing their home. We will use this book to describe the house during the flood as well as writing safety advice for how to weatherproof your house.
In maths, we will continue our unit of ‘addition and subtraction.’ We will also learn to use rounding and the inverse operation to check our answers.
Our science this term is all about electricity. This is an exciting unit where we will create our own circuits, explore conductors and insulators and learn about electrical safety.
In PSHE this term, we will focus on Citizenship. We will learn what human rights are and why they are important; understand how reusing items benefits the environment; understand the range of groups that exist in the wider community; and how community groups can focus on different areas of interest.
PE this term is on a Tuesday and Friday, where we will focus on ball skills and fundamental skills, which include balancing, running, jumping, hopping and skipping.
In Art, we will be studying a variety of inspirational artists, including Olafur Eliasson, Frank Auerbach, Joseph Turner, Paul Nash, Peter Doig, David Hockney, and Eric Ravillious, to explore how they depict different weather conditions—such as rain, wind, snow, and sun—in their work. We will build on the skills we developed in Year 3, using mediums such as watercolour, collage, chalk pastels, and pen and ink. Alongside this, we will continue to analyse the seven elements of art: line, shape, colour, form, space, texture, and value.
In RE, we will be looking at Hinduism and asking, ‘What do Hindus believe God is like?’
In French, we will continue to build on the knowledge we learnt in Year 3 by looking at animals, numbers, colours, instructions and basic noun phrases.
We are lucky enough to continue with our brass instrument lessons led by Brass Sparks, where we focus on rhythm, pulse and playing as a band.
Homework this term is set as a homework grid. This will be set at the beginning of the term and uploaded to Tapestry. The homework grid runs alongside weekly MyMaths homework and daily reading as well as practising spellings and times tables.
Please continue to practise reading and the 2, 5, 3, 4 and 8 times tables regularly at home.
Brass Sparks sessions are on Mondays.