Year 4 

Welcome back! We hope you all had a great break and are ready to start our final term together. Mrs. Baxter and Mrs. Nickson are excited to be discovering America with year 4.

This term our topic is North America. We will start by learning how to use an 8-point compass and follow instructions to label all the states of North America. Then the children will work together in groups to research each state that Route 66 passes through. They will research the population, human and physical features of the landscape, climate and other key facts before considering any natural phenomena they may experience if they were on Route 66 and how this could affect them and the landscape. To finish the term the children will use this knowledge to help produce the magazine article about Route 66.

Year 4 will be continuing to work on times tables working towards our Multiplication Check in June.

In Maths, the children will be looking at shape properties exploring symmetry, angles and area and they will continue to use written methods as they begin to focus on ‘Statistics’. The children will first collect, record and interpret data using bar charts and line graphs before children will have the opportunity to investigate their own chosen questions and use ICT to present their data.

In English, the children will be working on a narrative called ‘Molly’s Route 66 adventure.’ We will use clues from the text and the story box to make predictions about the story before we travel with Molly on Route 66.  We will explore each setting/ state and describe our journey along the way. The children will recap writing instructions and diary entries before finally finishing the term by creating a magazine article persuading others to visit Route 66.

 

Some important information for Year 4 parents/carers:

  • Children will have P.E. lessons every For the first two Wednesdays, this will be swimming.
  • Spanish will continue every Thursday

Reminder: Reading books should be brought into school every Friday. They will be sent out every Monday.

Year 4 teachers would like to encourage children to bring in water bottles and a piece of fruit for snack, if they wish. Books should be read every day and read twice discussing the book, making predictions, recalling events from the story and explaining the characters’ motives.

Times tables should be being practised every day and the children can use TTRockstars or the multiplication check to do this.

 

Year 4 Multiplication Tables Check (MTC):

In June, Year 4 will be taking part in the Multiplication Tables Check (MTC).  This is an on-screen check consisting of 25 times tables questions. Children will answer three practice questions before moving on to the official check, and will then have 6 seconds to answer each question. On average, the check should take no longer than 5 minutes to complete.

In preparation for the check, we will be using the ‘try it out’ area on the MTC site with the children so that they are aware of the expectations and know not to worry about the exercise. As being able to recall times tables along with their corresponding division facts, is so important for children in many areas of their life, we always practise times tables in a range of different ways so this will also help prepare the children for the MTC.

Please note, statistics on MTC data will be published on the GOV.UK website in October, however school and pupil level data will not be published.

If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to talk to the Year 4 teachers, Mrs. Mellor or Mr. Vine. More information can be found at:

Information for Parents Multiplication Tables Check

How to prepare

A good way to prepare is start early and build a daily routine practising the times tables. With regular practise you will learn all the questions and gain confidence. We suggest practising 10 to 15 minutes a day for optimal results.

With the year 4 multiplication timetables fast approaching, it is important that all children are confident in recalling their timetables up to 12×12. Here are some websites for the children to use at home.

You can either download the App or use the website below. Your child will be given their username and password in school. This will help children answer at speed.

https://play.ttrockstars.com/auth/school/student/36529

  • Hit the button

This interactive game will also encourage children to answer at speed.

https://www.topmarks.co.uk/maths-games/hit-the-button

 

Year 4 Curriculum overview

2024_Information_for_parents_Multiplication_tables_check_PDFA_v1.1

Year 4 Geography Knowledge organiser – North America

Year 4 Home school sheet Summer 1

Year 4 Science Knowledge Organiser – Living things and their habitats (1)

Year 4 Summer 1 Homework Menu