Summer Term 2:

Geography:

This term we will be using maps, atlases, globes and google maps to locate countries around the world.  We will then be comparing human and physical features in these countries and the UK.  Towards the end of the term we will be carrying out fieldwork around the school, recording human and physical features in our sketch maps.

Science:

This term we will be learning about Living Things and Their Habitats - focusing on animals in their environments and food chains:

• recognise that environments can change and that this can sometimes pose dangers to living things
• construct and interpret a variety of food chains, identifying producers, predators and prey

Computing

We start the term by looking at video editing before moving on to online safety; discussing the impacts of screen time on our health as well as online relationships, online bullying and self-image.

Summer Term 1

Topic

This term is based on an enterprise theme.  Year 4 children will be researching recipes for the best Rocky Road cake to be served at the Queen's Platinum Jubilee party.  After researching and taste testing a number of Rocky Road samples, the children must come up with their own recipe, create their cake and enter a Great British Bake-Off style blind testing.  The winning recipe from each Year 4 class will then be served at Alfreton Tea Rooms where customers can vote for their favourite.  We really will know who has made the best cake in town!

Science

Pupils should be taught to:

• compare and group materials together, according to whether they are solids, liquids or gases 
• observe that some materials change state when they are heated or cooled, and measure or research the temperature at which this happens in degrees Celsius (°C) 
• identify the part played by evaporation and condensation in the water cycle and associate the rate of evaporation with temperature.

Spring 2

Topic

This term, we will be finding out how to keep healthy.  Not only will we look at how exercise is good for us but we will look at seasonal, healthy foods and a healthy growth mindset.  Our topic also links closely with Science (see below).

Science

Pupils will be able to:

• describe the simple functions of the basic parts of the digestive system in humans
• identify the different types of teeth in humans and their simple functions.

Spring 1

Topic

This terms topic is all about the Ancient Greeks and how they have influenced the way we live today. We will look at the foods they ate, democracy, their beliefs and how they inspired the Olympic games.

Science:

This term we will be learning about Living Things.  We will be:

• recognise that living things can be grouped in a variety of ways
• explore and use classification keys to help group, identify and name a variety of living things in their local and wider environment
• recognise that environments can change and that this can sometimes pose dangers to living things.

Autumn Term 2

Topic

This terms' Topic is based on art.  The children will learn about the lives and influences of a range of artists and be able to experiment and try out a range of styles using a range of art equipment.  The children will discuss their opinions on a range of artworks and compare styles and artists.  By the end of the term, the year group will have created their very own gallery to showcase their works of art.

Science

We will be studying 'Sound' this term.  This links in beautifully with our topic as music can be a form of art.  The children will:

• identify how sounds are made, associating some of them with something vibrating
• recognise that vibrations from sounds travel through a medium to the ear
• find patterns between the pitch of a sound and features of the object that produced it
• find patterns between the volume of a sound and the strength of the vibrations that produced it
• recognise that sounds get fainter as the distance from the sound source increases

Autumn Term 1

Topic:

Our environmental topic ‘Have we got the power?’ will be based on renewable energy linking with our Science topic on Electricity. 

In History, we will link with a local study on Richard Arkwright starting with a trip to Cromford Mill to participate in a ‘Wonderful Waterwheels’ day.  We will be looking at how Richard Arkwright developed his industry, the life of children working in the mill as well as how he used the waterwheel to power his factory. 

In Geography, we will also look at how the village of Cromford has developed over time.

Science:

This term we will be learning about Electricity.  We will be:

• identifying common appliances that run on electricity
• constructing a simple series electrical circuit, identifying and naming its basic parts, including cells, wires, bulbs, switches and buzzers
• identifying whether or not a lamp will light in a simple series circuit, based on whether or not the lamp is part of a complete loop with a battery
• recognising that a switch opens and closes a circuit and associate this with whether or not a lamp lights in a simple series circuit
• recognising some common conductors and insulators, and associate metals with being good conductors