What can we find out about Ancient Egypt, from what has survived?

Literacy

Literacy will be linked to our history work on Ancient Egypt. We will begin by reading the narrative poem ‘We’re Sailing Down the Nile’ and putting together a whole class performance of it.  We will then read the story of ‘The Egyptian Cinderella’ that has an historical setting and will discuss the techniques used in it, to help us write our own story, set in Ancient Egypt. We will be focusing on the use of paragraphs, vocabulary and extended noun phrases.  We will also read a selection of instructional texts, before producing our own set of instructions on how to mummify fruit. Over this half term, we will be learning to spell words from the Year 4 word list, which will be sent home in week 1 and tested in the last week.  Weekly spellings will focus on homophones and will be handed out and assessed on Thursdays.

 Numeracy

We will start the half term by looking at number, focusing on digit values, comparing and ordering, finding more / less, rounding, negative numbers and number vocabulary. We will then work with some of the four calculation methods (addition / subtraction) and focus on how we can complete worded problems using these calculations.  Mental maths ‘SMIRF’ facts are handed out and assessed each Tuesday and there will be daily work on times tables.

Science

Our science topic is ‘Sound’. We will look at how sound is made, explore the variety of places that sounds come from and investigate how we can change pitch. Using a datalogger, we will measure levels of sound around and think about sound pollution. Later on in the half term, we hope to hold a ‘Science of Sound’ workshop in school, run by Sam Paechter, a musician and Scientist.

History

Our topic is Ancient Egypt and we will be discovering what we can find out about this period in history, from what has been left behind in our lives now. We will be learning about their lifestyle and the Gods they worshipped.

     Geography

No geography topic this half term but, through history, we will be looking at maps of Ancient Egypt and its place in the world.

Computing

We will recognise the internet as a network of networks (including the World-Wide Web) and will learn to evaluate online content and how to stay safe.

Art

We will learn about Ancient Egyptian art and paint some designs on papyrus paper. The significance of the Scarab Beetle will also be discussed, before creating a 3D one out of clay.

DT

This will be covered next half term.

PE

We will be focusing on developing hockey skills and also improving our stamina through cross country running. PE will take place on Mondays and Thursdays this half term.  We will also attend a football skills workshop at Sandyland’s Sports Centre.

Music

We will be listening to a range of Gospel-style songs and moving in time to them. Using the notes of the pentatonic scale, we will be improvising with our voices before rhythmically singing a Gospel-style partner song with expression and dynamics. We will accompany the song with a rhythm ostinato.

French

Our topic is ‘Les Monstres’.  We will be learning how to name and talk about body parts and we will sing a song from memory. At the end of the topic, we will be able to talk about ourselves and describe our own monster.

RE

We will explore why some people think that life is a journey and what significant experiences mark their journeys through life.  Linking with our history work, we will also learn about Moses, the ‘Prince of Egypt’.

PSHE

Our theme is ‘Me and My Relationships’. We will be looking at how we can be kind and tolerant of others.  We will also be discussing ways in which we can be a good friend.  Linking into our computing topic, we will also be discussing how we can stay safe online.