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 information texts, producing our own text about a chosen subject, based around Ancient Egypt. Over this half term, we will be learning 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. 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.

         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.

P.E.

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

Music

Linking with our Science topic, we will explore sounds and put them together to create different moods and expression.  We will make up a piece in a group, building up layers of sound and using symbols to show the sounds we create.  We will also talk about pitch, rhythm, beat, loud music (dynamics) and the tempo (speed) of the music.

French

Our topic is ‘Ma Famille’ and we will be learning how to talk about our family. At the end of the topic we will have produced a written booklet about our own family.

R.E.

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’.

P.S.H.E.

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.