Ferney Lee Primary School

Our Learning in Spring 2... 

Last half term, our Historical enquiry question was: 

'How did the Romans change Britain?' 

In our History lessons we learnt how and why the Romans invaded Britain, why there were three different invasions, what Roman towns in Britain were like, who Boudicca was and why she is remembered, why the Romans left Britain and what legacy was left here. 

In English, we based our writing on two class texts: 'Revolt against the Romans' by Tony Bradman and 'Roman Invasion' by Jim Eldridge. 

In Maths, we finished our Multiplication and Division unit by learning written methods for multiplication and division and developed our problem solving skills using what we have learnt. We then started our unit on finding the Area of different shapes. 

In Science, we finished our unit on 'Electricity'. We continued to construct different electrical circuits, learnt about switches before making our own switches and explored common conductors and insulators.

In PE, we continued to learn new skills and grow in confidence in the water in our weekly swimming lessons every Wednesday and had Badminton lessons every Friday. 

In Art, we explored Roman based artwork and complete Roman Centurion paintings. 

In PSHE/RHE, we focused on 'Families and other Relationships' and answered the question, 'Why are relationships important in our lives?'

 In French, we learnt about the different food and drink delicacies of the country. 

In Computing, we completed different projects using Microbits and Makecodes. We used coding skills to make algorithms and animations to create different games. 

In RE, we finished learning about the 5 Pillars of Islam. 

Our Learning in Spring 1...

Last half term, our Geographical enquiry question was: 

'Why do our seas and oceans need protecting?' 

In our Geography lessons we learnt where the oceans and seas are, what lives in the ocean and where, why the oceans matter, what is harming our oceans and what we can do to help save and look after our oceans. Linking to this topic, we went on a trip to The Blue Planet Aquarium. 

In English, we based our writing on two class texts: 'Flotsam' by David Wiesner and 'Song of the Dolphin Boy' by Elizabeth Laird.

In Maths, we began our Multiplication and Division units where we learnt our times tables up to 12 x 12, how to multiply and divide by multiples of 10 and 100, multiplying by 0 and 1 and written methods for multiplication and division.

In Science, we began our topic on 'Electricity'. We explored common appliances that run on electricity, constructed simple electrical circuits, and learnt about switches and common conductors and insulators.

In PE, we continuing to learn new skills in the water in our weekly swimming lessons every Wednesday and took part in creative dance lessons every Friday, which involved us choreographing and performing our own dance routines.  

In Art, we developed ideas for 3D work through drawing and visualisation and used more complex techniques to shape materials in 2D. We will explored how shapes can be formed and joined in wire and considered the effect of how sculpture is displayed. Using these skills, we created wire ocean animals and made soap fish sculptures.

In Music, we listened to changes in pitch, tempo and dynamics and related it to something tangible and familiar. Linking to our geography learning, we represented different stages of the river through vocal and percussive ostinatos, which will culminated in a final group performance.

In PSHE/RHE, our focus was 'Caring and Responsibility' where we answered the question, 'What are our rights and why are they important?'

In DT, we are linked our activity to our Science learning by creating 3D Angler fish with an electrical circuit which allowed our model fish to light up. 

In RE, we started the unit 'How do the ‘Five Pillars’ guide Muslims in life?' We expanded and developed our learning about the Five Pillars of Islam as a way of focusing on key beliefs for Muslims. We also learnt about some key teachings and considered how these reflect and affect the values and lives of believers.

In French, we learnt French numbers 1-31, the days of the week, months of the year, dates and seasons through maths and songs and class surveys. We also researched dates of French festivals and revised the unit by having a traditional French birthday celebration in the classroom.

Our Learning in Autumn 2...

Our Historical enquiry question last half term was: 

'Why were the Romans such a successful ruling empire?'

 In our History lessons we learnt how Rome was founded, what life was like in the Roman Empire and what it was like to be a Roman soldier. 

In English, we based our writing on two focused texts: 'Romans on the Rampage' by Jeremy Strong and 'Empire's End: A Roman Story' by Leila Rasheed.

In Maths, we completed our units on addition and subtraction by using different skills and strategies to add and subtract within 4 digit numbers. 

In Science, our topic was 'Animals including humans' and we answered the enquiry question, 'What happens in our digestive systems?' 

In Art, we developed skills in colour mixing, by focusing on using tints and shades to create a 3D effect. We then experimented with composition and applied our painting techniques to a personal still life piece.

In PE, we continued to be confident swimmers every Wednesday and learnt new gymnastic skills every Friday. 

In Design and Technology, we designed, made and built different structures which lead to then making our own pavilions. 

In Music, we drew upon our understanding of repeating patterns in music, and were introduced to the concept of motifs. We learnt a musical motif based on the Romans and performed it.

In PSHE/RHE, we explored similarities and differences and answered the enquiry question, 'Why is identity and diversity so important?'

In French, we learnt vocabulary to describe items of clothing, along with the different forms of the indefinite article. We incorporated previous learning about colour into our descriptions of clothing and expressed our opinions about outfits in French.

Our Learning in Autumn 1...

In our first half term, our Geographical enquiry question was:

'How would living in Italy compare with living in England?'

In our Geography lessons, we compared the climate, crops, physical geography, settlements, landmarks and capital cities of each country. 

In English, we based our writing around two focus texts: 

'Journey' by Aaron Becker, and 'The Boy who Biked the World, Part One: On the Road to Africa' by Alastair Humphreys. 

In Maths, we built on our knowledge of Place Value of numbers up to 10,000. 

In Science, we explored the unit, 'States of Matter' by answering the enquiry question, 'Can a material change from being a solid, a liquid or a gas?'

In Art, we created 'Power Prints' where we used drawing and a combination of mixed media images for effect when developing a drawing into a print. 

In PE, we had weekly swimming lessons on a Wednesday and learnt how to play as part of a team during Tag Rugby lessons every Friday.  

In Music, we used a mixture of body percussion and tuned percussion instruments to create own rhythms of the rainforest. 

In PSHE/RHE, we explored the question, 'How can we make and maintain a good friendship?'

In RE, we completed the unit called, 'How are important events remembered?' where we explored festivals of light from Judaism, Sikhism, Hinduism, Paganism, Chinese New Year and Ancient Civilisations.

In French, we learnt adjectives for describing people’s physical appearance and their personality. We then created simple sentences ensuring that the adjectives agreed with the gender of the noun.

In Computing, we learnt how to stay safe online. 

Our Class Assembly 

We were the first Year group to deliver a class assembly to the rest of the school and our parents. We shared with everyone what we had learnt about Italy and England over the half term and then our parents came into class for the afternoon to do some activities with us. 

Meet the staff...

Miss Blanchard (Class Teacher)

Miss Bury (HLTA)

Mrs Morisson (Teaching Assistant)

Ms Dumville (Science and Music Teacher)

Welcome to our Library...

Below are the some of texts and literature we will be using in Year 4 to support the delivery of our curriculum. 

Below are the some of texts and literature we will be using in Year 4 to support the delivery of our PSHE and RHE curriculum.