Prep 4 Curriculum Brief

Spellings will again be based on the Year 4 spelling rules and the children’s individual targets. Tests will be held on a Thursday and new spellings (max of 10 in total with an optional killer spelling) will be given each week.  In handwriting we will continue to develop our cursive script, paying attention to consistent letter sizes and accurate joins. We will continue to develop an interest in reading and different genres/authors this term. We will test comprehension by asking questions based on their individual books and shared texts in class.  Children will also be asked to summarise what they have read in a paragraph/page and develop an ability to skim read texts so that children can find key words or phrases quickly. We will look at writing sentences with multiple clauses this term by extending our knowledge of more complex conjunctions. Creative writing topics will include non-fiction writing on a famous inventor (create a portfolio and invention timeline) and writing a fictional chapter based on a series of events.  We will be inspired by the books I Don’t Believe it, Archie! by Andrew Norriss and How to Invent by Lynn Huggins-Cooper.

During the Spring Term, we will continue to have weekly tables tests and regular mental maths sessions. Our main topics this term will be multiplication and division, length and perimeter, fractions and decimals.  Multiplication and division: factors, multiplying and dividing by 10 and 100, informal written methods for multiplication, related multiplication and divisions facts, dividing a 3 digit number by a 1 digit number, problem solving.  Length and perimeter: equivalent lengths, perimeters of rectangles, rectilinear shapes and regular and irregular polygons. Fractions: partition a mixed number, number lines with mixed numbers, ordering mixed numbers, converting mixed numbers and improper fractions, equivalent fraction families, addition and subtraction of mixed numbers. Decimals: tenths and hundredths as fractions and decimals, dividing whole numbers by 10 and 100.

This term Prep 4 will be learning about Sound. They will gain an understanding of sound as vibrations, amplitude, and how sound travels. During the practical work, the children will use instruments to explore pitch and frequency, explore how sound changes as it travels due to the Doppler effect, and how sound can be absorbed by soundproofing.  

In the second half of the term Prep 4 will be learning about Animals including Humans. They will learn about the types of teeth and their functions, tooth decay, the digestive system, food chains and animal teeth.

After concluding our work on time zones, we will be moving on to the water cycle and exploring the processes of evaporation and condensation through a range of activities. We will be discussing the term precipitation and also the different cloud formations to be seen during different weather. By considering water as a finite resource, the children will also be introduced to the ideas of conservation and water shortages here in the UK. We will also consider some of the issues surrounding supplying clean drinking water to a growing global population.

This term we will be learning about the Maya Civilization. They will learn who the ancient Maya people were and where and when they lived. They will use maps and atlases to locate Maya cities and identify countries in Mesoamerica. In addition to this they will learn about the religious beliefs and rituals of the ancient Maya people and find out more about some of the many gods they worshipped.

This term we will describe animals using colours (using both the masculine and feminine form) and perform some basic shopping role plays. We will consolidate our learning of numbers to 100, parts of the face, sports and toys. We will then move on to learn the vocabulary for life in the countryside, the beach and different modes of transport. To improve grammatical knowledge, we will look at words ending in ‘eau’ and revise the definite article in its different forms. 

This term we will extend the children’s idea of the difference between life in Galilee 2000 years ago and our life now. The children will begin to understand how Jesus shared the ordinary joys and difficulties of life. During our ‘Multi-faith Week’ we will be learning about the traditions of Budhism.  At the end of term the children will learn how Christians celebrate Easter.

Prep 3 and 4 will explore the subject of masks and portraiture. We will be looking at a range of tribal masks, the patterns adorning them and learning about some of these rich cultures. We will have a go at self- portrait drawings and develop these into something more characterful and stylised. This will culminate in some amazing mixed media creations!

This term in Music the children will be developing their practical musical skills through learning the recorder. They will learn how to play the instrument proficiently through step-by-step group instruction and independent learning. We will also be focusing on consolidating and enhancing their knowledge of music theory.

During this term we will build on their practical and creative skills by tackling exciting, hands-on projects. They will explore the full design process, from researching and planning to creating and evaluating their own innovative products. Children will develop key skills such as accurate measuring, cutting, assembling, and improving their designs. Through these activities, pupils will gain confidence in using tools and materials safely.

This term pupils will complete a project on powerpoint, learning the basic commands needed to achieve this. They will create an animated story using scratch to incorporate use of music and voice control. They will also be able to complete a piece of documented work using images and written information.

This term the unit of work is based on the Great Fire of London. The children will be creating and sustaining roles, improvising and trying to feel what it would be like to witness that event. We will be thinking about what we can learn from historical documents and the difference between fact and rumour. The children will be encouraged to work together to respond quickly to different situations; this is an opportunity to develop team work skills, trust and co-operation.

We will begin the term looking at belonging to a community. What makes a community and what are shared responsibilities? We will be looking at volunteering and how to show compassion towards others in need in your local community. As part of our Money and Work topic we will look at making decisions about money. How do people make decisions based on budget, values and needs? We will also consider that how people spend their money can have positive and negative effects on others e.g. charities, buying single use plastics.

Games: Cross Country, Football and Netball. Skills will be developed through a collection of drills and activities, with game situations kept small to encourage as much participation as possible.