Year 4

WELCOME TO YEAR 4

We hope you are as excited as we are to begin your Year 4 learning adventure, where every topic invites you to explore, imagine and discover the world in new and meaningful ways.

This year begins with a journey into the powerful forces that shape our planet. As young geographers, you will investigate volcanoes and earthquakes, track natural disasters using maps and atlases and become weather reporters in our local environment. You’ll use your knowledge to create safety leaflets for communities across the globe, showing how thoughtful actions can protect others.

You will then step back more than 3,000 years to the wonders of Ancient Egypt. As Howard Carter himself, you will uncover the secrets of Tutankhamun’s tomb, create artefacts and travel through Egypt using virtual reality to explore the pyramids and the treasures hidden deep inside the desert sands.

Our Roman adventures take you even further into the past. On your unforgettable trip to Chester, you will march through the streets as a Roman soldier and relive the dramatic eruption of Mount Vesuvius that buried Pompeii in AD 79. Back in class, you will investigate Roman inventions and legacies and debate which had the greatest impact on Britain.

Your learning also stretches deep into the rainforest, where an important letter from the Jungle Keeper sparks a mission to protect our planet. You will investigate threats to the Amazon, create orangutan fact files and write persuasive letters about palm oil before sharing your message through our Rainforest Showcase.

As the year draws to a close, you will look at how to make the world a better place by exploring ocean conservation through Somebody Swallowed Stanley, designing night‑lights in our electricity unit, learning photography skills and celebrating the art, sport and culture of Amazing Manchester.

Alongside all of this, you will build confidence in reading, practise spellings on Spelling Shed and strengthen your times‑table fluency through TT Rock Stars — developing the skills you need to shine.

We cannot wait to learn with you, support you and see you grow. We know you will bring enthusiasm, kindness and determination to everything you do.

The Year 4 Team

AUTUMN

Our first theme of the year invites us to begin with wide‑eyed curiosity about the incredible world we live in. As young explorers, we search for answers to big questions and uncover the extraordinary stories behind the world’s most powerful forces, ancient civilisations and scientific wonders.

As we study Turbulent Earth, we journey across the globe to discover where volcanoes roar to life and earthquakes shake the ground beneath our feet. Using maps and atlases, we track the patterns of these natural disasters and investigate why they happen in the first place. Back in our local area, we become weather watchers — measuring rainfall, temperature and wind speed to understand how the environment changes around us. With our growing expertise, we create a safety leaflet for countries affected by earthquakes, offering practical advice to help communities stay safe during extreme events.

Our travels then take us far back in time to the golden sands of Ancient Egypt. Stepping into the shoes of Howard Carter in 1922, we experience the thrill of discovering Tutankhamun’s tomb for the very first time. We design and craft our own “artefacts”, imagining what secrets they might reveal to future archaeologists. Through virtual reality, we walk through the grand pyramids and explore the hidden chambers of the famous tomb itself. Along the way, we learn how the mighty River Nile shaped the lives of the Egyptian people and take part in class debates, exploring whether Tutankhamun truly deserved his place as a significant pharaoh.

Meanwhile, in science, we dive into the fascinating world of States of Matter. We explore what makes solids, liquids and gases different, experimenting with melting, freezing and evaporation. Piece by piece, we build our own model of the water cycle and watch how water travels around the Earth in a continuous, magical loop.

Together, these experiences help us begin the year with excitement, curiosity and the confidence to ask: What else is waiting to be discovered?

SPRING

A mysterious letter arrives from deep within the Amazon rainforest, written by the Jungle Keeper himself. He warns us that the world’s most precious habitats are disappearing — and he believes we are the ones who can help. Stepping into our roles as newly appointed Guardians of the Rainforest, we journey beneath the emerald canopy to uncover the dangers threatening this fragile world. Through careful research, we create detailed orangutan fact files, discovering how these incredible creatures survive in the treetops and why their homes are at risk. Inspired by the Jungle Keeper’s mission, we write powerful persuasive letters about the impact of palm oil and post them ourselves, sending our message across the country to encourage others to take action. We bring our learning together in a spectacular Rainforest Showcase, sharing the stories, sounds and secrets of the forest — and reminding everyone why it must be protected.

Our adventures don’t end there. We step through the pages of history and into the extraordinary world of the Romans. On our unforgettable trip to Chester, we march through the streets as Roman soldiers, learning the discipline, strength and unity that made the Roman army so feared. We plunge even deeper into history as we relive the dramatic day of 24th August AD 79 — the eruption of Mount Vesuvius. Through stories, evidence and atmospheric storytelling, we experience what life might have been like in Pompeii as ash and fire changed the city forever. Back in the classroom, we explore the remarkable legacies the Romans left behind — roads, language, architecture and more — and take part in a lively debate to decide which legacy truly changed Britain the most.

SUMMER

Continuing our mission to make the planet a better place, we turn our attention to the oceans and the dangers they face. Inspired by the picture book Somebody Swallowed Stanley, we uncover the problems caused by plastic pollution and the impact this has on marine life. Using the story as our guide, we plan and write our own versions, creating powerful messages of change that we proudly share with the Year 6 children. Through discussion, research and storytelling, we explore how even the smallest actions can help protect our oceans for the future.

In science, our curiosity leads us into the world of electricity. We investigate how circuits work, testing components, experimenting with connections and using our new skills to design and build our very own night-lights. This practical challenge allows us to apply our knowledge creatively, thinking like real engineers as we solve problems and bring our ideas to life. Alongside this, we explore the art of photography, learning how to use composition, perspective and lighting to capture the world around us in imaginative ways.

A little closer to home, we celebrate the culture, history and creativity of Amazing Manchester. From music and sport to art, architecture and innovation, we investigate what makes our city such a special place to live. We explore the stories of the people who shaped Manchester and the achievements that continue to inspire the world today.

As our time in Year 4 comes to an end, we reflect on how far we have come — as writers, scientists, artists and young citizens ready to make a difference to our planet, our community and our future.

Values

A Connected Environment

We believe that Year 4 is a connected environment where every child can thrive and become the best version of themselves. Each day, we work as part of a dynamic team and embrace new, collaborative ways of learning. We enjoy working together and always take on opportunities to showcase our shared strengths.

At the start of the year, we get the chance to take part in a multi‑game sports event that allows us to build teamwork, practise new games and develop a wide range of skills. In the spring term, we visit Chester as a whole year group, where we learn side by side, support one another and deepen our understanding through shared experiences.

We love seeing how the children flourish in collaborative activities—learning from one another, celebrating each other’s ideas and developing the confidence to take on new challenges.

The Year 4 curriculum is connected through engaging and meaningful themes. Throughout the year, children learn in a variety of ways: exploring our local community on walks, taking part in team events across the year group, and working together to create our vibrant Rainforest Showcase. These experiences give children the chance to demonstrate how well they collaborate, communicate, and contribute as part of a team.

A Creative Outlook

In Year 4, we work creatively by meeting characters such as Howard Carter, a Jungle Keeper, and a Roman Soldier on our trip to Chester, inspiring you to ask questions and see learning from new perspectives. Back at school, we build on these experiences through hands‑on, active learning that encourages curiosity and imagination, applying our creative outlook to everything from problem‑solving tasks to group projects. We use drama to explore real‑life issues in our Rainforest Showcase, and our creative curriculum continues in dance, where we experiment with different techniques and levels to express ideas through movement. We enjoy orienteering and outdoor learning to build problem‑solving skills, and we extend our creativity beyond the classroom during our visit to a local secondary school, where we explore French through art, sport and collaborative challenges. Back at school, we continue to apply this creative mindset by approaching new learning with curiosity, imagination and a willingness to try fresh ideas.

A Positive Mindset

In Year 4, we focus on building a positive mindset. Our weekly circle time helps us share ideas, support one another and develop confidence, resilience and strong relationships.

Across our topics, we learn about the qualities that help people lead and make good choices. In our Roman and Ancient Egyptian units, we explore different types of leadership and think about how we can show responsibility and determination in our own learning.

Later in the year, our rainforest topic encourages us to believe that we can make a difference. Through our geography and persuasive writing, we learn how our voices and actions can help protect the planet and create positive change.

A Caring Nature

In Year 4, we pride ourselves on being a thoughtful and supportive team. We begin each day with kindness—sharing smiles, encouraging words and looking out for one another both inside and outside the classroom. Whether we are working together on a group project, helping someone understand a tricky problem or cheering on a classmate during sports, we show that being caring makes our whole community stronger.

Throughout the year, we take part in activities that help us think about others. During our rainforest topic, we learn how our choices can protect animals and the planet, reminding us that caring stretches far beyond our school walls. We also enjoy supporting whole‑school fundraising events, where we work together to help people in need and understand the importance of compassion in the wider world.

As we grow in confidence, we learn how to take responsibility for ourselves and show kindness to those around us. Whether we are sharing our rainforest stories with Year 6, helping younger children during reading events or simply being a good friend in the playground, we show every day that Year 4 is a place where care, empathy and respect truly shine.

An Active Approach

In Year 4, we learn through active, collaborative and hands‑on maths. As we explore length and perimeter, time, money, place value, fractions and geometry, we use concrete resources, work together and learn through practical activities both in the classroom and outdoors. Our history trip to Chester helps us become active historians, bringing the past to life and encouraging us to ask thoughtful questions. We also weave drama into our English lessons, helping us bring characters and stories to life. During our rainforest topic, we aim to inspire children to make a difference, writing persuasive letters to protect our planet.

We also enjoy keeping active and understand why exercise is important for our health. We regularly use the school track and take part in a range of sports activities. In Year 4, we complete a swimming unit at Altrincham Leisure Centre, building confidence and skills in the water. We aim to give as many children as possible the chance to represent Heyes Lane, and we are proud of our achievements in Trafford sports events.

HOME LEARNING

In Year 4, we believe that short, regular home learning tasks help children build positive learning habits and develop the independence they will need as they move through school. Homework is designed to be manageable and purposeful, giving children the chance to revisit key skills and celebrate their growing confidence. We ask that tasks take no more than 20 minutes each evening, with an additional 15 minutes of daily reading to strengthen fluency and understanding. If children ever need support or face difficulties accessing online resources, there are opportunities to complete tasks in school. Our home learning focuses on core skills such as reading, spellings on Spelling Shed and times‑tables practice on TT Rock Stars, ensuring every child has the tools they need to thrive.

READING

In Year 4, we continue to build a real love for reading both in school and at home. Our newly updated reading corners and refreshed library offer a wide range of exciting books, and our reading monitors keep things fresh by delivering five new magazines every few weeks. We enjoy sharing three class novels across the year, exploring characters and discussing ideas together. To help children grow in confidence and understanding, we ask them to read at home for around 15 minutes each day. We encourage parents to ask questions as their child reads to support comprehension, spark conversations and deepen enjoyment. We are always happy to recommend books—and we love hearing your recommendations too.

FLUENCY WORK SPELLING AND TIMES TABLES

We believe in the power of practice and know that core skills take time to learn. Weekly spellings are uploaded to Spelling Shed for children to practise at home, and these words are also taught in class and applied in their writing. Although we do not test spellings, we encourage children to revisit them regularly to strengthen accuracy. Times tables are especially important in Year 4, and TT Rock Stars plays a key role in our maths lessons. By practising little and often, children build speed, confidence and accuracy in both multiplication and division. We celebrate their achievements on TTRS and encourage daily use to help them become fluent, secure and ready for the challenges ahead.