Summer Term 2

Writing

This term, Year 4 will embark on an exciting journey into rhyming poetry and recount writing, starting with Valerie Bloom's poem Autumn Gilt. The children will explore the use of onomatopoeia, where words mimic the sounds they describe, adding vibrancy and fun to their writing. They'll also delve into similes, learning to make comparisons using like or as to create vivid images and evoke emotions. As they write their own rhyming poems, the children will focus on using different rhyme schemes, including ABCB, and experiment with metaphorical language and colour vocabulary to make their descriptions more powerful.

In the second part of the term, the children will move on to recount writing, using The Boy at the Back of the Class by Onjali Rauf as inspiration. They’ll focus on writing a diary entry, recounting events from the viewpoint of the character. They will plan their writing by discussing ideas and organizing them in a clear sequence, using a recount text structure. To enhance their writing, they will focus on using cohesive devices such as determiners, nouns, and pronouns to ensure clarity and flow. They will also learn how to maintain consistency with tenses, including the present perfect tense, to describe actions that are still relevant today or experiences up until now.

The writing process will involve planning, drafting, editing, and evaluating. The children will compose and rehearse their sentences orally, refining them through discussion and oral rehearsal. They will proofread their work for grammar and punctuation, and make improvements to their writing with guidance from the teacher. Finally, they will reflect on their peers' writing, identifying what works well and explaining the impact of word choices on the reader.

 

Reading – Themes, Conventions, Vocabulary and Summarising
This half-term, children will explore how stories are built and what makes them effective.

They will learn that the theme is the main message of a story, such as bravery, friendship, or good vs evil. They will practise identifying themes in different texts and comparing them.

They will also revisit conventions – these are typical features we expect in certain types of writing, like made-up characters and settings in fiction. Children will learn how to spot these conventions and notice how they vary between different texts.

In vocabulary work, children will look closely at the words authors choose. They will learn how powerful vocabulary can help readers imagine scenes and understand the tone or emotion of a story. They will practise spotting interesting words or phrases, explaining why they stand out, and how they affect the meaning of the text.

When summarising, children will learn to focus on the most important parts of what they’ve read. They will identify key events or points, leave out less important details, and practise retelling or summarising texts clearly in their own words.

All of this will help children become more thoughtful and independent readers who understand how stories are written and how to talk about them in detail.

 

Mathematics 
This half-term, children will build confidence dividing two- and three-digit numbers by one-digit numbers using formal written methods. They will apply these skills to solve word problems, including those involving fractions.

Children will add and subtract fractions with the same denominator and solve problems where fractions are used to describe and divide quantities. They will also explore non-unit fractions that result in whole number answers.

In decimals, children will learn to count in hundredths and understand how they are created by dividing by 100 or dividing tenths by 10. They will recognise and write decimal equivalents for tenths, hundredths, and familiar fractions such as ¼, ½, and ¾. They will practise dividing numbers by 10 and 100, learning how this affects place value. Children will also round decimals to the nearest whole number and compare numbers with up to two decimal places.

 

Science – Living Things and Their Habitats

This half-term, children will learn how to sort and group living things by looking at their similarities and differences. They will understand that living things include micro-organisms (like bacteria), plants, and animals. Animals can be sorted into vertebrates (with backbones) and invertebrates (without backbones). Children will explore different environments such as forests, oceans, and cities, and learn how animals are suited to live in these places. They will also look at how environments can change – sometimes naturally (like wildfires or weather) and sometimes because of human actions (like cutting down trees or building roads). Children will learn how these changes can help or harm living things. They will also observe plants and animals in the local area and practise sorting them using simple guides or keys.

 

Geography – Human & Physical Features of Hampshire and Andalusia

This half-term, children will explore Hampshire’s physical and human geography. Located in South-East England, Hampshire features diverse landscapes like chalk uplands, marshes, heathlands, and coastlines along the English Channel. Students will study major rivers, national parks like the New Forest, and the region’s wildlife, such as ponies and otters. They will also investigate key cities, landmarks, and the economy, focusing on maritime industries, agriculture, and tourism.

Children will compare Hampshire's geography with Andalusia, looking at how each region’s physical landscape and human features shape daily life, culture, and the economy. This comparison will help students understand the relationship between geography and human activity in both regions.

History - Roman impact on Southampton

By the end of Summer 2, children will study the Roman impact on Southampton. They will begin by learning that Southampton became a port in 43 AD, during the Roman occupation of Britain. The Romans came to Britain for its land, resources, and riches. They built structures such as houses, forts, and temples from stone, and introduced technologies like roads, sanitation, central heating, and bathhouses. Children will then compare Roman Southampton with modern-day Southampton to see how the city has changed over time. They will also explore the Roman control of most of England and Wales by 100 CE, despite resistance from British tribes, including the famous rebellion led by Queen Boudicca.

Religious Education – Water as a Symbol

This half-term, children will explore how water is used as a symbol in different religious stories and practices. They will learn that a symbol is something that stands for or represents something else. In Christianity, they will look at the story of Noah’s Ark, where water represents both destruction and a fresh start. They will also learn about baptism, where Christians use water to welcome someone into the church, symbolising a clean beginning with sins washed away. In Hinduism, they will explore the story of Manu and the Fish, where water is both life-giving and dangerous. They will also learn about the goddess Ganga, who is powerful and destructive but becomes a calm and cleansing river. Children will reflect on how water can represent different ideas like chaos, cleansing, danger, or peace. They will share their own experiences of water as a symbol, recognise where these meanings appear in life, and think about how water holds meaning in their own and others’ communities.

Physical Education – Cricket & Real PE

As Summer 2 progresses, children will continue to consolidate their understanding of balance, coordination, and movement through Real PE, applying these skills to cricket. They will practise key cricket techniques, including batting, underarm bowling, and accurate catching. Alongside these physical skills, children will learn the rules of cricket and apply their knowledge during competitive gameplay.

Children will also explore how their bodies respond to exercise. They will learn about changes in body temperature, heart rate, and breathing rate during and after exercise. Fundamental movement skills will be emphasized to help children move safely and efficiently. They will also understand the importance of good technique, posture, and correct equipment use to prevent injury and stay healthy.

A key focus will be on warming up and cooling down. Children will learn to warm up to mentally prepare for activities and prevent injury, using gradual movements that get their bodies ready for physical exertion. They will also understand the importance of cooling down to reduce muscle soreness and lower their heart rate and breathing rate after exercise. Additionally, children will consider the environment when planning activities to ensure safety and effectiveness.

 

Computing - Scratch

This term, Year 4 will revisit key computer science concepts, focusing on programming with Scratch. Students will learn to use sequences, algorithms, and loops to create programs. They will practice modifying code snippets, predicting outcomes, and refining their designs while evaluating the effectiveness of repetition. They’ll develop their own projects, understanding when to use different types of loops to achieve their goals.

In online safety, students will explore how to spot fake news and misinformation. They will learn to identify misleading stories by checking for red flags such as unreliable sources or biased language. The children will practice evaluating news credibility, fact-checking, and distinguishing between opinion, satire, and legitimate news. They will also develop responsible online habits, ensuring they can navigate digital platforms safely and share accurate information.

PSHE – Growing and Changing

This half-term, children will learn about the changes that happen as they grow, focusing on emotions, relationships, and the body. They will explore different feelings like happiness, sadness, and anger, and learn how to talk about their emotions. Children will also learn when to ask for help if they feel overwhelmed or unsure about their feelings.

They will talk about the importance of families, recognizing that families provide love, security, and support, even if families look different. In addition, they will explore what makes a good friendship, how to deal with conflicts, and how to ask for help if a friendship makes them uncomfortable.

Children will also learn about the physical and emotional changes that happen during puberty, including understanding the menstrual cycle. They will talk about boundaries, privacy, and how to stay safe, especially when interacting with others. They will also learn about respecting others, including understanding consent and treating everyone with kindness and respect.

By the end of the unit, children will understand the changes they are going through, how to take care of their bodies and emotions, and how to build healthy relationships with others.

Music – Learning to Play the Recorder

Throughout this unit, children will refine their recorder-playing skills, focusing on finger positioning, breath control, and articulation as they learn to play notes such as C, B, A, and G. They will explore rhythm patterns, basic notation, and musical dynamics, recognizing how piano (soft) and forte (loud) influence expression in performance. Ensemble practice will allow children to develop their timing, coordination, and listening skills, helping them play in harmony with others. By the end of the unit, they will be able to perform short pieces fluently, demonstrating confidence and musical expression

 

Art – Sculpture

Within art this term, children will explore sculpture through the works of Yinka Shonibare and Antony Gormley, examining how form, texture, and cultural symbolism shape artistic meaning. They will refine their sculptural techniques through sketchbook studies, historical context, and hands-on experimentation, gaining insight into how sculptures can convey emotion and provoke dialogue. Drawing inspiration from these artists, children will plan and design their own sculptures, carefully considering the use of shape, materials, and symbolism to communicate ideas. By the end of the unit, they will have developed creative confidence and resilience, producing a unique piece that reflects both technical skill and artistic intention.

Spanish – My Family and Pets
This half-term, children will learn how to talk about their family and pets in Spanish. They will revisit important grammar, like how words in Spanish are either masculine or feminine, and how accents and upside-down question marks are used. They will also practise using the verbs tener (to have) and gustar (to like) to build simple sentences.

They will take part in conversations, practise pronunciation, sing songs, and use a Spanish dictionary to explore new words. Children will also write simple phrases from memory and share their likes and dislikes. To show what they’ve learned, they may create a booklet or placemat about their own family and pets in Spanish.