Hill 4

Welcome to Hill 4

We are thrilled to welcome you to our Year 4 class, where learning is an adventure and every child is encouraged to grow, explore, and thrive. Your class teachers, Mrs Donnelly and Mrs Alam, are excited for a year filled with curiosity, creativity, and kindness. Guided by our school vision—eyes wide open, arms outstretched, curious minds aiming high—we’ll work together to build a classroom where everyone feels valued and inspired. We look forward to sharing this journey with you and your families as we aim high and learn with open hearts and minds.

Class Life

Our classroom is a vibrant and welcoming space where children are encouraged to be curious, confident, and kind. Each week is filled with exciting learning across a broad curriculum, from creative writing and problem-solving in maths to hands-on science investigations and expressive art projects.

We have PE lessons every Monday and Thursday, so children should come to school in their PE kits, ready to move, play, and develop their physical skills. On Fridays, we enjoy Forest School, where children learn through nature, teamwork, and outdoor exploration—please ensure they are dressed appropriately for the weather.

Our behaviour expectations are built around three simple but powerful rules: Ready, Respectful, and Safe. These values are modelled by all adults in school and help create a calm, supportive environment where every child can thrive.

We love celebrating achievements, sharing our learning, and working together to make Year 4 a fantastic place to grow.

Homework

Emile

Homework is provided each week through the Emilie app, with a focus on maths and spellings to support key learning. If you experience any issues logging in or accessing the homework, please speak to Mrs Donnelly for assistance.

https://emile-education.com/app-downloads/student-log-in-access-app-or-online/

Reading

Reading for just 20 minutes a day at home can significantly boost a child’s vocabulary, comprehension, and confidence. When children read for pleasure, choosing books they enjoy, they’re more likely to develop a lifelong love of reading, which supports academic success and emotional wellbeing. Regular visits to the library are a great way to encourage this habit, giving children access to a wide range of books and helping them explore new interests in a fun, free, and welcoming environment.

Spelling

Each week, children will be sent home with 10 spellings to practise, all linked to a specific spelling rule being taught in class. To support learning, we encourage the "Read, Write, Cover, Check" method—children read the word, write it down, cover it, and then check to see if they spelled it correctly. This helps reinforce memory and accuracy.

Talk Task

Talk Task homework is designed to support your child’s “sticky knowledge”, the key facts and concepts they are learning in class that we want them to remember long-term. Each week, your child will be asked to talk through 3–4 facts they’ve been learning in school, helping them to reinforce understanding through discussion at home.

We are currently reading in class...

Step into a magical world where courage and kindness shine brighter than any spell. Ramaysa is a captivating retelling of an ancient tale, filled with enchanted forests, mythical creatures, and a brave hero on a quest to restore harmony. With themes of friendship, adventure, and the triumph of good over evil, this fairytale will transport readers to a land where every choice matters and every heart holds power. Perfect for fans of timeless stories and epic journeys, Ramaysa is a celebration of imagination and hope.

RAISE Assembly Children

Tuesday 4thNovember- Zohaib

Tuesday 11th November- Khadija

Tuesday 18th November- Zayaan

25th November- Shahrin

2nd December- Hamza

9th December- Haad

16th December- Amber

Curriculum Overview- Autumn 2

Science – Electricity

This half term in Science, we are exploring the fascinating world of electricity. Pupils will learn how to build simple circuits, use switches to control the flow of electricity, and identify materials that act as conductors or insulators. Through hands-on investigations and collaborative learning, children will deepen their understanding of how electricity works in everyday life. To finish the unit, we’ll be applying our knowledge to create a practical decoration powered by our own circuits—combining creativity with science in a fun and memorable way!

Knowledge-organiser_Y4_Science-Electricity.pdf

Geography – Why are Rainforests important to us?

This term in Geography, we’re diving into the fascinating world of rainforests! We’ll be learning about where rainforests are found, what makes them so special, and why they’re important to our planet. Children will explore rainforest layers, discover amazing plants and animals, and think about how humans interact with these environments. It’s a brilliant topic that links beautifully with our work in science and encourages curiosity about the wider world.

Year-4-Why-are-rainforests-important-to-us-2.pdf

Art – Telling Stories Through Drawing

This term, our art focus is on storytelling through visual expression. Pupils will explore how artists use imagery to communicate ideas and emotions, experimenting with shape, line, and colour to develop their own creative responses. Inspired by our class text, children will create illustrations that tell a story, and will even use digital media to bring their artwork to life. This unit encourages imagination, thoughtful design, and a deeper understanding of how art can be used to share narratives.

RE – Understanding Morality in Christianity

This term, we are exploring key questions around morality and decision-making through the lens of Christianity. Pupils will consider why people might have different views about right and wrong, and how Christians use the Bible and other sources of authority to guide their choices. We’ll reflect on how beliefs influence actions, discuss different interpretations of scripture, and think about what it means to live well. Children will also be encouraged to explore their own understanding of morality and raise thoughtful questions about how we make decisions in everyday life.

English

In English this term, Year 4 will explore the non-fiction topic "Do we still need Zoos?" through discussion writing. Children will learn how to present balanced arguments by exploring different viewpoints, using evidence to support their ideas, and structuring their writing clearly. They will build a toolkit for discussion texts, focusing on how to introduce a topic, present reasons for and against, and conclude with a personal opinion. This unit encourages critical thinking, respectful debate, and thoughtful writing, helping children understand how to communicate their ideas effectively.

Maths

In Autumn Term 2, Year 4 pupils will focus on developing their understanding of multiplication and division using formal written methods, including working with times tables up to 12. They will also explore statistics by interpreting and constructing bar and line graphs, learning to read data and answer questions based on it. Later in the term, children will begin to understand area by counting squares and using multiplication to calculate the area of rectangles. Throughout the term, pupils will be encouraged to reason mathematically, explain their thinking, and apply their skills to problem-solving tasks. Parents can support learning at home by practising times tables, discussing graphs in everyday contexts, and exploring area using squared paper or real-life objects