Oak Class
Teacher: Mrs C Willsmer
PE days for Autumn term: Wednesday and Friday
The Year 4 Classroom
This Spring term, our learning will be divided into two engaging topics. In the first half of the term, our geography focus will be Brazil: Migration. Children will explore the concepts of voluntary and forced migration, using Brazil as a case study, and will consider the reasons people migrate and the impact this can have on individuals and communities. This topic will also support children in developing a wider understanding of global and social issues. In the second half of the term, our history topic will be The Tudors. We will learn about what life was like for ordinary Tudor people, explore Tudor crime and punishment, and develop a deeper understanding of Henry VIII and his six wives.
In maths, children will further develop their understanding of multiplication and division, including multiplying and dividing numbers by 10 and 100. Later in the term, we will move on to short multiplication and begin learning about fractions, including improper fractions and mixed numbers. Regular practice of times tables is essential to support this learning, and children are expected to practise frequently using Times Tables Rock Stars.
PE lessons will take place on Wednesdays and Fridays. Please ensure children come to school wearing appropriate PE kit for the weather, including plain blue or black jumpers or hoodies only (no logos or other colours), suitable footwear, and that earrings are removed on PE days.
Homework
Challenge and Aspiration Project
To engage and extend learning across all year groups, each topic is accompanied by a Challenge Question, several Project Options (consistently 3–4 choices per topic), and an outline of the higher level thinking skills involved.
Each project is designed to challenge pupils with creative, analytical tasks that promote higher-order thinking. The projects can be pursued independently at home (as optional challenges) or integrated in class for enrichment; teachers can provide feedback at school to support development. We also include cross-curricular subject links to highlight how each challenge connects to broader learning areas (e.g. Art, Computing, History, Science). Pupils are encouraged to choose one project per topic to explore in depth.
Challenge Question: Why do people (or animals) migrate from one place to another, and what can the story of migration in Brazil teach us about the causes and effects of movement?
Project Options (choose one):
1. Human Migration Story Map: Focus on a human migration related to Brazil. One example is the migration from rural areas (like the Amazon region or Nordeste) to big cities like São Paulo or Rio de Janeiro. Draw a simple map of Brazil and illustrate this movement with arrows from a countryside area to a city. On one side of the map, list 2–3 push factors (reasons people leave rural areas – e.g. lack of jobs, drought in Northeast Brazil) and on the other side list 2–3 pull factors (reasons they move to the city – e.g. job opportunities, better schools). Write a short paragraph about one challenge migrants face when they arrive in the city (maybe living in crowded neighborhoods or missing home) and one benefit they seek (like education or income).
2. Wildlife Migration Case: Consider animal migration in Brazil. For example, the journey of Amazon river dolphins during seasons, or birds migrating within South America. Create a mini-poster on this: show the path of the animal’s migration on a map or diagram and explain why it migrates (seasons, breeding, food). Then connect it to human behaviour: Are there similarities in why animals and people migrate? Write 2 sentences comparing them (e.g. “Both people and animals migrate to find better conditions – people seek jobs or safety, animals seek food or breeding grounds.”).
3. Diary of a Migrant (Brazilian Child's Perspective): Write a short diary or letter from the perspective of a child who moved with their family from a small village in Brazil to a large city like São Paulo. Describe the journey (by bus? hours of travel?), your feelings leaving home, and your first impressions of the city. Mention differences (from open spaces to tall buildings, or climate differences if applicable). Explain one reason the family moved (perhaps to join a relative or for a job in a factory) and one hope the child has for their future in the new place.
Spellings to Learn in Year 4
Curriculum Overview Spring Term
oak curriculum overview spring 1.pdf
Recommended Reads for Year 4
sil y3 and 4 recommended reading list.pdf
Year 4 Parents Curriculum Meeting
year 4 welcome morning 2025.pdf
Multiplication Check Information for Parents
information for parents multiplication tables check.pdf
School Trips
In Year 4, we visit the Tower of London to find out more about Henry VIII in the Spring term. We also visit Chatham Green Wilderness Foundation in the Summer term.
