In English this half term, the children will be exploring Egyptology by Dugald Steer. This fascinating book invites readers to step into the world of Ancient Egypt, uncovering the secrets of the pharaohs, exploring mysterious tombs and discovering the wonders of Egyptian civilisation. Presented as an explorer’s journal, complete with fascinating facts, ancient secrets and intriguing discoveries, the book brings history to life and encourages children to become curious investigators. Its mysterious style and wealth of detail will inspire the children to use their imaginations, ask questions and develop their own stories filled with suspense, adventure and unexpected discoveries.

Throughout the half term, the children will develop their writing skills through two exciting outcomes. They will first create their own Egyptian mystery narratives, learning how to build atmosphere, introduce intriguing characters and settings, and develop suspense to keep their readers hooked. They will then explore the features of a secret diary, writing in role to recount mysterious events and imagined discoveries from the perspective of an explorer in Ancient Egypt. These activities will help children develop their descriptive language, organise events coherently and write for different purposes and audiences.

In Maths this half term, the children will be developing their understanding of Place Value, Addition and Subtraction. We will begin by exploring the value of digits within numbers, learning how numbers are made up of thousands, hundreds, tens and ones. Through practical activities, visual representations and mathematical games, the children will develop their confidence in reading, writing, ordering and comparing numbers, as well as recognising the important relationships between them.

This half term in History and Geography, the children will be travelling back thousands of years to explore the fascinating world of Ancient Egypt. We will discover one of the most remarkable civilisations in history, learning about the lives of the ancient Egyptians, the powerful pharaohs who ruled their kingdom and the incredible monuments they left behind. Through exploring pyramids, tombs, hieroglyphics and the process of mummification, the children will uncover the mysteries of this ancient world and investigate how historians use evidence to understand the past. We will consider what life was like for different people in Egyptian society, from farmers and craftspeople to pharaohs, and explore how their beliefs, traditions and achievements shaped their civilisation.

In Science this half term, the children will be exploring the fascinating topic of Sound. We will begin by investigating how sounds are made, discovering that they are created when objects vibrate. Through practical experiments and hands-on activities, the children will explore how vibrations travel through different materials and reach our ears, allowing us to hear the world around us. From the strings of musical instruments to the buzz of a ruler vibrating on the edge of a table, we will investigate the science behind the sounds we hear every day.

In R.E. this half term, the children will be exploring the key question: How do religious groups contribute to society and culture in the local area and beyond? We will begin by thinking about the different ways religion can influence the world around us, from the buildings and places of worship we see in our communities to the festivals, traditions and celebrations that bring people together. The children will explore a range of religious communities, discovering how their beliefs and values can shape the way people live, treat others and contribute to society.

In PSHE this half term, the children will be exploring the topic Being Me in My World. We will begin by thinking about what makes us unique and the important role we each play within our class, school and wider community. The children will explore their hopes, fears and aspirations for the year ahead, considering what it means to belong and how we can help everyone feel valued, respected and included. Through discussions and activities, we will encourage the children to recognise their strengths, celebrate their individuality and develop a positive sense of identity.

In Art this half term, the children will be exploring the exciting world of drawing and mixed media collage. We will begin by developing our observational drawing skills, learning how artists use lines, shapes, patterns and shading to represent the world around them. The children will experiment with different drawing materials and techniques, exploring how changing the pressure, direction and texture of their marks can create different effects. We will look at how artists use sketchbooks to record ideas, practise techniques and develop their own creative style, encouraging the children to experiment, make mistakes and discover new possibilities.

In Music this half term, the children will be learning to play the recorder, beginning their journey into the world of instrumental music. We will start by exploring how the instrument works, learning how to hold it correctly, produce a clear and gentle sound, and develop good playing posture and breathing techniques. The children will discover how different notes are created by covering the recorder's holes with their fingers, gradually building their confidence and control as they begin to play simple musical patterns and melodies.

In Computing this half term, the children will be exploring the fascinating world of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and e-safety. We will begin by investigating what AI is, where we might encounter it in our everyday lives and how it is changing the way people work, learn and communicate. The children will discover how AI tools can recognise patterns, respond to questions and generate text or images, while considering both the exciting possibilities and the limitations of this technology. We will explore why AI does not always provide accurate information and why it is important to think carefully about the answers it gives us. Through practical activities and discussions, the children will develop their understanding of how technology works and learn to become thoughtful, responsible users of AI.

In Spanish this half term, the children will be taking their first steps into the Spanish language by learning how to meet and greet others. We will begin by exploring common Spanish greetings, learning how to say hello and goodbye, ask how someone is feeling and respond to simple questions. The children will discover how language can help us connect with people from different cultures, developing their confidence as they begin to communicate in a new language. Through songs, games and interactive activities, we will practise useful phrases such as ¡Hola! (Hello), Buenos días (Good morning) and ¿Cómo estás? (How are you?), helping the children become familiar with the sounds and rhythms of spoken Spanish.

Outdoor learning will take place on Monday afternoons. It is important that your child comes dressed in long sleeves and trousers and has a change of footwear.  We are so lucky to have our own woodland on-site and so the children have the opportunity to access outdoor learning every week.  Having our own woodland gives children the opportunity to develop their respect for the natural world, which ties in with our core values.  They develop resilience and problem-solving skills through challenges and wild play in the woods, as well as broadening their horizons by learning and developing their outdoor survival skills such as shelter building and fire lighting.  

P.E. lessons take place twice a week, with Friday afternoon sessions being led by Mr Bates (Mrs Morrell will be leading these this half term) and Wednesday afternoon sessions led by Mrs Morrell.  The units this half term are hockey and tennis.

Class Dojo is our main form of communication with parents. If you have not yet signed up for Class Dojo and would like to, please do not hesitate to come and see us.  We are more than happy to help if you are having difficulty accessing this.  It's a great space where you can view photos, videos and information about all the amazing things that are happening in our classroom and around the school. It gives you the chance to see what your children have been learning in school each week, giving you the opportunity to talk to them at home about what they have been doing.

Home learning in Dolphin class is about reading every day either to an adult, a sibling or to themselves.

The year four children will be undertaking the National times table check in the summer term and it is essential they practice their times tables regularly (they can use TT Rockstars for this).

There is a pick and mix homework menu which enriches the discovery learning we are doing in class. Pick a task, complete it and post your work on Dojo by Wednesday.

Please make sure all of your child’s possessions are labelled. Children do not need to bring toys or pencil cases into school. Children should wear PE kit to school on Monday and Wednesday. Woodland is on Tuesday and children need to wear sturdy, outdoor clothing.