We will also share some of the wonderful experiences our Year 4 children will have the opportunity to be a part of.
Mr Iqbal is our Year 4 teacher and we will be welcoming an additional teacher very soon.
Our year group timetable is full of engaging lessons where children enjoy engaging lessons in English, mathematics and wide range of curriculum subjects every day, helping them to develop new skills and discover their interests.
PE lessons take place on Monday and Thursdays in both Merlins and Owls classes. Children should come to school wearing their PE kit on these days and remain in it for the whole school day.
We change reading books every Thursday afternoon. Please make sure you your child brings their reading book to school each Thursday so they can choose a new one and continue their reading journey at home.
Year 4 is an exciting and enriching year where pupils are encouraged to become independent learners, creative thinkers and confident individuals. Through a broad and engaging curriculum, children deepen their knowledge, develop important life skills and take part in memorable experiences that inspire curiosity and a love of learning.
Alongside these exciting curriculum opportunities, Year 4 pupils continue to develop resilience, independence and collaboration through PE, PSHE and enrichment activities across the year. With engaging topics, creative projects and unforgettable experiences, Year 4 is a truly inspiring stage in every child’s learning journey.
Children discover what life was like thousands of years ago, learning about pharaohs, pyramids, mummification and the importance of the River Nile. Through artefacts, research and creative activities, pupils uncover how Ancient Egyptian civilisation has influenced the modern world and why it remains one of history’s most fascinating societies.
Pupils learn about the different layers of the rainforest, the incredible animals and plants that live there and the importance of these environments to our planet. They also explore the impact of deforestation and begin to understand how human actions can affect the wider world, encouraging important discussions around sustainability and protecting the environment.
Using Microbits, children design and create interactive desk monsters and buzzer games, developing their understanding of coding, electronics and problem-solving. These engaging projects encourage teamwork, resilience and innovation while helping pupils build valuable computing and engineering skills for the future.
Throughout the year, pupils explore topics including electricity, states of matter, sound, living things and habitats, animals including humans and the digestive system. Children carry out exciting experiments, make predictions and develop scientific enquiry skills as they investigate how the world around them works. Practical investigations help pupils build curiosity, confidence and a deeper understanding of scientific concepts
Children explore the techniques of Impressionism, experimenting with colour, light and brushstrokes to create their own artwork inspired by Monet’s famous paintings. Pupils are encouraged to express themselves creatively while developing their artistic skills and appreciation of great artists.
Through weekly strings lessons delivered by the Nottingham Music Hub, pupils learn to play a string instrument and develop skills in performance, rhythm and musical understanding. Over the course of the year, children grow in confidence as musicians and performers, culminating in the incredible opportunity to take part in a concert at the Nottingham Albert Hall. Performing in such a prestigious venue is a memorable experience that helps pupils develop confidence, teamwork and pride in their achievements.
Children visit a local orchard to explore seasonal changes, plants and habitats through hands-on, outdoor learning linked to our Science topics. This ignites curiosity and develops important scientific investigation skills.
As part of Religious Education, pupils visit Southwell Minster to learn about Christian beliefs, worship, importance of faith within communities and the role of religion in history and modern life.
Linked to our History topic on the Mayans, this visit helps children explore rainforest environments and make connections between the natural world and ancient civilisations.
These carefully planned experiences help develop children’s curiosity, confidence and enthusiasm for learning, while creating lasting memories.
More information about each visit will be shared with parents and carers nearer the time.
In Year 4, children will take the statutory Multiplication Tables Check (MTC) in June. This is a short, online assessment designed to determine whether pupils can fluently recall their multiplication facts up to 12 x 12. The check focuses on speed and accuracy, helping to ensure that children have a secure foundation in times tables before moving into upper Key Stage 2.
If you have any questions about Times Table Practice or TTRockStars, please contact your child’s class teacher.
If you have any questions about the Multiplication Tables Check, please contact your child’s class teacher.
At Sycamore Academy, we are committed to developing confident, enthusiastic, and capable readers. We teach children to read through a structured approach that includes the explicit teaching of phonics, fluency, and comprehension skills.
To become skilled, independent readers, children need regular practice beyond the classroom. Reading at home plays a vital role in this. The more children read, the more they are exposed to new words, ideas, and language structures. This repeated exposure is key to developing a rich and varied vocabulary, which in turn strengthens both overall reading, writing and overall academic success.
Once children have completed the phonics programme, we use Accelerated Reader to support and monitor children’s reading development. Once children are ready, they choose books within their recommended range and are expected to read independently at least four times per week. After finishing a book, they complete a short online quiz which assesses their understanding of the text.
These quizzes help to:
Teachers use this information to guide children’s book choices and provide additional support or challenge where needed.
We are proud to have a well-stocked school library, offering a wide range of high-quality fiction, non-fiction, and poetry. Children are encouraged to explore different authors, genres, and topics to develop a love of reading for pleasure.
How parents can support at home:
Regular reading at home, even for a short time each day, makes a significant difference in helping children become confident, fluent, and thoughtful readers.
If you have any questions about reading or how best to support your child, please contact your child’s class teacher.
Please ensure pupils are in full uniform every day:
School PE kit must be worn all day on PE days:
If you have any concerns about PE kit please let us know.
