Primary 4 – Curricular Overview
Welcome back to Primary 4’s Learning Blog. Here is an update of what the children in primary 4 will be working on for the remainder of term 2. These will be our learning expectations until the Easter holidays.
Numeracy
Recap – In term 1 pupils worked very hard in class. We learned about Place Value with 4 digit numbers. We practiced partitioning numbers into thousands, hundreds, tens and units. We also sequenced numbers into the correct order from smallest to largest for example, 654, 789, 1730. We also learned addition and subtraction of 3 digit numbers. We learned different lots of different strategies we could use to help us to add and subtract. We have learned about 3D shapes and their properties (vertices, faces and edges).
In term 2 we are now working hard to learn our times tables. We are also looking at how multiplication and division are inverse operations. This term we will have a big focus on learning how to multiply a two digit number and then moving onto division with a 2 digit number. In beyond number we will be learning about Information Handling. We will continue to build on our mental maths strategies and revisit skills we have previously learned. Please make sure your child spends 20 minutes on Sumdog to improve their mental maths. We also encourage some games on topmarks and YouTube times table songs.
Literacy
Spelling –
In literacy we are learning about a different phoneme each week and applying this into our spelling, We are now focusing on a phoneme for example ae and the different representations it can have such as: a-e, ay, ai, ey, and ea. They will also learn common words that we use frequently in our writing (for example words like: friend, because, cousin etc.). They will learn different spelling words related to the phoneme focus and take part in activities in class to help reinforce these words. At home they are expected to practise these words for homework and take part in a spelling test on a Friday. Pupils are being introduced to using ELKONIN boxes, when spelling words with joined phonemes and also are learning how to use diacritical marking.
Reading –
Pupils are currently reading different books in class using the core resource Bug Club. They work in different reading groups and complete comprehension tasks related to the texts. They are encouraged to read, discuss and answer different types of questions in sentences. Pupils are expected to spend at least 30 minutes a week reading at home. Books are assigned to their Bug Club accounts along with comprehension questions. I can see lots of pupils are doing this, so keep up the hard work!
Pupils are also encouraged to read for enjoyment in class for at least 15 minutes a day. We visit our school library and the school book bus fortnightly. Pupils are allowed to select a book of their choice and are given the opportunity to read in class when possible.
Writing –
This term we will continue with our weekly writing lessons. Pupils will write stories using a range of different genres for example: instructions, imaginative, newspaper articles, letters etc. We will continue to build on our use of punctuation. Also considering connectives, openers and vocabulary to help expand our writing. Children will be encouraged to write neatly, with finger spaces, full stops and capital letters. They are encouraged to use strategies when writing such as sounding out their words, using their personal dictionary, school dictionary and at times a thesaurus. Pupils are also encouraged to use commas, exclamation marks, questions marks and speech marks when possible.
ICT
Pupils are now able to confidently log into the school computers. They are able to log into websites such as Glow, Sumdog and Bugclub. We will continue to build on these skills. Pupils are currently enjoying learning how to create their own PowerPoints related to our class learning. This term we will continue to develop our skills in using Microsoft word, clicker7 and the iPad app clips to make short movies.
Interdisciplinary Learning
We have recently finished our class topic The Human Body and we are moving onto our next topic which is all about Climate Zones – we will compare and contrast The Rainforets and Arctic. Looking closely at the differences such as weather and animals that live there.
Religious Education
This term we will be preparing for our Sacraments. Starting with our Confirmation and then in term 3 our Holy Communion. Pupils will complete work in class, with some tasks being sent home to be completed. Pupils will visit the church when possible to deepen their understanding and allow them to ask questions.
Health and Wellbeing
In P.E. this term pupils will be taking part in gymnastics, fitness and also basketball lessons. In Health pupils will continue taking part in PATHS lessons.
French
In French we will continue to practise simple greetings and phrases. Continuing to count and use our days of the week and months of the year. We will also reinforce colours and practise animals names.
We are really looking forward to making our Confirmation and our upcoming trip to the Science Centre! 🙂
Well done to the pupils in Primary 4 for working so hard on their Scottish Castles. We had some fantastic designs and ideas! Here are some examples of our wonderful work! 🙂 
Primary 4 had a lovely day at Blair Drummond Safari Park! We saw lots of different species of animals. We also enjoyed the paddle boats, astro glide and playing on the fort.
