Foundation Subjects

Autumn 1

Welcome to our Foundation Subjects learning page!

This half term, Year 4 will be developing their knowledge and skills across Geography, History, Science, Computing, Spanish, Music, Art & DT, PSHE, RE and PE.

🌄 Geography – Mountains and Rivers

We will explore mountains and rivers in the UK and around the world.

We will learn to:

Identify different types of mountains.
Understand how mountains are formed.
Locate major mountain regions in the UK.
Investigate important mountains and their features.
Explore mountain regions around the world.
Identify and label the main features of a river.
Identify key rivers in the UK.
Explore the relationship between mountains and rivers.
Understand how the water cycle connects to rivers.

English link: We will use our geographical knowledge to support non-chronological report writing.

🏛️ History – Ancient Greece

We will travel back in time to explore Ancient Greece.

We will learn about:

Where Ancient Greece was located.
Ancient Greece and its place on a timeline.
Athens and Sparta.
What life was like for children.
How Athens and Sparta were governed.
Ancient Greek democracy.
The Ancient Greek Olympics.
Greek architecture and its influence today.

We will also compare aspects of Ancient Greece with life today.

🧪 Science – States of Matter

Our Science learning will focus on States of Matter.

We will investigate:

💧 Solids, liquids and gases
🌡️ The effect of temperature
💨 Evaporation
☁️ Condensation
💦 The water cycle
🧪 Dissolving and diluting
🔬 Separating simple mixtures

Children will have opportunities to investigate, observe and explain changes to materials.

💻 Computing

Our Computing learning includes online safety and word processing.

Children will learn about:

Cyberbullying and how to respond to hurtful online messages.
Using images appropriately.
Changing layouts for different purposes.
Using tables.
Creating layouts using tables.
Protecting personal information online.
Assessing whether information found online is reliable.
Using the internet safely and responsibly.

🇪🇸 Spanish – Introducing Myself

We will begin by revisiting and developing our Spanish language skills.

Children will learn to:

Revise Spanish phonics.
Ask and answer how someone is.
Say their name and ask someone else's name.
Count from 1–20.
Ask and answer how old someone is.
Ask where someone lives.
Say where they live.
Give a short presentation about themselves.

🎵 Music – Clarinet

Through the Wider Opportunities programme with St Helen's Music Hub, children will begin learning the clarinet.

Children will develop their ability to:

Play and perform with increasing accuracy and control.
Improvise and compose.
Listen carefully and develop their musical memory.
Understand musical notation.
Listen to and appreciate a wide range of music.
Develop an understanding of musical history.

🎨 Art & DT

We will be developing our creativity, design and practical skills through a range of KAPOW units.

🏗️ Structures – Pavilions

We will design and make a pavilion that is strong, stable and aesthetically pleasing.

✏️ Drawing – Power Prints

We will explore pencil tones, light and dark, composition, contrast and pattern.

🚗 Mechanisms – Slingshot Car

We will design and build a functioning car, test it and consider ways to improve its performance.

🎨 Painting & Mixed Media – Light and Dark

We will explore tints and shades and use colour to create a three-dimensional effect.

🍪 Food & Nutrition – Adapting a Recipe

We will explore taste, texture and appearance, work with recipes and consider budgets and ingredients.

🌿 Craft & Design – Fabric of Nature

We will explore the work of William Morris, create mood boards and design repeating patterns.

💚 PSHE

Our PSHE learning will focus on Family and Relationships and Health and Well-being.

Children will explore:

Manners and respectful behaviour.
Boundaries within friendships.
How our words and actions affect others.
Bullying and the role of bystanders.
Stereotypes.
Different types of families.
Bereavement and how to support others.
Dental health.
Emotions and mental health.
Recognising strengths.
Setting goals.
Things we can and cannot control.

🕊️ RE – Hindu Dharma

We will explore Hindu Dharma, including the question:

"What might a Hindu learn through celebrating Diwali?"