Click here to read the Class Newsletter - TERM 1 

Year 4 – Term 2 | Anglo-Saxons and Sound

Dear Parents and Carers,

This term, Year 4 are diving deep into the fascinating world of the Anglo-Saxons — a time of warriors, kingdoms, storytelling, and discovery. Pupils will explore how Britain changed after the Romans left and what life was like for early settlers.
Through history, science, and art, children will connect the past with the present, building curiosity, creativity, and resilience.
Across the curriculum, lessons will continue to strengthen pupils’ oracy, reasoning, and digital learning skills.

English

Our core text, Anglo-Saxon Boy by Tony Bradman, offers an exciting blend of history and adventure. It provides the perfect context for pupils to:

• Write letters and first-person recounts from the perspective of an Anglo-Saxon child

• Use historical detail to describe characters, settings, and emotions vividly

• Create newspaper reports and fact files about early Britain

• Develop direct speech and expanded noun phrases to enhance description

• Practise fronted adverbials, pronouns, and apostrophes for possession

Reading and discussion will continue to be central, helping children to justify opinions and analyse how authors build tension and empathy through language.

Maths

This term, the focus is on deepening number fluency and strengthening reasoning through varied representations. Pupils will explore:

• Multiplication & Division: formal written methods and problem-solving up to 12×12

• Fractions: understanding equivalence, simplifying fractions, and adding/subtracting with the same denominator

• Graphs & Data: interpreting bar charts, pictograms, and line graphs

• Time: converting analogue to digital and understanding the 24-hour clock

Weekly arithmetic sessions will continue alongside IXL practice to reinforce accuracy, fluency, and reasoning in all number operations.

Science

Our Science topic this term is Sound, an engaging unit that links perfectly with music, design, and curiosity about the world. Pupils will:

• Explore how sound is made through vibration

• Investigate how pitch and volume can be changed

• Learn how sound travels through different materials

• Design and test instruments that produce varied sounds

• Record, measure, and analyse results using digital tools

These investigations allow children to combine observation with creative design and reflect on how scientific thinking connects to daily life.

Topic & Wider Curriculum

Our Humanities and creative curriculum brings the Anglo-Saxon era to life across multiple subjects:

History:

• Discover who the Anglo-Saxons were and why they settled in Britain

• Examine artefacts and evidence to understand village life, craftsmanship, and beliefs

• Explore the legacy of Anglo-Saxon place names, laws, and cultural traditions

Art & Design Technology:

• Create illuminated letters inspired by the Lindisfarne Gospels

• Design and sculpt Anglo-Saxon artefacts using clay

• Develop patterns through tessellation and symmetry

RE:

• Explore Living as a Buddhist, focusing on peace, mindfulness, and compassion

• Compare values across faiths and discuss how they guide everyday life

Computing:

• Develop coding and debugging skills through game creation

• Record sound experiments and edit digital presentations about historical discoveries

Music:

• Investigate rhythm and melody through voice and percussion

• Create short compositions inspired by Anglo-Saxon storytelling and culture

MFL (Spanish):

• Learn vocabulary for parts of the face and body

• Use positional language and adjectives for description

• Explore Spanish celebrations and compare them with Christmas traditions in the UK

PSHE:

• Continue to develop empathy and emotional literacy through Celebrating Difference

• Discuss respect, equality, and positive friendships

• Use role play to explore scenarios involving teamwork and kindness

Enrichment

To bring this period to life, pupils will take part in an Anglo-Saxon Immersion Day, featuring:

• Shield-making workshops and Anglo-Saxon art

• Drama and storytelling based on myths and historical events

• Archaeological activities that help pupils act as historians

Supporting Your Child at Home

You can support your child’s learning by:

• Practising times tables (TT ROCKSTARRS) daily, including division facts)

• Reading historical fiction or non-fiction about ancient Britain

• 20 minutes of reading their Accelerated Reader book

• Spelling practice each week using the words sent home

• 20 minutes of IXL homework daily (Monday to Friday)

  Thank you for continuing to encourage these habits—they really do have a lasting impact!

• Exploring online museums or BBC Bitesize clips on the Anglo-Saxon era

• Encouraging use of IXL for Maths and Reading Plus for comprehension fluency

Important Reminders

• PE is every Thursday – Please ensure your child comes to school in their PE kit

• The Year 4 Multiplication Check is fast approaching – TT Rockstars practice is key to feeling confident and prepared

We’re so proud of how far the children have come and look forward to all the learning and discovery still to come. As always, thank you for your continued support – we couldn’t do it without you!

Warm wishes,
The Year 4 Team