Year 4
Welcome to Year 4
In Year 4
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Reading in Year 4
At our school, we believe that reading is a vital life skill and the foundation for all learning. In Year 4, children build on the strong reading skills developed in Key Stage 1 and lower Key Stage 2, developing greater fluency, understanding and independence as readers.
Our reading curriculum is carefully designed to support children to read widely and often, deepen their comprehension skills and develop a growing enjoyment of books. Children are encouraged to explore a wide range of high-quality texts, including fiction, non-fiction and poetry, and to talk confidently about what they read.
In Year 4, children are supported to become increasingly fluent, thoughtful and reflective readers. Teaching focuses on developing comprehension, vocabulary and the ability to respond to texts in depth.
Children are supported to:
❇️ Read age-appropriate texts fluently and accurately
❇️ Use a broadening vocabulary to understand and explain meaning
❇️ Read with expression and awareness of punctuation
❇️ Retrieve information and answer questions using evidence from the text
❇️ Make inferences and predictions based on details stated and implied
❇️ Summarise key ideas and discuss themes, characters and author intent
Reading in Year 4 includes:
❇️ Whole-class reading sessions focused on comprehension and discussion
❇️ Guided reading in small groups to provide targeted support and challenge
❇️ Explicit teaching of vocabulary and reading strategies
❇️ Regular independent reading to build stamina, confidence and enjoyment
❇️ Opportunities to read across the wider curriculum
Books we have read so far this year:
Reading at Home
Reading at home continues to play an essential role in supporting children’s progress in Key Stage 2. In Year 4, children are expected to read at home at least five times per week, with at least two of these reading sessions shared with an adult.
We encourage families to:
❇️ Support regular independent reading
❇️ Listen to their child read aloud and discuss the text
❇️ Ask questions to deepen understanding and encourage reflection
❇️ Talk about new vocabulary, characters, themes and opinions
❇️ Celebrate effort, engagement and progress
These shared reading experiences help to strengthen fluency, comprehension and confidence, and support children in developing a lifelong love of reading.
Recommended Reads:
Online Programmes we use
Maths.co.uk
What it supports:
• Fluency in key maths skills
• Consolidation of learning taught in class
• Confidence with number and problem-solving
How it's used in Year 3:
Maths.co.uk is used to reinforce learning taught in lessons, allowing pupils to practice key skills such as number facts, calculations and reasoning in a structured way. Tasks are matched to age-related expectations and used to support both practice and challenge.
Impact:
Helps pupils secure core maths skills, build confidence and develop accuracy and fluency over time.
Spelling Shed
What it supports:
• Statutory Year 3 spelling rules and patterns
• Vocabulary development
• Accurate spelling in writing
How it's used in Year 3:
Spelling Shed is used regularly to practice spelling rules taught in class. Activities are engaging and age-appropriate, supporting pupils to rehearse, apply and retain spelling patterns through structured games and challenges.
Impact:
Supports progress in spelling, improves accuracy in written work, and builds confidence when using new and ambitious vocabulary.
Times Tables Rock Stars
What it supports:
• Rapid recall of multiplication and division facts
• Improved accuracy and fluency in times tables
• Increased confidence in mental arithmetic
How it's used in Year 4:
Each morning, a group of pupils use the iPads to access TT Rock Stars and complete various tasks and challenges. Weekly class battles take place, which can also be played at home. Heatmaps are used to monitor individual progress and soundcheck mode is used to prepare for the Multiplication Tables Check (MTC).
Impact:
TTRS helps pupils make strong progress in their times tables knowledge, improves accuracy and speed in calculations, and boosts confidence in their overall maths skills.
Links to websites you can use at home
ICT games
ICT Games is a website that offers a large selection of free educational games for children aged 5 to 10. Created by an experienced UK teacher, the games follow the Key Stage 1 and 2 curriculum. This makes them useful for learning at home or supporting lessons in the classroom. Children can explore concepts in maths, English, and basic data handling while building confidence and understanding in each subject
Website: https://ictgames.com/
Mathsframe
Mathsframe is an interactive online platform designed
to make learning mathematics engaging and effective for KS2 students.
It is a comprehensive educational resource that offers over 200 interactive maths games and 300 worksheets aligned with the UK national curriculum. It is designed by experienced teachers to help students grasp various mathematical concepts in a fun and engaging way.
Website: https://mathsframe.co.uk