Year 4

Our Spring term 2026 topic is

Ancient Thrones to Ice and Stone

In history, pupils will learn about the Shang Dynasty, an early Chinese civilisation, discovering how kings ruled, what life was like, and how we know about the past through artefacts and writing (NC: changes in Britain and the wider world).

In geography, children will compare Iceland and the United Kingdom, learning about their location, climate, physical features, and how people live in different environments. Pupils will use maps and atlases to identify similarities and differences between countries (NC: locational knowledge and human and physical geography).

This topic helps children build key historical and geographical skills while developing curiosity about the world around them.

As part of our Faster Reading programme, Year 4 will read The Firework-Maker’s Daughter by Philip Pullman. This story links closely to our work on the Shang Dynasty as it is inspired by ancient cultures, powerful rulers, and journeys to challenging landscapes. The book helps children deepen their understanding of life in the past while developing key reading skills such as inference, vocabulary, and comprehension. During our English sessions we will be also be using Song of the Dolphin Boy as a stimulus which links to our Year 4 geography learning by exploring different places, environments, and the relationship between people and the natural world. Through the story, children consider how coastal and ocean environments affect the way people live, helping them understand physical geography, habitats, and the importance of protecting our seas. The text supports map work, discussion of environments, and comparing places around the world.

Our Autumn term 2025 topic is

Disaster Strikes!

Long ago, the mighty Roman Empire ruled over lands far and wide, building strong roads, grand cities, and powerful armies. But even the greatest empire wasn’t safe from danger! From fiery volcanoes to sneaky enemies and crumbling cities, the Romans had to face disasters that shook their world. Imagine being there when Mount Vesuvius exploded, turning day into night, or when Roman soldiers fought to save their homes from invaders. Let’s step back in time and discover what happened when disaster struck the Romans!

We will be using Roman Diary, the Journal of Iliona to inspire our writing and support our learning about the Roman Empire. This will be supplemented by the fantastic Escape from Pompeii which depicts the disastrous eruption of Vesuvius and subsequent engulfment of Pompeii. In addition, we will read sections of the Roman Soldier’s Handbook to give us further insight into life as a Roman soldier. Alongside these three texts, we will be reading The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane and Friend or Foe for the KS2 Faster Reading programme.