Y4 Looking Back and Forth - Friday 23rd January 2026

🔙 Looking Back – This Week in Year 4

We have had another very busy week in Year 4! The children have been learning all about George Mallory, the famous climber who is surrounded by mystery. They have also been exploring mountains and have begun work on their mountain dioramas, which are already looking fantastic.

In maths, the class have started learning informal and formal methods of multiplication. All that time spent on TT Rockstars is really beginning to pay off in this unit!

🏆 Children’s Highlights

  • Taking part in the ‘Try Something New’ sports event and winning a medal
    (Well done Ezra and Alfie!)

  • Creating our mountain dioramas

  • Playing Blooket

  • TT Rockstars

  • Learning all about George Mallory

💬 Ask at Home

  • Who is George Mallory?

  • What is the ‘Mallory Mystery’?

  • Who did he climb with?

  • Why did he disappear?

  • When did he climb Everest?

  • Why was he such a good climber?

  • How many times did he attempt the mountain?

  • What happened on the second attempt?

  • What did he famously say about why he wanted to climb Everest?

👉 Children who can answer all of these questions and bring them into school before Wednesday will earn 25 house points.

🔜 Looking Ahead – Next Week in Year 4

  • Measuring decibels

  • Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra

  • Mountain climates

  • Mountain art

  • Mountain dioramas

⛰️ Lots and lots about mountains!

📚 Homework This Week

✍️ English: Purple sheet – GAPS mat and apostrophes
(singular and plural possession)

➕ Maths: Purple sheet – Exercise 10

📖 Reading: 15 minutes daily
(Reading records checked Monday + AR quizzes)

🎵 TT Rockstars:
10 minutes daily or one 20-minute session

📝 Spellings: Test on Wednesday
(short, regular practice recommended)

✏️ Presentation: Pencil, blue, or black pen only
(no felt tips)

🔢 Times Tables:
×3, ×12, ×7, ×13 (×26 optional)

📬 All homework is due on Friday
(children know where to hand it in)

🔔 Reminders

  • Reading records due every Monday (with daily entries)

  • ⭐ Reading Challenge:
    20 reads = 10 house points

🗓️ Dates for Your Diary

  • Thursday 29th January – Book Fair arrives

  • Friday 6th February – Y3 Cake Sale

  • Thursday 12th February – Young Voices (Y3–6 singing group)

  • Friday 13th February – School finishes for half term

  • Monday 23rd February – School returns

  • Thursday 5th March – World Book Day

  • Friday 6th March – Y2 Cake Sale

  • Friday 6th March – Comedy Night

  • Thursday 12th March – Y4 Residential (1 night)

  • Thursday 19th March – Book Look for families (after school until 5pm)

  • WB Monday 23rd March – Parents’ Evenings

  • Friday 27th March – School finishes for Easter break

  • Monday 13th April – School returns