Y4 Looking Back and Forth - Friday 30th January 2026

🔙 Looking Back – This Week in Year 4

We have had a very productive week in Year 4! The children began writing biographies about the inspiring George Mallory, exploring two of his expeditions to climb Everest. Next week, we will look at his final attempt.

In maths, we have been perfecting our multiplication skills, using a range of methods to calculate 2-digit by 1-digit and 3-digit by 1-digit numbers.

The class also enjoyed browsing the Book Fair, with lots of excitement about new books.

🏆 Children’s Highlights

  • TT Rockstars

  • Adding more detail to our mountain dioramas

  • Playing with friends

  • Maths and choosing challenges

  • R.E. and learning about Judaism

  • The Book Fair!

💬 Ask at Home

  • Where was George Mallory born?

  • Name a mountain he climbed when he was younger?

  • What place did he climb with no ropes when he was seven? (Clue – his father was the vicar.)

  • What war did George fight in?

  • What famous and tragic battle was Mallory involved in?

  • What did George do six days before the war started?

  • Which university did George attend?

  • What sport did he take up there?

  • What subjects did he study?

  • What job did George have after university?

  • What made George different from other teachers?

  • What was the purpose of the 1921 Everest expedition?

  • What tragic event happened during the second expedition in 1922?

✨ House Points Challenge
Children who answer all of these questions and bring them into school before Wednesday will be awarded 25 house points.

🔜 Looking Ahead – Next Week in Year 4

  • R.E.: Judaism – The Ten Commandments

  • The Perils of the Mountain (dangers of Everest)

  • Dioramas

  • Science: Sound – muffling sound

  • Everest fact files

  • French: Shopping

📚 Homework This Week

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

  • ➕ Maths: Pink sheet – Unit 11

  • 📖 Reading: 15 minutes daily (records checked Monday, plus 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 by Friday – children know where to hand it in.

🔔 Reminders

  • Reading records are due every Monday (with daily logs).

  • ⭐ Reading Challenge: 20 reads = 10 house points

🗓️ Dates for Your Diary

  • 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