Clifton College Website

English in Year 4

Pupils in year 4 have most of their lessons with a class teacher. A different emphasis may be placed in the various classes because of the range of ability and previous experience, but classes will cover Reading, Written Response to Reading, Writing, Language Skills (Handwriting, Spelling, Grammar and Punctuation), Poetry, Speaking and Listening, and Vocabulary Development. All teachers in this year, and in years 5 and 6, follow a scheme of work based on the original Department of Education's ‘The National Literacy Strategy' file, invaluable as a guide and a prompt as to what essential skills need to be covered. Technical skills are given detailed attention: Word/Sentence Level work comes under headings - Phonics, Spelling (sets of the Letts ‘Just Spelling’ series or of CGP Spelling books can be used), Vocabulary, Grammar and Punctuation. Included in the Text Level work is a wide range of writing and comprehension under the broad headings of Fiction, Poetry and Non-Fiction. Progress is assessed through regular grades and at the end of the year, using the QCA Optional Year 4 tests or similar. A variety of support resources is available, including a literacy coursebook, literacy workbooks and the Galore Park 'So You Really Want to Learn English'. All teachers ask the pupils to keep a record of their private reading in the reading journal in which there are opportunities to record and comment.

We try to ensure that year 4 will have sessions listening to visiting storytellers, authors and actors.

© 2006-12 Clifton College