Go with the Flow

Dear Parents,
Over the next 11 weeks those of us in 4th Grade will be following a unit of work on a theme which focuses on ‘Rivers’

This unit of work is part of the International Primary Curriculum. This new curriculum sets out very clearly what children will learn – the learning goals – in three different areas:
 1. The subjects of the curriculum. The learning goals for each of these subjects are at least as challenging as anything taught in the curriculum taught in your child’s own country. In many cases, the learning goals are more challenging.
2. Personal development – the characteristics which will help children become more responsible, independent learners.
3. International understanding – which will help children develop both a sense of the independence of their own country and culture and the interdependence between countries and cultures. Each unit of work is based around specific targets derived from the learning goals for one or more of the subjects. During this unit we will be focusing on Geography, Science, Technology, History, Society and International.

 In Geography, we’ll be finding out:
• How the shape of a river is always changing
• How it changes the land through which it flows
• What happens when it floods
• What uses people make of rivers

 In Science, we’ll be finding out:
• Where water comes from
• How to grow a stalactite
• How to clean water
 • How water can be used to make power
 • How rivers provide important habitats for wildlife

 In Technology, we’ll be finding out:
• How bridges are built and then putting what we have learned into practice with ‘the great bridge-building challenge’

 In History, we’ll be finding out:
• About the importance of the River Nile in every aspect of life in Ancient Egypt

 In Society and International, we’ll be finding out:
• That rivers still have an importance in the everyday life of people across the world, and we’ll be looking at the effect of river management for communities and for countries when rivers are dammed
• We will be finding out why we all need to use less water

 All of the work we are going to do has been specially written to help your child reach the learning goals. Children will be reading, researching, writing, illustrating, working on their own and working in groups. We will be checking to see how well your child has learned through particular activities and asking children to explain their work, perhaps to you. We already know the interest you take in your child’s work. If you can, please discuss with your child the work they have done as the term progresses and let them teach you. If your child has some work to research, please help them, but without actually doing the work. If you have the chance to further their interest in the ideas of this theme please take it, but your enthusiasm and interest is most important.

By the end of the unit, we hope your child has achieved all of the learning targets. We hope they have had an enjoyable time in the classroom. And we hope you have enjoyed seeing your child work with enthusiasm. If you have any comments about the work your child has done, please get in touch.

 4th Grade Team