English Long Term Plan - Year 4

Introduction

This comprehensive long-term plan outlines the English curriculum for Year 4 students. During this crucial year, learners will build upon the foundations established in earlier years while developing increasingly sophisticated skills in reading, writing, speaking and listening. The plan follows the National Curriculum guidelines and aims to foster a love for language and literature while ensuring academic progression.

Learning Objectives

Core Curriculum Areas

Reading

Reading in Year 4 focuses on developing comprehension skills across a variety of genres. Students will:

• Develop skills in inference and deduction
• Discuss and explore themes in texts
• Make predictions based on evidence
• Retrieve and record information from non-fiction
• Build vocabulary through guided reading
• Examine how writers use language for effect

Writing

Writing tasks will include both fiction and non-fiction genres, with emphasis on:

• Writing narratives with a clear structure
• Composing non-fiction texts (reports, explanations, instructions)
• Organizing paragraphs around a theme
• Using a range of sentence structures
• Incorporating dialogue in stories
• Editing and improving their own work

Spelling, Punctuation and Grammar

Students will consolidate and extend their knowledge of:

• Spelling patterns and rules
• Prefixes and suffixes
• Homophones and near-homophones
• Using apostrophes for possession and contraction
• Inverted commas for direct speech
• Precise noun phrases
• Prepositions and conjunctions
• Fronted adverbials

Speaking and Listening

Opportunities for development will include:

• Class discussions and debates
• Presentations on topics of interest
• Drama activities and role-play
• Poetry recitation
• Active listening and questioning

Term-by-Term Breakdown

Recommended Reading List

Spelling Focus Areas by Term

Term	Focus Areas
Autumn	Suffixes ending in -tion, -sion, -ssion, -cian; Homophones; Words with the 'g' sound
Spring	The suffix -ous; Words with 'ch' sounding like 'k' and 'sh'; Words with the 'shun' sound
Summer	Words with prefixes 'il-', 'im-', 'ir-', 're-', 'sub-'; Words with endings sounding like 'zhun'; Statutory Year 4 words

Assessment Methods

Student progress will be monitored through a variety of formative and summative assessment strategies:

• Weekly spelling tests - Checking application of spelling patterns
• Guided reading notes - Individual records of progress and targets
• Writing portfolios - Collection of work showing development across genres
• Peer and self-assessment - Encouraging reflection and improvement
• Grammar activities - Short assessments on specific rules
• Termly reading comprehension tests - Understanding both fiction and non-fiction

Resources and Support Materials

The following resources will support teaching and learning:

• Class library of age-appropriate fiction and non-fiction
• Digital resources: Reading Eggs, Spelling Shed, Purple Mash
• Rewards and incentives to motivate reading at home
• Grammar and punctuation reference guides
• Visual aids for writing structures
• Word banks and vocabulary displays
• Reading journals for independent responses

Homework Expectations

• Weekly spelling practice - Words to learn and apply
• Regular reading - At least 4 times per week with recording in home reading diary
• Writing tasks - Short occasional writing assignments linked to class work
• Grammar activities - Online or paper-based exercises

Parental Involvement

To support literacy development, parents are encouraged to:

• Hear their child read regularly and discuss the text
• Provide opportunities for writing at home (cards, shopping lists, emails)
• Encourage use of the correct terminology for parts of language
• Visit the local library to borrow books
• Discuss new vocabulary encountered in reading
• Support home learning tasks

Differentiation

This long-term plan includes provision for:

• Additional support for students with SEND through adapted resources and targeted interventions
• Extension activities for higher attainers including more complex texts and writing challenges
• Flexible grouping strategies to meet diverse learning needs
• Multi-sensory approaches to support different learning styles
• Scaffolding and modelling of tasks with gradual release of responsibility

Cross-Curricular Links

English skills will be applied and reinforced across other subjects:

• History: Reading historical accounts; writing diary entries from different time periods
• Science: Writing scientific reports; reading non-fiction texts
• Geography: Descriptive writing about places; researching geographical features
• R.E.: Reading sacred texts; writing reflections on beliefs
• Art: Evaluating and discussing art; writing art critiques

Conclusion

This Year 4 English long-term plan aims to deliver a balanced and progressive curriculum that develops all aspects of literacy. Through engaging with quality texts, exploring different writing genres, and developing strong technical skills, students will make significant progress in their English capabilities. Regular assessment will inform planning and ensure that all learners reach their potential while developing a lifelong love for reading and writing.