The Wind in the Willows - Learning Objectives

The Year 4 curriculum for Summer Term 2 includes a literary journey through the classic tale "The Wind in the Willows" by Kenneth Grahame, complemented by the poem "The River" by Valerie Bloom. This unit is thoughtfully linked with subjects such as Geography, where students will explore settlements and river studies, History, focusing on the significance of rivers in the past, and Science, delving into the water cycle. The learning objectives are designed to enhance students' comprehension and expression through various written outcomes, such as retelling stories, explaining scientific phenomena like the water cycle, and creating informative texts about rivers. These activities encourage pupils to apply their learning to real-world experiences, such as recounting a trip or providing instructions.

Throughout the term, pupils will engage with core texts and non-fiction materials about rivers, aiming to develop their reading, spoken language, and writing skills. Objectives include giving opinions with reasons, listening to others, and using Standard English in discussions. In reading, students will identify and discuss the setting of a book, empathise with characters, and utilise non-fiction resources for research. In writing composition, they will focus on vocabulary selection, paragraph planning, and narrative structure. The grammar and vocabulary objectives emphasise the use of expanded noun phrases, fronted adverbials, direct speech, and correct punctuation to enhance the clarity and impact of their writing. This multifaceted approach is designed to foster a deep understanding of the texts and topics, as well as to develop the students' ability to communicate effectively in both spoken and written forms.