Year 4–6 online group sessions
A week-by-week look at our English and Maths sessions, from end of August through to early November.
Ten weeks, two one-hour sessions each week. Use the tabs below to see exactly what we're covering, and the homework task that goes alongside it.
We read a short story closely, thinking about how the writer builds atmosphere and draws the reader in.
We practise expanded noun phrases and varied sentence openers.
Children write their own descriptive setting piece, using the SPAG focus to bring a place to life on the page.
Write a short paragraph describing a place that feels calm or exciting, using at least two expanded noun phrases.
We explore how authors reveal character through dialogue, action and small details.
We focus on adjectives, similes and powerful verbs.
Children write a character description, choosing vocabulary with real intention.
Describe a favourite book or film character in five or six sentences, including at least one simile.
This week's reading focuses on first-person narrative voice.
We practise consistent use of the past tense and first-person pronouns.
Children write a diary entry in role as a character.
Write a diary entry as if you were on an adventure, staying in the first person and past tense throughout.
We practise skimming and scanning non-fiction texts to retrieve information quickly and accurately.
We focus on subheadings, the present tense, and fronted adverbials.
Children produce their own non-chronological report, organised clearly with subheadings.
Research three facts about a topic of your choice and write them up under a clear subheading.
We look at adverts and persuasive letters, identifying the techniques writers use to influence their reader.
We focus on rhetorical questions and imperative verbs.
Children write their own persuasive piece, making their argument land.
Write a short persuasive paragraph convincing someone to try your favourite hobby.
We explore figurative language in poetry, noticing how imagery is created.
We focus on similes, metaphors and personification.
Children write their own descriptive poem, experimenting with figurative language.
Write a four-line poem that includes at least one simile or metaphor.
We read newspaper reports and practise telling fact from opinion.
We focus on reported speech and a formal, objective tone.
Children write their own newspaper report.
Write a short newspaper-style report about an event from home or school this week.
We study story structure and plot, looking at how good stories are shaped.
We focus on paragraphing and varied sentence openers.
Children plan and begin drafting an original short story of their own.
Complete a story plan covering the beginning, problem, key events and resolution.
We practise reading our own and each other's work with a critical, constructive eye.
We focus on proofreading: checking punctuation, tense and common grammar slips.
Children edit and improve their draft story from last week, using SPAG checks to polish it.
Read back through your story draft and fix at least three things you'd like to improve.
We practise reading aloud with expression and fluency, ready to share our work.
We do a final accuracy check together, tidying up any last punctuation or grammar.
Children complete and publish their final story, ready to share with the group.
Practise reading your finished story aloud at home, ready to share it with confidence.
We build strong number sense, reading, writing, ordering and partitioning numbers confidently for each child's year group.
Children apply place value to simple reasoning questions, explaining their thinking.
Complete a short place value practice sheet, ordering and partitioning a set of numbers.
Children practise efficient written and mental methods for adding and subtracting.
We apply these strategies to word problems, choosing the best method for the numbers involved.
Complete a mixed set of addition and subtraction questions using the method practised in the session.
This week is all about fluency: recalling times tables quickly and using related division facts.
Children use known facts to solve related problems quickly, building genuine confidence.
Practise times tables for ten minutes using flashcards, an app, or a quick-fire quiz with a family member.
Children apply multiplication and division to real word problems and everyday situations.
We focus on identifying which operation a problem needs and explaining the reasoning clearly.
Complete five word problems that involve choosing between multiplication and division.
Children learn to recognise, compare and order fractions, including spotting equivalent fractions.
We use visual models to reason about which fractions are bigger or smaller, and why.
Complete a worksheet ordering a set of fractions from smallest to largest.
Building on last week, children learn to add, subtract, and find fractions of amounts.
We apply this to real-life problems, such as sharing quantities fairly.
Complete a set of questions finding fractions of given amounts.
We explore decimal place value and practise converting confidently between fractions and decimals.
Children solve reasoning problems that connect decimals to money and measurement.
Complete a short worksheet ordering decimals and converting between fractions and decimals.
Children apply their number skills to measurement, calculating perimeter and area.
We solve multi-step problems involving shapes and real objects.
Measure and calculate the perimeter and area of two rectangular objects at home, such as a table or a rug.
Children learn to read and interpret bar charts, tables and line graphs accurately.
We solve reasoning problems that involve comparing and drawing conclusions from data.
Find a chart or graph at home (a weather app, a recipe, a receipt) and write two facts it tells you.
We revisit the term's key number skills through a mixed set of questions.
Children tackle a varied problem-solving challenge that draws on everything covered this term.
Complete a short mixed review sheet covering the term's key topics, ready to celebrate progress together.
A note on differentiation
Y4, Y5 and Y6 children work on the same weekly topic together, with texts, questions and challenge pitched to each child's year group. Y4 children focus on securing the core skill with plenty of support; Y5 children apply it with growing independence; Y6 children are stretched further with more complex language, larger numbers and deeper reasoning.
About the homework
A short homework task follows every session, designed to take no more than fifteen to twenty minutes and to reinforce that week's learning. It's a lovely, low-pressure way to keep the conversation about school going at home.