Welcome to Curlews Class
PE days for Term 5 are:
TUESDAYS & FRIDAYS
We are a Year 4 class taught by Mrs Jarvis.
I love reading, swimming and exploring nature – especially the beach and new holiday destinations. Spending quality time with my family is very important to me. I also enjoy cooking and trying new recipes. As an avid writer, I love drawing inspiration from the world around me and expressing ideas through writing. I am deeply passionate about the belief that every child matters and carry this value into everything I do.
What are we learning about this Term?
How Did the Achievements of the Ancient Maya Impact Their Society and Beyond?
This term, Year 4 will be delving into the remarkable world of the Ancient Maya, a civilisation known for its creativity, innovation, and deep connection to the rainforest environment. Children will explore how Maya achievements shaped their own society – and how some of their ideas still influence the world today.
Settling in the Rainforest
Children will investigate:
- How the Maya adapted to life in the dense rainforests of Central America
- The ways they used natural resources to build homes, grow crops, and develop thriving communities
- Why their location helped their civilisation grow and flourish
What Archaeology Reveals
Using archaeological evidence, children will explore:
- The structure and layout of Maya cities
- The purpose of temples, plazas, and pyramids
- What artefacts tell us about daily life, leadership, and social organisation
This helps them understand how historians piece together the past.
Beliefs, Inventions, and Daily Life
The unit will uncover the Maya’s extraordinary achievements, including:
- Their complex writing system (hieroglyphs)
- Their advanced understanding of mathematics and astronomy
- Their religious beliefs and rituals
- Their impressive calendar systems
Children will consider how these achievements shaped Maya society and influenced later civilisations.
The Importance of Cacao
Children will also discover why cacao was so valuable to the Maya:
- How it was grown and traded
- Why it was used in ceremonies
- How it became the basis of the chocolate we enjoy today
Developing Historical Skills
Throughout the unit, children will strengthen their skills in:
- Enquiry – asking thoughtful questions about the past
- Interpretation – analysing sources and evidence
- Understanding past societies – recognising how and why civilisations change over time
By the end of the term, they will be able to explain how the achievements of the Ancient Maya had a lasting impact on their own society – and how some of their ideas continue to influence the modern world.
Parent Overview
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