Doves

Welcome to Doves Class

We are a Year 4 class taught by Mrs Gilbert.

I have a real passion for drama and music, especially rock music. I love a visit to the theatre to watch a musical or play as well as performing in plays myself in a local amateur dramatics group. Spending time with my family is very important to me and I love going on days out and exploring at theme parks, the zoo or a new city. I look forward to bringing that same sense of fun, curiosity and creativity into the classroom to inspire the children’s imagination, support their progress, nurture their confidence and promote a love of learning.

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

Year 4 Parent Overview Term 5

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