W/C 2nd December 2024

This week in English, we have all written short stories inspired by a picture. We focused on using fronted adverbials and ambitious, powerful adjectives. We have also continued with our text 'Ice palace' and reached the dramatic end. We used our summary and sequencing skills to identify the key events in the story and then made a story map in groups. Next week, we will be  writing our own script for a scene in 'Ice palace' and focusing on the punctuation and layout for scripts, including colons and brackets. Next week we will also be creating a non-chronological report using the facts we have found out about our chosen animal from our homework. This homework was set last week so everyone should have completed this in preparation for Tuesday's lesson next week. Please can Homework books be in school this day.

 

In Maths this week, we have developed confidence with the 7, 11 and 12 times tables and reminded ourselves of the rules when multiplying by 1 and 0. We have made sure we understand the definitions of sum and product.  Next week in Maths, we will divide a number by 1 and itself and learn to multiply three numbers together.

Our artistic skills were put to the test in History when we found out about the eruption of Mount Vesuvius. We used pastels to create dramatic pictures of the eruption and could recall the events as they unfolded all those years ago. 

Our understanding of population is increasing in Geography lessons and this week we learnt more details about the Welsh population and culture.

In Gymnastics with Hayley this week we started putting all the moves we have learned together into a routine. The routine is an official routine used in Gymnastics competitions and we will be polishing our routines and then filming them next week in our last lesson with Hayley. The routines included arabesques, forward rolls, cartwheels and jumps. The progress from the start of this term is noticeable and everyone has developed more control and poise completing moves. 

     

 

W/C 25th November 2024

Wow! What a wonderful week we have had in Year 4! In English we have started reading our new text, 'Ice Palace' by Robert Swindells. The story is about a boy called 'Ivan' who decides to go on a long, dangerous and bitterly cold journey to rescue his younger brother. In our classes we held a conscience alley. One child was Ivan and the rest of the class had to persuade Ivan to decide whether to keep going or turn back. There was some really thoughtful and persuasive language used and excellent listening skills demonstrated. We have written down our persuasive thoughts and written predictions using evidence from the text to decide what Ivan’s fate will be.

Next week in English we will be writing a short story inspired by a picture.  We will also be learning about features of scripts and writing a scene from the Ice Palace as a script.

In Maths, we have continued multiplication and have surprised ourselves at the many different strategies we can use to work out the higher numbered times tables. We realised we could use our five and two times tables to work out the seven times tables.

Next week in Maths, we will continue using strategies to work out the 7, 11 and 12 times tables and finish the week by remembering the rules of multiplying by 1 and 0.

Our DT day was a fantastic finish to the week. We started the day learning about pneumatics and what is powered by pneumatics. We then designed our own moving monster with a moving part. Once our designs were finished, we followed instructions to make our monsters and used pneumatics to move one part of our creation. We wrote instructions to explain how to make our monsters work and then peer and self-evaluated our creations. Everyone one worked so hard throughout the day and we are sure you will be impressed when you see the marvellous, moving monsters come home! Make sure you view the DT day photos too. (If you are viewing this on a mobile device, you may need to scroll to the bottom for the 'Year 4 Photos Page')

W/C 18th November 2024

This week we have been working very hard in Year 4. In English we have planned and then written an informal letter. We had to write about an achievement  and there were some very thoughtful letters full of pride. This was an independent task and we used our plans, dictionaries and thesaurus to help us. We tried to use contractions and abstract nouns, as well as remaining in past tense using first person. Next week, in English we will be completing assessments in reading and punctuation and grammar. We will then start our new text, 'Ice palace' by Robert Swindells.

In Maths, we have continued our learning of multiples and completed independent assessments. We have worked really hard and shown resilience and enormous amounts of concentration. These assessments in English and Maths will then inform teachers of areas we need to have further lessons on and areas where we have a confident understanding of. Next week in Maths, we will consolidate multiples of 3, 6 and 9 and then learn strategies to  multiply and divide by 7.

Our netball skills are continuing to improve and this week we practised our chest, bounce and shoulder passes. Thursday afternoons are always spent as a Year group for outdoor PE. There was a lot of positive teamwork and determination, despite the cold!

             

 

W/C 11th November 2024

What a special week it has been. With a poignant and reflective start to  the week with Remembrance day. We made poppies with poems or words that we linked to Remembrance day and had a reflective collective worship. We have also enjoyed wearing spotty items for children in need today.

This week we have continued our learning in English linked to the text 'Romans on the Rampage'. We have all planned our own inventions and created a leaflet about them. We had to think about the different features and who the inventions would be useful for. Next week, Year 4 classes will be swapping leaflets and voting on the best invention. The best invention from each class will win a prize. The enthusiasm and level of imagination has been phenomenal and the inventions have included a 'Thinking box 5000', a 'Naturebot', a 'Skittle drinks machine', a 'cooler/heater jumper', a 'Sensibot' and the world's first 'teleporter'! Luckily we are just drawing and writing about them and not making them! Next week in English, we will be learning about different types of nouns with a focus on abstract nouns. We will also be writing informal letters.

In Maths this week, we have compared areas and found the difference between them. We have now moved on to our next unit of multiplication. We have focused on multiples of 3 and 6 and have learnt the fact families. We have  found out how we can use our knowledge of one times table to work out another e.g. double threes to help with sixes.  Next week, we will continue to focus on multiplication and division of multiples of 6 and 9. 

We finished our week with our stunning start to our new topic, 'Spectacular Systems'. We spent most of the day as engineers. We learnt what engineering is, what engineers do and all about the engineer design cycle. We scrutinised a pen and discussed the design features and why they were necessary. We were set our own problem and had to use the engineer design cycle to make a piece of paper travel across the classroom. Our limitation was one piece of paper and two minutes! The screwed up piece of paper won! We carried out different experiments to explore how to change the volume and pitch of a sound. We have also started planning to add sound to a silent movie clip. We really enjoyed our stunning start and will be able to use our new knowledge to make our own sound generators later in the term. To make our own sound generators, each child will need a small tub that can be cut; a large margarine tub or small ice cream tub or similar will be ideal. Please can these be sent in by the 27th November. 

A reminder that homework is uploaded on the Year 4 homework page each week as well as sent home in books. Homework is always due back in on a Thursday and handed out on a Friday. There is also now a Reading spine handout uploaded on the homework page for those parents that would like recommendations of books for their child to read. The reading suggestions cover every year group, so hopefully there will be books to suit all abilities and interests. 

 

W/C 4th November 2024

What a busy first week to Term 2. In Maths this week, we focused on how to check our answers using the inverse and on identifying mistakes and correcting them. We have started learning about area and how to measure area using squares. We used a variety of resources to measure a table and used our problem solving skills to decide which were accurate and effective strategies. Next week we will continue to learn about area. We will identify the properties of rectilinear shapes and compare different areas. 

In English this week, we have identified which prefixes and suffixes are added to root words and how they change the meaning of words. We wrote our own poems on Monday using a variety of features and styles. We have now started our new text 'Romans on the Rampage' which we are finding very funny! It is all written from the viewpoint of a raven. We have finished the week writing character descriptions about the rather boastful raven! Next week in English we will be focusing on non-fiction writing and will be planning and writing about our own imaginary inventions for the future.

We are very fortunate that this term we have Gymnastics teacher, Hayley, leading our PE lessons. This week we learnt essential warm-up routines for gymnastics. We then learnt straight, star, and tuck jumps and a half and whole turn jumps. We learnt how to hold our landings for 3 seconds and finished with important stretches. 

 

       

     

 

W/C 21st October 2024

 

We have had a fantastic last week of term and crammed a lot of learning. In Maths we have been adding and subtracting four digit numbers with more than one exchange. We have also been developing our problem solving skills. We have been checking the strategies we use, spotting mistakes and making corrections.  After half term, we will consolidate our learning of addition and subtraction with some fluency lessons and then move on to understanding and identifying area.

In English we have read the book 'Rhythm of the rain' by Grahame Baker-Smith. We also analysed two river poems, one by Edgar Allan Poe and the other by Caroline Anne Bowles. We have written some wonderfully descriptive poems in the style of these poets. Our next reading adventure will start after half term by exploring the book, 'Romans on the Rampage' by Jeremy Strong, and we will write an extended character description.

In Science this week we consolidated our learning on sound and had a carousel of experiments to explore sound, how it travels, how it can be changed and how it can be absorbed. We listened and watched intently to a tuning fork both in and out of water and could then use scientific vocabulary to explain what we had observed.

We are all very proud of our finish artwork of a tiger in the jungle. We used techniques to show tone and depth and evaluated our work, identifying areas we could improve. 

                      

W/C 14th October 2024

This week in English, we have finished reading Tiger Tiger and we wrote our own sequels. We thought about story structure when writing our stories and used an exciting opening sentence. We organised our writing into paragraphs and, as always, did our best to use ambitious vocabulary. There is an extract of a story below written using effective paragraphs.

In Maths, we have been adding and subtracting 4-digit numbers using the column method. We have looked carefully at problems and used our reasoning skills to identify when we will need to exchange and when we won't.

There has been a lot of concentration and perseverance whilst drawing tigers in art over the last few weeks. We have being developing our shading skills to add tone and depth. The effects so far have been very successful. Watch out for some photos of the finished artwork next week.

Next week in Maths, we will be adding and subtracting 4 digit numbers with more than one exchange used. In English we will be reading the Rhythm of the Rain book by Grahame Baker-Smith and using it to inspire us to write expanded noun phrases and poems. We will be comparing poems and then using the features and style of a poem to write our own poem about rain and rivers.

W/C 7th October 2024

We have had another busy and enjoyable week of learning in Year 4. In English we started the week with a 'conscience alley' and the teachers were 'Boots' the tiger and the children were the voices telling Boots, the tiger, to turn back to the palace or to run free; it got extremely noisy, but the children had a lot of fun. For the rest of the week, we have planned and written persuasive letters to Emperor Caesar to convince him to grant Boots his freedom.

In Maths, we have been rounding numbers to the nearest 10, 100 and 1000. We have also been adding and subtracting tens, hundreds and thousands. We have found it challenging to remember which numbers change and it has been helpful to use place value mats and counters to support our understanding.

In Geography we reviewed our learning from our trip by writing facts that compared the river Rhine with the river Medway. We also explored manmade and natural changes that occur on the Rhine.

In History we are still excited about learning more about the Romans. This week we learnt about the Punic wars and compared the success of the Romans siege of Carthage three times!

In science we are continuing to learn about sound and how soundwaves travel. We used a slinky to demonstrate a soundwave and learnt about compression and rarefaction.

In art we have been learning about shape and shading and the children are using this knowledge to draw a tiger.

In music we have continued to play our recorders and we are making great progress in holding our notes, and playing chorally too.

Next week in Maths, we will be adding and subtracting 4-digit numbers with and without exchange. In English we will planning and writing a sequel to Tiger Tiger. We will think about story structure and when to use paragraphs.

 

W/C 30th September 2024

Wow what an exciting week we have had in year 4!

In Maths, we have been learning Roman numerals to 100 and rounding up to the nearest 10. In English we have continued reading 'Tiger Tiger' and in groups thought about an imaginary pet that we thought we could persuade an audience was the best pet ever! The speeches used lots of persuasive language and were very compelling. They were presented to a group of willing year 5 children who had the tough job of deciding on the best pet!

Next week, in Maths, we will continue rounding numbers to the nearest 1000. Then we will move on to subtracting 1s, 10s, 100s and 1000s. In English we will be writing a persuasive argument using imperative (bossy) verbs and the persuasive language we have been using this week.

The highlight of our week has been our rather wet, but enjoyable school trip to Tonbridge, to continue our learning in Geography about rivers. We learnt lots of facts about the River Medway and some of the history of the river. This also linked to our learning about the Romans. The ‘Battle of the Medway’ was the first major recorded battle of the Roman invasion of Britain under the Emperor Claudius in 43AD. We learnt about how the River Medway was the reason the castle was built there and how it was used for imports and exports. We thought about the positive and negative impacts of the river on the town of Tonbridge. We used ribbon to compare the length of the River Rhine and the River Medway and then, for a fun science fact, compared this to how long the veins are in the human body if all put together. An impressive 100,000 kilometres approximately!

 

We were very grateful to St Peter and St Paul’s church who allowed us to use the church to enjoy our lunch and complete some of our activities in the dry. We spent time comparing the town of Tonbridge to the city of Cologne in Germany. We used maps and pictures to help us as well as good observational skills. We sketched the River Medway and labelled the key features. We learnt about the flooding that Tonbridge has suffered throughout history and observed the modern-day defences to prevent damage. We learnt about the flood barrier and flood storage area and talked about how we might feel if our home was at risk from flooding and what action we would take. It was a day crammed full of cross-curricular learning and it was lovely to see the children build on friendships across the two classes.

 

Thank you so much to the wonderful volunteers who accompanied us on our trip. Such trips would not be possible without you and, being able to discuss and work in small groups, really enriched the children’s experience and learning.

 

             

      

W/C 23rd September 2024

This week in year 4 we have started reading our new text ‘Tiger Tiger’ by Lynne Reid Banks and the children are very excited by it already. We have been inspired to write a setting description about the jungle and a character description about Princess Aurelia. We have used relevant adverbs and some ambitious vocabulary to capture the readers interest.

In Maths, we have been comparing numbers to 10,000 and consolidating our knowledge of place value. We are becoming confident at finding 10, 100 and 1000 more and less than a given number. We have also been practising our times tables on 'Times Tables Rock Stars' and have all completed a soundcheck this week. Please continue to do these at home.

We are continuing to enjoy our science topic on sound and went outside’ this week to understand how the distance travelled affects the sound we hear. We had to record where we thought we heard a sound without looking and all showed excellent listening skills.

Next week, in Maths, we will be ordering and rounding numbers to 10,000 and learning roman numerals up to 100. In English we will be using persuasive language to present an argument.

We are also looking forward to our trip to Tonbridge on Monday. Please remember snacks, drinks, packed lunch, carrier bags to sit on, uniform with comfortable trainers and waterproof coats and bags. Many thanks for your support.

W/C 16th September 2023

This week in Maths we have continued our learning on place value and have been partitioning numbers to 10,000. We have been developing our use of mathematical language to be able to explain the difference between numbers, using 10’s, 100’s and 1,000’s. Next week in Maths, we will be using a number line to estimate numbers up to 10,000 and comparing and ordering numbers up to 10,000.

In English this week, our learning has continued linked to the text 'The Comet' by Joe Todd-Stanton and we have enjoyed writing descriptive poems about the sea and the city, using adverbs and adverbial phrases.  We have also explored the character, ‘Nyla’, from the book, and written a diary entry making sure we included feelings and used past tense and informal language.  Next week in English, we will be introducing our captivating new text ‘Tiger, Tiger’ by Lynne Reid Banks. We will be writing a setting description, character description and making predictions using evidence from the text and inference.

In Geography, we have been learning about the river Rhine and features of rivers. We learnt about how the Rhine affects the city of Cologne.  A letter has been emailed about our upcoming trip into Tonbridge to learn more about rivers. We would be very grateful for parent volunteers.

This week in Science, we explored how sound travels. We observed how sugar moves when placed on cling film over a bowl, just by making a noise near it. The vibrations caused by the soundwaves moved the sugar. We learnt lots of amazing facts about sound, so feel free to ask some questions about sound at home!

In PE this week, we had fun developing our fundamental skills indoors on Tuesday. We had some challenging tasks, such as moving cones between hoops with just our feet while sitting down and trying to move a ball around ourselves using just one foot! It was an exciting way to develop our coordination. On Thursday, both Year 4 classes enjoyed PE together outside in the sunshine. We continued to learn a variety of ball skills and played a game which depended on our throwing and catching skills to stay in the game. It was wonderful to see such excellent teamwork and sportspersonship.

W/C 3rd September 2024

Year 4 have had a wonderful first week back. The children have enjoyed catching up with old friends and have made some new friends as we have welcomed several new students.

We have written and signed Class charters and reminded everyone of the high expectations we have for them at Bishop Chavasse. All the children have settled into school life quickly and have been working hard already.

We have had a lot of RHE based learning to support children in their return to school. They have been thinking about the skills and qualities that make them special and what strategies help them to learn well and stay on the green zone of regulation. We have developed our teamwork skills by building towers with cocktail sticks and sweets! We then used this to think about strong foundations like in the story of the wise and foolish man from the Bible.

In English, the children have all written a recount of a favourite memory from their holidays. They used first person and past tense as well as some rich vocabulary for description. We have also described what is special about her homes and produced some fantastic descriptive writing which will be proudly displayed on the Wow writing board in the corridor.

We are looking forward to a full timetable of learning next week. In Maths we will be concentrating on place value and partitioning numbers to 1000. In English we will read the book ‘The Comet’ by Joe Todd Stanton and write a newspaper report about a comet landing! We will develop our interview skills and use direct speech and non-direct speech.