This week, the children in Year 4 moved onto formal written methods for addition in their Maths learning, using place value counters to represent number sentences and check their regroupings for ones, tens and hundreds. In English, they have written paragraphs using figurative language to describe setting before creating detailed story maps using our shared story, Ice Palace.

In Science, they conducted practical investigations to explain how sound is made.

They later made links between concepts such as vibration, volume, frequency and pitch.

In Art, the class used threads and needles to stitch patterns into paper, mimicking an artist we learnt about previously, as their last step before creating their final pieces in our Drawing unit.

In RE, we looked at a special form of prayer, the Lectio Divina, which we are going to pray in class during Advent. The children learnt about the structure and explained in groups what they will do in each stage, when, where and why. We also wrote prayers linked to Remembrance day and decorated our classroom with poppies.

In PE, we moved on in our gymnastics unit and worked on pair balances and contrasting ways of travelling between mats.

Thank you so much for all parents who sent in junk modelling items to support our Science learning. Next week is still great, if you have any of the listed resources as we are starting our project the week beginning 20th November. Also huge thank you for the tissue donations; these are always welcome and much appreciated, especially during these cold months.

I hope you have a lovely weekend,

Ms Varga

It is the end of our first half term. All the children have settled into Year 4 and it has been wonderful to speak to you at parents evening  to celebrate their achievements so far.

This week was One World Week and we learnt about Colombia. The class used atlases, globes and Google Earth to locate the country and to explore its geography in depth, looking at the surrounding oceans, the Andes and the Amazon rainforest. We later looked at general knowledge questions, such as the currency used, languages spoken or the forms of religion practiced. We also learnt some simple greetings and asked each other about our days in Spanish using chatter boxes made in class. On Tuesday, we welcomed Dino’s aunty, who taught us about everything Colombia, from football to climate, through coffee and music. We sampled plantain crisps and smelt Colombian coffee.

We later learnt about a traditional Colombian textile art form called Mola and had a go at creating our own pictures using fusion applique technique.

On Wednesday, we had yet another visitor in Gabriella’s mummy who taught us about life in Colombia through Encanto, Disney’s inspirational South America themed movie. We learnt about diversity, export items, nature and also looked at 3 inspirational Colombian people, Gabriel Garcia Marquez- author, Shakira- singer, songwriter and activist, as well as Manuel Elkin Patarroyo- Scientist, creator of the first malaria vaccine. We also tasted bunuelos- a Colombian cheese doughnut and Colombiana- a bright coloured fizzy drink.

We danced the Salsa and listened to traditional Latin American music, as well as baking our own Colombian dessert, Alfajores- a caramel filled sandwich biscuit.

On Thursday, we went off to Epping Forest District Museum to participate in a Roman Britain workshop. We handled artefacts, dressed up, visited the exhibition centre, played Roman board games, looked at coins, practiced being an archeologist and made Roman inspired clay tiles.

Thank you for Dino’s aunty and Gabriella’s mummy for supporting our learning in such a creative and fun way. The children had a fantastic time and gained so much from your sessions. Thank you for generously giving up your time and to spoil us with all your lovely treats!

I wish you all a lovely and restful half term.

Ms Varga

P.S.: Please keep up with your reading and update your logs. Log onto Mathsframe if you can and  practice your mixed multiplication facts.

Other than that, stay dry and enjoy your week off- you all deserve it!

See you in a week’s time.

The children in Year 4 consolidated their understanding of Place value and looked at various ways to practice their multiplication facts. In English, they have written diary entries from a new character’s point of view recalling key events from our class book, The Spider and the Fly before revising speech punctuation as their grammar focus. In Art, the class practiced mark making as part of their new drawing unit, whilst in RE, they learnt about ways of welcoming as a lead up for their later learning about the Sacraments of Initiation. We also started practicing for our assembly centered around the life and work of St Vincent de Paul. In Science, the children reconstructed the entire digestive system consolidating their understanding of the role of each basic part and in Computing, they looked at network switches and their role to keep networks safe.

This afternoon, the children were treated to Alice in Wonderland by a marvellous theatre company…Year 4 were glued to the set!

The class assembly is next week :Thursday, 28th September 2023. All parents are welcome!

I hope you have a lovely weekend,

Ms Varga