Friday, 4th February 2022

Year 4 had yet another busy week.

In English, the children placed their last Roman myth into context looking at artifacts and maps to gain a deep understanding about the characters and settings. Later in the week, they used that myth to plan their own version upon. The children came up with brilliant ideas and are ready to write their narrative on Monday. In Maths, we have finished conversion of measurements with a practical comparing and ordering lesson before moving on to properties of 2D shapes using precise mathematical language. In Science, they investigated the melting points of different substances, collecting data of temperature in degrees Celsius and time.

On Wednesday, we celebrated Candlemas, Jesus’ presentation in the Temple and created paper lanterns using flame resistant paper bags and scented candles. The children wrote beautiful prayers showing gratitude for qualities that make them ‘Lights in the World’. In Swimming on Wednesday, all pupils were invited to swim lengths in the large pool and they all did very well. In PE, we also worked on our group balances before using apparatus to travel across the floor. In RE, the class reflected once more on where to find God in our words, actions and symbols. In History, they argued about the credibility of primary and secondary sources whilst learning about Boudicca, the ‘Celtic Queen’.

Thank you for facilitating the children to logon to TTRockstars and creating their avatars. They sounded excited about the new resource!

Have a lovely and safe weekend,

Ms Varga

Please see your Home Learning below:

Home Learning Due by Tuesday, 8th February 2022
Spelling Please log onto Spelling frame and practice this week’s spelling words before testing yourself.

Spelling Rule 15 – Words with the /k/ sound spelt ch (Greek in origin) (e.g. echo, chemist… etc.)

https://spellingframe.co.uk/

Reading Please log onto Read Theory and complete 2 activities. Please also update your reading logs and be ready to present them on Wednesday.

https://readtheory.org/auth/login

Multiplication Please log onto TT Rockstars and practice your allocated multiplication tables. We will share progress and leaderboard on Tuesday, 8th February.

https://ttrockstars.com/

Study Ladder Please log onto Study Ladder and complete the assigned activity in your pod, all centered around this week’s focus, sets of parallel and perpendicular line in common 2D shapes.

https://www.studyladder.co.uk/

Friday, 28th January 2022

The children in Year 4 had a fantastic week following the theme of Other Faith Week, Hinduism. On Monday, the class visited the Bhaktivedanta Manor in Watford experiencing the Hindu way of life first hand. They had the opportunity to visit the stables, ride on a cart pulled by 2 of the newest oxen on the farm. They fed the cows and later visited the green houses, the meditational pond and the George Harrison memorial gardens. Following the outside tour, the children listened to a presentation explaining the main beliefs of Hinduism and dressed up as Gods and Goddesses. Soon after, we looked around the main buildings, dressing up in more casual every day saris and turbans and participated in one of the daily services. The children were then invited to eat a hearty and healthy lunch of curry, rice, chips and flat bread with a cup of orange juice, all cooked on site using ingredients the community grows on the farm. After lunch, the class took part in face painting where they received traditional symbols of fire, flames, flowers and snakes. The children had a lovely time and their impeccable behaviour was complimented on throughout the trip.

Later during the week, we learnt a little bit more about the main beliefs of Hinduism, the origins of this religion and its most important Gods and Goddesses. In Maths, we finished our learning of measurements, extending it towards weight, capacity and time. In English, the children used comic strips to retell the main events of the Aeneas and the adventures of the underworld myths focusing on single and multi clause sentences. In Science, they investigated gases and answered questions such as what would happen to gases if they are heated or if it is possible to make gases by combining liquids and solids. In History, they looked and the effects of the Roman invasion on religion in Britain, whilst in French, they made links between body parts and movements.

Thank you for all of you who sent in plastic bottles for our design and technology project. If you haven’t, you still have time until Tuesday morning, as we shall start creating the base shell early next week.

Have a lovely and safe weekend,

Ms Varga

Please see your Home Learning below:

Home Learning Due by Tuesday, 2nd February 2022
Spelling Please re-visit your spelling words from the last 2 weeks as they need consolidation. Focus on the 4 ways -ion suffix can be added to root words with different endings.

https://spellingframe.co.uk/

Spelling Rule 13 – Endings which sound like /ʃən/, spelt –tion, –sion, –ssion, –cian (1 of 2)

Spelling Rule 14 – Endings which sound like /ʃən/, spelt –tion, –sion, –ssion, –cian (2 of 2)

Reading Please log onto Read Theory and complete 2 activities. Please update your reading logs and present them on Wednesday.

https://readtheory.org/auth/login

Multiplication Please log onto Maths Chase and spend 15 minutes practicing your mixed tables.

https://www.mathschase.com/

Next week, the children will bring home a letter containing their unique login details for a new resource called Times Tables Rockstars. The reason we decided to purchase this resource as a school  is because it allows us teachers to tailor the children’s times tables activities in an online setting. It measures progress and creates reports about the children’s outcomes, enabling us to consolidate or stretch knowledge accordingly. I will set the link as Home Learning every Friday, but as with every ‘core recall fact’ type of activity, the more the children can do it during the week, the better outcomes we are going to get. For that reason, I strongly advise to ask the children to login for 5-10 minutes, 3 times a week if possible. As Home Learning, I am planning to set particular tables for groups of children, however as free practice the children can access all appropriate games. I am going to share the weekly leaderboard in class and promote the resource by using its reward features, such as certificates, etc. As the MTC (Multiplication tables check) is getting closer and closer (6th June), I would like to utilise all available resources to consolidate and promote the children’s fact recall and I would be grateful if you can do the same at home. As always, I appreciate your continued support with this.

Study Ladder Please log on to Study Ladder and complete the activities in your assigned pod. All activities are based around converting units of measurements, such as time, mass and volume. Although this site labels some of the activities as Y5 and Y6, I reassure you, they are taught in Year 4 and we covered these in class.

https://www.studyladder.co.uk/

 

Friday, 21st January 2022

The children in Year 4 had yet another busy week. In English, they used role play to get into character and based on well-known Roman myths, such as the story of Diana and Orion or Aeneas and Jupiter, wrote diary entries and descriptive paragraphs using figurative language (metaphors, personification and similes). In Maths, the class moved on to converting units of length building on their understanding of how to make whole and decimal numbers 10, 100 times larger and smaller. The children used practical resources like place value sliders, classroom rulers and metre sticks to investigate length.

In Science, the children set up a series of fair tests to investigate the speed different liquids move at. They very much enjoyed this hands on task! They then created a data set of class average and plotted their data on a graph. Really impressive learning!

In History, they used e-books to research continuity in food and nutrition. They wrote in-depth explanations how food and eating changed during the Roman invasion and what similarities and differences they noticed between Celtic and Roman times. The class searched for the presence of God, exploring the meaning of the phrase: ‘Bidden or not bidden, God is present’ in RE, whilst in French they studied the names of basic body parts and sang a French equivalent of ‘Heads, shoulders, knees…’ In computing, they learnt about computing networks. The class also experimented with mosaic designs and started an art project creating a mosaic using paper tiles.

Next Monday, the class will visit the Bhaktivedanta Manor as part of our ‘Other Faith Week’. Just to reiterate some of the information that was sent home earlier this week:

  • Children need to wear their winter school uniform (no PE kits)
  • Girls must wear trousers (this can be their grey school uniform or a dark coloured tracksuit bottom. NO jeans, please)
  • Children will receive a hot meal at lunch time (very mild curry, plain rice, potato chips, orange juice and biscuit. All vegetarian (not vegan) and nut free). Unless the children have particular allergies that the school was notified about, they will eat the meal offered in the lunch hall. Please do not send in home packed lunches, as they are not allowed on site.

I am sure the class will very much enjoy this trip. Over the years, this beautiful place of worship offered a most comprehensive and exciting visit with opportunities to dress up, participate in face painting, visit the stables, etc.

Have a safe and lovely weekend,

Ms Varga

Please your Home Learning below:

Home Learning Due back by Tuesday, 25th January 2022
Spelling Please ,og onto Spelling Frame and practice this week’s spelling before testing yourself on the words.

Spelling Rule 14 – Endings which sound like /ʃən/, spelt –tion, –sion, –ssion, –cian (2 of 2)

https://spellingframe.co.uk/

Reading Please log onto Read Theory and complete 2 activities. Update your reading logs and be ready to present them on Wednesday.

https://readtheory.org/auth/login

 

Multiplication Log onto Maths Chase and spend 15 minutes practicing your mixed multiplication facts.

https://www.mathschase.com/

Study Ladder https://www.studyladder.co.uk/

Please log onto Study Ladder and complete the activities on your assigned pod. All 4 activities are related to measuring length.

Please also see our whole school RE learning for the week:

220121 Whole-school RE learning letter – Hinduism

Friday, 14th January 2022

The children in Year 4 had a busy first full week. In Writing, the class started a new unit of Roman Myths, where we looked at Roman Gods and Goddesses; acting them out, writing a school report about their often naughty behaviour and composing free form poetry to depict their beauty. In Maths, we looked at decimal numbers and using place value sliders, we investigated the effect of multiplying and dividing numbers by 10 and 100.

In Pe, we started our indoor unit of gymnastics and looked at point and patch balances, whilst on Wednesday, we went swimming. I was very impressed with how organised the children were in the Sports Centre! Well done class.

In RE, we looked at a timeline and collected events to match the periods. From the time of Israel, through the time of Jesus, to then take a closer look at the time after Jesus, focusing on ways we can still find him although not seeing him any more. In History, the children looked at continuity again but this time on a much larger scale, thinking about the advantages and disadvantages of the Romans effect on Celtic life. In Science, we started our new topic of States of Matter, during which we identified gas, liquid and solid states whilst grouping substances accordingly.

Thank you for Christoph’s, Christina’s and Ellis’s mummy for offering their kind help to accompany us on the 24th January. I will share further information about the trip closer to the date.

I also wanted to thank all those parents who sent in boxes of tissues since the beginning of the year. Especially at this time of the year, we do go through quite a few boxes, so your help is much appreciated.

Have a lovely and safe weekend,

Ms Varga

Please see your Home Learning below:

Home Learning Due back on Tuesday, 18th January 2022
Spelling Please log onto Spelling Frame and spend time practicing this week’s spelling words, before testing yourself on them.

Spelling Rule 13 – Endings which sound like /ʃən/, spelt –tion, –sion, –ssion, –cian (1 of 2)

https://spellingframe.co.uk/

Reading Please log onto Read Theory and complete 2 tasks. Please also update your reading log and be ready to present them on Wednesday.

https://readtheory.org/auth/login

Multiplication Please log onto Maths Chase and spend 15 minutes practicing your mixed facts.

https://www.mathschase.com/

During our daily practice in class, we hit sub 10 seconds/question this term and children are gaining confidence with both the facts and the speed however it is still essential to continue with the fast recall at home.

Study Ladder Please log onto Study Ladder and complete the assigned activities, based on decimal numbers and multiplication facts.

https://www.studyladder.co.uk/

D&T/Science As a preparation for next term’s DT and Science project where children are going to design and build a functioning bedside lamp with a simple series circuit, please may I ask parents to send in a 2l (sometimes 2.5l) emptied and rinsed plastic bottle with lid and their child’s name on it. Unfortunately, any smaller size won’t be large enough so please only send in the larger bottles.

Coca cola 2.5l Any curved or other design will make it harder for the children to use as they will have to cut and re-assemble parts of the bottle to create a base shell for their projects.

It would be much appreciated if all children would have their bottles in by the 25th January, Tuesday.

Thank you for your support with this.

 

Friday, 7th January 2022

Happy New Year and Happy Epiphany to all!

It has been lovely welcoming back the children after their Christmas holidays and seeing how well rested and content they are. They all told me lovely things about their break and showed gratitude towards every present or experience they have received.

We focused on the Feast of the Epiphany in these short two days with a class Act of Worship and a Key Stage Mass on Thursday. The children completed learning on the symbolic meaning of the gifts baby Jesus received from the Three Wise Men, whilst they applied their art skills when they created a collage piece based on the Epiphany. They also reflected on the gifts they can bring to the new year and offered a gift themselves to someone in their community wrapped in a handmade Epiphany box. We also blessed our classroom by following a long standing Catholic Tradition where we marked our classroom door with the letters and numbers 20+C+M+B+22 referring to the names of the 3 Wise Men and the new year. By doing this we invited Jesus to be a daily guest in our class and to be with us in our comings and goings, our conversations, our work and play, our joys and sorrows.

General information:

The children will start swimming this term on Wednesdays. Swimming counts as one of the children’s PE lesson. On Wednesdays (starting from next week, 12.1.2022) the children will need to come in their full (warm) PE uniform. As of their swimming outfits, we have 2 procedures in practice in school. Some children (especially boys) might decide to wear their swimming shorts underneath their PE kit and have the rest of their kit (towels, etc) in a clearly labelled bag ready to take it down to the pool. Another practice is to have their kits in school and use the lunchtime break to get changed in the allocated toilets, where we can ensure separation and privacy. All children must be changed into their swimming kits before leaving the school, ensuring a more swift access to the lesson. After their swimming session, the children will have access to a quick shower and then get changed back into their PE uniform in the allocated changing rooms.

Any questions regarding swimming, please feel free to contact me.

Later this term, on 24th January (Monday) we will take part in a class trip to visit the Bhaktivedanta Manor as part of our Other Faith Week. I am looking for three parent helpers to accompany us and help the class as during the trip smaller group activities are organised for us. If you are able to support, please let me know. Many thanks in advance.

Have a nice and safe weekend,

Ms Varga

P.S.: Thank you so much for your very kind and generous gift at the end of last term. I really appreciate your warm gesture.

Friday, 17th December 2021

We had a fantastic last few days in Year 4 this week, with practical activities such as finishing our design and technology mechanism cards or turning ourselves into Elves using collage technique. They had a lovely Christmas lunch on Wednesday and a Christmassy Karate lesson Thursday afternoon.

In Maths, the children applied their formal addition and subtraction knowledge in problem solving tasks whilst in English, they used Christmas adverts as inspiration to apply their writing tricks. In Science, they completed their unit of Sound with lots of practical investigations about volume, frequency and pitch, whilst in RE we looked at today’s Christmas customs and how they reflect on the incarnation.

I want to use this opportunity to thank the children for their hard work this term; I cannot be more proud of my class and their achievements. I am also grateful for the continued support of you, dear parents, and your commitment to help your children in their learning.

I wish you all a safe, healthy and blessed Christmas holiday and look forward to seeing you back in the New Year!

Ms Varga

Home Learning:

Please could you save any Christmas cards depicting Mary and Jesus on the front, and bring them in after the holidays.

Please continue reading whenever you can and update your reading log.

Friday, 10th December 2021

The children in Year 4 this week, lit the second candle on their Advent Wreath and carried on reflecting on their Advent Promises and their journey, bettering themselves, until Christmas arrives.

After several practices and walks to the church, they performed beautifully during Wednesday’s Advent Service. I am very proud of them; I though every reading, action and song was clear and well expressed. They all took their roles seriously and put a lot of effort into delivering those. The Service was therefore heart warming, a true ‘preparation’ for the coming of Jesus.

In Maths this week, the children began to work on their column subtraction both with and without decomposition. In RE, they looked at ways St Luke uses specific words to show his belief in the incarnation. In History, they thought about continuation and change with regards to housing in the Roman occupied Britain.

The children also made decorations to further enhance the classroom’s already cheerful atmosphere and then of course enjoyed a fantastic party day today, with a visit from Father Christmas, party food and games in the classroom.

Have a lovely and safe weekend,

Ms Varga

Your Home Learning this week:

Spelling Please spend some time practicing this week’s spelling words, before testing yourself on them.

Spelling Rule 11 – The suffix –ous (1 of 2)

https://spellingframe.co.uk/

Reading Please log onto ReadTheory and complete 2 activities. Please also update your reading record logs and be prepared to present them on Wednesday.

https://readtheory.org/auth/login

Multiplication Please log onto Maths Chase and spend some time practicing your mixed multiplication.

https://www.mathschase.com/

Maths This week, the children looked at column subtraction. Please see the attached sheet, which shows how we would approach this method using manipulatives such as place value counters or dienes equipment to show the movement of values within the process. It also shows you how we would put the method into different contexts such as worded problems or reasoning.

Use the sheet as a form of consolidation of 4 digit subtraction that does not involve exchange. This is for your own use, I am not expecting them back into class, however if completed, I am happy to record their efforts in their Maths Books.

4 digit column subtraction without exchange

Science Thank you for those of you who sent in your musical instrument already. Just a reminder that the deadline is Monday, 13th December 2021.

Friday, 3rd December 2021

The children in year 4 were busy practicing for their Advent Service this week. We walked down to the church to practice our readings and acting, whilst in class, we sang our songs ready for next week Wednesday.

In RE, we looked at St Luke’s Nativity and came up with definitions for the different titles he used to tell us about Jesus, such as Messiah, Saviour, Lord, etc. The children then wrote beautiful acrostic poems using some of our collective ideas.

The children also finished their ‘Place Between’ narrative applying all the learning from before, such as fronted adverbials, subordinating conjunctions, inverted commas for speech and noun phrases for description. I was very impressed with their stories. Well done!

In Maths, the class further consolidated their understanding of the column addition by looking at missing number sentences and working on reasoning.

In karate, they have learnt evasive moves for blocking whilst in rugby we played simple attacking games in smaller teams.

We also started decorating our classroom for Christmas, creating chains and other hanging paper decorations. It is looking festive already!

Have a lovely and safe weekend,

Ms Varga

Your Home Learning this week:

Spelling Please log onto spelling frame and practice this week’s spelling words before testing yourself on them.

Spelling Rule 10 – Endings which sound like /ʒən/ (e.g. erosion, pension… etc.)

https://spellingframe.co.uk/

Multiplication https://www.mathschase.com/

Spend some time practicing your mixed multiplications.

Reading Please update your reading logs as you continue to read at home and be ready to present them on Wednesday.
Songs Please carry on practicing our songs for next week’s Advent Service.
Science Thank you for all of you, who have brought in your musical instruments. They look fabulous. You still have some time left to complete this assignment.

 

Friday, 26th November 2021

The children in Year 4 had a really busy week. In Maths, they have moved on to formal written methods for addition and subtraction, whilst in English, they further consolidated their understanding of speech punctuation and learnt about the use of prepositions. Next week, they are going to plan and later write their first big story based on the lovely artwork they completed as their Home Learning, describing their ‘Place Between’.

In Science, they learnt about what sound is and how it travels through different media to reach the ear. They carried out several practical enquiries like talking through balloons or listening to the sound of tuning forks as well as putting them in water or using them with table tennis balls to make vibration visible. The children really enjoyed these investigations and created some excellent diagrams about their observations.

In D&T, the class moved on to their third prototype, the ‘moving dragon’. They are getting better each time at measuring accurately, making design decisions or evaluating and changing their mechanisms. Can’t wait for their final project.

In RE, they looked at Luke’s Nativity in depth and written fact files about it, whilst in karate they moved on to punches. In History they started looking at the reasons behind the Roman invasion of Britain using iPads for research.

The children also wrote their Advent promises and displayed them in the hall during a special Advent assembly, beyond receiving parts for the upcoming Ks2 Advent Service. We will be walking down to the church next week to practice our part as well as going through our new hymns. So far, beautiful singing therefore I am sure the service will be wonderful.

Have a lovely and safe weekend,

Ms Varga

Your Home Learning this week :

Spelling Please log onto Spelling Frame and spend some time practicing this week’s spelling words before you test yourself on them.

Spelling Rule 9 – Words with endings sounding like /ʒə/ or /tʃə/ (e.g. adventure, creature… etc.)

https://spellingframe.co.uk/

Multiplication Please log onto Maths Chase and spend some time practicing your mixed multiplication facts.

https://www.mathschase.com/

Reading Please carry on reading over the weekend, and make sure you update your log with relevant details about the books you are reading. Please be prepared to present your reading records on Wednesday.
Advent Service Please practice reading your lines over the weekend, thinking about expression and pace. Also start learning your lyrics for the new hymns as we will have separate hymn practices as well.
Science Just a reminder that you still have approximately 2 weeks to complete your musical instruments for your Science lesson. Thank you for those of you, who already brought them in.

Advent Service 2021 – songs to learn

Please find full lyrics to songs that we are singing in our Advent Service here . Use the videos below to practise them, trying your best to learn the words off by heart.

Wait for the Lord (Until 0:52)

Like a Candle Flame

Growing in Jesus (Until 1:20)

Think of a World Without any Flowers

The Angel Gabriel (Until 2:01)

Beauty for Brokenness (Until 2:32)

Blessed One

O bright Mother of Mercy

So pure and so brave

We honour your virtue

And dignity praise

 

Every angel salutes you,

The Earth calls you blessed.

We look to you Mother,

For mercy and rest

 

Ave! Ave! (x3)

Blessed one

 

God exalted you, daughter,

And called you in time

To offer your womb,

To bring forth the Divine

 

You were willing to serve

Though you knew not a man

You trusted in God

And said “Yes” to His plan

 

Ave! Ave! (x3)

Blessed one

 

Your consent to God’s Spirit

Was fruitful and free

Accepting God’s Son

In a great mystery

 

For the Lord, you remained ever

Virgin in faith

Delivered from doubt

And assisted by grace

 

Ave! Ave! (x3)

Blessed one

 

Now we hail you, O daughter

Of mercy and light

O pray we embrace peace

And good, love and right

 

You are splendid, enthroned

Above moon, star and Earth

O Queen of the Heavens

Your Son saved the world!

 

Ave! Ave! (x3)

Blessed one

 

My Soul Glorifies the Lord

Peace Child

We Are Waiting