The highlight in our week in Year 4 was of course our trip to UCLAN to find out more about States of Matter in our Cosmetic Chemistry course. The course leaders remarked upon the excellent listening and contributing from the whole class. They are a real credit. We had so much fun - there were a lot of gasps as children watched some spectacular events. They loved to get hands on in the Science lab and many discussed their real love of Science.

We took so many photos of this special day - which we have compiled into a video.

In other news! Swimming was a super success on Monday. Children are making good progress. In English this week, children began by writing another explanation text, linked to their Science, all about the Water Cycle. We are currently learning to recite a Brer Rabbit story off by heart and have been brushing up on many grammar skills such as apostrophes and fronted adverbails. We are also learning how to write similes. This is in preparation for writing our own Brer rabbit stories soon. We have also started our new Geography/Science topic about Volcanoes and Earthquakes. This always fascinates children as they learn about what our planet is made out of!

In maths we have faced some tricky problems to do with length and have begun now work on Perimeter of shapes. It is really important to keep up with all maths work at home, such as IXL so that it reinforces the tricky things we learn in class.

Another thing that has brought great joy this week is that we can now go back to playing with our paired Year 1 class again. Also we managed to have a Key Stage 2 assembly together. We miss gathering together so much and I know that soon you will be invited into school to look at children’s books. It has been such a long time!

Times Tables

In June, all Year 4 children nationally are tested on their times tables knowledge. It is a requirement that they know all times tables facts when they go up to Year 5. They are a vital tool to understanding the upper Key Stage 2 maths curriculum.

With this in mind, I will be setting lots of practice in the form of booklets and also TTRockstars. It is important that this becomes daily practice so that all children have the best chance to master these times tables. I have talked to the children about how they can use facts that they already know to find out ones they dont. We also talked about effort - what you put in is what you will get out of it! They are coming home with their first booklet on the 3x tables this week to use as daily practice.

Let’s Celebrate!

This week, our certificate winners are as follows:

A Roger Robin certificate goes to Harvey for learning to take things in your stride and work through setbacks. You are managing your feelings so much better Harvey and I love seeing your joy in that swimming pool!

A Roger Robin certificate goes to Owen for really growing in maturity and becoming a role model in class. You are sensible and try hard to do the right thing. You are such a hard worker.

A Roger Robin certificate goes to Jay for helping friends to make good choices and being a good role model to them. Also for really working on your own resilience and participation.

Music stars this week were Leo and

Swimming stars were Christian, Aviya, Tabby and Charlie. It was VERY hard to pick though!

Notices

SWIMMING ARRIVAL

Please could I ask that all children are only dropped off at the gate at St. Patrick’s Road on a Monday morning to save us opening both gates early at 8.30. Thanks..

WELLIES! On Mondays we need to have our breaktime on the field when we get back from swimming so that we can maintain distance from the other classes. It would be so helpful if children have wellies in school for this, so that they are not getting damp and muddy shoes.

Have a lovely weekend

Kindest regards,

Mrs Lyons, Mrs Mather and Miss Woodrow.