Year 4 blog: " Church is not something you go to, its a family you belong to."

What a lovely week we have had in year 4! This week we have been reflecting, during our worship, on God’s language of love. Each day we have thought of different ways we can show love for others, such as giving kind gifts and saying encouraging words. We have a whole class of such loving children - they love to be kind and supportive to each other!

We also went to church this week. Since Covid, many of us have stayed away from church to be safe. On Wednesday, we wanted to re-introduce children to church and we prepared a question and answer session for Father Peter! He explained to them why people go to mass and the three main parts - saying sorry, listing to God’s Word and receiving Jesus in Holy Communion. Then children had some time to explore and learn about parts of their church. They listened intently to Father and also improvised with lots more questions! Father Peter loved having them and looks forward to seeing them at church. They will have so much knowledge the next time they go!

Other highlights this week involve creating our own design for our Computer coding program we will make next week, ranking the characters in order of kindness in Charlotte’s Web and getting to grips with ordering, comparing and rounding numbers in Place Value maths. History was exciting - children looked at a source of evidence - a wall painting from the tomb of Nebamun, to see if they could interpret what they saw to find out about Ancient Egyptian life. Super little historians! Children have been set some exciting work on Pyramids for homework and have learned the meaning of these words: interpret, evidence, source, tomb, artefact, irrigation, reservoir, provide and crops. Why not ask them what they mean and see if they can remember.

Let’s Celebrate!

This week, Evan has received a Bobby Bee certificate for always engaging with every subject and putting his absolute all into lessons. Evan, you are an absolute star. Owen received a Kiki Chameleon certificate for giving everything his best go and putting so much effort, care and thought into all his work. However, both brothers could have had either certificate - you both try so incredibly hard and your enthusiasm is endless. Thank-you!

Music stars this week were: Lily-Mae, Ruby-Lilly and Connor-Sean.

PE stars this week were:

Notices

• Please could children bring in a pair of wellies in a plastic bag, to keep in school. Please put their names in. We can then use our outside area more during the inclement weather.

• Please do not forget that all children need art shirts to keep in their tray as in past years. This can be an old t-shirt or shirt - anything to ensure uniform is kept clean!

RHE

This week in our Kidsafe session, we have thought about Bullying - what is it and how can we stop it. Please read the following letter:

Year 4 blog: " Let your faith be bigger than your fears."

May I begin by saying how much I enjoyed meeting with you all virtually and sharing your child’s learning journey so far. It is such a joy to be able to work in partnership with you to help your child develop academically, emotionally and socially. Thank you.

What a lovely week back! We began the week by learning about ‘All Saint’s Day’ and ‘All Soul’s day.’ We remembered those who have died and children had lots of questions about Saints. Also in RE this week, we have been looking at quotes from the bible such as, “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe in me.” and reflecting on how we can use these words from the bible to help us in our lives.

In PE, we practised aiming and scoring against our partner in a game called, ‘Are you Ready?’ These children look ready to me!

This week, we spent time retrieving all of the vocabulary we have learned in our Geography topic and in our novel so far. We also examined the issue of Deforestation in the world. Now we have started learning all about Ancient Egypt. We began by thinking about the difference between the hunter-gatherer, like stone age people and the move to civilisation and society. We also examined the meaning of BC and AD and highlighted key events in British history, World history and Ancient Egyptian history. We could then place the Ancient Egyptian civilisation on our timeline. We have learned all about the importance of the River Nile for those first settlers.

In English, we are continuing with our learning of key skills through Charlotte’s Web. Children could use text evidence to infer characters’ feelings and also to justify their own opinions. We have also learned how to write and punctuate dialogue correctly and examined the prefix, ‘ex.’ We had a game of ‘conscience alley,’ where we had to decide whether Wilbur should be told of the plot to butcher him at Christmas time!

Let’s Celebrate!

This week, A Sadie Spider certificate went to Matilda who always works so hard and strives to make work high quality. A Bobby Bee certificate went to Ruby-Lilly. We love your enthusiasm for everything. You are such a hard-worker and don’t give up until you get something! A Lizzie Ladybird certificate went to Leo who is striving to improve in every way.

Music stars were Harvey, Charlie and Dominic this week.

PE stars were Iris and Rosa for improving their forward rolls!

Notices

Please could all children have Art shirts for next week to keep in school in their trays.

Children’s reading targets have been set for this half term. Please encourage them to read and quiz often so they have the best chance of meeting it.

RHE

This week, we have started our ‘Kidsafe’ programme which helps children learn how to keep themselves safe. Please read the letter below explaining what we did in our first session.

Year 4 blog week ending 15th October 2021 'Wilbur didn't want food, he wanted love. He wanted a friend-someone who would play with him."

We have all fallen in love with Charlotte’s Web - our novel, this week. What a super text it is for exploring different dilemmas and themes like loneliness, justice and friendship.

HRSE

This week we have been starting to examine the theme of friendship and what truly makes a good friend. Following our work about anger last week, we have also been reflecting on what to do AFTER you have calmed down from a conflicting situation. How do we solve our problems peacefully? Children have been learning to use ‘I statements,’ to explain what bothers them and why, how they feel and what they need. They then have to remember to listen to others’ ‘I statements,’ to understand their feelings too.

We have loved finding out all about trade this week in Geography, through our topic about plants around the world. Children discovered which foods and drinks we import and export by using a climate zone map to locate countries where different foods grow.

In RE we have pulled together our understanding of the Old Testament stories of prophets David, Moses, Joseph and Abraham. Children have looked at what we can learn from them about God and about how we should react to God like them.

In maths we have been very busy grappling with a deeper understanding of 4 digit numbers this week. Here are some photos of the children in action!

Let’s Celebrate!

This week our certificate winners were as follows:

A Kiki Chameleon certificate went to Millie for working so hard and putting considerable thought into all she does.

A Bobby Bee certificate went to Christian for loving his learning - especially his reading and growing so much in self-belief these last few weeks.

Two Sadie Spider certificates were also given to Betsy and Iris who always try so hard and join in with all class learning.

PE stars this week were Leo and Stanley for some excellent tactics in our basketball game and also creative gym balances on equipment.

Music stars this week were Tabby and Owen.

French star was Matilda.

Notices

We break up on Tuesday next week at normal time. HARCOURT house have won the house point competition so can come in their house colours on Tuesday.

I look forward to chatting to you on Thursday next week for Parent meetings. Please be prompt so we can have our allocated time together.

HRSE - the letter below explains what HRSE is in primary school and also gives notice of an exciting new approach to keeping kids safe - KidSafe. These lessons will now begin in Year 4 after the half term. Each Friday a letter will go out explaining what safety aspect has been explored.

Year 4 blog 8.10.21 "The great thing about new friends is that they bring new energy to your soul."

We have had another super week in Year 4. Our three new pupils who joined us in September have been welcomed so completely that Year 4 feels like such a warm class family! The Year 4 children really thrive in their role of looking after the Year 1 children at breaktime. They are such good role models for the little ones!

This week we have dived into our new novel, ‘Charlotte’s Web.’ We use this story as a vehicle to learn vital reading skills such as figuring out the meaning of words from the context and also using dictionaries. Also being able to grasp the main idea of paragraphs they have read. We have been discussing how to read with expression and correct intonation too. Also children explored Mr Arable’s dilemma in the story by writing a short diary entry of his feelings.

In maths this week, the main emphasis has been on rounding numbers and understanding their values. It is lovely to see everyone’s confidence growing when solving things for themselves.

We have moved on from our Science Plants theme to looking at our Geography ‘Plants around the World.’ This week children have really been looking at the way our earth is separated into different Biomes and Climate Zones. They have found out about the characteristics of these different areas and also about Extreme environments on our planet, such as deserts.

RHE

This week, we have been examining the feeling of Anger. We talked about how the feeling is not wrong - everyone feels it. However, it can lead to us behaving wrongly unless we get it under control. We compared Anger to a firework - something lights your fuse, you get a strong feeling in your body, and if not careful you could explode! We looked at strategies for calming down that could work for us - the buckets of water that will soothe the flames! We also looked at what is actually going on in our brain when anger takes over.

Other highlights involved a super invasion game using our basketball skills in PE and finding out all about Moses and the Exodus in RE this week. Children wrote newspaper reports to chart the events. They might want to watch ‘Prince of Egypt,’ this weekend, which tells this story.

Let’s Celebrate!

A big shout out to Owen, Matilda and Angel who have now met their reading targets! Come on Year 4 - you can do it! Only a week and a half left!

This week, two Roger Robin certificates went to Anncia and Aviya. You have worked so co-operatively this week together when working in partners. You both try so hard in everything you do and you are kind to everyone.

PE stars this week go to Max and Georgia for getting really stuck in and looking for spaces to receive a pass.

French stars this week were Evan and Nicola

Music stars this week were Stanley and Matilda

Notices

I look forward to speaking to you all about your child’s progress so far this year on Thursday 21st October. Please be prompt for appointments. If you have not signed up, please could you do so.

Have a lovely weekend with your families. God bless,

Mrs Lyons, Mrs Mather and Miss Woodrow.

Year 4 blog for week ending Friday 1st October

Our week in Year 4 has been full of fascination for flowers. Even though the weather has been dismal, children have made the most of it with their determined attitudes and thirst for learning this week.

It has been a week for Science, starting on Monday with the dissection of a lily, in order to find out all about pollination and reproduction in plants. We even managed to view the pollen under a microscope! Then it was time to learn all about the tricky processes involved, through re-enacting, answering questions from videos and retrieving all this information until we were secure. Finally, children have blown me away with their excellent explanation texts - all about the life cycle of a flowering plant.

In maths this week, we have moved along to place value. Children have been revising their understanding of numbers to 1000 and the values of each digit in a three digit number. Next week - onwards and upwards to larger numbers!

We were rocking in our recorder lessons this week and learned the next note already. We are starting to sound very tuneful - hopefully at home too! Other highlights include dramatising the story of Joseph and his coat of many colours in RE and climbing the ropes and climbing frame this week in PE.

Let’s Celebrate!

This week, A Sadie Spider certificate has gone to Daisy. You always try so hard in everything you do Daisy and you have a drive to do well. Your improvement just in a few weeks is brilliant! A Roger Robin certificate goes to Dominic, for being such a brave boy starting our school and such a friendly one too! A Tommy Turtle certificate goes to Molly-Ann for having such excellent concentration - during reading time, when writing your life cycle and in every subject. Your focus is really paying off and you tackle everything! You should feel very proud.

PE stars this week were: Leon and Harvey for listening well and trying hard.

Music stars this week were: Evan and Millie

French stars this week were: Jay, Lily-Mae and Tabby

Notices:

Please could all children have a coat each day now as the weather seems set to change! Thanks so much for making sure they have the appropriate PE clothes on PE days. It means we could all access the equipment.

Have a lovely October weekend.

Warmest regards,

Mrs Lyons, Mrs Mather and Miss Woodrow

Year 4 blog. "Use what talents you possess. The woods would be very silent if no birds sang there except the ones that sang best.."

Let me begin by saying how very proud I have been of our Holy Communicants on both weeks. I am sure you will agree that they did so well. They were reverent and the whole experience was one of calm and siplicity.

It has been a lovely week in year 4. This week we welcomed our new pupil Dominic, all the way from El Salvador. He has settled in beautifully all thanks to your wonderful children who really are so welcoming and delightful.

RHE

This week we have focused a lot on our 2 key virtues for this half term - being learned and wise. We looked at quotes to help us reflect upon how to have wisdom. Now that we are getting older, it is important that we try to stop and think, before we act, always reflecting on our choices. Some of our favourite quotes were “I have learned that I still have a lot to learn,’ and “Knowledge speaks but wisdom listens.’

As our learning about time in maths has become more difficult, we have had lots of conversations this week about not being worried if we don’t understand things immediately. We discussed how we can keep listening, keep trying and believe that we will understand if we keep engaging with the learning fully.

Children have enjoyed Science this week. We have spent our English lessons applying our science understanding to write explanation texts all about Seed Dispersal. For the first piece of writing of the year, they are superb! Children have loved learning about dispersal and have been running into class with acorns and poppy seed heads they have found outside!

We have also looked at the results of our investigation into what seeds need in order to germinate. Children wanted to investigate further and we are now seeing if plants need light in order to grow healthily by leaving a germinated seed in the dark cupboard.

Also this week, we have been examining what different functions each part of a plant has. Below is our investigation to prove how the stem works! Oh the excitement we have had watching this happen!

Children really impressed me in their second recorder lesson this week. Children are already playing 2 tunes well. We have had some super PE lessons too!

Let’s Celebrate.

Rosa already met her reading target last week! Well done! We have just over 3 weeks to go everyone. Let’s go for it!

This week, our certificate winners go to:

Edi for being a brave learner (Tommy Turtle) who always has a go and tries to engage fully in everything.

Tabby (Lizzie Ladybird) for striving to improve -especially in her writing this week, which got better and better on each attempt.

Rosa (Roger Robin) for being such a supportive and helpful pupil in class. You make wise choices Rosa and try so hard in all you do.

PE stars this week were Nicola and Ruby-Lilly for super focus on apparatus.

French star this week was: Owen

Notices

You can now sign up for Parents day appointments. These will be on a platform called ‘Schoolcloud.’ I look forward to discussing your child’s learning with you.

Please help your child to meet their reading target this half term, by challenging them to read for 20 minutes each night, preferably aloud to you for some of this time.

Have a lovely weekend. The weather is changing and becoming blustery! Enjoy.

Mrs Lyons, Mrs Mather and Miss Woodrow.

Year 4 blog for week ending Friday 17th September

It has been a super week in year 4 with many highlights! The most special of course was the beautiful service on Saturday with our First Holy Communicants. They did so well and it was such a simle yet lovely occasion. Take two this Saturday. I will begin sending photos to you next week.

Children are getting used to routines now and are such a lovely group. The way they look after their Year 1 friends at playtimes and lunchtimes is beautiful. They are being real role models! We will have two new children starting on Monday: Aviya and Dominic. I know how welcoming our lovely class will be.

This week we have started learning all about the Bible in RE. We have been thinking about how the Bible is Structured with Old and New Testaments and children have been learning how to find Bible references. We have thought about ‘The Gift of Water,’ in our Creation worship this week which also links beautifully to our Science work about plants. Children reflected on its life-giving force to us all and how fortunate we are to have access to water when others do not.

In English this week, we have been learning our Explanation text to help us get a feel for this genre of writing. Children have examined what all these words mean and have learned all the features of a good explanation text. They are now starting to write their own explanation text all about Seed Dispersal.

Maths has seen us carry on with learning the time. We have had brave Tommy Turtles who have a go and learn from their mistakes. We are making great progress. We are also going over the 3x table learned in Year 3. Please practise this and also telling the time as much as possible. (see homework)

We had our very first recorder lesson this week. Mrs Maddocks was very impressed with how quickly children picked up the first note already. As with everything, practise makes progress!

To top it all off, French lessons resumed this week too. Children are learning French words for the items in their pencil cases!

Let’s Celebrate!

A big shout out to Millie, Max and Leo who have already met their reading targets! Fantastic progress! Many are hot on their heels too.

French star this week was Jay for answering lots of questions and excellent listening.

PE stars this week were Daisy and Edi for good tactics in invasion games.

Our certificate winners this week are:

Stanley for being a real Clara Clownfish. Stanley - I love how you listen intently and try hard to figure things out. You always have such super questions.

Emilia for being a kind and friendly Roger Robin. You have settled into our school so well - it is like you have always been here. You are such a lovely partner to people and you are trying so hard.

Connor-Sean for being a real Sadie Spider who tries so hard. You are so determined and you are being such a role-model in Year 4. You are helpful, kind and supportive.

Notices

Holy Communion on Saturday. Please arrive at 8:45am so that we can take photos of your child on th altar. We look forward to seeing you there and sharing this special time.

• PE Please can I remind you that if your child has a verucca, their foot must be covered by a verucca sock for Friday PE sessions so as not to spread it. Normal socks are too slippy on apparatus. Also, it is best to leave earrings at home. Children should be wearing their PE shorts under their tracksuit bottoms please.

• Please could homework be handed in promptly on a Thursday, so that I can mark it.

• Recorders need to be brought into school every Monday for lessons.

I know there have been pockets of illness around school this week. A good rest and early nights are needed! We hope you have a lovely weekend with your families,

God bless, Mrs Lyons, Mrs Mather and Miss Woodrow.

Year 4 blog. 10th September "From little seeds, grow mighty trees!"

Well what a marvellous first full week in Year 4! Children have been so mature, so ready to learn and enthusiastic. It is a real pleasure to be their teacher. Despite the boiling weather mid-week, they still managed to keep going and do their very best.

This week’s highlights:

We have immersed ourselves in our Science topic of Plants by looking this week at how seeds disperse. Children have been fascinated by the diverse ways they do this and have looked at the structure of the seeds to see how they work. Many children are so enthused that they are bringing seed heads into school to show everyone!

In maths we are revising telling the time to make sure that this is something we master throughout the year. We are focusing this week mainly on telling the time to the quarter hour - please make this part of your everyday chatter at home to help them see it in daily life - it is a tricky concept!

In RE, we have been thinking of our Creator God and all the good things He has given us. Children wrote beautiful prayers prasing God and asking for help to protect this fragile world we live in.

We had a lovely worship outside, as part of ‘The Season of Creation,’ (Pope Francis) and this week we focused on the Gift of air. Every breath we take is a gift from God.

In English, we are going to be writing some explanation texts in the coming weeks. We are learning from the master, Sir David Attenborough about how to explain processes to our audience. We have been thinking about the big picture - why do we read and write? Why do we need to know the meaning of words that we come across? It all helps us communicate! We examined different text types and thought about their purposes.

In Geography, we are learning about plants around the world and also brushing up on our location knowledge of continents/countries while we are at it! In PE we learned how to do chest and bounce passes outside.

RHE

This week in RHE we have been learning about our amazing brain and how it has the potential to grow and grow. Understanding this and realising anything is possible is called having a ‘Growth Mindset.’ Our learning characters help children understand the different learning behaviours of a growth mindset. This week Bobby Bee has taught them about confidence and self-belief, so they can be enthusiastic learners.

Let’s Celebrate!

This week, many children have received their pen licences. They are all trying so hard!

Certificates: Gosh this was very tricky in the first week! We are all doing so well.

This first week, Charlie received a Sadie Spider certificate for listening and trying so hard to join in with all learning. Alex received a Bobby Bee certificate for joining in and trying hard to listen carefully. Georgia received a Tommy Turtle certificate for being a brave learner who has a go.

PE stars this week, were Emilia and Franek for taking teacher’s advice and improving their travelling movements.

All the class have voted for our class councillors this year and they are…….. Angel and Matilda. I am sure they will lead the class and be wonderful role models.

Notices

Holy Communion - Please be at the church for 8.45 so that the teachers can take photos of the children on the altar before the service. Please ensure you have read the letter thoroughly so you know procedure. We have had a practice and are looking forward to it!

Children now have their new ZPD levels and are working towards their reading targets for this half term. Please help them to achieve this by reading to you a little every night - in total, reading for 20 minutes each day.

Music lessons will begin on Monday - we are learning how to play the recorder and children will come home with them on Monday, hopefully.

Forms - There are still a few consent and medical forms outstanding - I cannot put photos on the website until consent is given. Please do as soon as possible.

RHE - the letter below explains what RHE is in primary school and also gives notice of an exciting new approach to keeping kids safe that will be taking place in Year 4 in Spring.

We hope you all have a lovely weekend and will see some of you tomorrow in church at 8.45am.

Mrs Lyons, Mrs Mather and Miss Woodrow.

"And suddenly you just know, it's time to start something new and trust the magic of new beginnings."

What a lovely start to the new school year we have had and what a beautiful group of children! This first week has seen all children come in with smiling faces. Some admitted to feeling nervous at first but this soon gave way to excitement and sheer pleasure at seeing all their old friends and making new ones too! Welcome Emilia to Year 4 and thank you Year 4 children for being so loving and welcoming to our new pupil.

RHE and RE

At the beginning of the year, we always have a huge focus on relationships with others and with God. This week we have thought about our school mission statement, ‘You are precious in my eyes,’ and recognised that we will treat each other this way too.

We have thought about everyone’s rights and responsibilities towards each other in class and have heard the story ‘Be Co-operative Roger Robin to learn how to work together kindly.

This afternoon, we have begun our Science topic all about Plants. We examined some common seeds and did observational drawings of them. We thought of as many questions as we could about plants too!

Notices

• A LETTER IN THE BAG tonight about Holy Communion for all children making it. Please bring the slip back by MONDAY.

• Could I ask anyone who has not completed their online consent and medical forms to do so by the end of the weekend please. Then we will know who picks your child up, we will be aware of needs and will be able to put pictures on the website of classroom life.

• Please have a read through the guidance for this term - which is on the Discover area of the website under ‘Keeping Safe.’

• Please could any children with asthma bring in up to date inhalers labelled clearly with their name to keep in their trays.

• Homework has been set on the Home learning section to be handed in on Thursday.

• Children will be coming home with reading books. They can now read blue books which have a more mature content for older children. They can still pick orange books if they prefer though. Children can read and quiz on their own books from home too. Reading needs to take place for 15-20 mins each day at home. Next week, they will be tested and given their new ZPD level to ensure they choose the right level reading books for them.

  Finally, I look forward to getting to know you all over the coming weeks. Please do not hesitate to email me for any reason and I will get back to you as soon as I can. In fact, I would love you to drop me an email to say hello and let me know how your child enjoyed their first week!

Have a lovely weekend - the leaves are already falling from the trees!

God bless,

Mrs Lyons, Mrs Mather and Miss Woodrow.

Year 4 blog. "Gratitude turns what we have into enough"

We have been making it our business nearly every morning this week, to do our Examen. This is a five minute personal reflection on our previous day, remembering all the things we can be grateful for, at home, in the playground and at school. Teachers join in too! It really does make you realise exactly how many things we have to be thankful for and starts the day off beautifully!

It has been a very purposeful week where we have been visiting many different realms when reading Viking myths! Children now have their own character who they meet through the stories and some have researched at home too who these characters are. The boats that they made for homework were AMAZING - so many different creations and ideas.

In history this week, we looked at place names in our area of England and discovered that SO many places were inhabited by Vikings in our past, especially, we found many in the Lake District. Anywhere which ends with thorpe, thwaite, dale, by and many more place endings was founded by Vikings!

In maths, children have been learning all about statistics. They can now interpret pictograms, tables, bar charts and line graphs! We did notice, when doing this that MANY children need to practise telling the time. I have asked children to practice this at home as much as they can.

In RE, we have practised our Holy Communion. Children tried the host for the first time (unconsecrated) and have practised the procedure of taking it. There is a great feeling of excitement for their special day! We have also learned all about the 7 sacraments this week and that Sacraments are a special meeting with Jesus.

Let’s Celebrate!

This week there were three certificate winners! We have one Bobby Bee, Grace who is showing so much confidence and self-belief in her abilities

Both Isabella and Olivia have received a Kiki Chameleon/Sadie Spider certificate for putting so much effort and thought into their work. Well done all of you!

PE stars this week go to Abi and Christian.

Music stars this week were Isabella and Stephanie.

and

India was our French star!

Notices

We will see the first children for Holy Communion this Saturday at 8.45 am and the other half next week at the same time. Please ensure you are familiar with procedures ( letter last week and email from Miss Hornby this week) and lets have a beautiful day!

Year 4 will be having a Viking dress-up day on Thursday 8th July. Children can dress up as Viking warriors, gods, goddesses or any other character from the Viking world such as giants/giantesses. I will give you more ideas nearer the time.

Have a lovely weekend everyone. God bless,

Mrs Lyons, Mrs Mather and Miss Forster

Year 4 blog. "There is a calmness to a life lived in gratitude - a quiet joy."

There has been so much to be thankful for this week! On Wednesday the children took part in their sports day. Wow - they gave it their absolute all! Our wonderful Year 6 helpers timed each event, to see which house won. Although it was sad not to hear parents cheering and supporting, you will be happy to know that the children did it for you! Children were even cheering for the other teams and cheered Year 3 on when watching their sprint event! Here are some pictures and there will be a video on the main blog page. It was lovely gathering as a whole school (socially distanced) to find out the results. It has been such a long time since we have all been together!

Other highlights this week include continuing our work on Road safety in RHE, where we learned about how to keep safe in a car and on a bike. We stressed the importance of wearing a helmet. We also practised our Green Cross Code. We have started our new topic in RE which is all about the church. We took apart the Apostles Creed to establish what catholics believe. We will be going over with the children, what to do at Holy Communion, next week. We also witnessed a lovely worship, lead by Abi, Harriet and Mason about worries.

In maths, children have been learning all about symmetry this week. In English, children have been busy writing their Viking non-fiction books. They are fantastic! We have also started our class novel, “The Snow-Walker’s Son’ which has some very spooky characters in it! Today, we learned about the nine realms that the Vikings believed in and next week, we will be delving into our Viking myths, to see what trouble all those Viking gods and goddesses got into, before writing our own stories.

Let’s Celebrate!

This week there were three certificate winners! We have two Roger Robins who really did stand out in their level of support to others and their good cheer when their team didn’t win. Well done Jess and James!

India has received a Kiki Chameleon/Sadie Spider certificate for putting so much effort and thought into her work. Well done all of you!

PE stars this week go to the whole class - you were all so superb in sports day! I was very proud of you!

Music stars this week were Olivia and Christian and James was our French star!

Notices

Today, the boys have come home with their ties for Holy Communion. Please keep them in a safe place ready for next week or following week.

Below is the information regarding protocols for Holy Communion - there should also be a letter in your child’s bag. Some children have also come home with bidding prayers to practise. They do not need to know them off by heart - a copy will be on the altar to read.

Year 4 will be having a Viking dress-up day on Thursday 8th July. Children can dress up as Viking warriors, gods, goddesses or any other character from the Viking world such as giants/giantesses. I will give you more ideas nearer the time. Children are loving this topic and even play it at breaktime!

Have a lovely weekend everyone. God bless,

Mrs Lyons, Mrs Mather and Miss Forster

Year 4 blog "Oh sunshine! The most precious gold to be found on earth!"

What a lovely, sunny first week back! Children have settled back in seamlessly to learning.

We have dived into our new topic about Vikings - discovering why they have such a bad reputation and whether it is justified. First, we turned our classroom into the English Saxon shore where we worked as Anglo-Saxon spies to discover what Viking boats were like. Then the class captured a Viking boat builder called Sven - who told us even more (Mrs Lyons was strangely nowhere to be seen!) Later on in the week we found out more about the Viking era and what evidence has shown us about what they were like. Next week we will write non-fiction books about them!

We have also begun our first week thinking of our of ‘Health and Happiness.’ We have been learning about Road Safety and the Green Cross Code. Children have learned about safe and unsafe places to cross and how to make sure you cross safely.

In maths, we are continuing to learn about shapes but also we are consolidating all Year 4 maths learning from this year. Children have also seen a return to French this week and thoroughly impressed Madame Jefferson with all they have remembered.

Let’s Celebrate!

This week, our certificate winners are:

Lexi - you have had a super approach to your learning this week - taking responsibility for your own improvement by making notes and collecting spellings. You have received a Lizzie Ladybird certificate.

Thomas - again you have been so determined to do well with your learning this week. You have shown such enthusiasm for all learning so you have received a Bobby Bee certificate.

Kai - you have received a Roger Robin certificate for being such a sensible, mature young man and such a kind, supportive friend.

Our French star this week was Kiefer

PE stars are Jacob M and Amber. Super teamwork and effort!

Music stars this week went to everyone for being wonderful!

Notices:

Next week we have our Sports afternoon on Wednesday. Children will be taking part in the usual sports day activities and will need water, sun cream and sunhat.

Therefore PE next week is on Tuesday and Wednesday for all the class - not Thursday.

Holy Communion takes place next Saturday 26th June and the following Saturday 3rd July. Father Peter came into school this week to speak to Miss Hornby regarding current church protocols. We will send out a letter with these protocols in place for you next week so you can be clear about what to expect.

Have a lovely weekend everyone!

Mrs Lyons, Mrs Mather and Miss Forster

Year 4 blog "What we learn with pleasure, we never forget." (Alfred Mercier)

It has been a super week! Children have as usual thrown themselves into all learning. They have written their own story, based on the Firework Maker’s Daughter. They have tried hard to include humour, description, excitement and all the wonderful Year 4 grammar skills learned this year.

Children have been learning all about angles, polygons and triangles in Maths week - along with keeping our number skills ticking over. They have learned that angles are the measure of a turn.

On Thursday, we learned all about Fossils in Science and children have brought home their own fossil that they have made.

RHE

This week we have focused on Relationships and distinguished between friends, family and others. We have learned how to help keep relationships healthy and kind. We have learned that although there are many different types of family, one family type is not better than another.

Let’s Celebrate!

Together, as a class, children have received 15,125 learning points over this half-term! AMAZING!

This is because of how hard all children have tried to develop their resilience, self-belief, concentration, courage, reflection, creativity, co-operation and curiosity. The winning team was Bamber this half-term but, as we said in class you are all winners for developing your brains and hearts so much that you earned all these points!!!!

I had to give out 3 certificates this week too - I have just been so impressed with the focus, independence and effort!

Clara Clownfish/Lizzie Ladybird certificate: To Kiefer for being a pattern spotter - being super with angles this week and always seeking to improve yourself!

Kiki Chameleon/Roger Robin certificate: To Jack for always trying hard to have original ideas and for being such a co-operative learning partner.

Kiki Chameleon/Sadie Spider certificate: To Amber for going for it with her reading target and trying so hard to think up ideas for her story.

Music stars this week were Esme and Mason

PE stars this week were Holly and Kai

This half term these children met their reading target:

Esme, Harriet, Abi, India and Lena.

These children met their reading target twice!

Mason, Christian, Kai and Isabella

Excellent!

Here are some super limericks done for homework last week!

Notices

Some people have still not returned their Holy Communion letters. Please could we have these on the first Monday back.

PE change after half term: Inside PE on Monday has now changed to outside PE on Tuesday. Wednesday/Thursday PE is as normal.

I have put some optional home learning on the homework section to practise key skills which you may want to dip into to keep learning ticking over in the holidays.

I hope this weather improves for our half-term break! Whatever you do, we hope you have a lovely break with your families and stay safe.

God bless and take care,

Mrs Lyons, Mrs Mather and Miss Forster.

Year 4 blog "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart." (St Paul, the apostle)

This week I have enjoyed so much sharing your children’s great success on returning to school after such a tumultuous time and yet making such amazing progress! It has been so nice to put faces to names - I feel like I have finally met you all properly, albeit towards the end of the year! If you feel there was anything you needed to ask and didn’t, please feel free to email me and I will do my best to help.

This week in RE, children learned all about Saul and his conversion to St. Paul. This story gave them such a good opportunity to talk about how they have changed and grown this year in so many marvellous ways as individuals and as a whole class team! There is a real atmosphere of love for their work - like he quote above.

Children written with great love of words and enthusiasm this week - character descriptions of the Goddess of the Emerald Lake and Razvani the Fire-Fiend, from our novel. I had to include some below as they are really special and showcase many of the year 4 skills mastered this year, used effectively to impact the reader.

In maths this week we have done all sorts! Doubling, halving, reading various scales, solving lots of number problems using all of our methods… Next we will move on to understanding shape, angles and symmetry.

We have also had a super time learning about weathering and erosion of rocks in Science. We shook different types of rocks for 400 seconds and then observed which had eroded to decide on the rock type which erodes the easiest. Children had a lot of fun shaking!

Let’s Celebrate!

A beautiful, creative worship about the Holy Spirit was led this week by Esme, Kiefer and James. It had a lot of nice touches, such as a minutes silence to talk to God at the end. Well thought out you three!

This week it is Sadie Spider Certificates for facing all the challenges I have set with determination and grit! This week 3 certificates have been awarded to Hollie-Rose, Julia and Saul for persisting at challenges and being determined to succeed. I am very, very proud of you!

Music stars this week were Kiefer and Max.

PE stars this week were India and Kiefer.

Marvellous manners certificate from the lunchtime team went to Hollie-Rose and Thomas.

Notices

Next week on Friday the winning house team will be able to come in their house colours or own clothes. I will let you know the winning team by Wednesday evening.

Please could I ask that all Holy Communion slips be in early next week - we have most of them.

Let’s go for it with the reading targets this weekend- one more week!!

Year 4 blog "Our similarities bring us to a common ground; Our differences allow us to be fascinated by each other." (Tom Robbins)

It has been a fascinating week in Year 4! We have made Scientific discoveries together when learning about how different rocks are formed and how this affects their hardness, permeability and response to acid.

We have been fascinated by the story of the Prodigal Son in RHE and how God is like the Father waiting to welcome us with open arms. Also, in RE we have learned about the first Christian martyr, St. Stephen and how his great faith in Jesus shaped his life.

We have been fascinated in maths when solving problems which require us to calculate and understand - what part of the calculation answers the problem? We have also been fascinated by analysing the wonderful world of words in all we do. Each time there is a new word mentioned, Dictionary Divas look it up, children may cry out, “That is a homonym!” or “Its a homophone!” Children are seeking to understand with more depth what they read by searching the meaning of new words. Add to that some excellent character descriptions and a lovely shared write together of a setting in class and it has been a great few days.

A lovely worship was presented by Saul, Julia and Thomas this week on the theme of love. What a calm and beautiful atmosphere you created.

Let’s Celebrate!

This week, I have been looking closely at how we work together in partners. I have awarded 2 Roger Robin certificates this week for super partner work and collaborative learning. You treat each other with such respect and kindness! These go to: Abi and Jacob O.

PE stars this week Harriet and Mason.

Notices

1. Holy Communion letters will be sent on Monday. Thank goodness- children will be able to make their Holy Communion before the end of Year 4.

2. Parents meetings on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday next week - I look forward to seeing you. Please note that the dedicated time slots will begin automatically so please make sure you are prompt, so that we can make the most of the time we have. If you are yet to do so, please see Miss Hornby’s blog to watch the video, explaining how it all works.

Have a lovely weekend full of joy!

Mrs Lyons, Mrs Mather and Miss Forster

Year 4 blog Friday 30th April "Gratitude and Attitude are not challenges - they are choices."

Well the week has whizzed by in Year 4! There have been lots of challenging experiences - writing an explanation text to explain the Water Cycle was one. It required an utter focus on the task in hand - as there are lots of tricky processes to put into words and a lot of ambitious science vocabulary. However, children rose to this challenge and the result were astounding! Children also wrote persuasive letters in English - wow! They were emotional and jam-packed with persuasive language!!

RHE

This week’s focus was on how strong feelings can make you want to react in certain ways which are not always favourable. However, by stopping and thinking, showing resilience and reminding yourself of what you are thankful for about the person, or situation, things can have a happier conclusion for all concerned. We have been practising this resilience within class and on the playground and it is helping us become so much more mature! We have also learned about Pentecost in RE lessons this week and thought about the fruits of the Holy Spirit. Children have reflected on how they can use them in their own lives.

We had a truly beautiful worship about Hope this week, from Kai, Isabella and Grace. This was so thoughtfully put together with music and even an extract from a book Kai had read, which reminded him about having hope. Absolutely gorgeous!

Thursday was a highlight of the week, as we started our new topic about Rocks and Soils. Children became rock detectives and learned to classify, observe and name certain rocks. The questions they asked were superb. Have a look at our little scientists in the movie below.

Let’s Celebrate!

This week, it was hard to pick after such a high standard of work. Our certificate winners are:

Christian for being such a co-operative and creative learner. You are so lovely to others Christian and so much thought goes into your work.

and Evie for being such an inquisitive and reflective learner - you always think deeply about what you do and you listen so intently.

Well done to both of you.

PE stars this week are: Jack and Hollie-Rose - serious determination shown!

Music stars are: Asher and Olivia.

Notices

Thanks to everyone for signing up to parents’ meetings. I look forward to speaking to you properly.

Have a great bank holiday weekend. I have set children a nice task for homework involving going to the beach to collect rocks. Let’s pray for some much needed warmth and sunshine after this strange, cold week!

God bless,

Mrs Lyons, Mrs Mather and Miss Forster

"What is this life if, full of care, we have no time to stand and stare?" W.H Davies

It has been a week of many interesting learning opportunities in Year 4! We have begun our fantastic new novel, “The Firework Maker’s daughter in English. Already we are falling in love with it and have been practising all our Year 4 comprehension strategies. We also now have two ‘Dictionary Divas’ in class who always look up words for us. Each day becomes an opportunity to expand our repertoire of words we understand.

RHE

This week we have learned that sometimes our emotions can be confusing and complicated as we grow up. After collecting lots of different emotion words, children reflected on strategies they could use to help them deal with their own emotions in a healthy way. We learned that this is called our ‘Emotional Health.’

We also looked together at the poem above, ‘Leisure,’ by W.H Davies and talked about how good it is for us sometimes to just do nothing and appreciate the beauty around us!

Engagement in Science this week has been great! We have been learning about how water changes state and the processes of evaporation and condensation. We made our own puddle (called Bob) and drew round it all day, watching it shrink until it no longer existed because it had all evaporated into gas. We have carried out class experiments to discover how to speed up the process of evaporation and even today made it rain in the classroom! Now we are putting it all together to learn about the Water Cycle.

A beautiful class worship was carried out by Steph, Amber and Asher about God’s power in our lives. This was my favourite part of the week as it is so special seeing children leading us all in reflection.

Let’s Celebrate!

This week, Kai received a Tommy Turtle/Lizzie Ladybird certificate for having such a good go at everything and striving to get better. Asher received a Kiki Chameleon/Sadie Spider certificate for always giving his best and reflecting deeply on all learning.

PE stars this week: Jacob O and Isabella - super effort!

Music stars were Lena and Jack for excellent participation and listening.

Notices:

Nearly everyone has signed up for our Virtual parents’ meetings. I really look forward to touching base with you all and talking about how your child is getting along. Please sign up if you have not done so.

Who can predict this weather! One minute it is like the middle of Summer and the next day it is freezing! Whatever the weather, have a beautiful weekend and have some time to stand and stare!

Mrs Lyons, Mrs Mather and Miss Forster.

Year 4 blog: "Teamwork can build friendships that last lifetime."

What a lovely week we have had full of excitement and teamwork! We have enjoyed sunshine, giggles and so many deep learning experiences.

RHE learning

This week we learned a story about a land where everyone shared friendship tokens with each other… until one old lady came along to spoil the harmony. Whispering and turning others against each other - the land became unfriendly until one child recognised the pain behind the old troublemaker’s eyes and showed compassion. We learned about how we can keep our class friendly and build relationships by giving tokens of friendship such as forgiveness, compliments, including others and being fair and just. By treating everyone in this way, more and more friendship tokens are produced! Here are some children role-playing the story below.

Tuesday was very exciting! To launch our Science topic on Solids, liquids and gases children worked in teams to make ice-cream! It was a success! We lowered the freezing point of ice by adding salt - then added our ice-cream mixture to the inner bag. Then the fun part - ten minutes of shaking vigorously! Complete with sprinkles - the perfect ice-cream!

Other highlights include writing super stories about ‘The Dragon Slayer,’ deep understanding in maths with fractions and children making videos defining what makes something a solid and what makes something a liquid.

This week we have started worships led by the children. Jack, Lena and India led a beautiful class worship about how Jesus cares for us and used the story of ‘The Lost Sheep.’ It was a lovely experience.

Let’s Celebrate!

This week, Mrs Lyons needed to give out 3 certificates! A Focused AND enthusiastic learner certificate went to Jess for always participating with joy in her learning and remaining focused so she could write her whole story.

A Brave and improving learner certificate went to Jayden this week for trying so hard to have a go and improving his participation.

Finally a Focused AND improving learner went to Max because he has shown massive improvement in his maturity and concentration. You are becoming such a good learner!

Well done children!

Music stars this week were the whole class - absolutely brilliant said Mrs Maddocks!

PE stars this week go to a group of brilliant listeners who are determined to try their best: Julia, India and Jacob M. Well done!

Notices

Please could we have a big push on completing homework on time and handing in on Thursday. There will be 10 class hugs if everyone does their full homework! I always set activities which reinforce what we have learned in class. We are focusing this last term on mastering spellings, handwriting and ticking along maths skills, so we are ready for year 5.

The sun is out! The flowers are growing! Enjoy your weekend and have a lovely time. Good luck to our parents that are completing the three peaks challenge!

God bless,

Mrs Lyons, Mrs Mather and Miss Forster.

Year 4 blog "We are the Easter People and Hallelujah is our song!" (Pope John Paul 2nd)

What a lovely treat this week to have some glorious sunshine! The children have made the most of it with all sorts of games outside. Football is growing more popular by the day and we have even had some children who do not want to play, being the ‘football commentators’ which has been very entertaining!

This week has seen us journeying through Holy Week. We have taken a part of the Easter story each day and dramatised it. Children have reflected deeply upon the feelings of Jesus, their own feelings and growing faith. His Resurrection brings hope for all our futures and a chance for a new life. Please share in our Easter journey and watch our class video below.

Let’s Celebrate!

Well done to Marsden for narrowly winning the class learning points competition this half term. Teachers watched closely to see when you were demonstrating our important learning qualities within class and in your work. All of Year four - you have been amazing this last few weeks - resilient, enthusiastic and so courageous, all stepping out of your comfort zones to come to school and re-connect with each other. Well done. We are very proud of all of you.

This week, we have three double whammy certificates! Olivia, Harriet and Esme have received Kiki Chameleon/Sadie Spider certificates. All three of you consider your ideas so carefully and try so hard to be original in your writing. Your RE work reflecting on Good Friday events and what the death of Jesus meant to you, was poignant and heartfelt. Every task you tackle is done with enthusiasm and thought.

PE stars this week were Grace and Christian for getting really stuck in!

Music stars this week were: Asher and James

This week, Jayden, Harriet, James and Julia have met their reading targets. Well done!

We hope you all have a happy and holy Easter with your families and a good rest. God bless,

Mrs Lyons, Mrs Mather and Miss Forster