St Oswald's Catholic Primary SchoolYear 4: Blog items
Year 4 Blog Friday 19th April 2024
Date: 19th Apr 2024 @ 9:41am
Welcome to the first blog of the Summer term
Home practice
Reading
Please read for 20 minutes each evening to an adult at home. Reading every night will help you read more fluently and with understanding.
See if you can spot any determiners when you are reading. Determiners are words which come before a noun / an adjective and a noun.
Spellings
These are your spellings for next week:
invention action digestion creation calculation
direction completion expression confession admission
progression discussion possession procession permission
Counting
This week, please practise counting in 20’s (similar to your 2 times table but 10 times larger)
For example, start at 20 and count to 240 and back again
20 40 60 etc 240 220 200 etc
Now try counting in 25’s. Start at 25 and count to 350 and back again
25 50 75 etc 350 325 300 etc
Times tables and Number facts
Please practise your individual tables target for your test next week.
You can practise your tables on TTRockstars, Hit the Button and timestables.co.uk
Please also practise your number facts.
You can practise your number facts on Hit the Button
It is crucial that you learn all of your table facts and your number facts as this will help you with many aspects of maths.
Sumdog challenges
- A spelling challenge based on the words above
- A doubling / halving and related facts challenge
This week we have introduced TTRockstars. Please practise your tables on the app at home and play some different games so that you understand how to play them and what they entail. Next week, a challenge will be set.
In English, we learnt what a determiner is and how using different determiners can change the meaning of a sentence. We also learnt how to write noun phrases / expanded noun phrases. We will be trying to use this learning in a piece of descriptive writing next week.
In Maths, we revised the grid method of multiplication. We used known facts and our knowledge of multiplying by 10 and 100 to help us. In addition, we learnt how to halve whole and decimal numbers with both even and odd digits.
In RE, we started our new topic – New Life. We listened to a story and considered what made the main character feel unhappy and subsequently alive again. In addition, we decided what the character had learnt from the experience and any changes they would make. We also discussed a religious painting depicting Pentecost, focusing on the people, actions, symbols and colours.
In Computing, we finished our photo editing topic. We thought about the feelings and emotions we wanted to express in a picture, took a photograph in the school grounds, and then altered it digitally in an attempt to elicit these feelings.
In Geography, we shared what we already know about rainforests. Then we located the world’s rainforests. We discovered that they are near or on the equator.
Have a lovely weekend
The Year 4 team
Year 4 Blog Thursday 28th March 2024
Date: 28th Mar 2024 @ 8:51am
Welcome to the last blog of the Spring term
As it is the Easter holiday, we have not set any Home Practice / Sumdog challenges. However, please keep reading every day – this really is the key to unlocking your learning.
In English, we learnt what a pronoun is and its purpose in a sentence (pronouns are words which are used instead of a noun). We then used pronouns in our own work - replacing nouns with appropriate pronouns ensuring that the sentence still made sense.
In Maths, we learnt how to double a number with ones and tenths. This was trickier when we needed to exchange ten tenths for a one!
In RE, we used words and pictures to describe Holy Week and produced a beautiful piece of work in our books which we are very proud of.
As it is Holy Week, we were also lucky enough to have a visit from Father Michael. He reminded us about some of the events of Holy Week and told us about the Mass of Chrism he was attending during the week. We also went to church on Thursday afternoon for an Easter Liturgy beautifully led by Year 6.
Well done for a brilliant term Year 4!
We look forward to seeing you all again on Monday 15th April in your Summer uniforms.
Make sure you relax and enjoy spending time with your family and friends over the Easter holiday.
Have a fabulous Easter
The Year 4 team
Year 4 Blog Friday 22nd March 2024
Date: 21st Mar 2024 @ 4:19pm
Welcome to your Friday blog
Home practice
Reading
Please read for 20 minutes each evening to an adult at home. Reading every night will help you read more fluently and with understanding.
Can you summarise what has already happened in the book so far? Can you make a prediction about what you think will happen and explain why you think this?
Spellings
These are your spellings for next week:
physician optician magician politician mathematician
electrician musician extension collision confusion
explosion division exclusion conclusion invasion
Counting
This week, please practise counting in 0.2’s (similar to your 2 times table but 10 times smaller)
For example, start at 0.2 and count to 2.6 and back again
0.2 0.4 0.6 etc 2.6 2.4 2.2 etc
Now try starting at 0.1 and count to 2.7 and back again
0.1 0.3 0.5 etc 2.7 2.5 2.3 etc
Times tables and Number facts
Please practise your individual tables target for your test next week.
You can practise your tables on Hit the Button and timestables.co.uk
Please also practise your number facts.
You can practise your number facts on Hit the Button
It is crucial that you learn all of your table facts and your number facts as this will help you with many aspects of maths.
Sumdog challenges
- A spelling challenge based on the words above
- A times tables competition based on all the times tables
- A missing number times table challenge
In English, we wrote a conversation between Lila and Rambashi ensuring that our words for said reflected the characters, and our punctuation was correct. We then acted this out with a partner.
In Maths, we continued learning how to accurately place hundredths on a blank numberline. We also found the effect of dividing a one or two-digit number by 100, and started to learn how to solve number sequences when we needed to add or subtract to find the difference.
In RE, we learnt about the events of Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter Saturday and Easter Sunday. We then started to produce a beautiful piece of work in our books which explained our learning. We will continue this next week.
We also made our DT projects this week. First, we stitched a button or a pattern on the ‘front’ of the product, then we sewed the two pieces of felt together. You can see some pictures of us busy at work and of our finished products in the gallery.
This week, we also took part in a retirement assembly for Mr Bedford who taught us how to swim when we were in Year 3. We wish Mr Bedford all the very best for his retirement.
In addition, we had our last dance session provided by Beth from South Ribble Sports Coaches, and attended the Parish Mass and Stations of the Cross on Friday morning.
Have a lovely weekend
The Year 4 team
Year 4 Blog Friday 15th March 2024
Date: 15th Mar 2024 @ 12:22pm
Welcome to your Friday blog
Home practice
Reading
Please read for 20 minutes each evening to an adult at home. Reading every night will help you read more fluently and with understanding.
Keeping looking out for dialogue / speech marks. Look carefully at how the dialogue is punctuated. Can you see the inverted commas? What words are inside the inverted commas? Can you spot any capital letters and punctuation within the speech marks?
Spellings
These are your spellings for next week:
antiseptic antidote antibiotic antibody anticlockwise
antisocial anticlimax antihistamine interfere international
interrupt internet intervene intercept interject
Counting
This week, please practise counting in 4’s.
For example, start at 0 and count up to 48 and back again
0 4 8 etc 48 44 40 etc
Now try counting in 8’s.
Start at 0 and count up to 96 and back again
0 8 16 etc 96 88 80 etc
Times tables and Number facts
Please practise your individual tables target for your test next week.
You can practise your tables on Hit the Button and timestables.co.uk
Please also practise your number facts.
You can practise your number facts on Hit the Button
It is crucial that you learn all of your table facts and your number facts as this will help you with many aspects of maths.
Sumdog challenges
- A spelling challenge based on the words above
- A times tables challenge based on all the times tables
- A dividing by 10 and 100 challenge
In English, we read some more of our class novel – The Firework-Maker’s Daughter. We then revised the rules for speech / dialogue. Following this, we thought of lots of different words for ‘said’ which Lila and Rambashi (2 characters from the novel) would use. We will be writing our own dialogue between the characters next week.
In Maths, we compared and ordered numbers with tens, ones, tenths and hundredths. In addition, we placed hundredths on a blank numberline.
In RE, we started our new topic – ‘Giving: Self Discipline’. We read a story and discussed how feelings and beliefs affect self-discipline. We learnt that although being self-disciplined can be difficult, it can also lead to positive results.
We started our DT project this week. We practised 3 different types of stitches, then planned and designed our product. We will be making our product next week.
We need to remember to bring in any decorations we want to include on our product next week.
This week, we also enjoyed a trip to Formby Beach and Southport Eco Centre. We learnt a lot of information about the Formby coastline, and ways to be more eco friendly. It was an excellent trip and we gained a lot of knowledge from the experience. Have a look at our photos in the gallery.
In addition, this week we have taken part in an energetic keep fit session with Freddie Fit and a lesson led by the Japanese students, during which we learnt how to show hospitality in Japan. See the photos in our gallery.
Have a lovely weekend
The Year 4 team
Year 4 Blog Friday 8th March 2024
Date: 7th Mar 2024 @ 4:33pm
Welcome to your Friday blog
Home practice
Reading
Please read for 20 minutes each evening to an adult at home. Reading every night will help you read more fluently and with understanding.
See if you can spot any dialogue / speech marks. Look carefully at the punctuation – this will be useful for our English learning over the next couple of weeks.
Spellings
These are your spellings for next week:
position straight consider favourite knowledge
possess possession strength minute promise
through fruit probably remember separate
Counting
This week, please practise counting in hundredths.
For example, start at 0.05 and count up to 0.23 and back again
0.05 0.06 0.07 etc 0.23 0.22 0.21 etc
Times tables and Number facts
Please practise your individual tables target for your test next week.
You can practise your tables on Hit the Button and timestables.co.uk
Please also practise your number facts.
You can practise your number facts on Hit the Button
It is crucial that you learn all of your table facts and your number facts as this will help you with many aspects of maths.
Sumdog challenges
- A spelling challenge based on the words above
- A times tables challenge based on the 4 and 8 times tables
- A comparing decimal numbers challenge
In English, we made predictions about our new class novel – The Firework-Maker’s Daughter. We read an extract from Chapters 1, 2 and 3 and then thought carefully about the characters, the setting, and what we thought would happen in the book. In addition, we used evidence from the text to describe the main character, Lila.
In Maths, we learnt more about decimal numbers to two decimal places in the context of money. We also compared numbers represented by place value counters and coins.
In RE, we watched a video of The Concluding Rite which ends the Mass. We then described ways we can glorify God and explored Romans 12:8-11.
In Art, we practised sketching a flower. We then experimented with tints and shades by mixing a colour of paint with white paint. Following this, we painted a picture of a flower to go on a card.
In Computing, we practised retouching a picture. We will be putting all our photo editing skills together over the next couple of weeks in order to edit a photograph of our own choice.
This week we have also been to Reconciliation with Father Michael, taken part in a dance class and a yoga session, and enjoyed dressing up for World Book Day. Have a look at the pictures in our gallery.
Have a lovely weekend
The Year 4 team
Year 4 Blog Friday 1st March 2024
Date: 1st Mar 2024 @ 8:40am
Welcome to your Friday blog
Home practice
Reading
Please read for 20 minutes each evening to an adult at home. Reading every night will help you read more fluently and with understanding.
See if you can spot any adverbs when you’re reading. Adverbs are words which describe a verb eg. He ate his breakfast quickly. The word ‘quickly’ is an adverb.
Spellings
These are your spellings for next week:
calf calves half halves knife knives
leaf leaves shelf shelves thief thieves
yourself yourselves themselves
Counting
This week, please practise counting in 5s.
For example, start at 0 and count up to 60 and back again
0 5 10 etc 60 55 50 etc
Now have a go at counting in 50’s
Start at 0 and count up to 600 and back again
0 50 100 etc 600 550 500 etc
Times tables and Number facts
Please practise your individual tables target for your test next week.
You can practise your tables on Hit the Button and timestables.co.uk
Please also practise your number facts.
You can practise your number facts on Hit the Button
It is crucial that you learn all of your table facts and your number facts as this will help you with many aspects of maths.
Sumdog challenges
- A spelling challenge based on the words above
- A times tables challenge based on the 6 and 12 times tables
Please also click on the link below and have a go at the tenths and hundredths quiz which will help consolidate our maths learning from this week.
https://www.iknowit.com/lessons/c-decimals-tenths-and-hundredths.html
In English, we experimented using adverbs / adverbial phrases in sentences and then moving them around to different places. This helped us understand how to use an adverb / adverbial phrase in our writing to make it more interesting, and we also became experts at recognising whether the sentence ‘sounded’ grammatically correct or not.
In Maths, we learnt that a tenth can be divided by 10 to create a hundredth. Using pictorial representations to help with our learning, we learnt the equivalence of tenths, hundredths, common fractions and the decimal forms of these.
In RE, we learnt about the different parts of the Communion Rite. We then wrote our own prayer for peace and unity. We also discussed ‘Living in Communion’ and what this means in daily life.
In PSHE, we recognised how people manage their feelings. In addition, we discussed how people show their feelings through their body language.
In PE, we practised our netball skills and then played a game. We also learnt some new ways to balance in our gymnastics lesson.
This week, we also took part in a brilliant dance session, a triathlon event and enjoyed the 'wear something bright' school disco. Have a look at our galleries.
Have a lovely weekend
The Year 4 team
Year 4 Blog Friday 23rd February 2024
Date: 22nd Feb 2024 @ 1:18pm
Welcome to your Friday blog
Home practice
Reading
Please read for 20 minutes each evening to an adult at home. Reading every night will help you read more fluently and with understanding.
See if you can spot any apostrophes when you are reading. Why are they used? Is it because the word is a contraction / has missing letters (eg didn’t / I’m / couldn’t), or because the apostrophe shows possession?
Spellings
The spellings you will be tested on next week all involve the possessive apostrophe with plural nouns. Therefore, there will be no spellings to learn. Instead, we will practise this spelling rule each day in class. You will be tested on this rule next Wednesday.
Counting
This week, please practise counting in 1000’s.
For example, start at 0 and count up to 10 000 and back again
0 1 000 2 000 etc 10 000 9 000 etc
Start at 694 and count up to 10 694 and back again
694 1 694 etc 10 694 9 694 etc
Times tables and Number facts
Please practise your individual tables target for your test next week.
You can practise your tables on Hit the Button and timestables.co.uk
Please also practise your number facts.
You can practise your number facts on Hit the Button
It is crucial that you learn all of your table facts and your number facts as this will help you with many aspects of maths.
Sumdog challenges
- A counting in hundredths challenge
- A times tables challenge based on the 3, 4 and 8 times tables
- A negative numbers challenge
In English, we learnt how to use an apostrophe when a noun is plural. In addition, we learnt what an adverbial phrase is and how to identify one in a sentence. We then learnt how to write and correctly punctuate sentences which included fronted adverbials.
In Maths, we correctly placed numbers on a number line with multiples of 1000 marked but not labelled. We also labelled positive and negative numbers on a number line and counted backwards through zero. Our learning this week also included building on our understanding of the number system, extending it further into hundredths.
In RE, we wrote our Lenten Promise which we are going to try and do our best to keep. In addition, we learnt what happens at the gathering of the Eucharist and during the Introductory Rite. We wrote our own verse to a hymn and explained how we could apply the words of Matthew 5: 45-48 in our daily lives.
In History, we started our new topic – Ancient Greeks. We learnt where and when the Ancient Greeks lived.
In Computing, we continued our photo editing topic by learning how to clone and retouch images.
In Art, we started a new topic – Exploring still life. We began by looking at the art work of Paul Cezanne. Then we used the ‘Four Colour Gestural Drawing Exercise’. This involved using only 4 colours to help us appreciate how seeing simple shapes can help improve drawing skills.
Have a lovely weekend
The Year 4 team
Year 4 Blog Thursday 8th February 2024
Date: 8th Feb 2024 @ 2:39pm
Welcome to your Friday blog
Home practice
As it’s half term, there is no home practice. However, please keep reading every day as it really is the key to unlocking your learning.
Please also try and practise your times tables - either your target or something you find tricky. This will help you in many areas of maths.
In English, we retold an extract of the novel and attempted to use different openers for our sentences. We found this tricky, but made a brilliant attempt.
In Maths, we started our new topic – place value. We started by revising rounding numbers to the nearest 10 and 100. We then extended this learning to rounding numbers to the nearest 1000.
We started a new topic in RE – Giving and receiving. We listened to ‘The Sharing Song' by Jack Johnson and then discussed both the joys and demands of giving and receiving.
We hope you all have a brilliant half term holiday and look forward to seeing you all on Monday 19th February.
The Year 4 Team
Year 4 Blog Friday 2nd February 2024
Date: 2nd Feb 2024 @ 1:14pm
Welcome to your Friday blog
Home practice
Reading
Please read for 20 minutes each evening to an adult at home. Reading every night will help you read more fluently and with understanding.
See if you can spot any adverbs when you are reading. An adverb is a word which modifies the verb – it tells us how, where or when it was done.
Spellings
The spellings this week are all homophones
scene seen mail male bawl
ball waist waste guest guessed
new knew to too two
Counting
This week, please practise counting in 10’s.
For example, start at 0 and count up to 120 and back again
0 10 20 etc 120 110 100 etc
Start at 57 and count up to 237 and back again
57 67 77 etc 237 227 217 etc
Times tables and Number facts
Please practise your individual tables target for your test next week.
You can practise your tables on Hit the Button and timestables.co.uk
Please also practise your number facts.
You can practise your number facts on Hit the Button
It is crucial that you learn all of your table facts and your number facts as this will help you with many aspects of maths.
Sumdog challenges
- A spelling challenge
- A times tables challenge based on the 2, 5 and 10 times tables
- A 3D shape challenge
In English, we have been learning about verbs and adverbs this week. We tried to include adverbs in our writing and made sure that they were appropriate to the verb they were describing.
We learnt that adverbs:
- describe or modify verbs
- can come before or after a verb
- can be used at the beginning of a sentence
- can tell us how, when or where the verb was done
HOW – Barry tiptoed silently. (silently is the adverb)
WHERE – Jane ran downstairs. (downstairs is the adverb)
WHEN – Tom played football yesterday. (yesterday is the adverb)
In Maths, we finished our 3D shape topic. We identified and described 3D shapes, researching carefully their properties.
In RE, we continued our topic, Community. We read St Paul’s letter to the Romans 12:8-11 and discussed the words. We then chose our favourite sentence and explained how we would live this out in action in our daily lives.
In Art we finished making our boxes for our ‘pocket gallery’ and mounting our pictures on to card. Then we created our ‘pocket gallery’ ensuring that our mounted figures were looking at our artwork. Have a look at our creations in the gallery.
In History, we learnt how and why Britain became part of the Roman Empire. In addition, we learnt about the legacies left behind by the Romans. We then made either a PowerPoint or Keynote presentation to explain our learning.
This week, we also enjoyed yoga. Have a look at the pictures in our gallery.
The Year 4 Team
Year 4 Blog Friday 26th January 2024
Date: 25th Jan 2024 @ 4:35pm
Welcome to your Friday blog
Home practice
Reading
Please read for 20 minutes each evening to an adult at home. Reading every night will help you read more fluently and with understanding.
See if you can spot any verbs when you are reading (a verb is an action or a doing word). It can also show what something has or is.
eg The boy is tall. (is is the verb)
The tree has green leaves. (has is the verb).
Spellings
The spellings this week all have the ending -ture.
mixture capture feature moisture adventure
nature picture vulture future torture
sculpture creature fracture furniture temperature
Counting
This week, please practise counting in 7’s.
For example, start at 0 and count up to 84 and back again
0 7 14 21 etc 84 77 70 etc
Times tables and Number facts
Please practise your individual tables target for your test next week.
You can practise your tables on Hit the Button and timestables.co.uk
Please also practise your number facts.
You can practise your number facts on Hit the Button
It is crucial that you learn all of your table facts and your number facts as this will help you with many aspects of maths.
Sumdog challenges
- A spelling challenge
- A times tables challenge based on the 7 times tables
- A 3D shapes and their properties challenge
Reminders
Online Safety
In English, we wrote a formal letter to Mr Tregenza (grandfather in the novel) to persuade him to leave his home in Slapton Sands. We tried our best to use vocabulary which was both formal and persuasive, and enjoyed using our ‘posh’ voice to rehearse our sentences as we were writing as Lord Somethingorother.
In Maths, we started a new topic – shape. First, we identified, named and described 2D shapes according to their properties.
Following this, we identified and named prisms according to their properties.
Prisms are 3D shapes, made up of two identical (congruent) polygons at opposite ends and joined up by parallel lines called edges.
This week, we also identified and named pyramids according to their properties.
Pyramids are 3D shapes with a polygon as a base and straight lines called edges that go from the vertex on the base and meet at one point called an apex.
In RE, we continued our topic, 'Community'. We discussed where our local parish is as well as members of the clergy. In addition, we thought about the links between the parish and the school, and the lay people who help in church. A lay person is someone who is not a member of the clergy, but helps as church eg a flower arranger or catechist.
In Art we continued making our boxes for our ‘pocket gallery’. We also cut out the pictures of ourselves and mounted them on to card. Next week, we will set up our gallery, including some pieces of art.
In Science, we classified materials as solids, liquids and gases. We used a Venn diagram to help us sort these as some of them were quite tricky (eg jam, honey and hair spray).
We continued our new topic ‘photo editing’ in Computing. We learnt how to recolour pictures as well as clone and retouch them.
Enjoy your weekend
The Year 4 Team
Year 4 Blog Friday 19th January 2024
Date: 19th Jan 2024 @ 8:45am
Welcome to your Friday blog
Home practice
Reading
Please read for 20 minutes each evening to an adult at home. Reading every night will help you read more fluently and with understanding. See if you can spot any nouns when you are reading (a noun is a word which represents a person, place or thing / object)
Spellings
The spellings this week all have the spelling gu.
guide guitar guard guest guardian
guess guilt guinea guile guarantee
guilty guilty guitarist guaranteed guillotine
Counting
This week, please practise counting in 12’s.
For example, start at 0 and count up to 144 and back again
0 12 24 36 etc 144 132 120 etc
For example, start at 1.2 and count up to 14.4 and back again
1.2 2.1 3.6 etc 14.4 13.2 12.0 etc
Times tables and Number facts
Please practise your individual tables target for your test next week.
You can practise your tables on Hit the Button and timestables.co.uk
Please also practise your number facts.
You can practise your number facts on Hit the Button
It is crucial that you learn all of your table facts and your number facts as this will help you with many aspects of maths.
Sumdog challenges
- A spelling challenge
- A times tables challenge based on the 6 and 12 times tables
- A telling the time to the nearest minute challenge
In English, we continued reading the novel and discovered that the whole of Lily’s village needs to move ‘lock, stock and barrel’ to alternative accommodation. We also ‘boxed up’ a formal letter and planned our own in preparation for writing our own formal letter next week.
In Maths, we learnt how to read the time and write it to the nearest minute. We also learnt how to tell, write and match analogue and digital times.
In RE, we started our new topic - Community. We discussed all the different communities we belong to and created a lovely piece of work in our books to show this.
In Geography, we learnt about the causes of flooding, its effect on people and how flooding can be prevented.
In Science, we started our new topic – States of Matter. We considered different objects and decided whether they were solids, liquids or gases.
Enjoy your weekend
The Year 4 Team
Date: 12th Jan 2024 @ 4:14pm
With your children returning to school, it is a great time to review Online Safety in your homes and make sure we are all up to date with developments in the online world. At St Oswald's, all classes will be continuing with their Online Saftety learning where they will learn all about safe practices online in the following areas.
Self image and identitiy
Online relationships
Online bulllying
Health, Well-being and lifestyle
Online reputation
Managing online information
Copyright and ownership
To access a huge range of information on the National Online Safety website click the link below and join our school online safety hub.You will get access to videos, training and guides to keep you informed of the best practices in keeping your children safe online.
http://nationalonlinesafety.com/enrol/st-oswald-s-catholic-primary-school-pr45eb
Year 4 Blog Friday 12th January 2024
Date: 12th Jan 2024 @ 8:15am
Happy New Year to you all and welcome to your Friday blog
Home practice
Reading
Please read for 20 minutes each evening to an adult at home. Reading every night will help you read more fluently and with understanding.
Spellings
The spellings this week all end with -ing, -ed, -er or en.
forgetting excelling excelled regretting regretted
upsetting beginning beginner recapping recapped
travelling travelled traveller forbidden forbidding
Counting
This week, please practise counting in 11’s.
For example, start at 0 and count up to 132 and back again
0 11 22 33 etc 132 121 110 etc
For example, start at 59 and count up to
59 70 81 etc 158 147 136 etc
Times tables and Number facts
Please practise your individual tables target for your test next week.
You can practise your tables on Hit the Button and timestables.co.uk
Please also practise your number facts.
You can practise your number facts on Hit the Button
It is crucial that you learn all of your table facts and your number facts as this will help you with many aspects of maths.
Sumdog challenges
- A spelling challenge
- A times tables challenge based on the 11 times tables
- A telling the time challenge
In English, we started our new novel – The Amazing Story of Adolphus Tips. We used words to describe Lily’s character, and planned and wrote a diary extract.
In Maths, we learnt how to divide by 10, and described the effect of dividing a 2 digit number by 10. In addition, we revised reading and writing time on analogue clocks.
In RE, we read the story of the Wise Men from Matthew’s Gospel and talked about the symbolism of their gifts.
In Geography, we learnt about the different stages of rivers and their features.
We started our new topic ‘photo editing’ in Computing. We learnt how to rotate and crop pictures using the BeFunky app.
Have a lovely weekend
The Year 4 Team
Year 4 Blog Thursday 21st December 2023
Date: 20th Dec 2023 @ 8:34am
Welcome to the final blog of this term
We've had a very busy last week of term!
On Monday, we were visited by the All Hallows Roadshow. They entertained us with singing, dancing and playing musical instruments.
On Tuesday, we attended the Christingle service in church. This was beautifully led by Year 6.
We had a special assembly for Mr Mears on Wednesday. We wish Mr Mears and his family the very best for their new life in Australia.
On Thursday, we had our final Golden Assembly of the term.
Thank you for all your kind gifts and lovely messages.
We would like to wish you all a happy, peaceful and relaxing Christmas.
Please remember to keep reading.
We look forward to seeing you all again on Monday 8th January 2024
The Year 4 team
Year 4 Blog Friday 15th December 2023
Date: 14th Dec 2023 @ 4:44pm
Welcome to your Friday blog
Home practice
Reading
Please read for 20 minutes each evening to an adult at home. Reading every night will help you read more fluently and with understanding.
Spellings
The spellings are from the Year 3 / 4 list.
address decide answer describe believe
perhaps disappear continue suppose though
thought important different February height
Counting
This week, please practise counting in 11’s.
For example, start at 0 and count up to 132 and back again
0 11 22 33 etc 132 121 110 etc
Times tables and Number facts
Please practise your individual tables target to help you learn them and become more fluent.
You can practise your tables on Hit the Button and timestables.co.uk
Please also practise your number facts.
You can practise your number facts on Hit the Button
It is crucial that you learn all of your table facts and your number facts as this will help you with many aspects of maths.
Sumdog challenges
- A spelling challenge – based on the Year 3 / 4 spellings listed above
- A times tables challenge based on the 11 times tables
- A multiplication and division challenge - based on the 3, 4 and 8 times tables
In English, we learnt what alliteration meant (the repetition of a sound at the beginning of two or more neighbouring words). We then wrote a poem which included alliteration.
In Maths, we learnt the formal written method of division – chunking. We practised the chunking method when there was no remainder left, and when there was.
In RE, we discussed the meaning of Advent (Advent means arrival) and how Christians prepare for Jesus’ birth during Advent. In addition, we learnt about Gaudete Sunday which is the third Sunday of Advent (Gaudete means rejoice) and listened to Philippians 4: 4-9 which reminds us to be joyful at this time.
In Science, we looked at diagrams of circuits and decided whether a circuit was complete or incomplete. We then made the circuits and explained why they would or would not work.
In our PSHE lesson, we identified situations as inclusion or discrimination and then produced our own Clips video on the ipads to explain / show the difference.
This week we were also:
- involved in the Santa Dash - many thanks for all your sponsor money
- visited by the Dogs Trust - Sam and Duke taught us how to keep ourselves safe around dogs
- visited by Rock Steady - a rock band who will be providing 'Rock band' tuition after February half term (a letter has been sent home today)
Have a look at the DT gallery of our finished ‘Iron’ models.
Have a relaxing weekend
The Year 4 Team
Year 4 Blog Friday 8th December 2023
Date: 6th Dec 2023 @ 5:21pm
Welcome to your Friday blog
Home practice
Reading
Please read for 20 minutes each evening to an adult at home. Reading every night will help you read more fluently and with understanding.
Spellings
Here are your spellings for next week
caught experiment increase particular separate
certain extreme interest peculiar special
complete famous island potatoes thought
Counting
This week, please practise counting in 9’s.
For example, start at 0 and count up to 108 and back again
0 9 18 27 etc 108 99 90 etc
Times tables
Please practise your individual tables target for your test next week. You can practise your tables on Hit the Button and timestables.co.uk
Number facts
Please practise your number facts on Hit the Button
It is crucial that you learn all of your table facts and your number facts as this will help you with many aspects of maths.
Sumdog challenges
- A spelling challenge
- A times tables challenge
- A multiplication challenge
English
We retold a chapter of the novel in the first person – as if we were the Iron Man.
Maths
We consolidated our learning of the grid method and revised mental strategies of multiplication.
RE
We discussed how Christians prepare for the coming of Jesus in December.
History
We wrote about life in the Roman Army using historical vocabulary which we learnt whilst on our trip.
On Friday, South Ribble Sports Coaches visited and taught each class a dance. Have a look at our dance moves on St Oswald's TV.
Please look in our gallery at the pictures of our Reconciliation on Monday and Wednesday's trip to Lancaster City Museum.
It's the Santa Dash on Monday - remember to bring your Santa hat!
Please remember your cardboard box and any decorations your need for DT next Friday. Please don't bring these items in before Friday 15th December.
Have a lovely weekend
The Year 4 Team
Year 4 Blog - Friday 1st December 2023
Date: 1st Dec 2023 @ 1:14pm
Welcome to this week’s blog.
Year 4 Notices
Year 4 Reconciliation Day – Monday 4th December. Parents are invited to attend the service in church at 2.15pm.
Class Hamper – each class has a colour theme to make up Rainbow Hampers for the PTFA Grand Christmas Raffle. Please donate what you can over the next 2 weeks. Year 4’s colour is blue – please donate anything blue that you can eat, drink, blue luxury items etc.
Trip to Lancaster City Museum – Wednesday 6th December. Please bring a packed lunch in a named carrier bag, but please do not send lunch boxes or flasks as all waste will be disposed of after lunch. Full school uniform must be worn together with a coat or jacket.
Please also read the weekly newsletter which has lots of information about upcoming events before Christmas. Many thanks
Year 4 Learning
In English, we started our new novel - The Iron Man by Ted Hughes. We made predictions about the book by looking carefully at different front covers and reading the blurb on the back. We also discussed which cover was the most effective in helping us with our predictions.
In Maths, we partitioned numbers to mentally multiply
Eg 45 x 3 40 x 3 = 120
5 x 3 = 15
120 + 15 = 135
We then learnt how to double any number up to 4 digits using partitioning.
Finally, this week, we revised the written method of multiplication – the grid method. Many of us understood the method very quickly, however we need to make sure we can recall our times tables quickly and accurately.
In RE, we started our new topic ‘Gift’ during which we will explore God’s gift of love and friendship in Jesus. We started the topic by listening to a story and writing our own ‘recipe’ which showed what we look for in our ideal friend.
In French, we started our new topic of ‘At my house’ = ‘Chez moi’ and focused on describing where we live. We learned ‘Où habites-tu?’ = Where do you live? / ‘J’habite’ = I live / ‘dans une maison’ = in a house / ‘dans un appartement’ = in an apartment / ‘en ville’ = in a city / ‘à la compagne’ = in the countryside / ‘à la mer’ = by the seaside / ‘à la montagne’ = in the mountains. We then matched the correct pictures to each phrase.
In Music, we continued to learn Au Clair de la Lune on our recorders. We then practised the Carols for Christmas – Starry Night and O little town of Bethlehem. Following this, we sang our class song Mama Mia and completed the Silver Challenge which involved listening and playing back what we heard on our recorders. Finally, we attempted to play We wish you a Merry Christmas on the Boomwhackers.
In History, we learnt more about the Roman Army and the reasons why it was so successful:
- They only accepted the strongest soldiers
- They had advanced and effective equipment
- They used fighting formations
- They had top training
- They never accepted defeat
In PSHE, we learnt about discrimination and inclusion.We defined the words, gave examples of each, and discussed how we feel when these things happen.
In Science, we focussed on creating a simple circuit with the challenge of using different components (for example a buzzer, motor or bulb). We then drew a diagram for each one in our books. We also discussed reasons why a circuit might not work and the steps to follow to check all of the components.
(112).jpg)
In our dance session in PE, we worked with a partner to create a superhero sequence. In handball, we combined all invasion games skills to play games in teams. We especially focussed on passing and defending.
We also enjoyed some outdoor learning on Thursday afternoon. We used leaves and other natural items to make various different creations – from leaf letters to leaf Christmas trees. Have a look at our leaf gallery.
Year 4 Home Practice
Reading
Please read for 20 minutes each evening to an adult at home. Make sure you discuss the story and the characters. Find the meaning of any new words too. Reading every night will help you read more fluently and with understanding.
Counting
This week, please practise counting in 4’s and 25’s.
For example, start at 0 and count up to 48 and back again
0 4 12 16 etc 48 44 40 etc
Now have a go at counting in 25’s
Start at 0 and count to 250 and back again
0 25 50 75 etc 250 220 200 etc
Times tables
Please practise your individual tables target for your test next week. Ask someone at home to test you on your tables – can you recall them quickly and accurately?
You can practise your tables on Hit the Button and timestables.co.uk
Please also practise your number facts. It has become evident that many of you are finding this tricky when you have been completing your written addition and subtraction.
You can practise your number facts on Hit the Button
It is crucial that you learn all of your table facts and your number facts as this will help you with many aspects of maths.
Spellings
Here are your spellings for next week
they weigh eight grey sleigh
young touch blood trouble country
does chef brochure parachute machine
Sumdog challenges
You have been set 3 challenges on Sumdog:
- A spelling challenge based on the spellings above
- A times tables challenge based on the 4 and 8 times tables
- A challenge based on multiplying 2 and 3 digits by 1 digit
(eg 32 x 8 30 x 8 = 240 2 x 8 = 16 240 + 16 = 256
Use the grid method which we have practised in class this week for 3 digit multiplications)
Please make sure you log on and have a go! Little and often is the key to success!
The Year 4 Team
Year 4 Blog Friday 24th November 2023
Date: 24th Nov 2023 @ 8:55am
Welcome to this week’s blog.
Year 4 Notices
Reconciliation - If your child is following the Reconciliation program at church, they will have come home with a leaflet, ‘Celebrating the Sacrament of Reconciliation at home’. Please discuss and share this information with your child.
Year 4 Reconciliation Day – Monday 4th December. Parents are invited to attend the service in church at 2.15pm.
Class Hamper – each class has a colour theme to make up Rainbow Hampers for the PTFA Grand Christmas Raffle. Please donate what you can over the next 3 weeks. Year 4’s colour is blue – please donate anything blue that you an eat, drink, blue luxury items etc.
Please also read the weekly newsletter which has lots of information about upcoming events before Christmas.
Year 4 Learning
In English, we discussed the 4 different types of sentences - statements, questions, commands and exclamations. We then wrote questions about a chapter of the novel. We tried our best to ensure that the questions were punctuated properly (using capital letters where appropriate and question marks) and required more than a ‘yes or no’ answer. In addition, we planned a book review of the novel Kensuke’s Kingdom. We will be writing this next week.
In Maths, we revised multiplying by 10 and 100. We then used this knowledge to multiply using related facts.
Eg 3 x 40 3 x 4 = 12 So 3 x 40 = 120 as it is 10 times larger
6 x 900 6 x 9 = 54 So 6 x 900 = 5400 as it is 100 times larger
When a number is multiplied by 10, all the digits move one place to the left
When a number is multiplied by 100, all the digits move two places to the left.
In addition, we learnt how to multiply using compensating (eg using 20 x 6 to help calculate 19 x 6).
In RE, we explored how we are all unique and different. We understood that we should treat each other as we would like to be treated and designed a poster to explain this. We also wrote our own set of Golden Rules to live by, and chose a reading from the Bible which we felt celebrated the uniqueness of each of us.
In Science, we started the lesson by identifying some electrical appliances and what they use electricity for: heating/cooling, light, movement or sound. We then constructed a simple circuit and named the parts. We discovered that to make a simple circuit work, the components needed to be in a loop. We also drew a diagram of this in our books.
In P.S.H.E., we continued with our Relationships unit of 'Play the Right Way and Inclusion'. This session was about the right to privacy. We started the lesson by discussing what we thought this meant and checking our ideas against the given definition. We then discussed some situations where a confidence or secret should be kept and where it should not be kept. Finally, we discussed when it is the right thing to tell a trusted adult.
The right to privacy means - the right not to have one’s personal matters disclosed or publicised / to be left alone / for certain things not to be disclosed
In P.E., we started our rotation of Rugby and Dance. We used our previously taught Invasion Games skills and tactics to play some games of tag rugby. We also explored movement and communicating a character to portray a superhero. We focused on facial expressions and gestures to communicate emotions.
Year 4 Home Practice
Reading
Please read for 20 minutes each evening to an adult at home. Many of you are still not doing this and reading really is the key to unlocking learning.
Make sure you discuss the story and the characters. Find the meaning of any new words too. Reading every night will help you read more fluently and with understanding.
English
Next week, you will be writing your own book review of Kensuke's Kingdom. We have already planned this in class. However, over the weekend please jot down some interesting describing words you would like to use in your writing. This will make your review more interesting to read and showcase some vocabulary of your own.
Counting
This week, please practise counting in 6’s.
For example, start at 0 and count up to 72 and back again
0 6 12 18 etc 72 66 60 etc
Please also count in 3’s
For example, start at 30 and count upto 60 and back again
30 33 39 etc 60 57 54 etc
Times tables
Please practise your individual tables target for your test next week. Ask someone at home to test you on your tables – can you recall them quickly and accurately?
You can practise your tables on Hit the Button and timestables.co.uk
Please also practise your number facts. It has become evident that many of you are finding this tricky when you have been completing your written addition and subtraction.
You can practise your number facts on Hit the Button
It is crucial that you learn all of your table facts and your number facts as this will help you with many aspects of maths.
Spellings
Your spellings next week are from the Year 3 / 4 Statutory list
busy business exercise imagine opposite
regular calendar experience important ordinary
remember caught circle forward library
Sumdog challenges
You have been set 3 challenges on Sumdog:
- A spelling challenge based on the spellings above
- A times tables challenge based on the 3 and 6 times tables
- A challenge based on multiplying by 10 and 100, as well as using known facts to work out other multiplications (eg 30 x 6, use 3 x 6 = 18, then multiply by 10)
Please make sure you log on and have a go! Little and often is the key to success!
The Year 4 Team
Year 4 Blog Friday 17th November 2023
Date: 16th Nov 2023 @ 3:46pm
Help the homeless – Foxton Centre Big PNE Sleepout Friday 17th November
Miss Smith and Mrs Dexter are sleeping by the football pitch at PNE’s Deepdale Stadium this Friday 17th November. This is to raise money for a day centre called The Foxton Centre who provide food and warmth to the homeless people of Preston. Miss Smith and Mrs Dexter will sleep on cardboard and will only have with them what they can carry. This will give them an insight into how difficult it is for people sleeping on the streets, particularly as the nights are getting colder. We are all fortunate that we have food and somewhere warm to go to sleep every night, this is not the case for some people in Preston. Miss Smith and Mrs Dexter are asking for sponsorship, any donation would go a long way to help Preston’s vulnerable homeless community.
You can read more and donate here:
Welcome to your Friday blog
In English this week, we wrote a message in a bottle as if we were the character Michael. As space was limited, we had to ensure that we chose our words carefully.
In Maths, we used arrays to identify what the term factor means. Arrays and multiplication squares were then used to find all the factor pairs of a given number. This new learning was tricky to start with, but with perseverance we have hopefully mastered it!
In Science we started our new topic - Electricity. At the start of the lesson, we tried to think of as many electrical appliances as they could, using the alphabet as a guide for ideas. We then discussed how all of these appliances get electricity, whether it is mains power or battery power. We then sorted some appliances into a Venn Diagram to show which type of electricity powers them, or whether they need both.
In RE, we finished our ‘Belonging’ topic by considering what it means to ‘live in the light’ and how at Confirmation, people promise to try and turn away from what is wrong and follow in God’s light. We also learnt about the work of Sean Devereax who was a missionary and aid worker in Somalia.
In Geography, we watched a video to investigate how people use a river. We found out that rivers can be used for a variety of purposes including helping to water crops, wash clothes and cooking utensils, make energy in the form of hydro-electric power and were vital for our survival.
In Art, following on from last week, we were given another ‘rule’ which we needed to follow. The rule involved drawing parallel lines and some shading. We were impressed with our efforts.
In French, we finished out Pets topic. To show our understanding of what we have learnt, we completed a listening activity, a reading activity and a writing activity. We did very well and we are ready to move on to our new topic of Home next week.
In Music, we continued to learn Au Clair de la Lune on our recorders, using the notes we already know – B A and G. We also started to practise some Carols for Christmas – Starry Night and O little town of Bethlehem.
In PSHE, as it was anti-bullying week, we watched the BBC Teach live lesson about this year's theme 'Make a Noise about Bullying'. We discussed what bullying is and learned how to speak out if it is happening. We also decided whether each scenario was 'banter or bullying' and gave reasons to show the difference. In addition, we discussed ideas of what we should say to someone if their joke isn't funny anymore and who our trusted adults are if we think we are being bullied.
We were also lucky to be put through our paces by Freddie Fit on Tuesday afternoon. You can see some pictures of us enjoying our fitness session here.
In addition, on Friday, we dressed in our pyjamas for Children in Need. Thank you for supporting this worthy cause. If you haven't brought in your £1, you can still bring it in next week!
Home Practice
Reading
Please read for 20 minutes each evening to an adult at home. Make sure you discuss the story and the characters. Find the meaning of any new words too. Reading every night will help you read more fluently and with understanding.
Counting
This week, please practise counting in 6’s.
For example, start at 0 and count up to 72 and back again
0 6 12 18 etc 72 66 60 etc
Then practise counting in 60’s.
For example, start at 0 and down up to 720 and back again
0 60 120 180 etc 720 660 600 etc
Times tables
Please practise your individual tables target for your test next week. Ask someone at home to test you on your tables – can you recall them quickly and accurately?
You can practise your tables on Hit the Button and timestables.co.uk
Please also practise your number facts. It has become evident that many of you are finding this tricky when you have been completing your written addition and subtraction.
You can practise your number facts on Hit the Button
It is crucial that you learn all of your table facts and your number facts as this will help you with many aspects of maths.
Spellings
Your spellings next week all have the prefixes in-, il-, im- or ir-.
inactive incapable incredible inaccurate
immature immobile impossible impatient
irregular irrational irresistible irresponsible
illegal illiterate illogical illegible
Sumdog challenges
You have been set 3 challenges on Sumdog:
- A spelling challenge based on the spellings above
- A times tables challenge based on the 6 times tables
- A challenge based on multiplication arrays and the 3, 4 and 8 times tables
Please make sure you log on and have a go! Little and often is the key to success!
The Year 4 Team
Year 4 Blog Friday 10th November 2023
Date: 9th Nov 2023 @ 1:10pm
Welcome to your Friday blog
Here’s what we have been learning this week:
In English, we have been learning more about subordinating conjunctions – how to identify them in a sentence and where to use them. We learnt an acronym to help us remember some subordinating conjunctions (AWhITEBUS) and also made ‘human sentences’. We had great fun changing the words around and adding punctuation where needed so that the sentence started with the subordinate clause and was still grammatically correct.
In Maths, we revised and learnt more about the formal written method of subtraction. We used this to subtract 4 digit numbers from 4 digit numbers, including when zero was used as a place holder. In addition, we identified missing numbers in column subtraction calculations. We were very proud of our efforts, especially when we needed to include exchanging!
In RE, we learnt about Judaism. We watched a video which developed our understanding about the rules of the Jewish faith and the Torah.
In History, we learnt more about the Roman Army – especially the formations used when in battle. We re-enacted some of these and also had a closer look at the Roman Legionary armour which was on loan from the library. You can see some pictures of us looking at this here.
In French, we continued with our pets topic. We started the lesson by writing the correct word on our whiteboard for the picture that had been drawn and then listened to Mr French ‘Les animaux’ song again. We then wrote sentences in our books to show each character’s response for ‘Tu as des animaux?’. We used the sentence stem ‘Oui, j’ai (number) (animal) et (number) (animal)’ each time, remembering to check the spellings and whether it needed to be plural.
In Art, we continued with our topic of ‘Exploring Pattern’. We were given a ‘rule’ and then needed to adhere to the rule in order to create a pattern. You can see us in action here.
In Music, we started to learn Au Clair de la Lune on our recorders, using the notes we already know – B A and G. We also started to rehearse the songs for our Reconciliation day on Monday 4th December.
Home Practice
Reading
Please read for 20 minutes each evening to an adult at home. Make sure you discuss the story and the characters. Find the meaning of any new words too. Reading every night will help you read more fluently and with understanding.
Counting
This week, please practise counting in 8’s.
For example, start at 0 and count up to 96 and back again
0 8 16 24 etc 96 88 80 etc
Then count in 80’s
For example, start at 0 and count to 960 and back again
0 80 160 240 etc 960 880 800 etc
Maths - Times tables and number facts
Please practise your individual tables target for your test next week. Ask someone at home to test you on your tables – can you recall them quickly and accurately?
You can practise your tables on Hit the Button and timestables.co.uk
Please also practise your number facts. It has become evident that many of you are finding this tricky when you have been completing your written addition and subtraction.
You can practise your number facts on Hit the Button
It is crucial that you learn all of your table facts and your number facts as this will help you with many aspects of maths.
Spellings
Your spellings next week are all taken from the Year 3 / 4 Statutory word list.
length popular strange breathe difficult
guard mention probably therefore build
disappear guide natural recent though
Sumdog challenges
You have been set 3 challenges on Sumdog:
- A spelling challenge based on the spellings above
- A times tables challenge based on the 8 times tables
- A challenge based on the formal written method of column subtraction – please note this only goes up to 3 digit subtract 3 digit numbers
Please make sure you log on and have a go! Little and often is the key to success!
The Year 4 Team
Year 4 Blog - Friday 3rd November 2023
Date: 2nd Nov 2023 @ 12:56pm
Welcome to the Year 4 blog and another busy half term. We have worked our socks off this week and are very proud of our learning.
In English, we concentrated on evaluating how Michael’s feelings and emotions changed throughout a chapter. We also identified and underlined main and subordinate clauses in sentences. We hope to develop our understanding of subordinate clauses and begin to use these within our independent writing.
- A subordinate clause starts with a subordinating conjunction.
- A conjunction is a word, or words, used to connect two clauses together. Words such as: although, because or when.
- These are all examples of subordinating conjunctions
In Maths, we started our new unit – Addition and Subtraction. We began by revising the formal written method of addition and used this to add 4 digit numbers together, including exchanging. We then extended our learning to identify missing digits in column addition calculations, and adding three numbers together with four digits.
In RE, we read a passage of the Bible during which Jesus called Andrew, Simon, James and John to help him deliver the ‘Good News’. Some of us were then chosen to be ‘hotseated’ as an apostle. We gave some very thoughtful and interesting responses which gave an insight into how the apostles may have been feeling about their mission.
In Art, we started our new topic ‘Exploring Pattern’. We started by making a sensory drawing using a needle. We were very proud of our finished drawings – have a look at some of them here.
In Science, we created our own classification keys to help identify different animals. We also finished our ‘Living Things’ topic with a lesson about environmental changes. We discussed natural changes and changes caused by humans, and explained the impact of changes on habitats and the animals that live there.
In P.S.H.E., we started our Relationships topic 'Play the right way and inclusion'. We wrote down what we thought respect means and discussed what it involves. We watched a video and identified the positive attitudes and behaviours shown, especially when in a team. We also discussed what happens and what it feels like when people show respect / don't show respect.
In French, we discussed whether some facts about Halloween in France were vrai o faux (true or false). We learned some vocabulary for typical Halloween things and were able to write the correct French word and English meaning for each picture in our books. We then played ‘What’s missing?’ and ‘Guess Who?’.
In Music, we started to learn the song Mama Mia and played some warm up games. Following this, we recapped the notes we learnt on the recorders in year 3 – B A and G.
Home Practice
Reading
Please read for 20 minutes each evening to an adult at home. Make sure you discuss the story and the characters. Find the meaning of any new words too. Reading every night will help you read more fluently and with understanding.
Counting
This week, please practise counting in 4’s.
For example, start at 0 and count up to 48 and back again
0 4 8 12 etc 48 44 40 etc
Then practise counting in 8’s.
For example, start at 0 and down up to 96 and back again
0 8 16 24 etc 96 88 80 etc
Times tables
Please practise your individual tables target for your test next week on Wednesday. Ask someone at home to test you on your tables – can you recall them quickly and accurately?
Remember you can also practise your tables playing Hit the Button and timestables.co.uk
It is crucial that you learn all of your table facts as this will help you with many aspects of maths.
Spellings
Your spellings next week all have the i sound spelt y.
gym myth pyramid symbol synonym
mystery Egypt system lyrics hymn
gymnastics typical cylinder physical oxygen
Sumdog challenges
You have been set 3 challenges on Sumdog:
- A spelling challenge based on the spellings above
- A times tables challenge based on the 4 and 8 times tables
- A challenge based on the formal written method of column addition – please note this only goes up to 3 digit plus 3 digit numbers
Please make sure you log on and have a go! Little and often is the key to success!
Have a great weekend - stay safe if you go to a bonfire.
The Year 4 Team
Year 4 Blog Thursday 19th October 2023
Date: 19th Oct 2023 @ 8:37am
Welcome to the Year 4 Blog
We have had a brilliant half term in Year 4! We have worked really hard and already made good progress in our learning. Our teachers want to thank us for being such fun and enthusiastic learners and said we should all feel very proud of ourselves.
Our learning this week:
In English, we wrote 2 poems. One of our poems was based on Hamster Hamster by Joseph Coelho who is the children’s laureate. We used the structure of Hamster Hamster to write a poem about a class pet – describing it as either charming and loveable, or nasty and ferocious! We also read a poem by Ian Bland and used this as inspiration to write our own poem about a topic of our choice. We were very proud of our poems which included a chorus and rhyming words. We performed these to the class and some of us even performed them in Golden Assembly.
In Maths, we interpreted data and solved one step questions using information in a table. In addition, we presented and interpreted data used in pictograms.
In RE, we read Mark 1: 14-20. This passage tells of Jesus calling his Apostles. We discussed how Andrew, Simon, James and John might have felt when Jesus called them and talked about the meaning of the Kingdom of God.
In French, we continued with our pets topic. To help learn the vocabulary, we used our word bank from last week and listened to the ‘Les Animaux’ song again. We also learnt how to say if and how many pets we have.
In Music, we videoed our final performance of the Mambo Cup Rhythm. We learnt all the actions to the song Just like a Roman and started to learn a new song Roman Numerals.
In Art, we finished our ‘telling a story through sketching’ topic. We tried our best to include shading so that our pictures looked more ‘3D’.
In History, we learnt how the Roman Empire expanded. We also looked at the uniform worn by Roman legionaries (supplied by the Museum Loans Service) and learnt the Roman names for the different weapons and parts of the uniform. Some of us were lucky enough to try on the Roman uniform and appreciate how heavy the body army was!
As it is half term, there is no Home Practice. However, please try and read every single day as this really helps unlock your learning.
Thank you to everyone who came to Parent’s Evening this week. It was lovely to see you and we hope you enjoyed looking at your child’s work.
We hope you have a peaceful and relaxing holiday and look forward to seeing you all again on Monday 30th October 2023.
The Year 4 Team
Year 4 Blog Friday 13th October 2023
Date: 12th Oct 2023 @ 1:22pm
Welcome to your Friday blog.
This week in English, we read the part of the novel where Kensuke meets Michael for the first time, and Kensuke shows his anger and frustration at Michael for lighting a fire. After reading this extract, we planned and wrote a diary account as if we were Kensuke. We attempted to include lots of thoughts, feelings and emotions in our writing rather than just retelling the story. In addition, we also wrote a poem this week which we performed in class – we had great fun writing this!
In Maths, we drew bar charts. We needed to use a scale which was appropriate to the numbers involved as well as accurately draw the bars on the chart. In addition, we interpreted data and solved one-step questions using information in a bar chart.
In PSHE, we recapped the things we have discussed so far to help build our self-esteem, such as: what we are good at, what our friends think we are good at, our achievements and our strengths. We then discussed how it feels if we make a mistake or do something difficult. To help overcome these challenges, we decided which skills we want to develop and explained why.
In Science, we wrote a definition of a habitat and shared examples of different habitats already known to us. We then recapped how animals can only survive in certain habitats.
In French, we started the topic Pets. We revised the French words for some common pets and played some memory games to match the pairs using French vocabulary.
In RE, we started our new topic ‘Called’. We considered our feelings when we are chosen to do something as well as recalling times we have been chosen.
In Geography, we defined a river and discussed its features. In addition, we also made a list of both examples and non-examples of a river.
In Computing, we explored Keynote. We discovered what it could be used for and investigated adding slides, backgrounds and text to our presentations.
Home Practice
Reading
Please read for 20 minutes each evening to an adult at home. Make sure you discuss the story and the characters. Find the meaning of any new words too. Reading every night will help you read more fluently and with understanding.
Counting
This week, please practise counting in 50’s and 25’s.
For example, start at 0 and count up to 750 and back again
0 50 100 150 etc 750 725 700 etc
For example, start at 0 and down up to 425 and back again
0 25 50 75 etc 425 400 375 etc
Times tables
Please practise your individual tables target for your test next week on. Ask someone at home to test you on your tables – can you recall them quickly and accurately?
Remember you can also practise your tables playing Hit the Button and timestables.co.uk
It is crucial that you learn all of your table facts as this will help you with many aspects of maths.
Spellings
Next week’s spellings all have the k sound spelt ch.
ache anchor Christmas school choir
echo scheme chorus chemist chemistry
chemical chaos character chameleon chasm
Sumdog challenges
You have been set 3 challenges on Sumdog:
- A spelling challenge based on the spellings above
- A times tables challenge based on the 2, 5 and 10 times tables
- A challenge based on interpreting and solving questions using bar charts, pictograms and tables
Please make sure you log on and have a go! Little and often is the key to success!
Thank you to everyone who came along to Parent’s Evening this week. It was lovely to see you and we hope you enjoyed looking at your child’s work.
Have a great weekend
The Year 4 Team
Year 4 Blog Friday 6th October 2023
Date: 6th Oct 2023 @ 8:53am
Welcome to your Friday blog.
Another brilliant week of learning in Year 4.
In English, we drew and labelled the island Michael found himself on. We used description from the text and tried to use some of the same vocabulary to help us describe the island in detail. In addition, we looked at the features of a diary in preparation for planning and writing our own diary account.
In Maths, we measured and drew lengths as properties of 2D shapes. We practised measuring lines and sides of shapes, and then compared their lengths including numbers to one decimal place. We did a brilliant job and were really proud of our achievements. Later in the week, we calculated the perimeter of a rectilinear shape including finding the length of missing sides. Our learning was fantastic and we showed an excellent understanding. However, we needed to ensure we added the numbers given accurately!
In RE, we finished our topic about people / families with a beautiful class collective worship led by 4 of the children. We wrote thoughtful responses about what it means to us to be part of God’s family.
In History, we became archaeologists this week! We looked at various Roman artefacts and considered what we thought they were, what they were made of and what it told us about the Romans.
In Science, we reviewed our learning so far. Then, we introduced a new way to group animals – according to whether they are a vertebrate or an invertebrate (vertebrates have a spine, invertebrates do not).To show our understanding, we sorted some animals according to which group they belonged to and explained the difference.
In French, we reviewed how to say how many siblings we have, as well as say the date and our birthdays.
In PE this week, we focussed on chest passes and teamwork skills. We took turns to pass and receive the ball and put these skills into a game of netball.
In PSHE, we learnt to recognise and appreciate our differences. We made a tally of the things we had in common with others in the class and highlighted any differences. It became clear that even though we have a lot of things in common with our friends, we are also all individuals and unique.
In Art, we continued with our topic of telling a story through sketching.
On Friday afternoon we went to church for the Harvest Festival. It was a lovely celebration and reminded us that crops have been gathered from the field. It also enabled us to reflect and show gratitude for the food we enjoy every day. Many thanks for all your generous contributions. These will be taken to a local foodbank.
Home Practice
Reading
Please read for 20 minutes each evening to an adult at home. Make sure you discuss the story and the characters. Find the meaning of any new words too. Reading every night will help you read more fluently and with understanding.
Counting
This week, please practise counting in 5’s
For example, start at 0 and count up to 60 and back again
0 5 10 15 etc 60 55 50 etc
Notice that the unit is always 5 or 0
For example, start at 8 and count upto 83 and back again
8 13 18 etc 83 78 73 etc
Notice that the unit is always 8 or 3
Times tables
Please practise your individual tables target for your test next week on Wednesday. Ask someone at home to test you on your tables – can you recall them quickly and accurately?
Remember you can also practise your tables playing Hit the Button and timestables.co.uk
It is crucial that you learn all of your table facts as this will help you with many aspects of maths.
Spellings
Your spellings this week are from the Year 3 / 4 spelling list. You will be tested on them next Wednesday. Please practise them every evening.
appear continue grammar material possible
suppose breadth different group medicine
accident century February pressure surprise
Sumdog challenges
You have been set 3 challenges on Sumdog:
- A spelling challenge based on the spellings above
- A times tables challenge based on the 2, 5 and 10 times tables
- A maths challenge calculating the perimeter of rectilinear shapes
Please make sure you log on and have a go! Little and often is the key to success!
Have a great weekend
The Year 4 Team
Year 4 Blog Friday 29th September 2023
Date: 29th Sep 2023 @ 8:25am
Welcome to your Friday Blog
Year 4 have worked hard this week with many children getting on triple gold! What a super achievement!
Our learning this week:
In English, we planned and wrote a letter from Michael to his best friend Eddie. We tried to ensure that our letters were friendly and chatty, included different sentences openers and our ideas followed on from each other. We also extended our learning about co-ordinating conjunctions and practised using them in sentences. In addition, we played 'spelling countdown' to practise our new spellings - see us in action here!
In Maths, we used numberlines to add and subtract numbers when we needed to bridge 10 and 100. In addition, we practised measuring and drawing lengths as properties of 2D shapes.
In RE, we learnt about the wisdom of Solomon and how the Book of Proverbs in the Bible is attributed to him. We then read some proverbs and considered how we could apply them to our everyday lives.
In Geography, we learnt about the importance of the water cycle. We then labelled a diagram to help with our understanding.
In Science, we started the lesson by describing an animal’s key features. In groups, we wrote down what we could see from a picture and then presented our thoughts to the class. We then decided which category the animal belonged to - mammal, fish, bird, reptile or amphibian / carnivore, herbivore or omnivore.
In French, we celebrated ‘European Day of Languages’. We shared any languages we knew, any which we have been learning and any which we would like to learn. We listened to a few languages being spoken, suggested which language it was and worked out what each word meant. We also watched some videos of children speaking in another language.
In PE this week, we continued with our netball skills. We focussed on our chest pass and teamwork skills, and played a game of 'Pepper Pot' which involved us taking turns to pass and receive the ball.
In PSHE, we identified positive things about ourselves and our achievements. After talking to our partner, we walked around the class and shared what we thought our friends' personal achievements / attributes / strengths / skills are. Finally, we shared how this has made us feel and how it feels to be proud.
Home Practice
Reading
Please read for 20 minutes each evening to an adult at home. Make sure you discuss the story and the characters. Find the meaning of any new words too. Reading every night will help you read more fluently and with understanding.
Counting
This week, please practise counting in 10’s and 100’s
For example, start at 256 and count up to 406 and back again (counting in 10's)
256 266 276 etc 406 396 386 etc
Notice that the ones digit does not change
For example, start at 278 and down up to 1878 and back again (counting in 100's)
278 378 478 etc 1878 1778 1678 etc
Notice that the ones digit and the tens digit do not change
Times tables
Please practise your individual tables target for your test next week on Wednesday. Ask someone at home to test you on your tables – can you recall them quickly and accurately?
Remember you can also practise your tables playing Hit the Button and timestables.co.uk
It is crucial that you learn all of your table facts as this will help you with many aspects of maths.
Spellings
Your spellings this week are all homophones. You will be tested on them next Wednesday. Please practise them every evening.
main mane piece peace fair fare
plane plain there their they’re
here hear heel heal
Sumdog challenges
You have been set 3 challenges on Sumdog:
- A spelling challenge based on the spellings above
- A times tables challenge based on the 3 times tables
- A maths challenge adding and subtracting 10, 100 and 1000 from 4 digit numbers
Please make sure you log on and have a go! Little and often is the key to success!
The Year 4 Team