Trotts Hill Primary School and Nursery
Welcome to Year 4
Welcome to Year 4.
Mrs Clarke and Mrs Cornish are the class teachers and Mrs Murrill is the classroom assistant and will be supporting in class every morning.
Year 4 is the second year of Lower Key Stage 2 and we continue to build upon the foundations developed in Year 3 whilst preparing the children for Upper Key Stage 2. The children will be encouraged to continue to develop their independence and further develop their responsibility for their personal belongings, learning in school and with their home learning.
Year 4 is a very exciting and busy year where children will be continuing to develop a range of skills and knowledge alongside discovering and learning lots of exciting new things. The children will be encouraged to develop their 'Behaviour for Learning'. We will work very hard but also have lots of fun learning together.
This year we will cover a variety of skills, knowledge and understanding including the following topics:
The children will continue to have the opportunity to be involved with many pupil groups around the school.
During the spring term, pupils will be attending swimming lessons on Thursdays as part of their PE curriculum. We are also looking forward to our museum visit in January.
We look forward to helping Year 4 develop and grow.
Last summer when the children were in year 3, they planted potatoes and looked after these by watering them and adding more soil. This week, the children could finally see how the potatoes had grown over the past few months. They predicted how many potatoes there would be and how big they might be. We managed to harvest 16 potatoes which was much more than we predicted, having only planted three in the summer. The children then used the balance scales to compare their potatoes to objects in the classroom with a similar mass. They then used cubes to weigh and compare the potatoes against each other. The children then wanted to compare their results with year 5's results so used digital scales to weigh their potatoes in grams. They were then about to see that although year 5 harvested less potatoes, their potatoes were much bigger and heavier.
'Our potato weighs the same as five pairs of scissors' - Charlotte
'We grew more potatoes but year 5's potatoes were bigger' - Lamis
'Year 5's smallest potato was 10g whereas ours was 6g' - H
This term in music, we've been learning about Jazz and Swing music. This week, we learnt the song 100 by Elle and the Pocket Belles who are an electroswing band from Hertfordshire.
Over the Summer term, Year 4 have been learning lots of skills in gymnastics. Today they worked in groups of 4 to create a sequence combining all of these new skills. These included jumps, rolls, individual balances, partner balances and inverted movements.
This week, in geography, Year 4 have been looking at human geography. We looked at how the physical geography of a country can influence the food, culture and the ways in which humans interact with the world around them. The class worked in groups to research five different areas and then presented them to their peers.
On Tuesday, year 4 went to Wymondley Wood. They begin their residential playing wide games and ultimate rock, paper, scissors. They then had some delicious pasta for dinner and went to the camp fire to sing some songs and toast some smores. After that, the children all went to bed ready for an exciting day ahead. After an early start, the children had breakfast together and then played on the trim trail. After that, the children walked through the forest on a nature walk, collecting leaves, features and other interesting things. They then created dens in the woods using large logs and sticks and explored each other's dens. The children then devoured their lunch after a busy morning before playing some more in the field and packing to go home. The children behaved fantastically the whole time!
Year 4's Science topic this term is 'Living things'. This week, the children used classification keys to help them identify different bugs on the playground. They looked closely at their characteristics to be able to tell which bug it was. We found slugs, ants, woodlice, beetles, earwigs, worms and lots more!
Over the past two weeks, Year 4 have been learning about poetry - specifically reading Roald Dahl's 'Revolting Rhymes'. This week, the children have been planning and writing their own rhyming poem in the style of Roald Dahl. They have changed the ending of the fairy tale 'Little Red Riding Hood' to make it more revolting.
In Science, year 4 have been learning about electricity. This week, the children used a switch to make a circuit work. The children then used split pins, paper clips and binder clips to make their own switches including slide, toggle, push button and selector switches.
This month, year 4 have been working really hard on their times tables. On Thursday afternoon, year 4 practiced their times tables on TimesTablesRockStars and have been able to recall their times tables quicker than before.
In geography, Year 4 used a variety of sources and their own knowledge, to complete a table showing flags, country names, languages, currency and whether the country has a royal family or not. They used atlases, Chromebooks, the class display and their own experiences of spending money on holidays abroad to help complete the task.
This week in PE, year 4 developed their individual and partner balances. They practiced lots of different balances, working together to hold them for 5 seconds. They then sequenced their balances to perform a short routine with a start and finish position.
In PSHE, we discussed what makes a healthy lifestyle. Doing things we enjoy is just as important to our mental health as eating a balanced diet is to our physical health. We talked about how getting a good sleep each night is important for staying healthy and how sport and activity can help both our physical and mental health.
This week in English, the children have been reading the poem 'Instructions' by Neil Gaiman. They have adopted his style of writing and written their own instructions poems. The children then wrote these out neatly and drew illustrations alongside their poem. They then performed their poem to the rest of the class using lots of expression and a loud speaking voice.
In history this week, we were historical detectives, looking at a variety of photographs and clues to find out about the Indus, Sumer and Shang civilizations which were around at the same time as the ancient Egyptians. From looking at the source materials, we could tell that they built similar structures from stone and brick, lived by rivers, and used pictures as a form of written language.
In Science, Year 4 were investigating sound, focusing on pitch. They used boom whackers to investigate how to change the pitch. They found that the shorter boom whacker made a higher sound and the longer boom whacker made a lower sound. The children then made their own pan pipes using this knowledge.
To celebrate World Book Day, Year 4 focused on the story 'Alice in Wonderland'. The children began the day reading with their grown ups. They then watch some videos and developed some vocabulary to describe the different characters in the story. The children then used these words to help write a 'Wanted' or 'Missing' poster for their character. In the afternoon, the children designed a book token for the book token competition and completed some Alice in Wonderland themed puzzles. They all looked fantastic in their costumes and had a great day!
Today Year 4 took part in a very informative first aid session run by Sarah. The children learnt how to put a casualty into the recovery position; how to help someone who is choking and how to carry out CPR. The children had an opportunity to rehearse these skills with a partner and using a CPR dummy. The children were very well behaved and engaged fantastically with the session answering and asking questions.
LI: To observe and classify animal teeth.
Thank you to Thomas Alleyne for lending year 4 a selection of animal skulls which we were able to investigate. We could identify the carnivores, herbivores and omnivores just by looking at their teeth.
During Safer Internet Week 2024, the children discussed how technology has changed over time. They looked at old and new technology and expressed which they prefer.
They also discussed how to keep themselves safe online and what to do if something is worrying them or something unexpected happens online.
Finally, the children learnt about how the internet can be used to inspire change and they made signposts of what they will do to make a difference and inspire change.
In art this week, the children made their own canopic jars from clay following the designs they created in a previous art lesson. Fortunately, they did not need to deposit any organs in them!
Year 4 had an amazing visit to the Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge on Tuesday. We spent time sketching patterns in the Armoury and Ceramic galleries in the morning. After lunch, we were met by our guide, Roseanna, who took us to the Ancient Egyptian galleries. We spent time discussing what we could see and tell from a large sculpture, which turned out to be a huge coffin lid! In the exhibition, we saw lots of interesting artefacts which will really help with our history learning.
LI: To construct food chains including producers, consumers, predators and prey.
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We played an online food chain game online. The children really enjoyed it and some wanted to try it at home as there are 53 variations. Here is the link.
It's been a busy and festive week with the KS2 Christmas production, Christmas meal and our Christmas jumper day. The children have worked so hard and remain focused and engaged until the end. Thank you! They look so fabulous in their Christmas attire, that we just had to take a photo by the bauble-laden tree.
In English, we are learning about the Amazon River and the surrounding area. This week, we worked in groups to research different animals that rely on the Amazon. In turn, each group then presented their findings to the rest of the class.
In RE this week, Year 4 looked in depth at the Aum symbol. They discovered that it was the first sound made in the Hindu creation story.
The children learnt that it is split into three parts and each part has a different meaning and sound. They then tried meditating in class. Many of the children said that it made them feel relaxed and calm.
In maths, we have been working on multiplication and division. We often start maths lessons by singing times tables songs. Our favourite fact is, "Seven eights are fifty-six," often sung at high volume to the tune of Adele's 'Rolling in the Deep.' This week we've been looking at the 9, 7, 11 and 12 times tables, but we always go back and sing other tables to keep them in our heads.
LI: To identify a wider range of body parts.
After carrying out a definition matching activity, Year 4 cut out internal organs and tried to place them in the correct places. They were very successful. Some future doctors and nurses perhaps?
This week in science, the children simulated food moving through the digestion system. This hands-on activity will help them to remember the order and what each of the organs does.
In English this week, we have been learning the story of Beowulf. In dance, we worked in groups to tell different parts of the story through movement. Mr Sapsed taught some stage combat moves so that we could make it look like Beowulf was battling Grendel and his mother.
In English, we have been looking at non-chronological reports. We used our learning in history to help create books about the Anglo-Saxons. We thought about the questions we wanted answering, then researched using books and the internet to find the answers. Next, we planned how we wanted to present the information. Finally, we set to work creating our own books. We are all very proud of our publications!
In Art this half term, Year 4's featured artist is Pablo Picasso. The pupils drew self-portraits, looking at proportion, and over the half term are using these to mimic various periods of Picasso's work, such as blue and rose. They will be moving on to cubism at the end of the unit, where proportion will not the rule!
In RE, we have been learning about the Diwali story. Diwali celebrates light and the children created their own lanterns. They compared Diwali to other festivals they have learned about in RE in other year groups. Our lovely lanterns are hanging in the classroom as part of our RE display and, as you can see from the photographs, the children were very proud of their creations.
In science this week, we investigated evaporation and answered the question, "Does temperature affect how towels dry?"
We dried some wet tea towels in the sun and in the shade to see if this made a difference to the amount of time it took them to dry. We had to measure the water to make sure it was a fair test.
In History, we have been looking at the arrival of Christianity in Britain. We used a variety of sources to prove theories as to how Christianity grew in Britain during Anglo Saxon times. We then carried out some extra research in our reading corner.
In PSHE this week, Year 4 read the story, 'What the Ladybird Heard' and discussed how the characters were able to work together towards a shared goal. They talked about the skills needed for successful teamwork and took part in an activity which used their knowledge of compromise, co-operation, encouragement and listening.
We started the week with some lessons on "Inspirational Maths" and reminded ourselves that we are all mathematicians! We began by discussing what we like and dislike people saying to us when working in a group and came up with some excellent ideas to support one another. After watching some thought-provoking videos about how our brains make links, Year 4 worked in groups to solve problems and find patterns.
LI: To know that water moves in a cycle.
Year 4 was so lucky this week to welcome Gulzar and Sarabjit Sahota from the Hitchin Gurdwara. The children listened intently to how the Sikh faith began and what it means to its followers. The children then asked sensible questions and had the opportunity to look at real artefacts (karas, kangas) see a real kirpan (mini ornamental sword) and cover their heads with head scarves bought at the Golden Temple in Amritsar.
Our guests were so warm and kind hearted. Gulzar summed up the Sikh belief that everyone is equal describing faith like rivers all going into the same ocean. They also told the story of how Guru Nanak (the founder of the Sikh faith) travelled the continents to learn about different faiths and how he spent his father's money on helping the poor and those in need. This led to the founding principles that Sikhs should remember God always, work hard and share with the needy.
I felt very proud of the children today and our visitors commented on how wonderful the class were. Well done year 4.
Year 4 is learning about Spain and Catalonia in Geography and rather than using the internet or books to research, we decided to invite a primary source in: Ruben's mum, Pilar!
Pilar presented us with lots of facts about Spain. The most surprising was that Spain has two cities in Morocco (like the UK has Gibraltar in Spain). We also learnt that as well as Spanish, there are 6 other regional languages. Pilar and Ruben are from Galicia so they speak Spanish and Galician (which is more like Portuguese). Our favourite fact was the Spanish New Year's Eve ritual where they eat a grape on every dong of the clock before midnight. They make 12 wishes. One for each grape!
Following this visit, the children will write a travel brochure persuading people to visit Spain. Thank you so much to Pilar for giving up her time and visiting us.
Hopefully you will have seen lots of photos from our Wymondley Wood residential. I wanted to put up my favourite which was when we each hugged a tree. The children just loved being in the wood and this made us all feel centred and grateful to nature.
LI: To realise the importance of thinking before acting and acting responsibly.
In order to learn about how Sikh's believe that you should live the truth as well as know the truth, the children acted out the story of Sajjan the Robber.
LI: To classify materials.
This week in science, Year 4 classified materials into solids, liquids and gases. They then made a crafty representation of what the particles for each of these materials would like and act like.
LI: To compare, sort and order angles.
After a really great lesson on angles, where the children successfully identified acute, obtuse and right angles, we headed outside with our angle measures to find examples.
LI: To explore the Golden Rule.
Today Year 4 learnt that all religions have one Golden rule they all agree upon. The children tried to guess it and thought about the 10 commandments and other religious teachings and wrote their own. The actual rule was revealed. The children then watched some videos about the rules and carried out a matching activity. Finally, they heard a Sikh story which had this rule as its moral.
LI: To understand the importance of the Sikh holy book.
This week in RE, the class learnt about the Guru Granth Sahib and how it is treated with respect. The children role-played how it is carried from its overnight bed to its throne and water sprinkled in front of it to cleanse its path.
LI: To develop the straight, barrel, forward and straddle roll.
After practising the different rolls, the children put them together with balances and jumps to make a routine and performed them to the class.
LI: To identify circuit components and build working circuits
Year 4 made series circuits for the very first time and drew a diagram using the correct electrical symbols.
LI: To learn the 2s, 5s and 10 times tables
The children did this whilst jumping from hoop to hoop in the hall.
LI: To place hundredths on a place value chart.
Using place value counters, the children worked hard to understand hundredths and tenths, adding and exchanging.
Year 4 enjoyed designing and making savoury quiches this week. This afternoon they all tucked in to their healthy treat! They evaluated their product with some being more successful than others!
