Year 4 Archive

This term, the children have been investigating fractions: understanding that 1 whole can be broken down into many different equal parts such as 8/8 or 5/5; looking at fractions greater than 1 whole using improper fractions and mixed numbers; investigating equivalent fractions and adding and subtracting using fractions.

In computing this term, the children are learning how to create efficient algorithms by looking at complex tasks and using computational thinking strategies to break them down.  They are learning to decompose the problem (break it down into smaller, more manageable chunks) and use pattern recognition to see how they can incorporate loops into algorithms rather than writing instructions out multiple times. They are also learning about abstraction, looking at a problem and drawing out the important aspects and learning to disregard non-essential information.  We have played pattern games, used Pictionary to learn about abstraction and secretly drawn an alien out of maths shapes and then instructed our partner on how to draw it without them seeing it.

 

Welcome back everyone, we are looking forward to a busy term which has a strong focus on food! From our main geography topic, ‘Where does our food come from?’ to adapting recipes in DT, learning how to order food in a French café to looking at the global impact of human consumption in science, the children will be thinking about food most of the day! In maths, we will be focusing on fractions and decimals and in English our writing will be inspired by two books – Quill Soup (food again!) and Little People, Big Dreams – Marcus Rashford. There will definitely be something for everyone!  Let’s get going!

Term 5 Overview – Where does our food come from (PDF Download)

Term 5 Maths Key Instant Recall Facts (PDF Download)

Today, the children all took part in a mini football tournament for PE.  The sun was shining and it was a lovely afternoon.  The children showed great sportsmanship, displaying honesty when they knocked the ball out of play, taking turns for throw ins and corner kicks, cheering each other on and celebrating each others goals. Each team played 2 matches with the final result based on total goals scored:

Team 1 – 1 point
Team 2 – 1 point
Team 3 – 3 points
Team 4 – 4 points

This week, we have been celebrating British Science Week.  On Thursday, we took part in Science Farm Live: A day in the life of a farm vet and learnt about the day-to-day life of a farm vet.  They explained how they have to make sure they clean not only their hands, but also their boots and trousers, for every farm they visit, to ensure they don’t carry diseases from farm to farm.

The vet taught us about cows, explaining that their stomach system is different from ours. They have 4 parts to their stomach; one part is very large and is called the Rumen. The children were surprised that the cow actually chews its food twice! The vet also explained where the cow’s heart is and she showed the children how to locate it and count the number of beats per minute.

The children found their own pulses and worked out how many times their own hearts beat each minute.

Science Farm Live

On Friday, Miss Ewart and some of the Year 6 children taught us all about meal worms! We had three different stations to visit and in each one the meal worms had different flavours and scents – lavender, mint, apple.  The children looked to see whether the different smells attracted or repelled the meal worms.

This term, the children have been learning to play Pop Lacrosse with Shane from Shepway Sports Trust. They have had a great time learning the skills needed to play the game, moving the ball quickly, passing to each other and catching the ball with the stick and shooting at targets.

This week the children have really enjoyed exploring books of all types.  We took part in a BBC Live Lesson about different book genres, listening to stories and learning how to draw characters. We also enjoyed an illustrator’s view of books with an online workshop with Axel Scheffler, learning to draw some of his characters – Puss in Boots and Zog.

Quizzes, Live Lessons and Online Drawing Workshops

World Book Day Costumes

Assembly
In assembly on Friday, the children told the rest of the school what we had been learning about during the week.  they talked in particular about Mae Jemison, an African-American astronaut and scientist. Mae was the first woman of colour to go to space. She took part in a Space Shuttle mission on Endeavour in 1992 and spent 8 days in orbit.

Today, Rev’d Chris came to talk to the children about The Last Supper. He read passages from the Bible and answered questions from the children about the Last Supper and why we now celebrate Holy Communion, or the Eucharist.  The children asked ample questions and were interested to find out more…

Today, the children had the opportunity to try out some golf skills in the hall, playing different skills games, and outside playing golf rounders!

Today, the children were immersed in all things Ancient Egyptian, with a full day exploring what life was like 4,000 years ago.  They looked at artefacts, learnt all about the Pharaohs, found out about the pyramids and listened carefully as Lauren told them all about Tutankhamun.

They learnt about how the Ancient Egyptians took measurements using cubits, hands and fingers.  The children used these measurements to measure items around the classroom.

In the afternoon, they became avid viewers and participants in the mummification process, finding out all the gruesome details about how the Ancient Egyptians prepared the bodies of the Pharaohs and nobility for burial and their journey to the afterlife.

A fantastic day and some fantastic costumes too!

Introduction to the Ancient Egyptians

Quiz

Tutankhamun Artefacts

Measuring Ancient Egyptian Style and Hieroglyphics

Game

Mummification

Costumes