Here, we’re excited to showcase the fantastic work and creativity of our amazing class. This space is dedicated to sharing projects, achievements, and memorable moments from our year together. Dive in to explore our learning adventures, and see how we grow and shine every day!
This Year 4 class is taught by Miss Lear and supported by Mrs Stokes.
Important Information:
Homework:
Homework is handed out every Friday and books need to be brought back into school by the following Thursday. As part of the homework, children will be given a list of 8-10 spelling words, reading and alternate Maths and English work. We practise our spellings every morning ready to be tested on a Friday morning.
Reading:
Reading comments should be completed in the children’s reading diaries. If the children have read at least five times (3 at home and 2 in school), then this is rewarded with a raffle ticket for our ‘Big Book Draw’ every Friday. The lucky winner to be drawn out of the Year 3 & 4 box will receive a book token for the vending machine. Children should make an independent comment each time they read, stating what they have read and proposing questions to themselves.
PE:
Our PE sessions for the Summer term will be taught every Monday by our crossbar instructor and every Thursday we have swimming (up to the 21st November). Please come to school in your PE kit on these days (red or white top, black hoodie and black shorts or trousers). Additionally, we take part in the Mile Run twice a week. No jewellery is allowed during PE sessions. Earrings will need to be removed or covered with tape.
Year 4 Multiplication Tables Check (MTC):
The Year 4 Multiplication Tables Check is an important assessment designed to ensure that students have a strong grasp of their times tables up to 12×12. Mastering these multiplication facts is crucial, as they form the foundation for more complex mathematical concepts encountered in later years. Fluency in times tables not only enhances problem-solving skills but also boosts confidence in handling various math challenges. In order to prepare for this check, it’s essential to practice regularly, helping to improve both speed and accuracy. By dedicating time to this practice, pupils will be better prepared for future math lessons and assessments. Let’s work together to make multiplication fun and engaging, TTRS is a great way to do this!
Meet Our Sports Ambassadors!
This year Base 10 have voted and elected Anna and Ronnie to represent us as our sports ambassadors!
Here are our brave nominees who put themselves forward to be a sports ambassador.
Meet Our School Councillors!
We’re excited to introduce our dedicated and enthusiastic school councillors this year are, Darcy and Lewis! They are passionate about representing our voices and making our school an even better place. With their creativity and leadership skills, they’re here to listen to our ideas and concerns. Don’t hesitate to reach out to them!
Our Learning Journey:
Autumn Term 2024
Creative Curriculum:
This Autumn term, we’ve began embarking on a fascinating road trip, starting in Africa and exploring its diverse climates and the equator, tropics of Cancer and Capricorn. As we transition into Autumn Term 2, we’re excited to delve into the vibrant landscapes and cultures of North America, continuing our journey of discovery and learning. Get ready for an ultimate adventure!
Africa Immersion Day:
We were fortunate to have an immersive African morning filled with excitement and learning, featuring three fantastic visitors. One shared insights about Africa as a whole, highlighting the rich cultures across the continent, while our second visitor focused on life in Ghana, providing a personal perspective that truly brought the experience to life. To top it off, we enjoyed an engaging African music workshop, where we explored the rhythms and sounds that are integral to the continent’s vibrant culture.
West Midlands Safari Park Visit:
We had a thrilling visit to West Midlands Safari Park, where we had the opportunity to see some amazing African animals up close!
This adventure not only filled us with excitement but also served as inspiration for our English writing. We wrote a recount of our experiences at the park and created non-chronological reports on the fascinating African animals we observed, allowing us to deepen our understanding and share our newfound knowledge creatively.
Science – Autumn 1 – Digestion:
During the Autumn 1 half term, we delved into the fascinating topic of human digestion. We explored the four types of human teeth, even making models of our own to understand their functions better. To further our learning, we conducted a tooth decay experiment using eggshells, which replicated the enamel on our teeth, allowing us to see how decay can occur and how are teeth are affected by different liquids. Finally, we engaged in an experiment where we squeezed various food items through tights to mimic how the digestive system works, bringing our understanding of digestion to life in a hands-on way!
Tooth decay experiment:
Our findings…
Vinegar = The whole shell was covered in slimy layers.
Blackcurrant juice = The whole shell bubbled and stained purple. Orange juice = The whole shell was covered in slimy layers.
Water & Milk = They stayed the same.
Energy Drink = Half was covered in crystal like scales.
Tea = It was stained a darker colour.
There was only slight improvements on the toothpaste side (left) apart from with the energy drink egg. On that egg only the scaly crystals only formed on the non-toothpaste side showing the toothpaste protected the shell.
Based on our observations, milk and water are the best for your teeth as the eggs showed no sign of change, they stayed exactly the same.
This has showed us the importance of brushing our teeth and drinking beverages like fizzy, sugary and acidic drinks in moderation.
Teeth models:
We explored the four types of human teeth—incisors, canines, premolars, and molars—to understand their unique functions. After learning about them, we had fun creating our own models to illustrate each type, enhancing our grasp of dental anatomy.
Digestion Experiment:
In our digestion experiment, we mashed a banana to mimic chewing and added water for saliva. This gooey mix went into a plastic bag as our “stomach,” where we added vinegar for acid and squeezed it to represent digestion. Then, we slid the bag into tights, acting as intestines, and squeezed again to let nutrients pass through while leaving waste behind. Who knew digestion could be so entertaining (and messy)?
English Reading and Writing:
In the autumn term, we have been reading Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl in our guided reading sessions. This has linked to other subjects, such as English, where we’ve explored themes, characters in our writing. Additionally, in maths, we’ve used the story for problem-solving and reasoning opportunities. This cross-curricular approach has made learning more engaging and helped us apply skills across different subjects.
Chocolate Room narrative Writing:
Inspired by Charlie and the Chocolate Factory in our guided reading sessions, we designed our own chocolate rooms and wrote imaginative narratives set in these sweet settings. After sketching our designs and labelling them with descriptive expanded noun phrases, we used AI to bring our rooms to life digitally, combining creativity, storytelling, and technology and further enhancing our writing!
Here are our AI creations.
Computing:
This autumn term in computing, we’re exploring desktop publishing! We’re learning how to create professional-looking documents, from brochures to posters, using various design tools and software. It’s a great way to develop our skills in layout, typography, and graphic design!
In one lesson, we applied desktop publishing skills by creating acrostic poems about the Gunpowder Plot. We presented our poems on Microsoft Word, experimenting with fonts, colours, borders, and other design features to enhance our work. This activity linked to our English lessons on poetry and our History topic on the Gunpowder Plot, while also tying into the 5th November celebrations. It was a fun and creative way to combine design with learning about history and poetry!
Art and Design:
This half term, we delved into the work of William Morris as part of our printing art unit. We began by analysing his distinctive designs, which inspired our observational nature drawings. Building on this foundation, we created repeat prints using foam boards and rollers, culminating in a hands-on exploration of Morris’s artistic techniques. This journey not only enriched our understanding of his influence but also allowed us to engage creatively with his themes.
National Stem Day 2024:
For National STEM Day (8th November), we took part in an exciting workshop called Space and Time, led by Inventors & Makers. During the workshop, we learned about the role of engineers, focusing on the famous figures Neil Armstrong and Katherine Johnson, who played key roles in the Apollo 11 mission to the moon. We explored the Apollo 11 lunar module and investigated how forces like gravity, thrust, and exhaust impacted its journey. Afterward, we had the chance to create circuits and experiment with vibrations, working to make our rover imitation move in a straight line and travel faster. It was a hands-on way to explore engineering and space exploration!
Remembrance Day 2024:
This year, for Remembrance Day, we marked the occasion with a variety of meaningful activities. Along with taking part in a reading comprehension activity that helped us understand the significance of the day, we had a special assembly with a veteran who shared their experiences, making the day even more poignant. In addition to these activities, we created our own artwork to honour the fallen. Using tissue paper, we made beautiful poppy collages, carefully layering the paper to form the bright red petals and dark centres of the flowers. The artwork helped us reflect on the importance of Remembrance Day and gave us a creative way to express our respect and gratitude for those who sacrificed so much.
Odd Socks Day and Anti Bullying Week 2024 (11th – 15th November):
For Odd Socks Day and Anti-Bullying Week this year, we took part in lots of fun and meaningful activities to learn about kindness and the importance of standing up against bullying. We all wore odd socks to celebrate our differences and show that being unique is something to be proud of. In class, we completed a guided reading comprehension about bullying and friendship, and we had PSHE sessions where we looked at different bullying scenarios and discussed how we could help. We also joined the BBC Live Lesson to learn more about bullying prevention. To show our creativity and individuality, we designed our own odd socks to represent how unique we all are. Finally, we designed and created posters to spread the message of kindness and respect. It was a week full of learning, fun, and inspiration!
Randlay Turned into a Winter Wonderland!
