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 outdoor learning. Please come to school in your PE kit on a Monday (red or white top, black hoodie and black shorts or trousers). Additionally, we take part in the Mile Run once a week and mile walk four days 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 Eco Councillors!

This year in Base 10 our Eco Councillors are Harper and Nathaniel!

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

From Amazing Africa to North America

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!

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!

Telford Minster Trip

We walked to Telford Minster Church to learn about the Christmas story from a Christian perspective. The visit was an opportunity to explore the meaning of Christmas beyond the usual celebrations, as we looked at the religious significance of the birth of Jesus. At the church, we heard about the events surrounding His birth, including the journey of Mary and Joseph and the visit of the shepherds. We also had the opportunity to express gratitude for those in our lives and reflect on the importance of being thankful. This experience helped us understand the spiritual meaning of Christmas in the Christian faith and its message of hope, peace and love.

Design and Technology:

In Design and Technology this term, we focused on adapting a recipe to meet specific design criteria. We also conducted a tasting session to help us assess and refine our recipe, gathering feedback on taste, texture, and overall appearance. Additionally, we explored the importance of packaging and how it plays a crucial role in product design. We learned how packaging needs to be tailored to the target audience, considering factors such as aesthetics, functionality, and sustainability. Finally, we worked on planning a design that not only met these criteria but also incorporated practical solutions for the target market. This unit helped us understand how to create a product that is both visually appealing and functional while meeting the needs of the intended consumers.

Biscuit Tasting, baking and Rating:

We tested and rated a variety of biscuits to help inform our own biscuit design. Our evaluation was based on several key factors including appearance, texture, smell, taste, and packaging. By assessing these elements, we gained valuable insights into what makes a biscuit appealing and enjoyable, ensuring that our design meets high standards and caters to target consumer preferences.

We then followed and adapted a biscuit recipe…

It’s CHRISTMAS!

This term, we celebrated the festive season with a range of exciting Christmas activities. We took part in the Year 3/4 nativity production, “Away with the Manger,” which was a fun and memorable performance! We also enjoyed a trip to the Wolverhampton Grand Theatre to watch the pantomime Beauty and the Beast, which was full of laughs and holiday cheer. In addition, we celebrated Christmas jumper day, where everyone wore their festive sweaters to school. The school also hosted a Christmas fair, a Christmas disco, and a delicious Christmas dinner, making the end of the term extra special. These activities helped us all get into the Christmas spirit and created lasting memories of the season.

Year 4 Swimming Assembly

We held a special assembly to celebrate the fantastic achievements of our Year 4 swimmers. Our Year 6 sports captains played an important role in presenting the well-deserved certificates and badges to recognise the hard work and courage which was shown this past Autumn term. We are incredibly proud of every single child for their perseverance and determination and we congratulate them all for their dedication and success in the pool.

Spring Term 2025

Passport to Europe

Creative Curriculum:

This term, our exciting topic is called “Passport to Europe,” where we will be exploring the continent of Europe in depth. In history, we’ll be diving into the fascinating world of the Vikings, learning about their history, culture, and impact on Britain. Additionally, we have outdoor learning this term, where we’ll get the chance to explore nature and learn through hands-on activities. Finally, in Science, we’ll be studying the concept of light, exploring how it travels, reflects, and impacts our daily lives. It’s going to be a fun and enriching term filled with exciting discoveries!

NSPCC Number / Rockstar Day

To celebrate NSPCC TTRS Rockstars/Number Day, we dressed up as either a number or a rockstar! Throughout the day, we took part in the Times Tables Rock Stars (TTRS) competition, where we competed to test our multiplication skills. We also completed arithmetic-style questions and played maths games to challenge ourselves in different ways. As part of the celebration, we attended a special assembly, where we had to use our maths skills to answer real-world questions, such as calculating how many hours we spend in school each week. It was a fantastic way to enjoy maths while supporting a great cause!

Our school winners! Well done Ronnie, Anna and Oscar!

Science – Spring 1 – Light

This half term in science, we have been learning about light and how it helps us see the world around us. We explored different light sources, including the Sun, which is our main natural source of light. We also investigated how we see, learning that light travels in straight lines and enters our eyes, allowing us to perceive objects. Another key topic was how materials can be opaque, translucent, or transparent, depending on how much light they let through. We also looked at shadows, discovering how they form when an object blocks light and how their size changes depending on the light source’s position. To deepen our understanding, we conducted a shadow experiment, observing how moving a light source affects the shape and size of shadows.

Investigating how opaque, translucent and transparent materials affct Shadows

The photo shows us exploring different materials to determine whether they are opaque, transparent, or translucent. We tested various objects to see how much light they allowed to pass through and observed the shadows they created. Opaque materials blocked the light completely, forming dark shadows, while transparent materials let most of the light through, creating little to no shadow. Translucent materials allowed some light to pass but scattered it, producing lighter, blurry shadows. This activity helped us understand how different materials interact with light and how shadows change depending on the properties of the objects.

Exploring UV Rays with UV Beads

The photo shows us exploring the Sun’s UV rays using UV beads, which change colour when exposed to ultraviolet light. We took the beads outside into the sunlight and observed how they reacted. To investigate further, we tested different types of eyewear, such as sunglasses and clear glasses, to see how they affected the beads and the amount of UV rays reaching them. This experiment helped us understand how UV light is present even when we can’t see it and how certain materials, like UV-protective lenses, can help block or reduce exposure to these rays.

Observing Shadow Changes

The photo shows an observational investigation we conducted to explore how the position of a light source affects the shadows it creates. By moving the light source to different positions, we observed how the size, shape, and direction of the shadows changed. This helped us understand how the Sun’s movement in the sky throughout the day causes shadows to change in real life. Just like our experiment, as the Sun rises, moves across the sky, and sets, shadows shift in length and direction, helping us tell the time of day. This activity gave us a hands-on way to see how light and shadows interact.

English

Reading and Writing:

This term, we are reading The Iron Man by Ted Hughes, a captivating story about a mysterious metal giant who appears out of nowhere. As we read, we are exploring the book’s themes, characters, and exciting events, following the journey of the Iron Man and his interactions with the world around him. This classic novel allows us to develop our reading comprehension skills while engaging with imaginative storytelling and important messages about understanding, friendship, and resilience.

Non-Chronological Reports

In English this term, we focused on Italy to write a non-chronological report. We began by researching key facts about Italy, including its geography, culture, landmarks, and traditions, gathering important information to use in our writing. Using Year 4 writing features, such as subheadings, paragraphs, technical vocabulary, adverbs, conjunction and fronted adverbials, we structured our reports carefully to ensure they were clear and informative. Once completed, we presented our reports, showcasing our research and writing skills while learning more about this fascinating country. This activity helped us develop our ability to write in a formal, factual style while also improving our research and presentation skills.

Outdoor Learning:

This term, we are taking part in outdoor learning, where we get to explore and connect with nature while developing important skills. Alongside our usual outdoor activities, such as exploring the environment and working as a team, our main focus is on the Vikings. Through hands-on experiences, we are learning about Viking life, culture, and survival skills, helping us understand how they lived and thrived in different environments. This exciting approach allows us to combine history with outdoor learning, making our lessons more engaging and interactive.

Music:

In music this term, we have been exploring the exciting world of Jazz. We have learned about its unique rhythms, improvisation, and expressive style, as well as its origins and influence on different genres of music. Through listening to famous jazz musicians and playing jazz-inspired pieces, we have developed our understanding of this dynamic and creative musical form. Jazz has allowed us to experiment with different musical techniques and appreciate how music can be used for storytelling and self-expression.

In the image, we were listening to Jazz music and using our creativity to draw what the music made us feel and imagine. As we listened to the different rhythms, melodies, and instruments, we let the music inspire our artwork, expressing emotions, moods, and images that came to mind. This activity helped us connect with Jazz in a more personal way, allowing us to visualize its energy, flow, and improvisation through our drawings.

Geography:

In Geography this term, we have been focusing on the continent of Europe, linking to the Year 3/4 National Curriculum, which encourages us to develop our knowledge of the world’s countries and their physical and human features. We have been exploring Europe’s geography, including its countries, capital cities, major landmarks, and diverse landscapes. We have also looked at different climates, cultures, and traditions across the continent, helping us understand how geography influences the way people live. Through map work, research, and discussions, we are building our geographical skills and broadening our knowledge of Europe and its significance in the wider world.

STEM Golden Time:

Every week during our Golden Time, we engage in an exciting STEM activity. This means we explore fun and hands-on projects related to Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. These activities encourage creativity, problem-solving, and teamwork while allowing us to experiment, build, and discover new concepts in an enjoyable way. Whether it’s designing structures, conducting science experiments, or working on coding challenges, our Golden Time STEM activities make learning both engaging and rewarding! ⚙️

Building Bridges

We completed a STEM challenge where we worked in teams to build bridges using only 10 pieces of paper and masking tape. The goal was to create the strongest bridge possible, and we tested them by adding weight to see which one could hold the most. The team with the strongest bridge won the challenge! This activity helped us practice engineering skills, teamwork, and problem-solving while learning about structure and stability in a fun and hands-on way.

Balloon Rocket Race

Another one of our STEM activities was a Balloon Rocket Race, where we attached a balloon to a straw threaded onto a string, inflated it, and then let go to watch it zoom along like a rocket. We experimented with different straw lengths to see which would allow the balloon to travel the furthest, exploring concepts like air pressure, friction, and aerodynamics in a fun and interactive way.