Term 4

African Elephants have continued with our Geography topic, ‘Misty Mountain, Winding River’. We moved our focus from rivers to mountains. We learned about features of mountains and how mountains can be shown on a map. We discovered more about mountains and mountain ranges in the UK. One of the highlights this term was a visit from Ben Heason, a professional climber who was part of the first climbing team to climb Angel Falls in Venezuela. The class enjoyed seeing the climbing equipment and were full of questions about his adventures!

English:

In English, we have focused on creating exciting adventure stories. We started by examining a model text, ‘Volcanic Panic’. We looked at the features and structure and how we could use this to help our own writing. Each student created a story mountain plan which included an opening, the build-up, a dilemma, a resolution and the closing. The class were able to get creative with their ideas and came up with a range of story plots. After planning, we moved on to drafting. We made sure to include lots of description and direct speech. Lastly, we wrote our work up in our best handwriting in our Big Write books. The class have really improved their stamina for writing since the start of the year.

Maths:

Multiplication and division has continued to be our main Maths focus in Term 4. We practised multiplying numbers by 10 and 100 using a place value grid to help us. Then, we applied our times table knowledge to multiply bigger numbers. For instance, if we know 6x4=24 then we can figure out 6x40. It is a lot easier to solve these problems if you know all your times tables. Over half the class have now earned their times table badge – well done! We will keep focusing on times tables as our times table check is coming up in June.

Science:

In science, we have been studying classification and grouping. We studied what is meant by classification and taxonomy. We tried sorting animals into different groups based on their characteristics. We identified the differences between vertebrates and invertebrates. We then subcategorised vertebrates into their five categories – mammals, fish, birds, reptiles and amphibians. After, we subcategorised invertebrates into annelids, molluscs and arthropods. The children have enjoyed exploring the weird and wonderful animal kingdom.

Other news:

The class have enjoyed playing djembe drums this term. We are familiar with different tones and rhythms and our now working on learning an African tune, ‘Everybody Conga’. The class have to listen carefully to each other to ensure they are keeping a steady rhythm and are becoming more confident playing as an ensemble.

The class had a fun time on Neurodiversity Day. The children reflected on their own strengths as well as things they found challenging. There was a great deal of team work activities and the class did well working together with each person contributing different strengths.

Term 3 

Year 4 have enjoyed starting our new Geography topic, ‘Misty Mountain, Winding River’. We focused on rivers in Term 3. The children studied the different sections of a river as well as how rivers change the landscape around them. We have used atlases to locate famous rivers around the world. As well as thinking globally, we have turned our focus locally to discover more about our local river, the River Medway. In the last week of term, we will go on a walk by the riverside to learn more about how the river is used.

English

In English, we began by writing a diary entry for an exciting trip along the River Nile in Egypt. The children tried to include lots of descriptive features to make their writing more interesting. After our diary entry, we moved on to studying an information leaflet. We examined the features in a model text and then started planning our own. The class have written some brilliant leaflets to persuade people to visit the River Medway.

Maths

We began the term by applying our addition and subtraction learning to solve multi-step problems. Then we moved on to measuring the area of different shapes. Currently, we are focusing on multiplication and division. We are looking at patterns for learning our times tables and finding different methods to practise and reinforce our learning. We will continue to go in to greater depth with our multiplication and division next term. We continue to test times tables weekly. More children have won their times table badge in term 3 for mastering all of their tables – well done!

Science

In science, we are studying states of matter. The class have sorted materials into solids, liquids and gases and thought about the different properties of each state. We have gone into greater detail by exploring particles and how they behave. The children enjoyed demonstrating how particles are arranged in solids, liquids and gases. We have thought about how materials can change state when the temperature changes.

Other news

In Music, the Year 4s have continued developing their djembe skills alongside studying the Rondo structure. We listened to some examples of Mozart’s compositions and are developing our music reading skills.

We had a lot of fun during Jubilee University learning to bake bread. First, we studied how yeast works. Then we investigated which temperature it worked best at, using balloons to capture the gas it released in different temperatures of water. The next day, the children enjoyed baking some hedgehog bread rolls. They also experimented to create other animal-shaped bread. It smelled delicious!

Term 2

African Elephants have continued with their history topic, ‘Invasion’, this time moving their focus from the Anglo-Saxons to the Vikings. We studied the Vikings first terrifying visits to the British Isles, their conflicts with the Anglo-Saxons and how they eventually lived alongside them. One of the highlights of our history work was the Viking immersive day. The class enjoyed dressing up, carving Runes and preparing to battle the other Year 4 class!

English

In our final English piece of the term, we have created non-chronological reports to answer our history enquiry question, ‘How did the Anglo-Saxon and Viking invasions change Britain?’ It has been an opportunity for the children to show off all they learned in their history work and to make comparisons between the two invading groups. Children have used key, historical vocabulary and produced very informative reports.

Maths

In maths, we have studied addition and subtraction using 4-digit numbers. We have practised exchanging across place value columns in order to calculate accurately. We then moved on to word problems and multi-step problems involving addition and subtraction. We are also continuing to practise our times tables in class. We complete regular times table tests. Eleven children in the class have passed all of their times tables already and earned their times table badge. Very impressive!

Science

In Science, we explored sound. The children got to investigate how instruments produced sound and different ways they made vibrations. We looked at sound waves and how they show the pitch and volume of sounds. The class enjoyed carrying out an investigation to try and muffle sound using different materials. We measured the sound of a shaker using a decibel metre and thought about how to carry out fair tests.

Other news

In RE, the children have studied the nativity story. We thought about symbolism and the different symbols we see at Christmas time. The class learned about the symbols in a Christingle and how it explains the meaning of the nativity. We made our own Christingles and got to show them in the KS2 carol service.

African Elephants got to do some weaving to make mug rugs for the Christmas Fayre. We used cardboard looms to weave yarn in and out of our warp threads. We made some lovely mug rugs. Some children made extra at home that we were able to sell at the fayre.

Term 1 

Year 4 have got stuck into our new topic – Invasion! We are learning about the different groups that invaded Britain over the years, concentrating on the Anglo-Saxons and the Vikings. This term, our focus is on the Anglo-Saxons. We have explored why they came to Britain and the kingdoms they established. The class discovered more about the Sutton Hoo burial and what this could tell us about the beliefs of the Anglo-Saxons. We were very fortunate to have a zoom call from Anglo-Saxon historian, Dr Marc Morris. The children enjoyed asking lots of questions. We are looking forward to discover how the Vikings changed Britain next term.

English:

We have focused on Anglo-Saxon poetry this term. We started by reading a section of the famous poem, ‘Beowulf’. We enjoyed acting out the poem – especially the battle between Beowulf the hero and Grendel, the monster. We moved on to drafting our own poems, which also told the story of a battle. The class worked hard to use descriptive language such as adjectives, expanded noun phrases and adverbs. We are working on improving our presentation and using consistent cursive handwriting.

Maths

This term we have been studying place value in 4-digit numbers. The class have been looking at the value of digits within a number and focused on how to round number to the nearest thousand, hundred and ten. The Year 4s are also trying hard to learn their times tables. The children complete weekly timed times table tests to prepare for their end of year multiplication check.

Science

We are currently learning all about the digestive system. We began by studying the animal kingdom and how different animals require different foods. We created food chains and looked at food webs, which show how food is eaten within an ecosystem. We then moved on the specifics of the human digestive system. We learned about the journey food takes through different organs in our body so we can absorb nutrients and get rid of waste materials. We set up a practical (and slightly gross) demonstration of the digestive system, which helped us see how it all works in action.

Other news

Year 4s have enjoyed the start of their swimming lessons at Larkfield Leisure Centre. In our other PE lessons, the children developed their tag rugby skills. They thought about strategy and how to work effectively as a team.

Term 6 - 2023/24

English:

American Eagles have been becoming quite the little writers this term! The children have studied two more genres of writing to add to their staggering list of other genres studied through this year, myths and poems, making that twelve different genre!  We’ve continued to use our Topic subject of the Romans as a focus for writing. We studied a myth called “Jupiter and the Bee,” which was quite lengthy, but the children seemed to enjoy studying it. We’ve also put our hand to writing our own Roman poem which was a challenge, but the children did well to attempt rhyming couplets and historical contexts.

Maths:

We have been learning how to measure in litres and millilitres and we now know that 1 litre equals 1000ml. As we moved on into fraction work, we learnt that fractions are split wholes into equal parts and that helped us to add and subtract fractions. Then we moved onto learning about money, the value of British coins and how to use our knowledge to calculate the cost of things. Towards the end of the term, we have been studying Time, starting with the use of Roman numerals and then comparing analogue and digital clocks before learning how to tell the time.

Science:

We have been revising our work on plant nutrition and reproduction and have been learning more about light, including recognising that light is needed to see things and that there are a range of light sources. Now we can explain that dark is caused by the absence of light. We can also identify reflective materials and select the most reflective material for a purpose such as which material to use for our lollipop lady’s outfit. Week 5 was Science week and the children researched and wrote about a scientist of their choice.

In Art, we have been studying mosaics. We have seen that mosaics have been used through the ages starting around Ancient Greece and today there are many places where we see mosaics. We designed our own mosaic borders and made a miniature mosaic with coloured foam pieces. We are looking forward to visiting the Roman museum in Canterbury at the end of term where we will see some of the beautiful mosaics that have been preserved over the years.

Other news:

American Eagles participated in all the activities in our KS2 Sports day this year, including the sack race, relay races, javelin and long jump. In lessons, they’ve learnt more about playing cricket and tennis and teamwork! In Jubilee University this term, we studied healthy minds with a focus on Independence and respect. Our class has produced some interesting and entertaining Big teaches through the year and this term shall see the last few children presenting theirs.