Eco day

Eco day was so much fun. In the morning we had an opening assembly, led by Mrs Wellham and Miss Eastlake about trying to become an Eco-school. We looked at the goals we can strive to achieve. We then went into our classroom and looked at the problems around the World with the lack of water. We learnt about Water Aid, how they help and which areas of the World suffer the most and there were some shocking statistics that really made us think. We create a droplet poster we the facts that we had learnt. (Please see below for the combined results) After break, we thought about water closer to home and how we could make a difference. We discussed as a class about water saving ideas: using bath water more than once, only putting on a full load of washing in the washing machine or dishwasher, putting a water butt in the garden to collect rainwater to use on the garden and many more ideas.

 In the afternoon we had a recycled fashion show, where we used cereal boxes, plastic bags or newspaper to create an outfit hat was fit for the catwalk!

Another busy week

We have had another busy, but very enjoyable, with the year 's. Yesterday, as a school we watched the year 5 assembly, giving us an idea of what the rest of the school have been up to and what to expect as we go into year 5!

This week, although it is only November, we have started to think about some Christmas ideas for our displays and decorations around the school and what songs we would like to share to you and the school.

In Maths Mrs Doran's class have been working hard on conquering multiplication and have applied their knowledge to problem solving. In Mrs Gaines and Mrs Mercer's group we have been looking at time- tables, TV guides, analogue and digital clocks and then applying our knowledge to to word problems and real examples.
Here is one to try at home

Simon caught a train to Heathrow from Luton at 13.45. The journey lasted 1 hour and 18 minutes. 
At what time did Simon arrive in Heathrow? 
He should have been  at the airport 2 hours prior to travel and his flight was at 5pm, has he made it in time or has he arrived late, if so by how much?


In English we have finished our unit on Fantasy stories, which were a pleasure to read, and moved onto persuasive texts. We hope the children don't  transfer their persuasive techniques learnt from school to home and start questioning bedtime! We continue our  persuasion unit for the next fortnight leading up to writing persuasive letters!

In topic we continue to learn about Coasts but have now dipped into some art related to the seaside. This week Birch have practised an art technique called Pointillism which will be their front covers of their topic books.

In Science both classes have now completed the topic of Sound and are now moving onto States of matter. Why not ask your child if they know of a substance that can be a solid, liquid and or a gas? We have also been looking at the fact that sand can be poured, like the property  a liquid,  but it is a solid. We will be looking at this topic for the next 6 weeks, here are some of the new words we might learn - viscosity    solid     liquid      gases    states of matter       volume     properties  materials   melt  water cycle   evaporate   temperature

 Next week is Eco-day on Thursday and we will be looking at how we can play a part in being more aware about recycle, saving water and having fun up-cycling products that ordinarily may have been recycled. On Friday please remember it is an occasional day for everyone so the school will be closed.

Thank you for taking the time to read this, we hope you found it useful.

The year 4 team

Our Coastal Big Bang

Making our beach huts with lolly sticks, paint and glue. It is very tricky.

Patience and support by friends.

Satisfaction and perseverance.

Teamwork and concentration on the class coastal build.

Focus and determination

Near completion...

In the afternoon we made collage pictures of a seaside scene. We used a pale blue wash as our background and then built upon it.

It was a time consuming and fiddly process, hopefully you will see them all at our assembly next week.

DT and Art is a pleasant break from English and Maths!

Can anyone name the flag in the picture?

Carefully arranged colourful bunting.

Excellent precise and beautifully presented work.

Which coastal features has this pupil included in their collage?

Carefully presented and arranged like real beach huts. Well done Ash.

Our work in progress!

Birch were a little bit further on and with more painting completed, the scene is really taking shape.

A great beach scene including the skill of pointillism that we have been learning in Art.

As you can see from the pictures we had a very productive and enjoyable big bang. Thank you to all the parents that sent in boxes to help us, it was appreciated. We think the children really enjoyed the day, learnt some new creative skills in D.T and art, whilst learning more about Coastal features and British Seasides.


Today we also showed the children an E Safety clip recommended by CEOP ( E Safety protectors and Educators). If you would like to view the clip to see what your children have watched, please follow the link below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-nMUbHuffO8

Dahl day- fabulous outfit

Golden ticket winners!

What a fabulous array of different outfits. We had a great day and everyone got into Dahl day. Well done to Sammy for being chosen as best costume.

Which book are these two smiling boys from?

Even the teachers got dressed up. Can you tell who's who?

My golden ticket winners!

Who's under the blue feathered mask?

Danny the Champion of the World, rescuing the pheasants!

Run, run... Boggis is coming!

'Who let the foxes out?'

We love you Miss Honey!

Arrragh!!!!

Can you guess the book?

Add caption

We continue to be really busy in year 4.


Children are now nearly half way through their swimming lessons and we would like to thank all those parents who have been accompanying us week in and week out, fair weather or not!
Can I take this opportunity to remind all parents that the children do need a water proof coat on a Monday- I know they are going to get wet in the pool, but it is quite nice for them not to get any wetter than necessary on the walk home! Also, a snack is a good idea as it is a physical morning for them and many children who don't always bring a snack are quite hungry upon our return.
Along the same lines- it has become quite noticeable that a lot of children do not have full PE kit in school. They do need a pair of football socks and shin pads as they are doing football every week. There are a few children borrowing football boots- please can you check your child has boots and that they still fit. Many thanks for your cooperation here.


On the academic side of things, we have been looking at explanation texts in English linked to our topic of Coastal Features. Next week, the children are going to be writing their own explanation texts about how caves, stacks and arches are formed.
In art we have begun a study of pointillism- painting using lots of dots rather like the aboriginal art they looked at last term, but applying it to famous artists who used this technique.
In our computing lessons the children have begun to plan their own maths games. Over the next few weeks we hope to be able to develop these plans into games that they can actually play using Scratch or an alternative programming tool. We look forward to seeing how innovative they are with the final games.


We have reached the end of walk to school week and both classes have successfully 'walked' their way around Hertfordshire on their class posters. We have a few photos of the children on their walk to school with their beautifully decorated crocodiles- it would be great to have more so we can make a display in each classroom. Well done to those children who did remember to take and print out their photos. 


Next week the tuck shop launches and children are able to bring up to a pound for their day. All money needs to be in a named purse or wallet please.


Have a good weekend.
The Year 4 Team

Our week

This week in year four we have been busy as usual. In English we are writing narrative stories based on Dick King Smith's 'The Jolly Witch' and 'Our journey to the Abbey'. We have been focussing on structure the structure of the text, what type of sentences engage readers, using our five senses, the power of exciting vocabulary and how good characters can make a story effective.

Here are some examples of our work-

Sniffing the air happily, Mrs Jolly jumped onto her magical broomstick and soared into the night sky. As she flew peacefully, she spotted the other witches ready to race. Enjoying the view she approached her allies ready to begin the annual race. Was she going to be successful?
Adam B

After all the drained children had gone home to their bear fur sofas, Mrs Jolly would (well sort of!) set to her work of cleaning the school. In the classroom she plopped herself down in the big, leather chair, clapped her hands, gulped half her tea down and shouted 'Work, work, come alive!'. Almost at once, the Hoover plugged itself in and started humming. The dusters started cleaning the tables whilst squabbling over who would be the dirtiest after the clean. Lastly, the dust pan and brush (who were very well behaved) started sweeping up the paper in silence.
Lily B

Our journey to the Abbey
'It's  ok' I told myself even though I didn't feel it. I wonder where this winding path will lead
me, hopefully back home. Waves, waves to my right, I could hear muffled singing from what looked like a ship. Wait a minute! Pirates! I tried to stay out of sight but it was almost impossible as the pathway scraped at my bare feet. Peeking, I saw the sails of the ship dancing. Something caught my eye. At last some light!
Freddie T


In Maths both classes have continued to work on calculation using both addition and subtraction mental and written strategies. In Science we are still enjoying our topic of sound.  We are beginning to understand more about vibrations, how sound travels through different materials and we will move onto varying pitch and volume!

Yesterday we had a wonderful afternoon and celebrated European Languages day. Our afternoon began with an exciting assembly led by Madame Baikie who inspired us all about how and why learning languages can help us. Then we went into class and participated in a series of activities - speaking in different languages, sharing the languages spoken in our class, European map work and starting our wonderful passport. We had a great time and hopefully all went home with a few new words from a different language.


Pictures to follow on Monday.

Have a good weekend

The Year four team

Welcone to year 4

Welcome back and we hope you all had a fantastic summer. We hope everyone is rested and raring to go. This week in year 4 we have been busy in all curriculum areas. In English we have been looking at the text 'The lion, the witch and the wardrobe', which the children have thoroughly enjoyed. We having been focusing on 1st and 3rd person, descriptive openings and today we looked at direct speech. What a lot of coverage in a week!


In Maths we have been looking at number, pattern spotting, place value and ordering numbers. The children have  worked hard and we are pleased with the positive 'can do' attitudes we are seeing.
In Science we have started our new topic of Sound, which as you can imagine was loud and a roaring success. We started with a practical where the children made discoveries for themselves. We had sound tubes being waved catching air, test tubes with varying water levels being blown, dancing rice on taut drum skins and different sized boom whackers being tested! That was only one lesson!


Ash are thrilled to be back in the classroom and are thoroughly enjoying their new found space. The aroma no longer lingers past nine o'clock so the teachers are also pleased to be back in there!


Our creative curriculum this term is Coasts in the UK and around the world. We will be discovering why certain coasts have created physical features like caves, arches and stacks. If you have any holiday snaps or postcards that you feel will enhance the children's learning please do send them in named.
On a similar note we would be most appreciative if you could save the small cereal packets (variety size) and the inner cardboard tube of a kitchen towel. We are going to do create light houses and beach huts. (Blue Peter style).


In addition to lots of great activities in the classroom, the children have also enjoyed two great PE lessons outside in sunshine. The lessons focused on fitness and agility.


Sorry if we missed anyone at Wednesdays' meet the teacher meeting. Today we sent home the writing, reading and maths objectives that were given out. If by any chance you did not receive them, please pop into school if you would like them.


Homework this week has been set and sent home. The children have been asked to find nouns and adjectives around the home and garden. e.g. antique table, squeaky door and rusty nail. They have also been asked to practise their 6 times table if they feel happy with 2,3,4 and 5's. Some children may prefer to practise another table but we will test them on the table they have chosen to practise. We did not set spellings this week but we will be setting spellings next week. All homework will be set on a Thursday and we hope to see it returned by Tuesday. 


Lastly, we would like to reiterate that we are really looking forward to working with your children and to say that we have an open door policy (preferably after school) for any questions you may have and want to talk through.


Have an enjoyable weekend


The year 4 team