Friday, 29 November 2024

 Good Evening Everyone,

I hope you’ve all had a lovely week. As December approaches, the excitement for the Christmas countdown is building, and I know the children are eagerly looking forward to it!

This week in English, the children have impressed us with their sequels to the picture book FArTHER. They’ve been applying all the spelling, punctuation, and grammar skills we’ve focused on over the past few weeks, and the results have been fantastic. Next week, we will dive into our new text, The Iron Man by Ted Hughes. This unit promises to be an exciting one, where the children will engage in various writing tasks, including character descriptions, news bulletins, letters of advice, diary entries, and even creating menus inspired by the story.

In maths, the children have been working hard on mastering their times tables and related division facts up to the 9-times tables. Next week, we’ll challenge ourselves further by learning the 11 and 12-times tables and related division facts. Additionally, we’ll introduce multiplying by three numbers, encouraging the children to apply their skills in new and creative ways.

In science, we’ve been exploring how musical instruments create high and low sounds, and the children have thoroughly enjoyed these hands-on experiments. Next week, we’ll be making string telephones as part of an investigation into how sound travels and why it becomes fainter as the distance from the source increases. This will give the children a deeper understanding of sound waves and how they behave in different scenarios. 

In computing, we’ve continued our work with audio editing, and next week, we’ll build on this by cutting and merging sounds using iPads. It’s been wonderful to see how creative and engaged the children have been during these sessions.

Our history lessons have focused on the discovery of Tutankhamun’s tomb by Howard Carter. The children have shown great imagination and attention to detail in their diary entries, stepping into Carter’s shoes to relive the moment of this remarkable find. As you know, next week we will visit the British Museum to see some of the artefacts from this time period. This trip will give the children a chance to deepen their understanding of Ancient Egypt and bring the topic to life.

A couple of important reminders: for our school trip on Monday 2nd December, please ensure your child arrives at school by 8:10am as the coach will leave promptly at 8:30am. Children should wear their usual school uniform with a coat and bring a packed lunch, a snack, and a water bottle. We aim to return to school by 3:20pm, though this will depend on traffic.

I hope you all have a relaxing weekend, and we look forward to seeing you next week for another busy and exciting week.

Mr Chanter

Monday, 25 November 2024

Mrs Friedmann's Spelling Group (W.B. 25/11/25)

disagree

misspell

inactive

invention

magician

action

tension

promise

thought

again

Mr Chanter's Spelling Group (W.B. 25/11/25)

complete

disappear

experiment

mathematician

electrician

expression

invention

completion

dissatisfied

misbehave

 Dear Parents and Carers,

We hope you’ve had a lovely week, despite the chilly weather! It’s always a delight to see the children’s excitement when it snows, even with the small amount we had earlier this week. Their enthusiasm for it is always lovely to see

In Design and Technology this week, we have been learning about different types of food and discussing what makes them ‘healthy’ or ‘unhealthy.’ The children have also started planning the ingredients for their food wraps, which they will create in a few weeks’ time. Next week, we will shift our focus to designing packaging for these wraps, ensuring it includes all the necessary details found on food packaging.

In computing, we have been learning how sound can be recorded and edited, which has been a fascinating topic for the children. Next week, we will record various sounds using instruments and then learn how to edit, shorten, and merge these clips to create cohesive audio pieces.

As part of our PSHE topic, Celebrating Differences, we have been discussing how our personal experiences and influences shape our thoughts about other people. Next week, we will take this further by exploring what it feels like to be a witness to or target of bullying. This will help the children develop empathy and a deeper understanding of these experiences.

In history, our study of Ancient Egypt continues to spark curiosity. This week, we learned about Howard Carter’s discovery of Tutankhamun’s tomb. The children stepped into the role of historians, analysing artefacts found in the tomb and considering why particular items were buried with the pharaoh. Next week, they will write diary entries from Howard Carter’s perspective, capturing the excitement and wonder of his incredible discovery.

In English, we finished reading FArTHER and will now begin planning and writing our own sequels to the story. The children will imagine the son pursuing a new dream and will incorporate the skills they have been practicing, such as using multi-clause sentences, similes, and fronted adverbials, to bring their writing to life.

In maths, we have been developing our knowledge of the 3, 6, and 9 times tables while exploring the connections between them. Next week, we will move on to the 7, 11, and 12 times tables, looking for patterns and solving problems that require applying this knowledge.

A couple of important reminders: for our school trip on Monday 2nd December, please ensure your child arrives at school by 8:10am, as the coach will be leaving promptly at 8:30am. Additionally, starting today, the lost property box will be placed on the KS1 playground at the end of the school day. If your child has misplaced any items, you are welcome to check the box during this time.

As we approach the festive season, Mrs Lawrence has asked if the children can practise the following songs from home in preparation for our Carol Concert: https://youtu.be/EimYlUz0vb4 .

Warm regards,

Monday, 18 November 2024

Mrs Friedmann's Spelling Group W.B. 18.11.24

 

haven’t

disagree

disobey

misspell

mislead

inactive

incorrect

insane

shouldn’t

they’d

Mr Chanter's Spelling Group W.B. 18.11.24

 

misbehave

disagree

disobey

misspell

mislead

inactive

incorrect

insane

misunderstand

dissatisfied

Friday, 15 November 2024

  Hello everyone,

I hope you've all had a wonderful week! We've certainly had a fantastic week here in Year 4, filled with lots of learning and engaging activities.

In maths, we’ve moved on from exploring area and have started focusing on multiplication and division. Next week, we'll be concentrating on the 3, 6, and 9 times tables. These particular tables are closely related, and exploring the connections between them will help students gain a deeper understanding of patterns in numbers. We encourage the children to practice at home whenever they can, as familiarity with these tables will really help build their confidence and fluency in maths.

In English, we’re continuing with our class story, FArTHER, which has been captivating the children’s imaginations. This week, we've focused on punctuation and grammar, challenging the children to create more complex sentences using multi-clause structures and expanded noun phrases, which will help them add depth and detail to their writing. Next week, we’ll shift our focus to instructional and letter writing, with each task tied to events in the story. This will give the children a chance to apply their understanding of grammar in practical and creative ways.

In history, our topic on Ancient Egypt has been a hit! This week, we explored the River Nile and its significance to Egyptian civilisation. The children learned how this mighty river provided Egyptians with food, a means of transportation for trade, and natural protection from invaders. Next week, we’ll be delving into the life of the famous pharaoh Tutankhamun, and the children will discover fascinating insights into Egyptian royal life, burial practices, and the legacy of this young ruler whose tomb provided us with so much knowledge about ancient Egyptian culture.

On Tuesday, we had a memorable trip to the Hare Krishna temple in Watford, where we learned about Hinduism in a hands-on way. The children participated in storytelling activities, dressed up in traditional clothing, and explored the temple’s farm, learning about the importance of cows within the community. They also attended a beautiful ceremony and enjoyed a delicious meal prepared on-site. The experience deepened their understanding of Hinduism, and we look forward to our follow-up visit to the local church next Tuesday, where they’ll take part in a workshop on ‘Pilgrimage’ and discuss themes like journeys, special places, gratitude, and healing.

Next week, we’ll also be celebrating Parliament Week, with activities that help the children learn about the important role of the UK Parliament and how it supports democracy in the UK. We’ll discuss how parliament members work on behalf of the public, debate new laws, and make decisions that shape our society. This is an excellent opportunity for the children to understand the basics of democracy and think about how they can have a voice in their communities.

Just for next week, PE sessions will take place on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday (for football). After that, we’ll return to our regular PE schedule.

Wishing you all a lovely, restful, and safe weekend. We look forward to another exciting week ahead.

Monday, 11 November 2024

Mrs Friedmann's Group W.B. 11.11.24

 

than

inside

only

way

along

many

invention

action

tension

magician

Mr Chanter's Spelling Group - W.B. 11.11.24

 

invention

expression

completion

discussion

tension

musician

electrician

magician

action

mathematician

Friday, 8 November 2024

Good evening,

It was wonderful to see so many of you at the fireworks display on Saturday! As it was my first time experiencing this event at Little Heath School, I felt incredibly proud to be a part of it. The fireworks were spectacular, and the children have been buzzing with excitement, especially about “the last firework!”

This week has been a lovely start back, with lots of new topics to dive into across our subjects. Here’s a little peek at what we’ve been up to:

In Maths, we’ve started exploring the concept of area by counting the number of squares within rectilinear shapes. The children are enjoying experimenting with transforming shapes into squares and rectangles.

In English, we’ve started reading FArTHER, a beautifully illustrated and thought-provoking picture book. The children have been developing their inference skills, working on expanded noun phrases, and practicing writing postcards in the present perfect tense. Next week, we’ll focus on improving our editing skills and explore more grammar topics, including multi-clause sentences.

Our History topic is all about the Ancient Egyptians, which is personally one of my favourites! We kicked off by looking at when and where this fascinating civilization existed and comparing it with other historical periods. The children seem intrigued and are eager to start their half-term project, which I posted on Blogger earlier this week. Next up: discovering the significance of the River Nile in the growth of ancient Egyptian society.

In Science, our new topic on “Sound” has already piqued the children’s curiosity. We’ve been exploring different sound sources and will soon be delving into how sound travels from a source to our ears and brain.

Looking ahead, we’re all excited for our upcoming trip to the Hare Krishna Temple in Watford on Tuesday. It will be a unique opportunity to learn about and immerse ourselves in Hinduism. If you have any questions about the trip, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

Next week, we’ll also be celebrating Anti-Bullying Week with Odd Socks Day on Tuesday, as well as Children in Need on Friday, where children are encouraged to wear something spotty. We’ll be completing activities throughout the week to support both events.

I wish you all a restful and safe weekend, and I look forward to seeing everyone back on Monday.

Online Safety

 I wanted to reach out to discuss some issues regarding online gaming. It has come to my attention that some children in our class are playing games that might not be suitable for their age group, such as Fortnite, which is intended for players aged 13 and up.

While these games can be fun, they can also connect children with strangers online, which sometimes leads to conversations or language that may not be appropriate. Additionally, playing games too often or for extended periods can make it harder for pupils to focus on school or enjoy other important activities.

For these reasons, I encourage you to remain vigilant in monitoring your child’s online activity. Many devices—such as phones, tablets, and gaming consoles—offer safety settings, including options to restrict chat, set time limits, and control purchases. Setting up these protections can help keep your child safe and allow them to enjoy gaming in a balanced way.

Thank you for your support on this matter. If you have any questions or would like more information on setting up these controls, please feel free to reach out.

Wednesday, 6 November 2024

History Project (Autumn 2)

 Ancient Egypt Project (Autumn 2)

Throughout this half term, our history topic will focus on the Ancient Egyptians. To help deepen their understanding and engagement, I am encouraging the children to create a project connected to this unit. They have the freedom to choose their approach, but they may wish to use one of the suggested ideas below as inspiration. Please ensure that all projects are returned to school during the week commencing Monday 16th December.

Create a Pharaoh's Headdress or Jewellery

  • Project: The children can research the importance of Pharaohs and the symbols of their power. They then design and make a Pharaoh’s headdress or an Egyptian necklace using materials at home (paper, foil, beads, etc.).

Build a Model Pyramid

  • Project: Using materials like cardboard, sugar cubes, or clay, the children create a 3D model of a pyramid, considering the structure and purpose of these monuments. They can even create this using 'Minecraft'.

Mummify a Fruit Experiment

  • Project: With parental help, the children can mummify an apple/banana etc by covering them in baking soda and salt to replicate the preservation process. They can then wrap the fruit in bandages.

Design a Sarcophagus for an Egyptian King

  • Project: The children can design and draw a sarcophagus for an Egyptian king, considering the patterns, symbols, and decorations used to honour royalty in death.

Monday, 4 November 2024

Spelling List (Mrs FriedmaNn's group) W.B. 4/11/24

 

each

how

want

after

learn

promise

again

gave

thought

often

Spelling List (Mr Chanter's Group) W.B. 4/11/24

 complete

disappear

experiment

increase

learn

often

promise

regular

thought

different