Good afternoon,

The weeks are absolutely flying by—I can’t quite believe that we have only one week left before the end of term! It has been a fantastic and busy time in Year 4, and I am incredibly proud of how hard the children have been working.

This week, much of our focus has been on rehearsing for our middle school performance of What a Knight! It is a brilliantly comical play, and I am sure you will find it just as hilarious as I do. It has been exciting seeing all the elements come together and the children’s enthusiasm and dedication have added the cherry to the top! 

The performances will take place on:

• Tuesday at 1:30 pm – Performance for friends and family

• Wednesday at 6:30 pm – Evening performance

We really hope you can come along to support the children and enjoy what promises to be a fantastic show.

In English, the children have been writing their non-chronological reports on the Women’s Land Army. This has been a fascinating topic, allowing the children to explore the crucial role that women played during the Second World War. They have shown great interest in learning about how these women worked tirelessly on farms to support the country while many men were away fighting. Their reports are filled with well-researched facts, and detailed descriptions. I am sure you will enjoy reading their brilliant work when you come to our open afternoon next Wednesday. In addition to this, we have also been exploring synonyms and antonyms and using them to describe a book character’s characteristics. This has helped to develop the children’s vocabulary and deepen their understanding of how words can be used to create a stronger impact in their writing.

In maths, we have been investigating the relationship between fractions and decimals, focusing particularly on tenths. The children have been developing their understanding of how fractions and decimals are connected and how we can express numbers in different ways. Next week, we will be extending this further by looking at hundredths and considering how this knowledge applies in everyday situations.

For our science topic on electricity, we moved on to answering the question: Which materials are conductors or insulators? To explore this, the children set up simple circuits and tested different objects to determine whether they allowed electricity to flow. They made predictions, carried out investigations, and recorded their findings carefully. This hands-on approach really helped them develop their understanding of electrical circuits and how they work.

In computing, the children have continued their topic on digital photo editing. This week, they experimented with changing the colour and resolution of images, learning how digital manipulation can alter the way we perceive a picture. This is a skill they may wish to incorporate into their class project for the term.

A particular highlight of the week was a visit from the Hertfordshire Fire Service on Tuesday. The firefighters delivered an engaging and informative session on fire safety, teaching the children about what to do in the event of an emergency. They also demonstrated how quickly a fire can spread and why it is essential to act swiftly but safely. The children had the opportunity to explore the fire truck and learn about the various tools and equipment used by firefighters. They asked fantastic questions and were fascinated by the different features of the truck.

Wishing you all a wonderful weekend and I look forward to seeing many of you at next week’s events.

Mr Chanter's Spelling Group

 

experience

difficult

chandelier

character

machine

chaos

muscle

fluorescent

fascination

technical

Mrs Friedmann's Spelling Group

 

busy

difficult

heart

chef

ache

chaos

school

echo

scent

muscle

 Good afternoon,

I hope you have had a lovely week. We certainly have in Year 4, especially on Monday when we had the exciting opportunity to visit LEGOLAND Windsor as part of our STEM week celebrations.

During our visit, we explored the fascinating world of engineering and design by studying the structure of rollercoasters. We even had the chance to build our own models, putting our creativity and problem-solving skills to the test. And of course, no trip to LEGOLAND would be complete without experiencing a few thrilling rides ourselves!

The day was packed with hands-on learning, teamwork, and plenty of fun. It was wonderful to see the enthusiasm and excitement as everyone engaged with the activities. Take a look at some of our photos below to see the incredible time we had!

Elsewhere in the week, the children have been busy planning a non-chronological report about the Women's Land Army. This ties in beautifully with our class text, The Lion and the Unicorn, which explores themes of war, bravery, and resilience. The children have been researching key facts about the Women's Land Army, understanding its vital role during World War II, and organising their findings into well-structured plans. Next week, we will begin writing these reports, focusing on clear explanations, factual accuracy, and engaging presentation.

In maths, we are nearing the end of our topic on fractions, where we have been mastering addition and subtraction techniques. Our final focus will be on subtracting fractions efficiently before we move on to an exciting new topic—decimals! This will build on our understanding of place value and fractions, helping us to make connections between the two concepts.

As you may already know, our Middle School Performance this year is What a Knight!. Excitement is building as we begin rehearsals next week. Be prepared for lots of singing at home as they practise their lines and songs! The show dates are set for Tuesday 1st and Wednesday 2nd April, and we can’t wait to share this fantastic performance with you all.

Now that we are also well underway with our computer topic on editing digital images as part of our termly project, I would like to encourage the children to take a photo of their choice and edit it in any way they wish, using as all the creativity they want.

The Task:

Take a photo of your choice—this could be a picture of an object, a place, or wildlife etc!

Edit your photo using any creative techniques you like! You can use Paint on a computer or different apps on the iPads/tablets.

Have fun experimenting with colours, filters, stickers, drawing, cropping, or any other cool effects!

Things to Remember:

Be as creative as you like!

Make sure your image is appropriate for school.

Save your edited photo so you can share it with the class.

Deadline: Tuesday 22nd April

Have a lovely weekend and we will see you need week!

Mrs Friedmann's Spelling Group

 

muscle

science

scent

scissors

scene

there

their

they’re

too

because

Mr Chanter's Spelling Group

 

muscle

science

scent

scissors

scene

descended

crescent

fluorescent

fascination

reminisce

Good Afternoon!

I hope you have all had a lovely week. It has been another busy and exciting one in Year 4 with lots of fantastic learning taking place across all subjects. 

In maths, we have been focusing on mixed numbers and improper fractions, learning how to convert between the two. The children have done an excellent job of recognising how improper fractions (where the numerator is greater than the denominator) can be rewritten as mixed numbers, and vice versa. They have used visual representations, number lines, and practical activities to deepen their understanding. Next week, we will be building on this knowledge by learning how to add and subtract fractions and mixed numbers.

In English, we have continued reading The Lion and The Unicorn by Shirley Hughes, which the children have really been enjoying. This week, the children have been writing letters from Lenny’s perspective, imagining how he might be feeling as he compares his new life in the countryside to his home in the city. They have done a brilliant job of expressing Lenny’s emotions, describing the differences between the two settings, and considering how he might be adjusting to his new surroundings.

In RE, we have been exploring Hindu beliefs and values, with a particular focus on the symbolism of mandalas. We discussed how mandalas are used in Hinduism to represent wholeness, unity, and the universe, and the children were fascinated to learn about their spiritual significance. They worked hard to create their own personalised mandalas, carefully drawing geometric shapes, patterns, and symbols to produce some stunning artwork.

Following on from last week’s exciting science lessons, we were incredibly lucky to have a visit from the University of Hertfordshire’s Planetarium. This amazing experience transported us across the universe, allowing the children to observe the wonders of space in an immersive way. It was a truly unforgettable opportunity that deepened their understanding of astronomy. In our topic on electricity, we have also been investigating different circuits, exploring their components and constructing different versions. The children have enjoyed the hands-on element of this topic, experimenting with switches, bulbs, and batteries to see how circuits function.

Legoland Trip – Important Information

With our exciting trip to LEGOLAND Windsor fast approaching, we would like to share some key details to ensure your child is fully prepared for the day. As well as enjoying the rides and attractions, this visit has a strong STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Maths) focus, allowing the children to engage in hands-on learning experiences related to engineering, design, and problem-solving.

Key Information for the Trip:

Arrival: Please ensure children arrive at school by 8:15am for a prompt departure.

Return: We expect to be back between 5:45pm – 6:00pm. You will be updated on any changes due to traffic.

What to Bring:

A coat (weather-appropriate).

A bag containing a packed lunch and water bottle.

Comfortable and practical clothing with trainers suitable for walking and outdoor activities.

Items not allowed: No money, electronics (including phones) should be brought on the trip.

Medication: If your child requires any medication (e.g. travel sickness tablets), please hand it in to the school office prior to the trip.

We are really looking forward to this fantastic experience and know the children will have a wonderful time!

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

The Year 4 Team

Mrs Friedmann's Spelling Group

 

chalet

chef

echo

school

chaos

ache

strange

creepy

wonderful

amazing

Mr Chanter's Spelling Group

 

chalet

chef

echo

character

machine

chaos

school

chandelier

brochure

niche

 Dear Parents and Carers,

I hope you have all had a wonderful week! We have certainly had an action-packed time in Year 4, filled with exciting learning opportunities.

One of the highlights was our science workshop on Thursday, where we kicked off our new topic on electricity. The children were fully engaged as they explored how electrical circuits work through a series of hands-on activities. They had the chance to build their own circuits using wires, bulbs, buzzers, and switches, testing different components to see how they affected the flow of electricity. It was fantastic to see their curiosity and problem-solving skills in action as they experimented with making complete and incomplete circuits. Please find some pictures of this event below:

Today was also an incredibly exciting day as we celebrated World Book Day, and I was truly amazed by the imagination and creativity that went into the children’s costumes. It was wonderful to see such a variety of characters brought to life!

We were lucky to have a visit from author Camilla Chester, who led a fantastic whole-school assembly where she shared insights into her work and what inspires her writing. Following this, she ran a brilliant workshop for Year 4, where we created our own unique plots and characters before merging them into a board game. The children then had the chance to play their games with Year 3, bringing their ideas to life in such a fun and interactive way.

At break time, the children took part in a riddle challenge, solving clues placed around the school to uncover mystery book characters. Next week, three lucky participants will be randomly selected to win a book of their choice (up to the value of £10).

Later in the day, the children worked collaboratively in ‘The Great Story Crossover’—a creative writing activity where they teamed up with pupils from different year groups to craft a story inspired by the characters they had dressed up as. The teamwork and storytelling on display were fantastic!

We finished off the day with a lovely reading session in Reception and Nursery, where the children had the chance to share their love of reading with younger pupils. It was a heart-warming way to end a wonderful day, celebrating the joy of books and storytelling.

As the day was so busy, we were unable to fit in our usual spelling test. This will now take place on Monday instead.

The fun doesn’t stop there, as our celebration of Science Week continues on Monday with an exciting visit from the planetarium! The children will have the opportunity to immerse themselves in the wonders of space, deepening their understanding of our solar system in a truly memorable way.

I hope you all have a lovely weekend, and I look forward to seeing everyone back on Monday for another fantastic week!

The Year 4 Team