Author: Mrs Freeman

During our Living and Learning session today, we created a thought tunnel which is also known as a ‘Conscience Alley’.

A ‘Conscience Alley‘ is a useful technique for exploring any kind of dilemma faced by a character, providing an opportunity to analyse a decisive moment in greater detail. The class forms two lines facing each other.

The children take on two contrasting viewpoints to provide a tunnel of thoughts for the character to travel through. The character then walks between two rows of children (the alley). Each side offers alternative advice representing the conscience of the character. At the end of the row, the character has to make a decision based on which side was more convincing.

We linked this activity to our class novel ‘Robinson Crusoe’. Here is the dilemma faced by the stranded explorer.

‘After weeks of believing he was alone, Crusoe spotted footprints in the sand. These were much larger than his own. Was there human life on this desert island? Considering his safety, Crusoe turned the idea of following the footprints around in his head. Was it a risk worth taking? His life could be at stake!’

As Robinson travelled through the alley, he was offered advice to aid his decision. He was given suggestions for going and for not going.

Here are just a few of the suggestions.

“Don’t go it may be dangerous.”

“You must explore these footprints they could help you.”

“I suggest you go but take your weapons.”

“It would be good to go as there may be food.”

“This is your one chance to freedom. You must go.”

“It’s not a good idea.”                                             

“It could be dangerous!”

“I think you need to risk it. It may be a survivor from     the ship.”

Robinsoe Crusoe decided it was a risk he needed to take. It may be his way off the island.

This week, we’ve become explorers as part of our new big topic. Explorers is a geography driven topic that will see us embark on a journey round the world. Year 4 are all aboard and we have set sail on our adventure. Along the way, we are likely to encounter a few tricky situations! Luckily, as a group, we decided on the necessary items required to survive.

Let our journey begin.

First of all, navigation was at the top of our list.

We set to work looking at atlases, maps, compasses, globes and directions. In class, we studied paper maps and compared them to how we navigate our way today. Ask your child how they remember the points on a compass.

It was fascinating to find a location on a map and then on Google Earth. Year 4 navigated their way around the world looking at places of interest.

Working with a partner, the children could identify and name such things as: rivers, mountains, settlements, famous landmarks, continents and more.

A few children also set to work on a jigsaw of the United Kingdom. Working with Mrs Charlesworth, they looked at the names of regions and counties within our country. Sadly, one piece was missing!

After all that travelling, we were exhausted!

Time to relax in our very own dinghy.

Stay posted for the next part of our exploration.

It may get bumpy!

Ever wondered what it would be like to be shipwrecked on a desert island? Well, we have!

Our homework was a creative one.

I can show what I think it would be like to be Robinson Crusoe.

This homework was designed to whet children’s appetite for our new class novel, which we started to read this week.

Robinson Crusoe was a man who was shipwrecked on a desert island. For this homework, we wanted children to imagine they’ve been shipwrecked with no technology, just some basic tools.

• What would they do first?
• What would they need?
• How would they survive?

How would they try and contact home or get off the island?

Well, the children certainly got creative. Using the ideas above, we saw some fabulous ideas with such attention to detail.

We enjoyed looking at and commenting on each other’s work. Take a look for yourselves.

Year 4 have started to learn how to play the ukulele.

The whole class are thoroughly enjoyed these weekly sessions, and so far have really impressed the music tutor. The children have begun to learn some of the basic notes and finger positions. They will, in time, go on to playing songs.  

Is it a monster?

Continuing on with our text focus, Orion and the Dark,  we have had fun creating our own monsters.

First of all, the children were asked to describe their monster. Using different parts of the body we were able to create a bank of adjectives. Using these, the children went on to create some expanded noun phrases. Here is an example of how we set this work out.

• ears   noun
• wrinkly ears   adjective noun
• wrinkly, old ears   adjective adjective noun
• wrinkly, old ears that can hear a pin drop    extra detail
• My monster has wrinkly, old ears that can hear a pin drop.    full sentence

Then, it was time to get creative. The children sketched their monsters first. After this, using clay, we set to work. Children had to select tools needed to make patterns, cut, flatten and decorate their models. When complete, the models were baked and are now on display in the classroom.

Below, are a few pictures of the children at work.

 
  Continue reading “What’s that coming over the hill?”

In our Friday PE this half term, we will concentrate on balance, shape and teamwork. This will build up to dance related sessions with the children performing a short sequence of movements by the end. Children will plan, perform and repeat short sequences that include changes of speed and level, with clear shapes and quality of movement.

In most of these lessons, the children will work in bare feet. However, if your child has any problems with that, such as verrucas or blisters, then they can leave their footwear on.

For our first lesson, we focused on shape and balance. Children were asked to create shapes using their bodies only. Following that, we looked at which part of our bodies we could balance safely on.

There were some superb balances taking place. In a small group, the children then had to incorporate an object into their balance and hold it for three seconds. This was tricky but I was impressed by the determination shown to be able to achieve this.

Take a look at some photos of our work below.

Welcome back to what is set to be a busy term full of exciting learning. We hope that you all enjoyed the summer break. It was great to see all the children settle so well back into school. Attitudes to learning have been impressive so far – let’s keep this up! We like to keep you up to date with what’s going on in class so please keep checking the class news page on the school website regularly.

Our focus for the next two weeks is around a book called Orion and the Dark written by Emma Yarlett.

This is a beautifully written book, with engaging illustrations that help to tell the story of a little boy’s fear of the dark. What’s unusual here is that Dark is represented as a friendly being, and the book reveals why Dark really isn’t that scary after all. This book will form most of our English and reading activities. During the two weeks, the children will design and make their own monster using clay and look closely at constellations in the night sky.

In fact, work has already started on our monsters.

Here’s a quick peek! More to follow.

Following that, jump aboard the Year 4 Discovery ship as we head out on our adventure as explorers! Throughout this Big Topic, we’ll be studying famous explorers and their expeditions, use geographical skills for map reading and direction, look closely at some of the wonders of the world and much more. We are also planning to take the children out on a trip full of adventure and exploration! More details to follow.

Linking to our big topic, the first class novel will be Robinson Crusoe written by Daniel Defoe.

This classic novel has been adapted especially for younger children and has fantastic reviews. Here is an example: “I bought two copies of this book so my grandson could have one and I the other. He is nine years old so still enjoys being read to. The book is written at his level. I would recommend this book to anyone who is eight/nine years old, or thereabouts, and parents or grandparents reading one of the classics to their offspring.”

How can you help?

Question your child about the book. What do they know about the characters? Have they learnt anything new?

What questions would you ask if you met some of the characters?

Indoor and outdoor kits are needed in school each week. PE will be twice a week (Mondays and Fridays). Please ensure your child has a full kit in school. Also, please note that there has been an addition to the uniform policy regarding earrings. Children who wear earrings will be asked to remove them prior to a PE lesson. This must be carried out by the child. If they are unable to remove or put earrings back in by themselves, they must not wear them on the day they have PE.

Maths

Place value, rounding numbers and comparing numbers are all on our maths agenda. Alongside this, there will be daily counting and times tables practice.  If you need any ideas of how best to support your child with their maths, then please feel free to ask. There is also a lot of guidance on the school website.

The Y4 staff are looking forward to welcoming you and your child back to school on Tuesday 05 September. We hope that you have all enjoyed the summer break – we can’t wait to hear about the exciting things you’ve all been up to.