History
Today, Year 2 were using different sources to find the answers to some questions. We discussed the different methods we could use to find the answers.
We could look in a book.
I could look online.
Maybe we could ask someone.
The children were given three questions about the history of toys. They had to do some research to find the answers.
When were marbles invented?
How old is the oldest teddy bear?
When was the Rubiks Cube made?
Every time the children use technology, we have a discussion about the importance of staying safe online.
Can I take a photo of your learning? asked Mrs Freeman.
Yes, that’s fine, replied Jiya.
Did you know that the oldest teddy bear is 114 years old?
Allerton Grange Basketball
On Tuesday, Year 4 enjoyed another session with the sports leaders at Allerton Grange. We worked on a number of skills we’d need for a basketball game before playing end ball with basketball rules. We all really enjoyed it and the sports leaders were fab too.
The new, national multiplication tables check
The government is introducing a new, statutory multiplication tables ‘check’ (MTC) for the first time, in June this year. Children in Year 4 will take this check.
The purpose of the check is to determine whether pupils can fluently recall their times tables up to 12, which is essential for future success in mathematics. It will also help your child’s school to identify pupils who may need additional support.
Read more about the check in this leaflet from the Standards and Testing Agency.
Science
This week the children have enjoyed being scientists. We found some dinosaur ice eggs in the playground.
They worked in teams to work out how to free the dinosaurs from the ice.
Phonics
We have begun Phase 4 of the ‘Letters and Sounds’ phonics programme. In this phase children will use the phonemes learnt in Phase 2 and Phase 3 to read and spell words with four phonemes.
Children will continue to practise previously learned graphemes and phonemes and learn how to read and write:
CVCC words: tent, damp, toast, chimp
For example, in the word ‘toast’, t = consonant, oa = vowel, s = consonant, t = consonant
CCVC words: swim, plum, sport, cream, spoon
For example, in the word ‘cream’, c = consonant, r = consonant, ea = vowel, m = consonant
They will be learning more tricky words and continuing to read and write sentences together.
Tricky words
said, so, do, have, like, some, come, were, there, little, one, when, out, what
Don’t forget our Phonics Mornings this week.
A few more photos from our Allerton Grange visit.
Allerton Grange
Yesterday, we walked down to Allerton Grange High School. Led by the Year 12 students, the children enjoyed learning a new game: rounders with a rugby twist!
Hanging on
This week, we have used a website called Pobble365 to look closely at one of the images as a stimulus for writing and also to develop the reading skill of inference. We started with the image called Hanging on.
What emotions do you think the boy is experiencing?
Who is the man on the platform?
Is he a normal boy or does he have certain powers?
Where do you think the train is going?
Each picture (there is one for each day of the year) has some prompts and questions so this resource could be used to generate discussion and as a resource to practise writing at home.
Living and Learning: Be kind
Today, in Living and Learning, we had a powerful circle time with an important message.
In order to illustrate the effects of saying unkind words, we used two apples (one of which had been bruised).
We gave the first apple a variety of compliments and positive, kind comments as we passed it around the circle.
With the bruised apple, we passed it round and said unkind words and negative comments.
We looked again at both apples, and there was no change; both apples still looked the same. We then cut the apples open. The apple we’d said unkind words to was bruised and all mushy inside.
We talked about what we saw inside the apples. The bruised and mushy apple showed what would be happening inside every one of us if someone uses unkind words.
Living and Learning: manners
Our manners focus this week, in Living and Learning, is all about covering our mouth to prevent the spread of germs.
You’re just about to sneeze or cough but, oh dear, you don’t have a tissue. What should you do? Cover your mouth and nose with your hands? Surely that’s what polite people do.
But hold it! If you sneeze or cough into your hands (and then fail to wash your hands straight away), you’ll only be spreading colds and flu germs on everything you touch.
And that’s because germs (as long as they stay moist) can live for HOURS on hard surfaces such as tables, phones and door handles. And not just on objects – everybody you touch will be contaminated, too.
And of course, vice versa – if somebody else has sneezed or coughed on their hands, they’re leaving a germ-trail for you to pick up.
So what’s it best to do?
Here it is in action.
