Perimeter
This week, Year 4 have been learning about ‘perimeter.’
What is the perimeter?
The perimeter is the distance around the edge of a 2D shape.
Calculating the perimeter.
Children start to learn about perimeter in Year 4.
The age related expectations are that children can measure and calculate the perimeter of a rectilinear figure (including squares) in centimetres and metres.
We began by discussing various units of measure such as; millimetres, centimetres, metres, kilometers, miles and inches.
Using string to begin with, the class were asked to measure the length of each side of a shape by marking the string in the correct place. Next, the children carefully worked out the length of the string by measuring along a ruler. When all sides had been calculated, then they had to add these measurements up to find the perimeter.
7cm + 3cm + 7cm + 3cm = 20cm “I can use doubling to work out the answer.”
7 + 7 + 14 3 + 3 = 6 14 + 6 = 20
At this point, the children recognised that a rectangle has two long sides that are exactly the same length and two short sides that are exactly the same length, which means we only needed two measurements The class then thought about different ways they could work out the perimeter.
10 + 4 + 10 + 4 OR (10 x 2) + (4 x 2) OR (10 + 4) x 2
The perimeter of a shape is always calculated by adding up the length of each of the sides.
It was great to see some converting of measures happening without any prompting to do so.
“134 cm is the same as 1 metre and 34 cm,” commented Leo.
Boldden
In Year 4, the children have been looking at the features of a narrative. The basic purpose of narrative is to entertain and to gain and hold a readers’ interest. Narratives sequence people/characters in time and place but differ from recounts in that through the sequencing, the stories set up one or more problems, which must eventually find a way to be resolved.
There are many types of narrative. They can be imaginary, factual or a combination of both. They may include fairy stories, mysteries, science fiction, romances, horror stories, adventure stories, fables, myths and legends.
After reading the story of Blodden, the children studied the features of the tale and how it was set out.
To ensure that we could retell the story in detail, the class worked in groups to act out part of the Blodden adventure. Year 4 had to allocate parts to each other and rehearse as a team. They were asked to think carefully about how each character may move, speak and look.
We had some super performances and it was great to see everyone joining in.
Topic Review
As it’s the last week of our big topic we’ve mixed up the classes to review what we’ve learned.
The Year 2s and the Year 5s have spent part of the morning talking about the learning in their books.
They then fed back about what each other had learned and particular pieces of learning that impressed them.
Maths Stay and Play
Thank you for attending our maths ‘Stay and Play’ this morning.
We hope you enjoyed learning alongside your children.
We know how to stop bullying.
We enjoyed looking at this week’s Creative homework all about the STOP message.
We began by looking around the room as each other’s before sharing some that had stood out to us. Then, we looked some more so that we could see those that had been mentioned and any we hadn’t had chance to look at yet.
Well done to those people who had their homework to show. There were some really fantastic pieces to enjoy. Unfortunately, a third of our class didn’t have either their homework, their spelling or both this week. Your child should be completing homework independently but help at home by making sure it is completed and brought in on the correct day.
Time Travellers at Herd Farm
Our visit to Herd Farm, to take part in the Forest Schools’ Time Travellers workshop, has been a perfect end to our Time Travel big topic. Herd Farm was an amazing setting, in glorious Autumn sunshine, to discover different types of homes from the past.
First of all, we went right back in time to set up our own Stone Age camp. Lots of teamwork and problem solving skills were needed.
Safety first – Tina taught us how to hold the sticks correctly.
Next, we went to explore the replica Iron Age village.
Tina showed us the frame of the Iron Age roundhouse to explain the materials used and how the houses were put together. What materials were needed to build the houses? How was this different to houses built today?
All the class managed to fit in the larger house. Some Iron Age roundhouses were 40m wide!
What was inside the house? Why were these needed?
Now time to have a snack, enjoy the view and ask Ian, an archaeologist, questions about another type of home we have learnt about, castles.
Ian lit a fire in a traditional way. How did he do this?
The Iron Age roundhouses provided a great backdrop to sketch.
Finally, we spent time looking at the buildings at the residential centre which date back to 1760 and used to be a farm. We spotted alterations made to the old stone barn and farm house since this time to make it into the centre that it is today. The most modern building at the site was a sustainable building made from metal and wood.
We thoroughly enjoyed our outdoor learning experience discovering a range of houses from the past.
School dinner feedback
We always welcome feedback on our school dinner menu.
As a result of pupil, parent and staff feedback, there are a number of changes we are implementing, as we work with Catering Leeds to prepare our next menu, for after February half term.
- There will be a jacket potato choice on Thursdays to give three main meal choices rather than the current two choices.
- We will be trialing meat free Monday on week 3 of the menu cycle.
- Jacket potato choices will continue to be the most popular fillings on a rotation basis – cheese, tuna and beans.
- Vegetable choices will continue to be the most popular ones selected by pupils.
School dinners are always an agenda item at School Council meetings so children are encouraged to use their pupil voice to provide feedback to their school councillors or via a suggestion slip in the Living and Learning box.
The menu will be circulated to parents and posted on our website once this is available.
Takeover Challenge Day
Takeover Challenge day is on Friday 23 November
What is Takeover Challenge?
Takeover is a fun engagement project which sees schools and organisations across England opening their doors to children and young people to take over adult roles.
It puts children and young people in decision making positions and encourages schools and organisations to hear and act upon their views and ideas. Children and young people gain an insight into the adult world and schools and organisations benefit from a fresh perspective about their work.
Recently, our new School Council discussed how children could be involved in ‘taking over’ at school. Therefore on Friday, takeover activities will include serving school dinners (representatives from Year 4), working in the school office (representatives from Year 5), leading assembly (representatives from Year 6) and accompanying Mrs Weekes on a learning walk around school (representatives from Year 5 and 6).
In addition there will be opportunities within class where children will takeover. For example, taking the register, spelling/times table tests, parts of lessons, PE warm ups and guided reading.
Check our class news pages to see this in action.
Christmas dinner menu
Catering Leeds, our school meal provider, will be running a special themed menu on Thursday 13 December. Please contact the office, before Monday 26 November, if your child would like a school dinner on this day.
Reading skills
We’re using the picture book, A house that once was, to support our adjective and description learning in English this week.
Today, in our reading learning, we thought about the characters in the book and considered what we would ask the characters using what we know about the text so far.
- How did you find that house?
- How did you get there?
- How are you feeling?
- When did you discover the house?
- What are you looking at?
- Who are you?
- Where are you?
- What is covering the path?
- Are you meant to be there?
- Are you scared?
- Have you been to the house before?
We then used hot seating to ask these questions to our ‘characters’.
At home, try asking your child questions about the characters in fiction books to show your child’s understanding of the text.