Year 4 Class News

This is Year 4 Class News

History: interpretations of the past

Posted on Thursday 26 November 2020 by Mr Wilks

In our history learning today, we used our knowledge about the Athenian and Spartan city states to decide which one was the best!

We split into two teams to debate and within our teams split into little sub-groups responsible for debating one aspect of life in the city states.

The class did a great job at debating. They took turns well, made pertinent points, responded to opposing points and summarised. They also used openers to introduce their points and were respectful debaters throughout!

So, who was the best city state? Well, the debate was close. Athens won the categories on government and economy but Sparta won education and role of women. Tomorrow, we’ll make final points and I’ll make a decision on the winner!

Living and Learning: strong emotions

Posted on Thursday 26 November 2020 by Mr Wilks

In our Living and Learning lesson today, we were talking about strong emotions and some strategies to cope with them. We decided that talking about how we were feeling was a really good way of solving a problem or feeling better about something that may be troubling us.

We then watched a BBC education video about someone who joins a new school and is desperate to make friends and fit in and ultimately makes a bad choice in order to fit in with a group of people. We discussed the emotions that the person could have been feeling and how that influenced his choices. We also discussed what they could have done differently and how they eventually solved the problems.

Virtual after-school sport club

Posted on Wednesday 25 November 2020 by Mrs Taylor

We know you are missing attending after-school clubs at the moment, whether it is in school or out of school, so here is some information about a virtual after-school club that can be done at home.
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The Youth Sport Trust have taken the step to deliver a free virtual after school club as part of a national response to the second lockdown. The 30-minute club will take place at 5pm each weekday and be led by a different member of the YST’s athlete mentor network. These will run until 18 December.

 

Aimed mainly at primary-aged children, a different theme has been assigned for each day of the club – Adventure Monday, Tuesday Play, Wild Wednesday, Thinking Thursday and Fun Friday. 

Click here to find out more.

 

Times Table Rock Stars!

Posted on Monday 16 November 2020 by Mr Wilks

Watch this video showing the class progress in Times Table Rock Stars from Y3 to Y4. You can view your own child’s progress when they login. There’s some amazing improvements!

 

History: Athenian democracy

Posted on Monday 16 November 2020 by Mr Wilks

In today’s lesson, we’ve been learning about Athenian democracy.

We learnt that most Greek city states were ruled by one person (monarchy – a king, queen or emperor) or a small group of powerful men (an oligarchy). An Athenian Tyler, Solon, introduces democracy to Athens around 500BC which gave any citizen the opportunity to vote on new laws.

However, only men who were born in Athens were classed as citizens. Women could not vote!

Living and Learning: United against bullying

Posted on Sunday 15 November 2020 by Mrs Taylor

This week, it’s Anti-Bullying Week and the theme for this year is ‘United against bullying’.

Don’t forget – we are also taking part in Odd Socks Day on Monday 16 November.

STOP is a key message linked to bullying. In our school, STOP stands for two things:

  • the definition: Several Times On Purpose
  • the solution: Start Telling Other People

Recently, our school council met to review our school definition of bullying and our child friendly anti-bullying policy. Thank you to the school councillors for their valued contributions. As a result, our definition and policy have now been updated.

Child friendly anti-bullying policy

What is bullying?

In our school, this is what bullying means:

Bullying is where you hurt someone, physically or emotionally (including online), several times on purpose.

What might bullying look like?

If any of these things happen several (lots of) times, it is bullying.

  • Hurting peoples’ feelings, for example, name calling, teasing, threatening, ignoring, leaving people out or spreading rumours
  • Hurting peoples’ bodies, for example, hitting, punching or kicking

This could be in person or online (cyber bullying) and could be because of someone’s race, disability, gender, appearance, age or any other protected characteristic.

What could you do if you are being bullied?

Start

Telling

Other

People

Who could you tell?

  • Mrs Weekes/Mrs Freeman/Mrs Russell/Mrs Small (they are child protection staff)
  • Mrs Taylor (Health Leader)
  • Any other members of staff
  • Friends
  • Someone in your family
  • A trusted adult
  • Childline (0800 1111)
  • Write a worry slip and put it in your Living and Learning box or the whole school worry box
  • Email stayingsafe@spherefederation.org

Our views on bullying 

STOP bullying – bullying is wrong! We’re a happy and healthy school.

 

Writing: similes

Posted on Friday 13 November 2020 by Mr Wilks

We’ve been learning about similes this morning in our writing lesson.

We used an app called Padlet to collate our similes. We then read them as a class and edited them if they needed correcting or improving.

“The red panda moved as quick as lightning to save its adorable cub.”

“The newly washed clothes were as soft as silk.”

History: using historical sources

Posted on Friday 13 November 2020 by Mr Wilks

In yesterday’s history lesson, we learned about the Battle of Thermopylae – a famous battle between the Ancient Greeks and the Persians.

We learned about a Greek historian who wrote about the battle and about the weapons and armour that the Greek soldiers would have had.

We then became military commanders to show the events of the battle.

History: learning about the Minoans using historical sources

Posted on Monday 09 November 2020 by Mr Wilks

This afternoon, we’ve used historical sources to learn about the first great Greek civilisation: the Minoans.

We learnt about Arthur Evans, a British archaeologist who discovered an early Minoan written language which has never been deciphered.

We’ve also learnt about Arthur Evans’ greatest discovery: the Palace of Knossos. We then used pictures of the palace and artefacts found there to tell us more about life during this time.

Odd socks day

Posted on Monday 09 November 2020 by Mrs Taylor

Next week is Anti-Bullying Week.

This year’s theme is ‘United against bullying’ and we will be taking part in Odd Socks Day on Monday 16 November.

Odd socks day is to raise awareness of our differences, individuality and personal choice. There is no need for any payment – your child should simply wear odd socks and join in the fun!

Thank you for your support.