Summer 2
Welcome back! I hope you had a restful and lovely break and the children are ready to find out more about Fairtrade this half term!
Collective Worship
Year 4 has been leading the KS2 worship today where we talked about courage and how we can show bravery in our lives. We had our class prayer leaders leading the morning prayer, some of the Y4 children dressed the prayer table and we had readers who helped us with examples they shared. We talked about God’s word encouraging us and how we need to believe in ourselves when trying out new things. We said a prayer together and also spent some time reflecting on our choices. The children also had a go at singing and doing some actions for alongside the strong and courageous song!
As part of their learning about other major world religions, KS2 had an assembly and workshop delivered by Amina from Makkah mosque. In the KS2 assembly, the children learnt about Islam and thought about what a Muslim person looks like. We learnt that some Muslim women and men make the choice to wear head coverings, but that Muslims can have any colour of skin.
RE – The Church
In RE the children will learn about how we belong to the Church. We will explore how our school helps us to be true followers of Jesus and learn about how our Church is a community of faith, love and hope. Our learning will include the different seasons in the Church’s year and a reflection on when we receive a sacrament, we receive God’s love. We will also learn about God’s call to individuals and their responses, as well as linking our learning to British Values on how it is important to respect public institutions and services.
We have been learning about what the Church means to us and the children started planning a letter to write to tell a friend about what the Church means for Christians and what beliefs we all share. Being part of the Church family is truly special and the children could reflect on many lovely thoughts as they created their plans.
We got to the stage where we could start writing the letters about Church in RE. Many children mentioned the part the Holy Spirit played at Pentecost, how we are all part of a big family and how attending Mass makes us feel at peace and calm. Lots of excellent references have been made to Bible scripture and what these mean to the children.
Sikh Temple Visit
We had a brilliant visit to The Sikh Temple in Leeds. The children learnt about the religion’s most important teachings of having one Creator and how important it is that we are all equal. We learnt about the five Ks which are:
- Kesh (uncut hair)
- Kara (a steel bracelet)
- Kanga (a wooden comb)
- Kaccha – also spelt, Kachh, Kachera (cotton underwear)
- Kirpan (steel sword)
We also learnt about the importance of looking after our world and each other. The children were told about Guru Nanak and the Gurus. We also respectfully looked at the Guru Granth Sahib which was surrounded by the symbols of Sikhism. We were also very lucky to take part in the langar and had a communal meal together in the gurdwara. What a fantastic morning!
English
Our class text will be ‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory’ by Roald Dahl. We will follow Charlie into the factory, and we will write imaginary recounts of what the characters encountered in the extraordinary factory.
We have been reading about Charlie’s adventures and got to meet all the lucky golden ticket winners from the class text. The children had to act out how the golden ticket winners behaved and then we all had to choose a character to ‘follow into the factory’ because we started planning and writing our narratives about the first entry into the chocolate room.
We carried on further venturing into the factory, and the children have been unpicking the features of recounts so we could pretend to be spies in our next piece of writing! We are going to imagine that we are given the mission to steal one of Mr Wonka’s famous inventions and the children will be able to create their adventurous pieces of writing.
Children continue to enjoy our class reading corner and class library as they read for pleasure. We also often go to the school library where children borrow books from to enjoy in school or at home.
We used Burn2Learn outside on the playground to find and match our new vocabulary about Fairtrade to their meanings. Keeping active and working as a team, we found all the worthy words and discussed their meanings and uses in context too.
Summer Reading Challenge 2023
As part of our vision to encourage children to read widely and for pleasure, we invited Angie from Wetherby Library to deliver an assembly all about the Summer Reading Challenge 2023. We are one of only two schools the Wetherby and Boston district that have close links with Wetherby Library and Angie is always happy to come and visit us! As well as taking part in lots of fun activities, Angie told us that the challenge launches on Saturday 8th July and runs until September. We learned that to complete the challenge, we have to read 6 books or more over the Summer and there are medals, prizes and stickers to help us keep motivated. The Summer Reading Challenge this year has an active theme so Angie brought lots of books that were about sport and athletes to show us. The children loved the assembly and are inspired to take part in the challenge! You can sign up at Wetherby library or visit www.summerreadingchallenge.org.uk for more information.
Maths
At the start of this half term, we are developing our understanding of how to read, write and convert time. Following our work with time, we will learn more about statistics to be able to interpret and present data using appropriate graphical methods. We will learn how to compare and classify geometric shapes, how to compare and order different angles and how to identify lines of symmetry. We will also explore geometry where we will take a close look at describing positions as coordinates and plotting specified points on graphs.
We have worked during our practical lesson with clocks to tell the time. We also had to find out how we could write the times in words, how we could tell if it was am or pm and how digital clocks would show those times too.
We continued to work on telling the time and further explored the times shown by digital clocks which show the 24 hour time. We discussed how we would count on from midday and how clocks would reset at midnight. The children had lots of opportunity to use their clocks and show different times during the lesson.
As we prepared for our multiplication tables check, we made sure to keep active and did lots of hoop hop to test each other on the times tables facts!
.To continue recapping and practising the written methods of the four operations, we spent time showing the column and bus stop methods as part of our maths learning. The children engaged well with this and worked independently.
We had a go at recognising and describing shapes by using practical resources. We used various 2D and 3D shapes to make links to our prior learning about shapes and practise using the correct mathematical vocabulary to describe the properties of shapes.
Science
This half term we will be learning about the digestive system and food chains. We will carry out a fun experiment to show the different parts of the digestive system and their functions. We will observe over time how the shells of boiled eggs change depending on what liquid they are kept in and after recording our findings we will evaluate how well we designed our experiment. We will explore producers and consumers in food chains and create various food chains of our own.
We started our science learning journey by reflecting on our prior learning about animals including humans. We talked about our new learning which will be about the digestive system and the children shared and then recorded what they already knew about how we need food and water to survive! We also took the opportunity to ask some relevant scientific questions about the digestive process.
We carried on with our topic, by learning new scientific vocabulary as we read more about the parts and functions of the digestive system. The children then had to sequence the parts to show how the food is digested and where this takes place.
To recap our prior learning, we began the next lesson by sequencing which parts of the digestive system take part in the digestive process. We then had a fun experiment where we modelled the functions of the different parts of the human digestive system. We worked as a team to show how our digestive system works. The children then had to capture their learning and use their maths skills to sequence the events on a diagram.
We have been learning about teeth and we set up a fair test to check what happens to egg shells (representing our teeth) if we keep them in different liquids for a while. We will be observing and collecting our observations for a week, then we will be able to draw our conclusions.
Art
In Art, we will become artists as we consider and explore how to use lines and shapes in our sketching to create 3D effects. We will develop our ideas and plan our own sketches with inspiration in mind such as The Great Pyramids of Giza. We will be using tonal shading to create depth and we will consider light and shadow as we shade to create a 3D look.
We began our learning journey by evaluating Adrian Danutza’s artwork of The Great Pyramids of Giza. The children had to use vocabulary relevant to art to express what effect the painting had on them.
We worked on our sketching as we drew pyramids with a 3D effect. The children could use rulers or draw free hand and they also had different H or B pencils to use for their shading.
We carried on practising our skills and planning our artwork which we will create in the coming lessons. The children are getting more and more confident in shading and choosing the fitting pencils.
The children have been busy working on their drawing and use sketching pencils as well as colour pencils for effect. They had to use tonal shading and had to consider the light and shadows case in their pictures. At the end of the project, we evaluated how well the work turned out.
Computing
This half term, we will be learning about databases. The children will use simple databases to record and present information. We will explore paper-based library catalogues and create index cards for our class library. As we practise using databases, we will also look at many online examples and work with databases stored on computers.
We began our computing learning by creating paper-based index cards. We used information we found online about Fairtrade products and recorded the data on paper. We then moved onto working on an electronic database where the children added information for a shop that was selling different food products.
We carried on working with our databases, and now began formatting the fields with the children. They could merge and centre fields of their choice to create titles and also choose the colours of the background and text.
Geography
Our topic is linked to Geography this term. We will learn about where in the world Fairtrade products come from. We will find out where cocoa trees grow and why they grow there. The children will explore what happens to a cocoa pod once it is harvested and how it is turned into a chocolate product.
We began our topic learning by investigating the River Nile and reading about its uses in the modern day. The children had to use their English skills and retrieve information which explained the Nile’s purpose and importance. We discussed its use for transport and how its been a key factor for forming settlements in Egypt around it.
We applied our English skills and created a fact file about the River Nile. Following this activity, the children learnt about the Suez Canal and had to show their understanding about this human feature by reading around the subject and recording their clear points as the second non-fiction fact file.
We carried on working on our map skills and had to find information about different rivers of the world. The children then had to compare what they read about others rivers to the River Nile too.
Fieldwork in Leeds – The Sikh Temple Visit
During our class trip to The Sikh Temple in Leeds, we also took the opportunity to work on our Geography Fieldwork skills. The children worked with two printed digital maps which showed the nearby human and physical features. They had to write down the meanings of map symbols, had to locate human and physical features on the map and had to plan a route to a chosen destination that was shown on the map. The also had to create their own risk assessment by taking into account any potential hazards!
MFL
This half term, as part of our French learning, we will learn about clothes and parts of the body. We will expand our vocabulary with new words by playing games and learning rhymes and songs. We will spend time reading French stories and using dictionaries to look up the meaning of unknown words.
To learn more vocabulary, we met Elliot the alien and we had a close look at the face and how we call its parts. The children then had to apply their previous learning of colours to be able to follow instructions in French and colour in the correct body parts of Elliot.
We listened to Elliot’s story which was told in English with increasingly more French words included so we had to listen carefully and then we had discussions about the meaning of words and phrases, as well as we practised repeating the French words. We also danced to head, shoulders, knees and toes but in French! Did you know that they sing head, shoulders, knees and feet?!
We have been reading about the story of little Elliot who is an alien and we read words and phrases in French. The children then had to use their English skills to create a glossary of words and their meanings. We also looked at writing out longer phrases and translating these to English. We also practised saying the phrases and had to read them to match to the correct monster pictures! We then had a go at drawing our own monsters and describing them.
Music
In Music, we will be creating an audio book based around a given theme. The children will be performing as part of a team and they will be composing and recording their own productions. We will be working on suggesting improvements to a group composition and singing together in tune will be also important to create our pieces of music.
In music, we began by recapping prior knowledge from the previous year and this year, including different musical notes such as the crotchet, semibreve, quaver and minim. We also learnt about the values of each beat and started to clap lines of music. The children then moved onto using batons to clap to different theme tunes including Harry Potter, Super Mario, Frozen and Scooby Doo. After this, the children then focused on body percussion to play the different theme tunes. The children then learnt and sang a song that was written by Mrs Crowley for the 2023 Leeds Youth Music Festival!
The children have been becoming more and more confident in using their percussions to keep up with the rhythm. They work as a whole class very well and also improved their individual responses to keeping up and tapping out the rhythm correctly.
The children have also been working on moving to the rhythm and following really fun dance routines!
PE
In PE, the children will be taking part in various outdoor games to work on their teamwork skills. They will improve their ability to control and retain possession of a ball as well as how to strike moving balls. They will explore the great outdoors by improving their understanding of maps and giving clear instructions.
We have been working on our throwing and accuracy in PE. The children did many activities to work on their technique and how far they could throw.
Sports for Schools Sponsored Athlete Event: Jenny Wallwork
On Tuesday 20th June, we held a sponsored athlete event where Jenny Wallwork, a World Champion badminton athlete, led a sponsored fitness circuit with all pupils followed by an inspirational assembly. The aim of the event has been to inspire our pupils to be more physically active, but just as importantly, encourage them to discover and pursue new interests and hobbies, and therefore a passion in life. The event connected the pupils to an extraordinary athlete role model and we are also hoping to use this opportunity to raise money to purchase new sporting equipment to improve physical activity in the school while also supporting both athletes and para-athletes, so that they can continue to inspire the next generation. The fitness circuit was physically challenging and the children, even if they felt tired, did not show it. They pushed through and completed all stations! All children were fantastic spectators, cheering on all the other children that were taking part in the circuit and when completing the circuit themselves, they showed real grit, determination and strength – whilst having a fantastic time too! Music was playing, children were cheering each other on – it was a wonderful atmosphere!
During our whole school assembly, Jenny talked to us about her career and about the perseverance and resilience she had to have to be successful. She told the children that despite being a world champion, she had actually lost more games than she had won. What an inspiring afternoon for our children, many of which aspire to be athletes in the future! Take a look at the pictures below. All sponsorship monies are due in next Tuesday 27th June and we thank all children and their families for supporting school with this event.
Junior Warrior Mud Run
Year 4 took part in the Junior Warrior Mud Run and they all participated extremely well in this physically and mentally demanding obstacle course! The children braved the course of water and mud obstacles on the way as they completed a trail full of climbing walls, crawling activities, river crossings and even more. The water slide was definitely a highlight at the end! Everyone taking part showed an amazing, positive growth mindset and tackled the challenges in an extremely dedicated and sensible manner. They should be very proud of their achievement!
Girls’ RugBees Taster Session
The Rugby Football League has launched an exciting new project to encourage more primary school aged girls to take up the sport. RugBees is open to girls aged 7-11 and our Year 3 and Year 4 girls had the opportunity to try a session to spark an interest in rugby. The session helped children develop their confidence in areas such as catching, passing and kicking – whilst having plenty of fun too. They began with an introduction to the game’s technical skills and finishing with a non-contact form of the game such as Tag or Touch.
Sports Week
The children had many opportunities to get active during our Sports Week. They had a session of frisbee, tri-golf and even took up dancing!
PSHE
In PSHE we will explore the topic of careers, financial capability and economic wellbeing. We will explore the topics of borrowing money and earning money as we discuss the different ways we can pay for something. We will also learn about how people choose their job or might want to set up an enterprise and what makes a successful business.
We learnt about how we use money in everyday life. The children had to reflect on how someone can make money and what are some good choices how to spend the money earnt. We also discussed the options of borrowing money and what it means to pay an interest. We then expanded our understanding by discussion loan sharks and the dangers of borrowing.
We carried on learning about careers and what influences people to make different choices about which jobs they would like to do when they grow up. The children could reflect on how they could use many subjects in the different jobs to help them work well. We discussed what could make a successful business and what qualities are needed to succeed.
As part of our transition morning, we thought about goals that we have achieved in Year 4, and goals we would like to achieve in Year 5 next year! The children were very reflective and enjoyed the mindfulness colouring element of the task which set us up for a lovely morning in the Year 5 classroom!
We had a great First Aid workshop where the children learnt more about DRABC and when we might need to do CPR. The children discussed possible dangers, how to make sure the injured person would respond and what to do to have a clear airway. We talked about how to get help and also pay attention to stranger danger.
We also included lots of discussion about water safety and even potentially fainting in the heat or getting a heatstroke. We talked about the need of sun cream and sun hats.
