This week, we have begun our RE unit of advent. In preparation for the advent service on Tuesday, we have been learning about the Jesse Tree and its meaning and symbols. Along with this, is the new home learning pyramid for this unit, the deadline for these pieces of home learning are the Friday of the last week of term.

Advent home learning pyramid

In maths, we have been looking at fractions. Children have been practicing identifying fractions based on different graphical representations and also comparing and ordering fractions with the same and different denominators. We have started to think about equivalence and how using a fraction wall can be a useful way to find equivalent fractions.

Here are some pictures from today’s lesson on comparing and finding equivalent fractions.

In Literacy, we have continued to read and study the Iron Man by Ted Hughes. Children have planned their own Iron Man sequels and are in the final stages of their apprentice writes before writing a draft and final version next week.

Here are a few ideas for home learning this week:

English: In English, we have continued to study the Iron Man. We have read various chapters, looking at the style and features of the author. We have looked at the impact of metaphors, similes and other figurative language (personification) and how these are used to create image in the mind of the reader. In the second chapter, we looked at repetition and the use of rhetorical questions as a tool to emphasise and engage the reader. Children could try writing a story opener that focuses on using these features.

Maths: In maths, we began the week using arrays and multiplication facts to find factors pairs for different numbers. We learnt about using commutative law to re-arrange multiplication sums so that they were easier to perform mentally. For example 3 x 2 x 7 can be re-arranged to (3×7)x2. We also practiced drawing repeated arrays to calculate with these sums for other calculations (see the attached photo for an example).

Then, we looked at ‘associative law’ and how this can be used to express a calculation differently to make it easier to perform mentally. Associative law allows a larger number to be broken into it’s factors and then the numbers can be re-arranged (as before) to calculate. For example, 12 x 7 can be expressed as 3 x 4 x 7 because 3 and 4 are factor pairs of 12. Children could use these methods and practice solving their own ?x?x? or ??x? calculations.

RE: in RE, we learnt about the Shema Prayer of the Jews and what this teaches us about our relationship with God and His powers. We then re-wrote the prayer into a more simple and easy to understand language. Children could research the praying habits or regularly used prayers of the Jewish faith.

Today, we were lucky enough to be joined by Alfie, who many children already know through his work with Mr Mortimer.

Alfie now works for Pompey in the Community and joined year 4 for a ‘multi-sports’ taster session.

After a quick warm up, we played a 4-on-4 hockey game where each team was eliminated if they had a goal scored against them. The children really enjoyed the activity, which is just an example of the kinds of sports which are played at the ‘multi-sports’ club which runs on a Monday afternoon after school.

Children from across the school have been offered flyers with information about the signing up process as well as cost.

Here is the latest home learning pyramid for this half term.

Bloom’s HL – Circle of Life autumn 2

We were extremely pleased with the quality and effort that obviously went into the home learning projects produced in the last half term. we eagerly anticipate seeing the same level of variety and creativity for this half terms projects.

Year 4 team