Dear parents,
Regarding the email I sent out earlier, here are the groups for Holy Communion and a copy of all the dates and times of sessions.
Do not forget the welcome mass for the Holy communicants on Sunday this week.
Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic Primary School
Dear parents,
Regarding the email I sent out earlier, here are the groups for Holy Communion and a copy of all the dates and times of sessions.
Do not forget the welcome mass for the Holy communicants on Sunday this week.
Thank you all so much for sharing in your child’s learning with me today. It is a privilege to teach your children and they are all doing so well.
It has been a reflective and fun week in Year 4. Children have been understanding the sacrament of Reconciliation in RE and are looking forward to starting their sessions about reconciliation after the half term. This week has had an online safety focus and we have talked about what is appropriate/inappropriate to share online. We have thought about who strangers are and how you cannot tell who people are when you are having an online conversation. Lots of good reflections and interesting conversation.
On Wednesday, we were lucky to go and watch Aladdin at St. Bedes. This was a wonderful performance and the children really enjoyed it. Their behaviour when looking after the younger Yr2 children was delightful.
This week, we have been putting together our Shakespeare production and will endeavour to work on this after the holidays. Please see in the notices for costume information and a very important form to fill out.
Conversation starters
Online Safety
How can you stay safe online? What is personal information?
My Happy mind
How many ‘perfect moments’ can you have this half term?
Going Green Certificate for TT Rockstars this week goes to Lena, Jackson and Ava! You will receive these after half term at the next assembly.
Children who met their reading target this half term: George C. Hugo, Alice, Phoebe, Isaac, Martha, Ava, Alana
Virtues
This half term are virtues are faith filled and hopeful. Full of faith in themselves, God and others and full of hope in each moment as a precious gift from God. This week Liam receives the star for being a role model in class - always hopeful in his own abilities and such a nice friend to others.
Shakespeare Playmaking festival Thursday 20th March
Below is a costume list for each character in our Shakespeare play. Please let me know if you have any questions or issues and we can problem solve together. It would be great if these could be in on the first week back in a plastic bag with your child’s name on.
Also below is an important form for you to fill in. This is for you to consider who is picking up and dropping off your child on production day Thursday 20th March. We also need contact numbers.
It will work as follows:
Children will arrive at school and will get a coach to the Grand Theatre for their dress rehearsal. Their first performance is at 1:00pm
2. They will then need picking up at a pick up point near the Grand (possibly M& S back door) at 2:45pm.
3. Then you can take them somewhere for some tea and bring them back to the same point at 4:45pm ready for their evening performance at 6pm. It is fine if another parent picks your child up - as long as you let me know in the form below and provide their contact number.
4. They will then need picking up after the evening show at the same pick up point - at 7:45pm
Please fill in the following online form over half term to state the above
The following trips are now payable on parent pay. The first two are to pay for the coach fare and have been subsidised by school too:
Aladdin at St Bedes £2
The Grand Shakespeare Playmaking event £5
Gawthorpe Hall 24th March £18
Have a lovely half term creating some perfect moments together,
Mrs Lyons and Miss Bray
We have had a lovely week in year 4. In our RE sessions this week we have looked at The Creed and why catholics say it. What does it remind us about our beliefs? We have examined the gospel story where Peter is told - you will ‘catch people’ instead of fish and discussed the meaning of this.
We had a very meaningful day on Monday at the Grand Theatre. Children took part in debates, they had a workshop appreciating what accents and dialects are and how the differ from Standard English. They also learned about how to be excellent, active listeners. Big congratulations to Bea, who got up on stage to say what she had learned.
We have studied digestion in Science, made animations in Computing, learned about French festivals and created some wonderful Shakespeare soundscapes and physical theatre.
Conversation starters
Science
What happens to your food when you swallow it?
My Happy mind
How can you spread happiness to others?
Going Green Certificate for TT Rockstars this week goes to Myles, Alice and Emilia
Lunchtime awards: Anna
Role model: Albert
Marvellous Manners:
French star goes to Hugo for a great timetable in French
This week, the learning certificate goes to Emilia. Another double whammy certificate! You are a role model Emilia because you are always so respecting and responsible. I am so impressed with how reflective you are upon your own learning. You really go for it! Well done!
Virtues
This half term are virtues are faith filled and hopeful. Full of faith in themselves, God and others and full of hope in each moment as a precious gift from God. This week Liam receives the star for being a role model in class - always hopeful in his own abilities and such a nice friend to others.
The following trips are now payable on parent pay. The first two are to pay for the coach fare and have been subsidised by school too:
Aladdin at St Bedes £2
The Grand Shakespeare Playmaking event £5
Gawthorpe Hall 24th March £18
Shakespeare Playmaking festival Thursday 20th March - extra details.
The day before the festival, children will turn up as normal at school and will go to the Grand for a tech rehearsal. On Thursday 20th March they will be at the Grand all day and in the evening. However, you will need to pick them up and take them for their tea on this day - usually this is at approximately 2:30 to bring them back for 5:00 at the Grand theatre stage door for the evening show. These times may slightly change but please begin to arrange who will pick them up and drop them off. Nearer the date, I will send an online form asking you to state who is picking up/dropping off.
Have a lovely February weekend,
Mrs Lyons and Miss Bray
What a super week we have had in Year 4. The class have been enjoying our new collection of books in our class library! Our RE focus this week has been twofold. First we have been pondering on the faith of St. Peter and how he could recognise Jesus as the Messiah- the chosen one. Then children have been learning about their own statement of faith - the Nicene Creed.
In our Happy mind session this week, children learned all about the ‘happy hormone’ dopamine and how feeling happy helps us to concentrate, feel calm and centred.
In English, we have started to look at physical theatre and how body language, position and tone of voice can really capture an audience. We have also read more of our novel, the Butterfly Lion and have responded to it by writing a persuasive letter.
Children have really enjoyed maths this week. We have delved into the 3x table and then used this to understand the 6x table.
In Science, children learned about animal’s teeth and how the teeth of carnivores and herbivores differ.
In geography we are learning what can affect the Water cycle and what we can do about the rise in temperature.
Conversation starters
Science
Why do some animals have no canine teeth? What kind of teeth does your pet have?
My Happy mind
What is dopamine? How can we generate it?
Going Green Certificate for TT Rockstars this week goes to Hugo, Isaac and Bea
Lunchtime awards: Lettie
Role model: Nathan
Marvellous Manners:
Flute stars this week: Rosa and Louie
French star goes to Louisa for super understanding of days of the week.
PE stars - Heath and Albert for amazing swing throws.
This week, the learning certificate goes to Martha. Another double whammy certificate SAdie Spider/Lizzie Ladybird. I am really impressed with how reflective you are beig about your own learning. You have discussions with me openly about how you need to improve and you are taking steps to do so. Your hard work in lessons means you are getting better and better.
Virtues
This half term are virtues are faith filled and hopeful. Full of faith in themselves, God and others and full of hope in each moment as a precious gift from God. This week Nathan receives the star for being so full of joy and hope. Nathan you said this week you are grateful that you are alive! I can tell that you appreciate all you have.
EARLY START! Oracy Symposium at the Grand Theatre - Monday 3rd February. We will be setting off at 9:00 on the dot. Please could you be sure to arrive for 8:45am. Year 4 will be attending this event to help us practise our speaking and listening skills and debating skills.
Wednesday 12th February Year 4 children going to watch ‘Aladdin’ at St Bedes.
Shakespeare Playmaking festival Thursday 20th March - extra details.
The day before the festival, children will turn up as normal at school and will go to the Grand for a tech rehearsal. On Thursday 20th March they will be at the Grand all day and in the evening. However, you will need to pick them up and take them for their tea on this day - usually this is at approximately 2:30 to bring them back for 5:00 at the Grand theatre stage door for the evening show. These times may slightly change but please begin to arrange who will pick them up and drop them off. Nearer the date, I will send an online form asking you to state who is picking up/dropping off.
Enjoy the real live Tempest with your family this weekend!
Mrs Lyons and Miss Bray
It has been a really reflective week in Year 4. This week children had a special visitor to school to tell them all about the Jewish faith. They were filled with questions and the gospel this week told them of Jesus reading from the Torah in the synagogue so this again helped children make links between the two faiths. The children below led a lovely worship about Jesus’ sacrifice. They asked the class, why did Jesus do this for us?
Our Shakespeare lessons this week focused on the rest of the story. The children have absolutely stunned us with their great understanding of Caliban’s soliloquy and their portrayal of the angst between characters. We now look forward to creating our part of the play as a performance - we are focusing on the last 4 scenes of the play.
In maths we have learned to solve problems involving perimeter and we have seen how we can use our multipliction and division facts to find perimeters of regular polygons.
In Science, children learned about the part the mouth plays in digestion and how it kick starts the process. Children loved this and wrote a lovely explanation of the processes involved. I can highly recommend this video below - we watched a little in class. It is very child-friendly and fascinating!
In geography we are learning all about the Water cycle and the different stages of this. Children could link this to their computing by making animations of the process.
Conversation starters
Science
What part do the teeth and mouth play in digestion? What happens when you swallow your food?
Religion
How do Jewish and Catholic faiths link? How are they different?
Going Green Certificate for TT Rockstars this week goes to Scarlett.
Lunchtime awards:
Role model: Hugo
Marvellous Manners: Ellie-Rose
Flute stars this week: Anna and Lena
This week, the learning certificate goes to Scarlett. Another double whammy certificate Tommy Turtle and Roger Robin. Although it has been a hard week for you, you have still listened intently and been brave. You have tried so hard in everything and have looked outwards to help others at all times. Well done Scarlett!
Virtues
This half term are virtues are faith filled and hopeful. Full of faith in themselves, God and others and full of hope in each moment as a precious gift from God. This week Myles receives the star for exploring his own faith. We noticed you have really been thinking and pondering over faith this week and asked interesting questions to clarify the difference in Jewish and Christian beliefs about Jesus.
Oracy Symposium at the Grand Theatre - Monday 3rd February Year 4 will be attending this event to help us practise our speaking and listening skills and debating skills.
Wednesday 12th February Year 4 children going to watch ‘Aladdin’ at St Bedes.
Shakespeare Playmaking festival Thursday 20th March - extra details.
Today I am giving out the main speaking parts for our performance. A lot of the roles are non-speaking or echoing and involve creating the ‘scene’ for the audience or being a non-speaking character. Rest assured these parts are just as important if not more so than the speaking parts!
The day before the festival, children will turn up as normal at school and will go to the Grand for a tech rehearsal. On Thursday 20th March they will be at the Grand all day and in the evening. However, you will need to pick them up and take them for their tea on this day - usually this is at approximately 2:30 to bring them back for 5:00 at the Grand theatre stage door for the evening show. These times may slightly change but please begin to arrange who will pick them up and drop them off. Nearer the date, I will send an online form asking you to state who is picking up/dropping off.
Enjoy the real live Tempest with your family this weekend!
Mrs Lyons and Miss Bray
Year 4 have had great fun learning this week. The children below led a lovely worship about having Faith. In RE lessons we have been exploring how Jesus reveals He is the Messiah in various ways. In our Happy mind lesson this week, we reflected on how to appreciate ourselves by being kind to ourselves. We thought about ways we can show appreciation - for ourselves, others and experiences.
Our Shakespeare lessons this week focused on working up a storm (or Tempest) Children re-created the second storm in the play whilst learning about the characters shipwrecked. They then wrote a description of this setting including a glimpse of its conjuror, the wild spirit Ariel.
In maths we have learned to calculate perimeter of rectangles and squares ‘Going for Gold’ common multiplication facts this week (see homework) In Science, children learned all about their teeth and the different purposes of each type.
On Thursday we had a journey to Bolton Museum for an Egyptian workshop. Children loved it and it cemented their knowledge from this riveting topic! Here are some pictures below
Conversation starters
My Happy Mind
How can you show your appreciation for yourself? What can you do to be kinder on yourself?
History
What was your most fascinating discovery at the museum?
Lunchtime awards:
Role model: Louisa
Marvellous Manners: Lucia
Flute stars this week: Liam,
This week, the learning certificate goes to Rosa. Another double whammy certificate Clara Clownfish/Bobby Bee. This week we have talked with the class about paying TOTAL attention and we feel you are doing just that! this is helping you notice so much more. You were amazing in the museum, figuring out the answers to the quiz sheet by reading the clues next to the exhibits. Well done!
Virtues
This half term are virtues are faith filled and hopeful. Full of faith in themselves, God and others and full of hope in each moment as a precious gift from God. This week Hugo receives the star. You went out of your way to warn people about the slippy path outside school. Mrs Nel thought this was beautiful and I agree. What a caring young man!
Oracy Symposium at the Grand Theatre - Monday 3rd February Year 4 will be attending this event to help us practise our speaking and listening skills and debating skills.
Wednesday 12th February Year 4 children going to watch ‘Aladdin’ at St Bedes.
Shakespeare Playmaking festival Thursday 20th March. There will be much more information about this coming up but you can purchase tickets to see your child perform scenes from The Tempest alongside other schools below. Make sure you book the right date - there are 2 showings at 1:00 and 6:00
Have a great weekend with your lovely children,
Mrs Lyons and Miss Bray
What a lovely start to the year we have had! We began our week with a lovely worship about the Epiphany and explored our new virtues - faith-filled and hopeful. In our Happy mind lessons we are on a new unit called ‘Appreciate’ which has helped children think about why it is so important to show appreciation and how it makes us feel. We are very appreciative to welcome a new member of our team in Year 4, Miss Bray who has settled into our class beautifully.
Our Shakespeare lessons began with gusto this week. We are studying ‘The Tempest’ and children have been powerful magicans, dukes, shipwrecked sailors and wild spirits! This kind of learning ‘on our feet’ is always very popular and children are loving interpreting the language as they act out scenes. We did some bautiful descriptive writing of Caliban’s Island after creating a word carpet in the hall together. You will be able to see them perform a scene on the Grand theatre stage - please see notices below.
In maths we are learning all about perimeter and we hae started our first ‘Going for Gold’ common multiplication facts this week (see homework) In Science, children absolutely wowed me with their depth of understanding about states of matter. Next week, it is on to a new topic.
We have been doing gymnastic sequences in RE and had our last Ancient history lesson about other civilisations. All in all a very exciting week.
Conversation starters
My Happy Mind
How could you as a family think of a way to share each day what you are thankful for? Children have been discussing this in class
English
Why did Shakespeare write a play about a Tempest? Tell your parents what the island we created is like!
Lunchtime awards:
Role model: Lettie
Marvellous Manners: Myles
PE stars this week: Fletcher and Martha for lovely gymnastics
Flute stars this week: Myles and George C.
This week, the learning certificate goes to Fletcher. You have received a double whammy Kiki Chameleon/Roger Robin certificate. You are a role model to others because you make good choices and you always plan and consider your work carefully. Well done!
Virtues
This half term are virtues are faith filled and hopeful. Full of faith in themselves, God and others and full of hope in each moment as a precious gift from God. This week Anna receives the star. You are such a delight Anna because you are always so positive, you smile at everyone and you spread joy wherever you go!
Egyptian trip Thursday 16th January. This is normal drop off and pick up - unless any delays. Children can wear their school PE uniform for comfort.
Class Charity Children voted together and have decided to collect money for a relatively unknown charity for Encephalitis - which can be very dehabilitating. A member of the class has a close relative with this condition and the charity relies heavily on donations to help. Next, the class will be deciding how they fundraise.
PE Please can I remind you to try to remember not to wear earrings on PE days as they can be a struggle to get out.
Shakespeare Playmaking festival Thursday 20th March. There will be much more information about this coming up but you can purchase tickets to see your child perform scenes from The Tempest alongside other schools below. Make sure you book the right date - there are 2 showings at 1:00 and 6:00
There are other trips coming up imminently too! Please keep an eye on the blog
Have a lovely, chilly weekend
Mrs Lyons and Miss Bray
Dear Parents,
Year 4 children will be visiting the Grand on a few occasions in the next few weeks. We will be going for our storytelling festival on Monday 3rd Feb and also in March to perform our section of ‘The Tempest,’ on stage.
Please could you fill in the form below to give your consent about photographs? The Grand theatre has outlined what these are used for and I have added it to the form for you to read.
It has been a glorious week full of Christmas memories in year 4 this week! Monday saw us first engaging in worship around the gospel of great joy. This was followed by doing our Carol concert in church and I am sure you would agree, they gave us all goosebumps! The rest of the week has seen us have parties, do numerous festive crafts, make ice-cream, watch movies and have enrichment too. Far too many photos this week - so instead there is a video below of all the magic this week. There is also a special Christmas flute performance for your viewing pleasure.
Lunchtime awards:
Role model: Eliie-Rose
Marvellous Manners: Jackson
This week, the children have voted for the certificate winners in class. They were asked to think of children who go above and beyond and demonstrate every learning character. It was tricky, as so many children do this in Year 4.
However, joint boy winners were Liam and Rodnie.
Rodnie it was said you have excellent focus and you participate fully in all learning. You are a super listener.
Liam, your friends said you are always so polite. You also have excellent focus. Your friends said you are friendly and kind.
Girls, it was close but our winner by one point was Phoebe. Your friends said you are always kind and you manage your distractions. They said every breaktime you help people!
To be chosen out of all the beautiful children in Year 4 is praise indeed! Well done.
Egyptian trip
On Thursday 16th January we are going to Bolton museum for an Egyptian workshop. The cost of the trip is £16 and it is payable on Parentpay. The children have simply adored this topic.
Have a happy, holy and special Christmas together. Thank you for the privilege of teaching these lovely children.
Mrs Lyons and Mrs Carter.
Well done to our superstars who took part in an acrobatic performance at the Winter Gardens. We are very proud of you!
We have had a really interesting and varied week in Year 4. On Thursday afternoon, children were so reflective as they took their Year 3 partner on a little pilgrimage around school to visit our nativity stations. This was beautiful and allowed them to lead worship of the events of the nativity story.
In our RE lessons this week, children have been learning all about the Jesse tree and what it represents. They have been encouraged to reflect on the nativity story in all of our practises at church.
In English this week children have been very excited to compose their own versions of the Pied Piper fairy tale! Each day they have included a new grammar skill in their story. They are absolutely brilliant!
In History this week, we reflected on whether King Tut’s grave should have been disturbed - and thought about the benefits for history. We also mummified someone - see pictures below! Children then worked hard to explain this process in detail.
We have been in church for two rehearsals this week. Children have worked so hard to make something very beautiful. We can’t wait for you to see. More detail below about drop off times on Monday.
What can I say about today? THANK-YOU for all your wonderful contributions - I have never eaten so much cake in my whole life! They were simply stunning! Here are some pictures of our adventures.
Here are some lovely pictures of this week’s travelling nativity..
CONVERSATION STARTERS:
1. Can you tell your parents how bodies were mummified? Don’t do it while they are eating their tea!
Flute stars this week: Alana and Joseph
Albert has been our Happiness hero this week - starting our day by sharing a happy thought. Thank you.
Lunchtime awards:
Role model: Lena
Marvellous Manners: Heath
Christmas carol concert is Monday 16th December at 2pm and 6pm. Please can children come to church at 5:45pm in their full school uniform. They can leave their coats with you and come straight to the altar to get ready.
Wednesday 18th December - Christmas party day! Come in your Christmas clothes!
On Thursday December 19th December we will have a DVD afternoon. Children can bring a small snack - like a chocolate bar or crisps and drink (non-fizzy) for the film. No nuts please.
We break up on Friday at 2pm.
Its beginning to look a lot like Christmas!
Mrs Lyons and Mrs Carter.
A busy but beautiful week! In our RHE lessons this week, we were learning we don’t have to be the same, like the same things or have the same strengths - we can appreciate each others’ differences. In RE children learned about the ancestry of Jesus and why we call Him the Son of David.
Maths this week has seen us grapple with rounding to the nearest 10, 100 or thousand.
In English this week we have been learning an oral retelling of ‘The Pied Piper of Hamelin,’ and children have been practising both reading and grammar skills - such as being able to write dialogue, choose different sentence starts and infer meaning from the text.
In History this week, children have loved learning about the discovery of Tutankhamun’s tomb just over one hundred years ago. In fact many children are now selecting books about this from our class library. Our French unit on clothes has seen the children make clothes catalogues, describing what the models are wearing and attempting to make the adjectives agree with the noun, whether it be masculine, feminine or plural.
We have been in church for two rehearsals this week. Children have worked so hard to make something very beautiful. We can’t wait for you to see. More detail below about drop off times on Monday.
Here are some lovely pictures of this week’s travelling nativity..
CONVERSATION STARTERS:
1. Can you tell your parents how Tutankhamun’s tomb was discovered? Where do you think the tomb of Cleopatra could be?
MASSIVE CELEBRATIONS TO THE FOLLOWING CHILDREN WHO HAVE MET THEIR READING TARGET THIS WEEK
Fletcher and Lettie Well done bookworms!
This week, our learning certificates are as follows:
Rodnie received a double whammy Cooper Crab and Sadie Spider certificate. You are so attentive and hard-working Rodnie - consistently so! This is why you do so well and you act on feedback too.
Alice also received a double whammy certificate - Kiki Chameleon and Cooper Crab. You carefully consider all that you do and have become such an attentive listener. This is allowing you to have so much success in your work!
Our virtues this half term are intentional and prophetic - intentional in choosing right choices and standing out for what is good. This week Phoebe received our star. You are so intentionally helpful Phoebe. You do not hesitate to notice when something needs doing and you just help humbly without letting everyone know. Thank you.
Flute stars this week: Ava and Louie
French star this week is Mia-Grace for an excellent clothes catalogue
Bea has been our Happiness hero this week - starting our day by sharing a happy thought. Thank you.
Lunchtime awards:
Role model: George L.
Marvelous Manners: Alana
Christmas carol concert is Monday 16th December at 2pm and 6pm. We hope you can come to this beautiful event. Children will need to wear their full school uniform
Wednesday 18th December - Christmas party day! Come in your Christmas clothes!
On Thursday December 19th December we will have a DVD afternoon. Children can bring a small snack - like a chocolate bar or crisps and drink (non-fizzy) for the film.
Christmas Bake Off: Last year went so well, we just had to do it again! All things Christmas with cakes, bakes and jumpers on Friday 13th December.
Have a Christmassy weekend!
Mrs Lyons and Mrs Carter.
The children have been working so hard and learning so well this week in Year 4. During our Happy Mind session this week, they reflected in their journals on which strength they could grow and get better at - thinking of ways they could do this. In RE sessions the focus has been on preparing for Advent and understanding what it is. On Thursday, children made their Advent promises - their own gift to Jesus this Advent season.
Maths this week has seen us decompose all 4 digit numbers in different ways. Children have compared and ordered these numbers and are now learning to round to the nearest thousand, hundred or ten. They have really worked their socks off on this.
Our Science this week was all about condensation. Children learned that this is the opposite of evaporation and they observed a cold can of coke, which after a while began to form tiny droplets on the outside of the can in our warm classroom.
In English this week we have moved onto a unit about Fairy Tales. We are busy analysing different versions of the Pied Piper and using lots of our grammar skills to experiment with different types of sentence starts and description. WE will soon be writing our own fairy tale based on this. We have also started our new novel - The Butterfly Lion and children are already intrigued.
In History this week, children were interpreting evidence which told us about the everyday lives of Ancient Egyptians and their status in society. We have started studying our French unit on clothes where children are beginning to understand French masculine, feminine and plural noun agreement!
Add to this lots of singing for our concert and a cracking PE lesson on Tueday - and all in all it has been a really super week!
Here are a few photos showing our lovely worship led by these three children and also some children practising their ‘Going for Gold’ times tables facts:
Here some beautiful photos of our children enjoying their travelling nativity. Thank you for taking the time to reflect and to send these in.
CONVERSATION STARTERS:
1. Have a look around your house. Can you see examples of evaporation and condensation in action? Why is the ground frosty in the morning at the moment? When your kettle boils - can you see gas come out - or can you see liquid?
2.My Happy Mind - this week, pick a strength every morning that you wish to demonstrate that day. At the end of the day when you go to bed, think about if you used it well and how it made you feel.
MASSIVE CELEBRATIONS TO THE FOLLOWING CHILDREN WHO HAVE MET THEIR READING TARGET THIS HALF TERM!
Bea, Hugo, Alice, Lena, Phoebe, Isaac, Martha, Ava and Albert. Well done bookworms!
This week, our learning certificates are as follows:
Jackson received a Clara Clownfish certificate. You are brilliant at noticing things Jackson. You are a pattern spotter! I think this is why you excel at French! I have noticed that you are increasingly intentional about paying good attention in class so you can be your best.
Alana also received a Lizzie Ladybird certificate. You are really listening to feedback and advice to improve your writing Alana. You seek to get better and you are so productive. You are helpful around class too!
Our virtues this half term are intentional and prophetic - intentional in choosing right choices and standing out for what is good. This week Joseph received our star. You are such a friendly person Joseph and you are intentional about making others happy. You are forming so many lovely relationships because you are so caring.
Flute stars this week: Alice and Martha
French star this week is Rosa for super understanding
Fletcher has been our Happiness hero this week - starting our day by sharing a happy thought. Thank you.
Lunchtime awards:
Role model: George C.
Marvelous Manners: Anna
Christmas cards - please could we ask that children do not write individual christmas cards for members of the class? If they wish, they can write one card to the whole class which would be displayed in our worship area.
Christmas songs Year 4 did brilliantly again this week in their singing! On the homework are the next 2 songs to practise for our Carol concert which is in church on Monday 16th December at 2pm and 6pm. Please encourage them to practise again this week
Christmas Bake Off: Last year went so well, we just had to do it again! All things Christmas with cakes, bakes and jumpers on Friday 13th December.
Have a lovely weekend
Mrs Lyons and Mrs Carter.
What a busy but lovely week we have had! we are well under way with our Christmas preparations for our carol concert in church and we have been doing so much exciting learning!
Our RE lessons this week were firstly focused on John the Baptist and understanding why he was important. We then looked at how he linked to another prophet Isaiah - in prophesying Jesus’ coming. This led us beautifully to start thinking about the season of Advent and what it entails.
Our Science this week was all about evaporation. Excitedly, the children made a puddle outside and even in this cold, it had evaporated within 1 hour! We carried out an experiment in class to see if water would evaporate more quickly if it was in a container with a larger surface area.
Maths has seen us solve one and two step problems using bar modelling and our understanding of measures. Children are more readily able to convert now between eg m to km or g to kg. We are now moving onto numbers to 10,000 comparing and ordering them.
In English, we have finally finished our novel. It was bittersweet and all children have now quizzed on this book which gave them some major Accelerated reader points!
Here are a few photos of our week:
CONVERSATION STARTERS:
1. What is evaporation? Can you think of any examples in nature?
2.My Happy Mind - this week, you can talk about Which strength would you like to build further?
This week, our learning certificates are as follows:
Lettie received a Sadie Spider certificate. You are such a hard worker Lettie which really showed in your persuasive letter! You were brilliant with maths problems too this week!
George L also received a Sadie Spider certificate. You have become such a good listener and you have become so much more productive too! I can see you striving to get better and better!
Our virtues this half term are intentional and prophetic - intentional in choosing right choices and standing out for what is good. This week Mia-Grace received our star. You are always so willing to help out everyone Mia-Grace. You just love to give to others.
Flute stars this week: Lettie and Fletcher
Nathan has been our Happiness hero this week - starting our day by sharing a happy thought. Thank you.
Lunchtime awards:
Role model: Nathan
Marvelous Manners: Alice
Christmas songs Year 4 did brilliantly again this week in their singing! On the homework are the next 3 songs to practise for our Carol concert which is in church on Monday 16th December at 2pm and 6pm. Please encourage them to practise again this week
Own Clothes Day: To celebrate the arrival of December and the festive period, then children can wear their own clothes and also bring in a bar of chocolate into school for £1. This will take place on Friday 29th November.
Christmas Bake Off: Last year went so well, we just had to do it again! All things Christmas with cakes, bakes and jumpers on Friday 13th December.
Have a lovely weekend
Mrs Lyons and Mrs Carter.
It has been a lovely week in year 4 and it was so great to see you sharing your child’s work on Thursday. Aren’t they doing well!
Our RE lessons this week have really made us think. We are learning about prophets and what it takes to be someone who can seek God’s Word clearly for others to see. This links beautifully to our RHE work on strengths - we have been thinking about how we can employ our top strengths in certain scenarios. Children and staff are noticing when they and each other are using them. We have talked this week about consciously responding to situations rather than reacting and choosing to use your strengths to overcome hardships .
Three children (see gallery below) led a beautiful worship this week about Love and read Scripture about the Crucifixion.
Our Science this week was all about changing states - how when particles are heated, they receive energy which makes them loosen and move - thus changing state to liquid. We did an experiment to predict then find the melting point of butter.
Maths has seen us delve deeper into measures and be able to solve problems with mass, capacity and length using numbers up to 2000.
In English, children learned the dreadful news that, indeed, Mr Zuckerman still intends to kill his pig at Christmastime, despite his fame. They have been learning the art of persuasion in order to persuade the farmer to reconsider. They might practise their new found art at home!
Here are a few photos showing our pride in our work this week:
CONVERSATION STARTERS:
1. What is the opposite process to melting? Do all materials have the same melting point? Why not find out the melting points of some different things?
2.My Happy Mind - this week talk about How could you use your top five strengths when things are difficult for you or when you are finding something hard to deal with?
This week, our learning certificates are as follows:
Heath received a Bobby Bee certificate. It is lovely to see your conscious choice each lesson to be ready, give total attention and 100% participation. You are a phenomenal learner
Martha received a Lizzie Ladybird certificate. I can see you are such a mature, reflective person Martha. You are really reflecting on your work and trying to get that little bit better each time. Your listening has improved and you are striving to do your best. Well done you two!
Our virtues this half term are intentional and prophetic - intentional in choosing right choices and standing out for what is good. This week Louie received our star. Louie, you are so intentional about being pleasant and kind to all you meet. Your happiness and joy are infectious and your smile lights up a room!
PE champions in year 4 this week: Mia-Grace and Fletcher
Flute stars this week:
Ava has been our Happiness hero this week - starting our day by sharing a happy thought. Thank you.
Lunchtime awards:
Role model: Rosa
Marvelous Manners: Joseph
Holy Communion dates
If you click the button below, it will take you to a list showing which children will be making their first Holy Communion on which date - Saturday 10th May or Saturday 17th May. If there are any issues with this, please let me know at the earliest opportunity.
Christmas songs This class are such gorgeous singers! On the homework are the first 3 songs to practise for our Carol concert which is in church on Monday 6th December at 2pm and 6pm. Please encourage them to practise and you can start to get a little Christmassy.
Travelling Nativity Over the next few weeks, you child will come home with our travelling nativity. It has a lovely story in called ‘The Shepherd Girl’ that you can share together. Please look after the little nativity characters carefully. If you wish to capture your reflection together, you can send me a photo by email. It must come back to school the next day, so the next child can take it and have their turn before Christmas. Enjoy!
Own Clothes Day: To celebrate the arrival of December and the festive period, then children can wear their own clothes and also bring in a bar of chocolate into school for £1. This will take place on Friday 29th November.
Christmas Bake Off: Last year went so well, we just had to do it again! All things Christmas with cakes, bakes and jumpers on Friday 13th December.
Have a lovely weekend
Mrs Lyons and Mrs Carter.
What an exciting week we have had! There have been so many rich lessons and learning going on that I decided to put it in a video below.
We began the week in worship, remembering those who gave their lives for our freedom and their great strength. In our Happy Mind lesson the children completed a survey to find out what their top strengths were. They have made ‘top trump’ cards displaying their top 5 strengths and there is a copy of the survey they took in their homework books so you can celebrate them with them. We stressed that we all have a mixture of strengths - like pick n mix sweets, you may have more of one type than another.
In RE, children have learned what a prophet is and have been finding out about the prophet Elijah. This has really helped them understand one of our virtues this half term, what it means to be ‘prophetic’ - a person God chooses to give His message to the people.
Our Science was so exciting this week - first the children learned all about the 3 states of matter. Then on Tuesday they explored this further at UCLAN by looking at changing states, understanding acids, alkalis and becoming cosmetic chemists for the day!
Maths too has seen us go out and about to find out exactly what 1kilometre length feels like. We went for a walk around the block, measuring the distance - we actually only walked 580metres but it gave them a real sense of 1000m = 1km which was the aim. We are looking at being able to read measures on jugs, scales and metre sticks by understanding portions of 1000 - when it is split into two equal parts, four equal parts, ten equal parts or five equal parts.
We had an excellent gymnastics lesson where children assessed each other on their sequences that they had put together. We also launched our History topic Ancient Egyptians..
In English, we are over half way through our novel. Children have made their own points and backed them up with evidence. They have also learned the important grammar skill of describing characters and objects using extended noun phrases.
Have a look at our week in this video:
CONVERSATION STARTERS:
1. Have a look at the River Nile using Google Earth. What continent is Egypt in? NSEW? Why does it look green from an aerial view?
2.My Happy Mind - this week share your strengths survey with your parents.
This week’s question, “ How could you use your top five strngths to help yourself and others?”
This week, our learning certificates are as follows:
Lucia received a Bobby Bee certificate. You positively buzz with enthusiasm in lessons Lucia. It is lovely teaching you because you are so immersed in all you do and you really want to get better and better all the time!
George C. received a Tommy Turtle certificate. You are becoming such a good learner George. You are having such a good go at everything - listening carefully to the learning and advice so you can achieve highly. We love hearing you participate so well in our class discussions.
Our virtues this half term are intentional and prophetic - intentional in choosing right choices and standing out for what is good. This week Rosa received our star. So many members of staff mention your name to me Rosa. They notice you being so kind and loving - especially to our younger children. They must be very thankful to have you watching over them like an angel!
PE champions in year 4 this week: Joseph and Anna
Flute stars this week:
Rodnie has been our Happiness hero this week - starting our day by sharing a happy thought. Thank you.
Lunchtime awards:
Role model: Albert
Marvelous Manners: Scarlett
Travelling Nativity Over the next few weeks, you child will come home with our travelling nativity. It has a lovely story in called ‘The Shepherd Girl’ that you can share together. Please look after the little nativity characters carefully. If you wish to capture your reflection together, you can send me a photo by email. It must come back to school the next day, so the next child can take it and have their turn before Christmas. Enjoy!
Book Look - Thursday 14th November 2.15pm. Please come and see all your child’s hard work.
Friday 15th November PJ Day for Brian House. Please bring £1 and a teddy of course.
Own Clothes Day: To celebrate the arrival of December and the festive period, then children can wear their own clothes and also bring in a bar of chocolate into school for £1. This will take place on Friday 29th November.
Christmas Bake Off: Last year went so well, we just had to do it again! All things Christmas with cakes, bakes and jumpers on Friday 13th December.
The temperature has dropped. Have a nice, crisp weekend with your lovely children.
Mrs Lyons and Mrs Carter.
It has been a lovely first week back in Year 4. Children have moved on to the Celebrate’ unit in ‘My Happy Mind.’ Children have started to notice their key character strengths and also those of others. We have been strength spotting all week!
In RE, children learned about Joseph in Egypt and reflected on how God brought good out of evil and joy from sadness. They then wrote a lovely prayer about their own faith, hope and love.
In maths, we have been working with manipulating multiples of 100 up to 2,000. Now we are understanding this in the context of measures. This linked really well to our Science—as we have moved on to the topic of States of Matter. This week we were thinking about how all matter has mass and volume and using our measuring skills.
We have finished our French unit on describing by doing descriptions of our friends—their height, hair colour, eye colour and personality. In Geography we have learned about time zones and analysed what time it will be in different countries comparing with GMT.
In English, children have learned about formal and informal language. They have been doing some performance reading and have learned how to write dialogue. They have also learned how to justify their own opinion about events in stories.
Here are some pictures of our week:
CONVERSATION STARTERS:
1. Now we are focusing on states of matter in Science, do you know what solids, liquids and gases are? Can you think of any examples?
2.My Happy Mind - this week has been about beginning to recognise your character strengths and those of others. These are not about what you can do but what you are like and which qualities you possess, for example patience, love of learning, zest, teamwork, friendship, kindness, gratefulness, respect, fairness, curiosity.
This week’s question, “ What do you think might be your top 3 strengths? Is there a character strength you would like to build on?
This week in our Kidsafe lessons, children have learned about parents/carers arguing. Please read the letter below.
This week, our learning certificates are as follows:
Ava received a Lizzie Ladybird certificate. I notice how much you are striving to learn and improve in all you do. You are doing things with such care and effort—this is really showing in the quality of what you do.
Hugo received a Sadie Spider certificate. You are becoming such a hardworking and diligent young man. You bring the same level of determination into everything you do.
Our virtues this half term are intentional and prophetic - intentional in choosing right choices and standing out for what is good. This week Myles received our star. You always listen to your conscience Myles and strive to be a role model in all you do.
PE champions in year 4 this week: Louie and Phoebe
Flute stars this week: Heath and Hugo for improved playing.
French star - Isaac for brilliant work!
Heath has been our Happiness hero this week - starting our day by sharing a happy thought. Thank you.
Lunchtime awards:
Role model: Ava
Marvelous Manners: Liam
Wellies: Please could children bring either a pair of wellies or a pair of old trainers into school in a named plastic bag? This is so they can access the field in Winter.
Cosmetic Chemistry trip Tuesday 5th November- Please be in school on Tuesday promptly at 8:45am. PE uniform can be worn - or school uniform. If children are travel sick, please take any usual precautions eg bracelets, tablets and let me know. We should be back on time for school pick up as normal.
Mrs Mather is collecting boxes and tubes for the children’s DT topic. Please bring in any you can find.
Book Look - Thursday 14th November 2.15pm
Friday 15th November PJ Day for Brian House
Have an enjoyable weekend everyone.
Mrs Lyons and Mrs Carter.
What a bunch of stars we had in Year 4 this week! Thank you Year 4 for a well delivered assembly. Many of you stepped out for your comfort zone and overcame trepidation to smash it! You were a living example of what our school is all about.
It has been a productive and interesting week in year 4. We have learned about Abraham’s great grandson, Joseph in our RE lessons and all the challenges and blessings he faced.
In Science, we ended our topic on living things by thinking about ecosystems and how they are delicately balanced, with each organism being interdependent on each other. Children learned how to locate countries from their latitude/longitude references today and plot the co-ordinates on a world map. In maths, children have been manipulating 4 digit numbers and understanding the number of ones, tens and hundreds they are composed of. They have had some fun wet playtimes together too!
This week in our Kisafe lessons, children have learned about looking after their private places and about safe and unsafe secrets. They may wish to discuss this with you. Please read the letter below for further details
PE champions in year 4 this week: Ellie-Rose and Lena
Flute stars this week: Joseph Ellie-Rose
Martha has been our Happiness hero this week - starting our day by sharing a happy thought. Thank you
Rodnie and Fletcher have GONE GREEN which means they have mastered all times tables. What dedication you have shown boys.
Ava, Martha and Bea met their reading targets this half-term. Well done girls! Lets have lots more next half term!
Holy Communion - please complete the form on the previous blog, indicating your commitment to the programme.
Cosmetic Chemistry trip - This is now on Parent pay at a cost of £17. Children will be going by coach to UCLAN on Tuesday 5th November. Please fill in the form below to indicate if you would or would not like Jackie to prepare a packed lunch for the trip
I look forward to sharing your child’s progress with you tomorrow. Have a lovely half term with your little treasures.
Mrs Lyons
It has been a calm and focused week in Year 4. In our RE lessons, we have looked at the tricky story of Abraham and his son Isaac. This story showed us how Abraham deepened his faith in God. On Friday, we praised God and were thankful for all His great gifts at church during our Harvest celebration. Thank you so much for your kind donations. We have reflected in class about how much we really have to be thankful for - and how giving to others brings true happiness.
In maths, we have finished our revision of column addition and subtraction and are now onto the long awaited 4 digit numbers. We have such a group of problem solvers and they rally round one another to help each other understand. What a team!
We have got stuck into our French this week and have been learning to describe hair and eye colour in French whilst getting our adjectives to agree with the noun! Tricky stuff. In Geography we have learned how lines of latitude can tell us about the climate of different regions. In English, not only have we learned so many new words from our novel, we have also used it as a launching pad to explore grammar skills such as fronted adverbials and complex sentence writing. We are now ready to meet Wilbur’s hero next week.
Conversation Starters.
What is your favourite subject and why? Which subject do you find hardest - what could you do to improve this?
2.My Happy Mind - this week we talked about how we can look after our mind. Things like getting enough sleep, talking to or friends, talking kindly to ourselves, doing some happy breathing, being grateful and going for a walk can help you feel calm and in control.
This week’s question, “ How could you look after your mind more effectively? Are there any things you could do or thoughts you could have to help you feel calm, confident and content?
This week, our learning certificates are as follows:
Emilia recieved a Tommy Turtle certificate. You are a courageous learner because you talk about mistakes so that we can all learn from them. You always have a go and never shy away from any challenge. You are so kind to others too!
Ellie-Rose received a Lizzie Ladybird certificate. We have had some lovely learning talks where you have been so reflective and told me ways you are helping yourself to improve. This is really reflective and a real way to take learning under your own control!
Our virtues this half term are attentive and discerning - attentive to all around us and discerning the right decisions and choices to make. This week Alice received our star. You are always trying so hard to be discerning and make choices that help, not hinder others. You are ready to learn, calm and full of love!
PE champions in year 4 this week:
Flute stars this week: Phoebe and Scarlett for some super focused playing
French star - Lena for excellent participation.
Emilia has been our Happiness hero this week - starting our day by sharing a happy thought. Thank you Emilia.
Lunchtime awards:
Role model: Phoebe
Marvelous Manners: Rodnie
Class assembly - Children are doing well with their parts - please keep practising so we don’t forget. It is on Tuesday 15th October at 9:10am and 9:35am.
Holy Communion
Please read the letter below outlining dates and times. Then click on the link below this to fill out the form, indicating yours and your child’s commitment to the programme.
Cosmetic Chemistry trip - This is now on Parent pay at a cost of £17. Children will be going by coach to UCLAN on Tuesday 5th November.
Flutes in on Monday please.
Have a lovely Autumnal weekend,
Mrs Lyons and Miss Johnson
Another super duper week in Year 4! In our worships this week, we have focused on the word ‘Unite.’ One of my favourite gospels was read by our worship monitors and we discussed having child-like faith, hope and love in Jesus - just as Abraham did (the focus in our RE lessons)
We also had a lovely worship on Tuesday, composed and delivered by these children. Well done!
In maths this week, we have revised column subtraction and we are ready now to move onto place value of 4 digit numbers. In our mastering number sessions we have recognised that 4x a number is basically doubling the 2x table and also we are spotting patterns in the 5x table regarding odd and even products.
We have been using very important reading skills when reading Charlotte’s web, such as being able to summarise the main idea of each paragraph and also finding evidence from the text to back up points made about the characters.
In Science this week, children learned about Carl Linnaus, the father of taxonomy and how he invented a classification system for all living things. They then made their own classification key.
In Geography we have examined lines of longitude on our globe and have labelled the main ones, such as the prime meridian.
What books do you all love to read in your family? Is there a favourite book you are reading together?
2.My Happy Mind - this week we talked about how our brain forms neural pathways every time we practise something. This means that we can strengthen a skill every time we practise it and form stronger pathways in our brain.
This week’s question, “ What skill could you practise more at home? Form a habit of practising this skill each day at a certain time to help develop your neural pathways.
This week, our learning certificates are as follows:
Scarlett and Anna received Bobby Bee certificates. My goodness - both of you girls work SO hard. you listen so attentively and do everything with verve and enthusiasm! You are devoted to your studies which is why your work keeps being chosen for our wall of excellence! Wonderful!
Our virtues this half term are attentive and discerning - attentive to all around us and discerning the right decisions and choices to make. This week, Fletcher receives our attentive and discerning star. Fletcher you are a role model to others. you help others make good choices, you are mature and responsible. THANK YOU!
PE champions in year 4 this week: Alana and Albert for finding spaces and passing the ball.
Flute stars this week: Phoebe and Louisa for improving throughout the session
French star - Jackson for remembering what words mean!
Lettie has been our Happiness hero this week - Spreading happiness to everyone! Thanks!
Lunchtime awards:
Role model: Louie
Marvelous Manners: Bea
Thursday 10th October - World Mental Health Day. Children are allowed to wear something yellow on this day. It could be a t-shirt or a top with some yellow on - failing that, a hair bobble. Do not buy anything extra!
Class assembly - Children are doing well with their parts - please keep practising to get louder and more confident. It is on Tuesday 15th October at 9:10am and 9:35am. If anyone has any plain green caps or an orange t-shirt, could we please borrow it?
Cosmetic Chemistry trip - This is now on Parent pay at a cost of £17. Children will be going by coach to UCLAN on Tuesday 5th November.
Flutes in on Monday please.
Harvest - thanks for all kind donations so far. Please bring more cans of fish - ready for our Harvest Mass on Friday.
Mrs Lyons and Miss Johnson
It has been a magical week of learning in Year 4 this week! As you can see, children learned to put their flutes together and blow. This is harder than it sounds! However, this is where the magic lies - sharing mistakes so we all learn from them and improve!
Children have been thinking about the word missionary in worships this week and what it means to be ‘on a mission.’ We have been able to look at the life of St. Vincent De Paul, a great missionary and how we can adopt this outlook. We decided we can say, “What can WE do to help?” It links beautifully with our class assembly song - ‘My own two hands,’ which is about taking agency yourself to make a difference.
Today was such a special day as we had a mass and then a school visit from Bishop Paul Swarbrick. Children then learned all about Mary and her title - Star of the Sea. They produced some beautiful artwork reflecting her guiding role for seafarers and also for people who are experiencing rough times.
In English this week, we have launched our novel, ‘Charlotte’s Web.’ Children have thought about the dilemma of the story and written in role as Mr. Arable the farmer. They have thought carefully about what do do if they do not know the meaning of words they read and they are learning to make a ‘best fit’ from the context around that word. They have also been predicting, asking questions and doing ‘reading brain!’ Ask them what it is!
In maths we are now onto column subtraction and we are comparing it closely with column addition. In our mastering number sessions the big focus has been on doubles and how these are also our 2x tables.
In Science this week, we have learned about flowering and non-flowering plants and how they both reproduce. Children looked at spores from a Fern under a microscope.
We are very proud of Year 4 in the hall, as they are taking on the roles of looking after and serving the younger ones. They are truly on a mission!
Can you explain to your parents about how flowering plants produce seeds? How are non-flowering plants different? What do they have instead?
2.My Happy Mind - this week we looked at ‘Happy Breathing’ and did some together to practise waking our thinking brains up
This week’s question, “ What situations cause YOUR amygdala to take over causing you to fight, run away or freeze? Maybe when you are nervous or frustrated? Could you try some happy breathing in these situations?
This week, our learning certificates are as follows:
Nathan received a Clara Clownfish certificate for being so attentive that he notices so many things! Nathan you are such an intelligent learner because you are always tracking the teacher and using the examples on the board to help you think.
Liam received a Sadie Spider certificate for always being ready to learn and getting better and better each day. you try so hard and like Nathan, you soak everything in around you!
Our virtues this half term are attentive and discerning - attentive to all around us and discerning the right decisions and choices to make. This week, Lena receives our attentive and discerning star. Lena you make such sensible and responsible choices which respect others around you.
PE champions in year 4 this week: Anna and Phoebe for super posture and efffort in gymnastics.
Flute stars this week: Mia-Grace and George L. for improving throughout the session
Jackson has been our Happiness hero this week - Spreading happiness to everyone!
Lunchtime awards:
Role model: Mia-Grace
Marvelous Manners: Isaac
Harvest - We are collecting for our local food bank for our harvest festival. Year 4 have been asked to bring in tinned fish. Please bring from Monday onwards.
Class assembly - Children have been gven their parts this weekend. It is on Tuesday 15th October at 9:10 and 9:35am.
Cosmetic Chemistry trip -
This year, we will be fundraising for a charity close to our class’s heart which is yet to be decided. If you have a charity which means a lot to you and you would like to put it forward for children to vote, please fill in the form below (less than a minute to complete - promise!)
Have a beautiful weekend - children have worked their socks off this week!
Mrs Lyons and Miss Johnson
590 Tahoe Keys Blvd, South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150