Year 4 Weekly News 10.10.25

What a fantastic week it's been in Year 4! You've shown such enthusiasm, creativity and teamwork in everything we've done. Whether we've been getting stuck into new learning, working together in groups, or exploring ideas through practical activities, you've all given your best and worked extremely hard. Thank you!

We transformed our classroom into a buzzing newsroom this week as we stepped into the shoes of real-life reporters during our English lessons. You read a brand-new Example Text – Giant Whale – or Giant Hoax? – and began unpicking the features that make it so effective. We discussed tricky vocabulary and talked about what a hoax might be, before writing sentences of our own using some powerful new words. You also worked with a partner to practise saying these new phrases aloud, getting used to the style of a real report. Your energy, creativity and vocabulary were spot on!

This week in maths,, we focused on rounding numbers to the nearest 10, 100, and 1,000. We used number lines and place value knowledge to help us decide whether to round up or down. We then learnt that there is a determiner digit that helps us know whether we are rounding our number up or down.

In this HeartSmart lesson, we explored what makes a healthy family or friendship and how love and care are essential ingredients. As a class, we created our own "family/friendship recipes", choosing qualities like kindness, honesty, patience, and fun to 'mix in'. We discussed how different people bring different strengths, and how important it is to value each one. Our activity helped us see the importance of these ingredients in maintaining strong relationships. To guide our reflection, we read this verse: "Let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth." – 1 John 3:18 This encouraged us to show our care not just by what we say, but by how we treat others each day.

In History, we dived into learning about Danelaw (areas in England where Vikings ruled and lived under their own laws). We acted out key historical moments, including Viking raids and peace treaties, and learned how King Alfred the Great eventually agreed to divide England to create peace. We studied the Treaty of Wedmore, place names with Viking origins, and the long-lasting impact of Viking settlement. Using a cause-and-effect chart, we explored how Viking culture blended with Anglo-Saxon life. We ended by debating whether Danelaw showed Viking success and many of us decided it did!

In RE this week, we continued exploring why Christians believe Jesus is the Son of God. We looked closely at the story of the Transfiguration, which appears in the Gospels of Matthew (17:1-8), Mark (9:2-8), and Luke (9:28-36). We compared the three versions and noticed the key similarities: Jesus' face shining like the sun; his clothes becoming dazzling white and the appearance of Moses and Elijah beside him. The most powerful part came when a voice from a cloud said, "This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!" This moment shows that Jesus is not just a teacher or prophet, but truly the Son of God, with divine authority. You shared some brilliant reflections and thoughts. Great work, everyone!

This week in computing, you explored the wonders of the World Wide Web and discovered how it differs from the internet. You looked at different types of web content -- like websites, videos, and images -- and discussed how they are all part of the web. You had fun sorting information into categories and even practised using search tools to find specific things online. By the end of the lesson, you understood that the World Wide Web is just one of the services the internet allows us to use, and you began to think more carefully about the kinds of content you interact with online.

This week's French lesson was all about pets! We started by chatting with a partner about the pets we have, had, or would love to have. Then, we learnt how to ask and answer questions like "As-tu un animal?" and "J'ai un chien" through fun actions and games.

This week's Forest School session had an exciting history twist as we explored the world of Viking longhouses! We began by learning about what life was like inside these homes and the different roles people had--from cooking and weaving to woodwork and storytelling. Using natural materials from the Forest School area, you worked together to build your very own Viking longhouse. Once our structures were complete, we stepped into the shoes of Viking families and acted out scenes from daily life. It was a fantastic mix of creativity, teamwork, and historical imagination!

In our first PE lesson this week, we focused on the skill of jockeying--learning how to move defensively to stay in control and keep our opponent in sight. You picked it up really quickly and showed great effort applying it in small-sided games. In your second PE session with Coach Beth, you continued to develop your striking to develop your accuracy. Iit's been brilliant to see your confidence and teamwork grow each week!

This week in music, we recapped the D minor scale. We then played the pulse composition and played the first 5 notes of the scale. We moved on to creating an 8 bar piece using a variety of note lengths. Next week, we will play this and listen back to it and reflect on its sound.

Hope you're having a lovely weekend,

Miss Pennance