Friday 12th September 2026

We have had a fantastic first full week in Year 4! The children have settled into their new routines brilliantly and have quickly remembered our class rules and behaviour expectations. They have joined in enthusiastically with all of our activities and have worked exceptionally well, showing that they can be calm, focused and ready to learn. We are so proud of the positive start they have made and are looking forward to all the exciting learning ahead! 

In English, we have been exploring the new book Quest by Aaron Becker. We began by making predictions about the mysterious world and the adventures that might unfold. We then developed our descriptive writing skills by creating vivid setting and character descriptions, using expanded noun phrases and carefully chosen vocabulary. Finally, we let our imaginations take over as we wrote our own creative stories about embarking on an exciting quest, thinking carefully about the challenges our characters might face and how they could show courage, resilience and teamwork. 

In maths, we have been learning about place value.  The main themes of the week include viewing numbers to 1000 on a number line, looking at what thousands are made up of, representing numbers to 10,000 using a place value grid, base 10 and Gattegno charts and partitioning numbers to 10,000.  All of this was done practically and with visual clues to make and partition numbers.

In science, we learnt about the digestive system.  We examined the various components that comprise our digestive system and the process by which food undergoes digestion.  The children learnt new vocabulary such as esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine and liver.  They soon discovered how our body uses all the nutrients from the food to return to our bloodstream and then eliminates the waste it can’t use.

In PSHE, we have been exploring the SCARF programme through a lesson called ‘Human Machines’. The children worked together to create their own human machines, using movement, sound and teamwork to bring their ideas to life. They thought carefully about how each person’s contribution was important and how working together can help a team achieve its goal. It was a fun and engaging way to develop our understanding of collaboration and the importance of listening to and supporting one another. 

The children were introduced to word processing in our first computing lesson. They learnt to identify the symbols for Google Docs, Sheets and Slides. Then they opened a Google Doc and reviewed how to change the font, size, add a highlight, bold or italics amongst other things. Children also learnt how to select specific words, name a document and share it. All very useful skills!

In music, they had a very enjoyable first music lesson this week.  They began by singing songs in preparation for Rosh Hashanah. As per the email that went out at the beginning of this week, Year 4 will be taking part in Young Voices in January. This week we began listening to the "Pop Medley," which is one of the songs that the children will be singing. Please do sign up for a YV Parent Account, by following the instructions in the email, so that the children can start to learn the songs at home and you can also buy tickets through this portal as well.

In verbal reasoning, they focused on synonyms. The children were challenged to identify, from groups of words, the two that were most similar in meaning. We also explored how some words can work well together in a sentence without necessarily having the same meaning. The children discussed how to distinguish between words that simply sound like they belong together and those that are genuinely synonymous.

Reminders:

• Book changing days are Monday and Thursdays.
• Children should wear their house badges daily please
• Trainers are only allowed to be worn on PE days, Tuesday and Wednesday.
• See the section ‘useful information’ in the Y4 blog area for extra helpful resources

Shabbat Shalom and Shana Tova u’metukah!

Miss Mansoor, Mrs Bataller and Mrs Tapper

Welcome back to school and welcome to Year 4!

It was so lovely to see the children after the long break and hear all about their holiday. 

This week, we talked about our feelings returning to school and how we can improve and make new connections in the class.  We talked about the presentation of their work and how to be a mensch at school. The children engaged very well and had lots to contribute.  We also drew our yearly self-portraits that will be up on display when you come to the school for Meet the Teacher on Tuesday.

Reminders:

• PE: Tuesday and Wednesday. On all other days, children should wear full school uniform, including black school shoes.
• Homework is set on Google Classroom (GC).
  • English: set on Wednesday and returned by Monday.
  • Maths: set on Friday and returned by Wednesday.
• Forest School: This will begin next term. We will remind you nearer the time.
• Meet the Teacher Evening: Tuesday 8th September.
• All communications should be sent via year4@keremschool.co.uk. 
• Interventions: We will be in touch in due course with further information.
• Reading books and records should be kept in your child's bag every day so that we can read with your child in school.
• Welcome call: You will receive a quick call from us in the coming weeks to welcome you and your child to Year 4.

Have a wonderful weekend and Shabbat Shalom,

The Year 4 Team