Friday 24th January

After the Shabbaton over the weekend, we returned to school to an incredibly busy and exciting week. Well done to all the children that were elected to the Kerem Cares committees this week. Well done also to those that were not elected. It takes a lot of courage to stand in front of the class and speak and all who did should know that they spoke very well and we are proud of them all. 

In maths, we focused on the challenging topic of formal multiplication. To begin, the children used base tens, place value charts, and counters to visually represent multiplication. They then moved on to part-whole models, helping them understand the importance of separating hundreds, tens, and ones before multiplying. Finally, they applied their knowledge to the formal column method for multiplication, which they enjoyed. The children practiced with a variety of questions and solved two-part worded problems, demonstrating their growing confidence in this tricky concept.

In English, we read up to chapter 26 of The Wild Robot, delving deeper into Roz’s experiences on the island. We added to our illustration of Roz, capturing all that she has learned and the emotions she has started to feel. The children were especially engaged during our discussion of the Dawn Truce scene, imagining how Roz might feel standing in the middle of a circle of animals who believe she doesn’t belong.

Geography lessons were all about direction this week! The children learned about the eight points of a compass and had great fun using real compasses to identify the directions of various items in the classroom. Some students discovered that holding a magnet near the compass causes it to spin wildly, leading to a lively discussion about magnetic north versus true north. The children were fascinated by this discovery and eager to learn more about navigation.

In science, the children investigated how animals adapt to their environments. We began with an in-depth study of polar bears, discussing why their adaptations are essential for survival. Then, the children chose from a variety of animals to research, identifying their unique adaptations and the reasoning behind them. We also explored the differences between predators and prey, with a fun discussion about why prey animals have eyes on the sides of their heads. 

In art, we continued our exploration of animal coats and patterns. The children began drawing illustrations of animals, focusing on the unique textures and designs of their fur. This work will carry on next week, as they refine their observations and bring their illustrations to life.

Computing lessons saw the children advancing their coding skills using the Move the Turtle app. They worked on coding the turtle to build houses, but their creativity didn’t stop there! Many children added tree houses, suns, clouds, animals, and even cars to their designs. This app has been a fantastic way for the children to explore coding in a fun and imaginative way.

Two weeks ago, we learned that the prefix in- changes the word to its opposite, eg. active - inactive.

Last week we learned that before a root word starting with l, in becomes il-.

This week’s spelling rule is: before a root word starting with m or p, in– becomes im–

imbalance

immature

immobile

impatient

imperfect

impolite

impossible

impractical

improper

Common Exception Words: describe, difficult, enough, famous

Reminders:

Please remember, boys must wear tzitzit every day.

Have a lovely weekend.

Shabbat shalom,

Miss Simon, Mr MacKinnon, and the Year 4 team. 

Friday 17th January

This week in maths, our focus was on position and direction using grids. The children practiced reading and plotting coordinates, an skill that involves both accuracy and spatial awareness. Through various exercises, they learned how to plot specific shapes on grids, applying their understanding of shape features. We also introduced the concept of translation—moving points on a grid—and described movements using directional terms such as up, down, left, and right.

In our English lessons, we read chapters 2-10 of The Wild Robot. The children explored how the author describes the island setting and then applied their skills to write their own island descriptions. These descriptions were shared with classmates, who then illustrated the islands, highlighting the power of descriptive writing. We also revisited the PEE technique for comprehension answers - making a point, providing evidence, and explaining it. The children used this method to write answers to questions on chapters 10 and 11, showing a deepening understanding of the text.

Our science unit on habitats has been an exciting journey around the world. This week, the children selected a habitat to research, focusing on its temperature, location, and the unique animals that call it home. They are preparing informative presentations and are thoroughly enjoying the exploration of these diverse environments.

In art, the children continued to study the fascinating patterns and textures of animal coats and furs. They explored how distinctive these designs are and how they help in identifying different animals.

The highlight of our week is the upcoming Year 4 shabbaton. The children have been preparing Dvrei Torah, reflecting on various aspects of Shabbat, and are eager to share their knowledge with their friends. We are all looking forward to spending this special time together and are excited to welcome you for Havdallah at the end of Shabbat. It promises to be a memorable experience for everyone involved.

In response to some queries I have had about the use of devices for homework, please find attached some guidance which was also sent out as an email. As was said in the email, the children are excited to complete their homework, seeing it as a chance for their creativity to shine and for them to show off their learning to me when they hand their homework in, and to you who see their progress at home. 

I ask for your support so that this enthusiasm can continue.

Shabbat shalom,

Miss Simon, Mr MacKinnon and the Year 4 team.

Friday 10th January

It was wonderful to welcome everyone back after the holidays and hear all about the exciting adventures they had, whether traveling abroad or enjoying time around London. The children returned refreshed and eager to learn, and we’ve hit the ground running with our new topics. 

In English, we started our unit on The Wild Robot by Peter Brown. Many children were already familiar with the story, having read the book or seen the animated adaptation, which added to their enthusiasm. We began by reading the first chapter and illustrating the setting described, helping the children appreciate how carefully chosen words paint a vivid picture for readers. We also launched a short research project on robots, where the children are gathering fascinating facts to present as posters for their homework. One of the week’s highlights was a lively and thought-provoking discussion centered on the question, "When are robots born?" The children shared insightful ideas, ranging from technical explanations about circuits and programming to more abstract concepts like the moment a robot is activated.

We worked hard on our times tables in maths this week, with a focus on ensuring fluency and confidence in all multiplication equations up to and including 12 x 12. It is essential that the children continue to practise their times tables regularly to solidify this crucial skill. We also began our new topic on position, learning how to read and understand coordinates using the x and y axes. The children practised both plotting coordinates and identifying the coordinates of points on a grid, setting a strong foundation for further exploration in this area.

This ties in wonderfully with our new geography unit on maps. The children started by examining a world map and identifying key features such as the equator, the Tropics of Capricorn and Cancer, and the Arctic and Antarctic Circles. They used atlases to explore countries along these lines and discussed how being on the equator or within the Arctic Circles influences a country's geography and climate. 

In science, we launched our unit on animals and their habitats, beginning with an introduction to Mrs. Gren —a mnemonic that helps children remember the seven life processes all living things perform. Be sure to ask your child what each letter stands for! This knowledge will serve as a foundation for exploring habitats and the fascinating creatures that live within them in the coming weeks.

We are going to be holding elections soon for our new class Kerem Cares representatives. All children are able to run for one of three councils - Kehilla, Tzedakah, and Tikkun Olam. If your child wants to enter, they need to prepare a short speech to explain to the class why they want to be on Kerem Cares, and what they feel they could offer the role. We will be holding the elections in the week commencing 20th January. 

We are all looking forward to our shabbaton next week. 
 

Have a lovely weekend. 

Miss Simon, Mr MacKinnon, and the Year 4 team. 

Friday 13th December

We really ended the term on a high-note. 

A highlight of the week was undoubtedly the end-of-term show on Thursday. The children performed brilliantly, showcasing their hard work and dedication. They confidently delivered their lines, sang enthusiastically, and shone on stage in front of a packed audience. I hope you enjoyed watching their wonderful performance as much as we enjoyed preparing it.

On Friday, the excitement continued with our Chanukah extravaganza. The children created beautiful pointillism-inspired chanukiahs, blending art with celebration. They also danced their way through a lively disco organized by the Tzedakah Kerem Cares committee, which brought smiles to everyone's faces. A special dance class added to the festive spirit. To top it all off, the children celebrated filling up their gem jar with an ice cream party. This was a particularly bittersweet occasion, as we used the party to say goodbye to Kaia, who will be leaving us. We are all going to miss her and wish her the very best of luck in her new school.

In English, we wrapped up our iceberg descriptions. Drawing from the collaboratively created wordbanks, they crafted vivid and thoughtful pieces that showcased their expanding vocabulary. The inclusion of figurative language, such as similes and metaphors, added depth and originality to their work. Icebergs were brought to life as "sea-monsters," "guardians of the sea," and "exquisite enemies." 

Our maths lessons took on a slightly different focus this week as we tackled maths comprehension tasks. These activities required the children to read through texts, identify key information, and apply their mathematical skills to solve problems. This was a challenging task but the children embraced it with determination and focus. 

We also concluded our history topic on the Tudors. The children were welcomed back from lunch by being informed that the classroom had transformed into a Tudor school. Boys were given daggers to carry, as was customary for Tudor schoolboys, while girls were assigned to stay home and learn domestic skills like cooking, cleaning, and embroidery. The children explored the Tudor alphabet, noting the absence of the letters J and V and the inclusion of the ampersand (&), and even tried their hand at learning some Latin. It was delightful to hear that some children have been enthusiastically teaching you Latin phrases at home! We also explored Tudor-era games, some of which bore a surprising resemblance to the games we enjoy today. 

As always, thank you for your continued support, and I wish you all a restful and joyful chanukah holiday. 

Shabbat shalom, 

Miss Simon, Mr MacKinnon, and the Year 4 team. 

Friday 6th December 

It’s hard to believe that we’re already at the penultimate week of the winter term! 

This week’s school outing to The Charterhouse was a perfect example of how far they’ve come. The children demonstrated incredible curiosity and enthusiasm throughout the trip, impressing the tour guides with their intelligent and thoughtful questions. It was a delight to see them engage so deeply, especially as they eagerly showed off their growing knowledge of the Tudors. Upon returning to school, we tapped into their creativity further with a fun code-writing activity. They learned to craft messages in mirror writing, which caused plenty of giggles as they tried to decipher each other's notes. The excitement grew when they experimented with invisible ink, writing with lemon and orange juice hopefully using heat such as irons or hairdryers at home to reveal their secret messages. This hands-on activity was a wonderful way to merge learning with fun and imagination.

In English, we focused on descriptive writing, with the children working on crafting vivid descriptions of icebergs. They collaborated beautifully, brainstorming adjectives, expanded noun phrases, and figurative language to create shared word banks. These word banks served as a springboard for their individual writing, and it was fascinating to see how differently each child approached the task, despite starting with the same resources. The resulting descriptions were imaginative, evocative, and unique, highlighting their growing confidence as writers.

In maths, we turned our attention to geometry, revisiting the concepts of horizontal, vertical, parallel, and perpendicular lines. We built on this foundation by exploring the properties of 2D shapes, where the children worked on identifying both regular and irregular shapes. Using methods like counting the number of sides, they practiced naming shapes and discussing their properties. The children showed great determination as they tackled this topic, working collaboratively and helping each other as they progressed. Geometry can be challenging, but their persistence and curiosity shone through.

A highlight of the week was the culmination of our doughnut project! The children were thrilled to bring their creative designs to life, crafting their very own doughnuts. It was wonderful to see how, even with the same ingredients, each child's unique ideas and personal touches led to vastly different results. Hopefully, they enjoyed devouring their creations as much as they enjoyed making them!

On Wednesday, we saw incredible collaboration and sportsmanship on the football pitch. Although the matches didn’t end with a win, every child gave their absolute best and demonstrated perseverance, teamwork, and determination. Their support for one another was heartwarming to witness, and it’s clear that their skills and camaraderie are continuing to grow with each game.

Reminders

• Next Wednesday, all boys will be attending a Maccabi football tournament. 
• Thursday 12th at 2pm is the school winter show. The children have already started working hard to learn their lines and a song for the show and are excited to show it off. 
• Please ensure that boys are wearing tzitzit every day. It is part of their school uniform. 

Have a lovely weekend. 
 

Shabbat shalom,

Miss Simon, Mr MacKinnon and the Year 4 team. 

Friday 29th November

It was a pleasure to see so many of you during Parents' Evening this week. It's always good to share your children's progress with you and to have the opportunity to connect in person. Your support and involvement make a difference in their learning journey.

In maths, we’ve been diving into multiplication and division, with a focus on using factor pairs. The children learned how to find pairs of numbers that, when multiplied, result in a given number. This skill helps them break down larger multiplication problems into smaller, more manageable ones. By using factor pairs, they can approach complex equations with more confidence. We also explored multiplying and dividing by 10 and 100. Using place value charts, the children could physically see how numbers shift when multiplied or divided. Understanding the movement of place value columns (rather than just adding or removing zeros) is crucial, especially when they begin working with decimals. This deeper understanding will prevent common misconceptions in the future.

This week in English, we focused on grammar, specifically apostrophes for possession. The children explored the difference between singular and plural nouns and where to place apostrophes in each case. They learned that for singular nouns, an apostrophe is followed by an 's' (e.g., the dog's bone), while for plural nouns, if the word already ends in 's', the apostrophe goes after the 's' (e.g., the dogs' bones). We also completed Chapter 7 of Kaspar: Prince of Cats and are now reading the chapter entitled “Women and Children First.” The children had lots of interesting predictions about what might happen next in the story!

Our guided reading session this week featured The Great Paper Caper, a fun picture book about a bear who chops down trees to make paper for a paper aeroplane competition. This sparked an engaging debate among the children about whether trees could have owners. Some of the fantastic arguments included: “If a tree is planted in your land, you own it,” “If an animal makes its home in the tree, it could then own it,” and “Getting rid of nature is never a good idea.” It was fantastic to see such critical thinking and thoughtful discussion!

In history, the children learned about Jewish life in Tudor England. They discovered that Jews had been expelled from England in 1290 and, as a result, very few Jews lived in England during the Tudor period. Those who remained had to practice their religion in secret. We discussed the similarities between this and the story of Chanukah, where a small group of people fought for their right to practice their faith. The class also explored The Merchant of Venice and the character of Shylock. We read the famous “Hath not a Jew eyes?” speech and discussed its meaning and significance. To wrap up the lesson, the children reflected on whether they would have wanted to live in Tudor England.

Reminders:

• We are going on a school trip on Tuesday to The Charterhouse. An email reminder was sent on Thursday to provide more information.
• On Wednesday next week, the children are all going to King Alfred’s School for a football match. 

Have a lovely weekend.

Shabbat shalom,

Miss Simon, Mr MacKinnon and the Year 4 team.

Friday 22nd November

What a wonderfully diverse and engaging week it has been!

It was lovely to see so many of you at the showcase on Friday. Watching the children show off the work that they are proud of was really lovely and is a great way to talk through work with your children before parents evenings next week.

The children’s participation in Mitzvah Day was a highlight, as they embraced the opportunity to contribute to this meaningful multifaith charity event. With care and creativity, they designed and crafted beautiful bookmarks for the residents of Hammerson House. It was lovely to watch them reflect on how such a simple act of kindness could bring joy to the elderly. 

In maths, the children took on the challenging topic of time. This can often be a tricky area, but they approached it with determination and curiosity. They learned to convert between units of time—such as days, weeks, months, and years, as well as seconds, minutes, hours, and days—and applied this knowledge to solve problems. Working in small groups allowed them to focus on specific skills, from reading and drawing clocks to solving questions that required careful calculation across the hour. Their progress over the week was fantastic, with many demonstrating increased confidence in handling these concepts. Time will be revisited later in the year, but independent practice will be key to solidifying their learning.

In English, the focus shifted to advertisements, which offered a creative and analytical approach to their learning. The children explored the features of advertisements, analysing headings, slogans, logos, images, and key information. They compared modern cruise ship adverts with vintage advertisements for the Titanic from 1911, noticing how advertising techniques have evolved over time. This led to a fantastic creative task: designing their own adverts for the Titanic, incorporating modern ideas while reflecting on the historical context. 

The children also wrapped up their news report videos on key events and laws from Queen Elizabeth I’s reign. This activity allowed them to demonstrate their historical knowledge in an engaging and dynamic way. It was great to see their creativity shine as they presented their findings. Exploring Shakespeare added even more richness to the week, particularly as they began reading Macbeth during guided reading sessions. The children were captivated by the story and eagerly discussed the themes and characters. Writing about Shakespeare’s lost years—the mysterious period between 1585 and 1592 when his whereabouts remain unknown—gave them the chance to unleash their imaginations. Their inventive stories brought this historical enigma to life in unique ways.

Our spelling rule this week was the prefix anti- meaning against or opposite. We looked at the words 

antiseptic

anticlockwise

antisocial

antidote

antibiotic

antivenom

anti-aging

antifreeze

antiperspirant

antigravity

Our common exception words were father, remember, probably, bicycle, breath.

Reminders:

• If your child is attending Forest School, please ensure you send them with the appropriate clothing. A leaflet was sent out this week detailing how to dress for prolonged time in the cold weather. 

Shabbat shalom,

Miss Simon and Mr Mackinnon

Friday 15th November 

This week was filled with learning, creativity, and reflection as we participated in Anti-Bullying Week, focusing on the theme "Choose Respect." The children attended a workshop from Streetwise, where they explored respectful and disrespectful behaviours. They subsequently created impactful posters addressing cyber-bullying prevention and came up with amazing slogans such as ‘the world revolves around kindness’, ‘cyber-bullying doesn’t help make a good community’ and ‘always be true, helpful, interesting, nice and kind on the internet’. They also took part in a BBC Live Lesson focused on anti-bullying, making for a meaningful week on the importance of kindness and respect.

In maths, we introduced the concept of area. The children learned that area is the space within a 2D shape and began by counting squares to find the area of different shapes in their books. They discovered that for rectangles and squares, area can be calculated by multiplying the length and width. This led to an exploration of rectilinear shapes—those enclosed by straight lines and right angles. The children were eager to draw their own rectilinear shapes with specified areas, showing curiosity by finding as many configurations as possible to reach the same area.

In English, the children tapped into their dramatic skills with a freeze-frame activity based on a humorous scene from Kaspar Prince of Cats. Each group took on roles—Johnny, Kaspar, Lizziebeth, and the housekeeper Mrs. Blaise (also known as Skullface)—and created freeze frames to capture the characters' emotions. They then wrote down what their characters might have been thinking, leading to some fantastic insights and shared reflections.

In science, we began a long-term experiment on the effects of various liquids on eggshells. By using the calcium-rich eggshells as stand-ins for teeth, the children will observe the impact of these liquids over time. They’re eagerly awaiting the results, which will reveal the potential effects on our own teeth.

In history, we delved into the reign of Elizabeth I. After watching a student-created video, the children learned about her 44-year reign and its significant events and laws. They then took on the role of news reporters, creatively recounting key moments and legislation from the Elizabethan era. The children’s imaginative and insightful presentations brought history to life, showcasing their engagement with the subject.

Our spelling rule this week was the prefix super- meaning above or beyond normal. 

Our spelling words:

superficial

superfine

superhero

superhuman

supervise

supersede

superpower

superimpose

supernova 

Our common exception words:
thankful

thrown

few

quite

believe

Reminders:

• Please ensure all your children’s clothing is named so that it can be returned if it is ever misplaced. 
• English homework is due in on Monday, maths homework is due in on Tuesday.

Shabbat shalom,

Miss Simon and Mr MacKinnon

Friday 8th November

On November 5th, the children enjoyed an exciting and interactive lesson where they acted out the story of the Gunpowder Plot. Each child took on a role, immersing themselves in the events of that historical night, which gave them a meaningful understanding of the origins of Bonfire Night. As you can see from the photos, the children had a fantastic time engaging with the drama, and they learned a great deal, which became clear during their detailed retellings afterward. 

This week in maths, the children worked diligently to master the 7, 11, and 12 times tables, tackling several word problems that strengthened their understanding of how these tables are applied in different scenarios. Word problems can be challenging, but the children are building confidence with this skill, which will benefit them greatly as they progress in their learning. Daily practice of times tables for at least five minutes will help them achieve fluency with all of them.

The children also explored how to multiply three one-digit numbers together, focusing on why equations like 3×2×4 yield the same result whether solved as 6×4, 3×8, or 12×2. Using manipulatives, they could see how different groupings lead to the same outcome, deepening their understanding of multiplication concepts. Additionally, we investigated dividing a number by 1 and by itself, using manipulatives to visualise why dividing a number by itself results in 1 and dividing a number by 1 leaves the number unchanged. These hands-on activities have really helped clarify these fundamental concepts for the children.

This week in English, we focused on improving comprehension skills by introducing the children to the PEE method for answering questions. Together, we completed a shared comprehension exercise with modelled answers, demonstrating how to make a point (P) by rephrasing the question, then support it with evidence (E) from the text, and finally explain (E) how the evidence supports the point. After observing this approach, the children practiced it in their independent work, gaining confidence with this structured response technique. Continued practice with the PEE method will be essential to help them deepen their comprehension skills and communicate their ideas clearly.

In computing this week, the children participated in the Bebras Challenge, an international computing competition featuring a series of interactive tasks designed to build logical thinking and problem-solving skills. The children enjoyed tackling each problem, and it was wonderful to see their enthusiasm and persistence as they worked through the challenges. We look forward to receiving their results soon!

Our history lesson saw the children learn about using nursery rhymes as historical sources- understanding the story behind the rhyme. We looked at the rhyme Mary, Mary, Quite Contrary and used clues to understand what it was about. They then assessed whether Mary I was truly a ‘bloody’ monarch or whether she was similar to others before and after her. They looked at sources, separating them into reasons why she should be called ‘bloody’ Mary and reasons why she should not. Then they used these sources to make up their own minds about the question. The curiosity on display was fantastic and the children asked really intelligent questions throughout the lesson which showed their genuine enthusiasm for the subject. 

Our spelling rule was the prefix -inter. The words we focused on in class included:

interact

interfere

intercity

international

intermediate 

internet

intergalactic

interrupt

intervene

interlude

However, we also discussed that these are not the only words that include the prefix –inter and the children enjoyed figuring out other words that fit into this spelling rule. 

Our common exception words were: 

which

although

appear

arrive

Reminders:

• Half of the class will be attending forest school this half-term. Please consult the email sent on 9th October to remind yourself of the terms in which your child will be attending forest school and remember to send in suitable clothing on Thursdays.
• A number of unnamed jumpers are living in the classroom. Please ensure all your children’s clothing is named so that it can be returned if it is ever misplaced. 
• Children with long hair must have their hair completely up. This helps to keep hair to oneself and means the children are at less of a risk of having hair to hair contact. 

Shabbat shalom,

Miss Simon and Mr MacKinnon

Friday 1st November

We’ve really hit the ground running this first week back after the half-term holiday, and it’s been a fantastic week full of new learning and creativity!

In maths, we started our unit on multiplication and division by reviewing the 3 times table and tackling word problems to apply multiplication and division facts. The children were introduced to the concept of the digit-sum, discovering how adding a number's digits can reveal if it's a multiple of 3. Their knowledge led to a smooth transition into the 6 times table, as the children were delighted to find that all multiples of 6 are simply double those of 3! They then moved on to the 9 times table, practicing and comparing all three tables to identify patterns and differences. Practicing their 3, 6, and 9 times tables at home will be essential for consolidating their understanding.

In English, we read the first two chapters of Kaspar Prince of Cats, and the class was instantly captivated by the characters, especially the aristocratic Countess Kandinsky and her sleek, regal cat, Kaspar. They empathised with Johnny Trott, charting his emotions as they fluctuated between euphoria and heartbreak. We look forward to continuing with chapters 3 and 4 next week.

Science brought us into our new topic on teeth, connecting it to the digestive system we’ve been exploring. We examined different types of teeth and their roles, with the children enthusiastically observing each other's teeth to spot differences. They created their own “mouth models” by cutting, sticking, and labeling each type of tooth.

We had an extended guided reading session, focused on the inspiring author Malorie Blackman. We explored her life story, discussing her motivations for becoming a writer, and then read the first chapter of her book Operation Gadgetman. The children were thrilled to hear that we’ll soon have four of her books in our class library.

In art, we began sketching our Tudor self-portraits. The children thoughtfully planned out each detail, from their facial expressions and poses to Tudor-style clothing, backgrounds, and any meaningful objects they’d like to include to reflect their personalities.

Our spelling rule this week covered when we double the last letter of a word before adding a suffix. The children were reminded of their phonics as we discussed the sounds a, e, i, o, u. If a word ends in a short vowel sound before a single consonant, we have to double the last consonant before adding a suffix. 

Our spelling words this week were:

forgetting 

forgotten 

beginning 

beginner 

preferred 

preferring 

occurred 

occurring 

forbidden 

committed

Our common exception words were:

stopped

eight

favourite

through

write

There are a number of spelling practice ideas on the class blog page should you wish to do more practice at home.

Have a lovely and restful weekend.

Shabbat shalom,

Miss Simon and the Year 4 team

Friday 11th October 

Thank you to all who could join us for our memorial tefillah on Monday morning. The day was difficult for many of us and being able to start it as a community was very meaningful. 

The children also took part in a challah bake, a traditional time to say tehillim for those who need it. This allowed them to take part in age appropriate memorialisation of the last year. 

This week, the children completed their English (spelling, grammar, and reading) and maths assessments. They all worked incredibly hard, giving their best effort to showcase their skills. We took the time to discuss the purpose of these assessments, explaining that they help us identify areas for improvement and growth.

In addition to the assessments, the children continued with their regular maths lessons. We focused on adding two four-digit numbers with more than one exchange and then moved on to subtracting four-digit numbers. The children used place value counters to develop a deeper understanding of the processes behind addition and subtraction before transitioning to formal written methods using the column method. We also emphasized the importance of neat presentation in their work to support clear working out.

In our world religions lesson, we began our exploration of Islam, a key focus for this year. The children are working on presentations that they will eventually share with the class. This week, we looked at the similarities between Judaism and Islam, allowing the children to compare and contrast these two faiths. This helps them not only understand Islamic customs but also deepens their appreciation of other cultures. Over the weekend, you can ask them questions about what they have learned.

Some of the children took part in an incredibly fun science experiment in which they mimicked the digestive system using household items. Mixing the food in a bag and sending it down some tights, the children gained a deeper understanding of how food moves through the body and the idea that nutrients are absorbed into our bodies. For those that were not in school, there is a link on the English homework for you to follow should you wish to do the experiment at home. 
 

We all enjoyed our half day at the Wilf Slack. The children practiced their times tables by playing bingo, had  a debate about which organ was the most important organ in the digestive system, and practiced giving and following explicit instructions in order to draw pictures. They also took part in a science workshop, watching and participating in fun experiments. 

We wish a safe and meaningful fast to all who participate. 

Shabbat shalom and g’mar chatima tova.

Miss Simon and Mr MacKinnon 

Friday 27th September

It was lovely to see so many of you on the Zoom call on Wednesday. I will be sending out the slides shortly, which contain important information about Year 4. Additionally, I will be reaching out to many of you to discuss how your children have settled into Year 4 so far. If you have any questions in the meantime, please feel free to email me, and I will do my best to respond as quickly as possible.

This week in maths, we wrapped up our place value topic by focusing on rounding numbers to the nearest 10, 100, and 1,000. The children's curiosity and enthusiasm were wonderful to see, as they consistently wanted to take on more work and demonstrate their growing skills. We also explored Roman numerals and compared them to the Arabic numerals we use today, sparking some great discussions about the differences between these two systems.

In English, the children reflected on their diary entries from last week, working in pairs to correct spellings and made grammatical changes where needed. This reflective process is a vital skill, and the children worked hard to help each other improve. After making their corrections, they rewrote their enhanced diary entries, which will soon be displayed in the corridor. We also focused on expanded noun phrases, learning how to describe a noun using adjectives and prepositional phrases. The children practiced this by writing descriptive sentences for a scene from Flotsam.

In science, the children began creating collaborative posters about three vital organs in the digestive system: the stomach, small intestine, and large intestine. Each child took on a specific role within their group, and it was wonderful to see how well they collaborated to create informative posters.

We had an exciting art lesson this week, where the children examined ten different portraits of Henry VIII. They were thrilled to learn that, by the end of this topic, they will be creating their own Tudor-style portraits. The children have already started researching the types of clothing they will draw themselves wearing.

In history, we explored the question: Was Henry VIII a good king? The children examined various sources, some positive and some negative, without knowing the bias of each. After completing their research, they formed their own conclusions and presented their findings to the class. It was fantastic to see their confidence and creativity as they shared their ideas.

Our spelling rule this week was adding suffixes to words with two syllables where the root word does not change. The words we looked at included:

gardener 

gardening 

limited 

limiting 

offering 

offered 

benefited 

benefiting 

focused 

focusing

It is important to remind the children that these are not the only words that this rule applies to.

Our common exception words were:

picture

camera

excited

answer

Shabbat shalom,

Miss Simon and Mr MacKinnon

Friday 20th September

It has been a busy and productive week for the children!

In maths, we continued our exploration of place value, focusing on number lines up to 10,000. The children practiced estimating the position of values on number lines based on the given start and end numbers. They also compared numbers using <, >, and = symbols and worked on partitioning numbers into parts, not necessarily based on their place value positions, which helped to reinforce their understanding of number structures.

In English, our focus was on diary entries. The children learned about adverbials – phrases that give further detail to verbs – and revised the features of a diary entry. They then applied this knowledge to write their own diary entries, imagining themselves as the young boy in Flotsam, the book we are currently studying. It was wonderful to see them use their creativity to express the boy's thoughts and feelings during the situations depicted in the story.

Our spelling rule this week focused on words ending in -ture. The words we looked at were:

creature

picture

nature

furniture

capture

culture

moisture

future

gesture

structure

Our common exception words were:

accident

accidentally

address

forty

column

In history, the children explored the challenges faced by Henry VII. They worked hard to research his problems and came up with their own creative solutions. Afterwards, they compared their ideas with the actual solutions that Henry implemented, sparking some great discussions about the differences and similarities.

In science, we focused on enzymes and their important role in the body. The children conducted a small experiment where they chewed a piece of bread and kept it in their mouths until it became sweet. They were fascinated to learn that this happens because of the enzyme amylase, which is found in our saliva and helps break down starch into sugars.

We began our PSHE work, discussing the importance of being able to understand and verbalise our emotions. The children will be continuing this throughout the year. 

Thank you for all your well wishes this week. 

Shabbat shalom,

Miss Simon and Mr MacKinnon

Friday 13th September

The children have had an excellent first full week back. They have experienced every lesson and begun work on numerous topics that they will be studying throughout the term and the year. 

In maths this week, we began our place value unit. The children looked at number lines up to 1,000 and worked together to understand how to estimate numbers on a number line. They then began to investigate numbers up to 10,000, learning about place value columns, Gattegno charts, and part whole models to understand the value of each digit in a four digit number. 

In English, we started work on our new book - Flotsam. The whole school is studying this book at the same time so the school has been decorated with artwork from all the pupils last week to represent the sea and the beach. The children worked on their prediction skills and adapted these predictions when they received more information. They wrote about whether they liked the book or not before writing their own versions of Flotsam based on the predictions they made before reading the book. 

This was a week of beginnings as we also started our science topic of the half-term - the digestive system. Excitedly, the children ate a biscuit before discussing what happened to the biscuit after it entered their mouths. They learnt about the liver, intestines and stomach and the role that they play in digesting our food. 

On Tuesday next week, the walls will be adorned with pictures of the children that they themselves drew in their art lesson this week. Each child was provided with half of their face and asked to draw the other half. They all worked incredibly hard and really showcased their artistic skills. 

The class really enjoyed this week’s history lesson during which they created videos about different Tudor figures. Each person researched a different person, using information from books and online sources, and recorded their own video poster about the person. These will be up on the blog next week for you to see.

The children have received their first pieces of homework this week - one English homework and one maths homework. Please ensure they complete this homework to the best of their abilities and return it to school by the due date. English is due for Monday and maths for Tuesday. Should there be any problems with the homework, do not hesitate to contact me on the Year 4 email address. 

Reminders:

• Next Tuesday (17th) we are hosting a meet the teacher event. Parents are invited to attend from 18:45. 

• Interventions will be starting on Monday 16th September at 08:15. If your child has been invited to attend an intervention, please ensure they arrive promptly to ensure learning can start immediately. 

Shabbat shalom,

Miss Simon and Mr MacKinnon

Friday 6th September

It has been an amazing first few days back after the long summer holidays. The children have settled in well to Year 4 and we are all excited for what the next year will bring. 

We have managed to fit a lot into the last few days. The children produced some excellent artwork, using paper to create jellyfish with tentacles. They learnt a new way of folding paper to ensure that the tentacles were colourful and effective and we look forward to seeing tehm on display around the school.

Excellent poems were produced by the children, detailing the wonderful things they got up to in the holidays. They used the medium of acrostic poems to share their holiday news and used their poetry skills to express their ideas. 

As they are now in the upper school, a number of things have changed for the children. This includes their break time being later and their inclusion in upper school Kabbalat Shabbat on a Friday. 
 

We started our history topic of the Tudors today. The children reenacted the Battle of Bosworth with each child being part of either the House of Lancaster or the House of York.  Some of the children even played the King or Queen. A lot of information was learnt and the children enjoyed the exciting lesson.  

Reminders:

• Please ensure all of your children’s belongings are clearly labelled. As well as uniform, this should include waterbottles and snack pots. This will help us return belongings that are misplaced.

• Please ensure your children are wearing appropriate footwear to school each day. On school uniform days (Monday, Tuesday and Friday) this should be plain black shoes. On PE days (Wednesday and Thursday) this should be sensible trainers/sports shoes.

• Please encourage your child to wear their house badge to school each day. 

Have a lovely weekend. We look forward to another educational and fun week.

Shabbat shalom,

Miss Simon, Mr MacKinnon, and the Year 4 team.