Spring Update 2011
Year 3/4 spent the second half of the Spring term delving back into Medieval times for our topic on Knights and Dragons. We looked at the Medieval hierarchy of life, the role of women and the types of food people used to eat, as well as how to train to be a knight and the stages that they went through before the 'dubbing ceremony'.
Sir Ted set up camp on the field at the beginning of the term and later took up residence in the Great Hall of Sir (Mr) Bennett's castle! We spent time creating our own moving dragons, learning how to draw (not train!) a dragon and creating our own species of dragon. The Y3/4 children also became medieval estate agents and had a go at writing a description to sell a castle!
In art we designed our own shield and an illuminated initial then took care and attention to scale up and recreate a tapestry panel for each class, which are now on display in the hall! To finish the topic off we had our Medieval Festival day on Friday 6th April. All the children turned up in the morning as squires and took part in a series of events to develop the skills a knight requires. These included jousting, agility, marksmanship and stamina. Marks were also given for chivalry. After the falconry display, one squire from each castle was knighted and became the bodyguards of the newly crowned King George and Queen Sophie! The children then enjoyed a medieval banquet, kindly provided by Mrs Heap and her team (insert pictures).
We thoroughly enjoyed celebrating World Book day (3rd March) by having our bedtime pyjama story afternoon on March 4th. We also welcomed some Egyptian visitors for the day as part of our International Schools partnership, connected to Chase Terrace Technology College.
Mrs Repton's Maths class also had a special maths lesson delivered by Mrs Rose and her colleagues from Barclay's bank looking at money and ways to save and use it wisely. The children thoroughly enjoyed the lesson and were given a little memento each to keep.
January update 2011
We are currently studying Solids, Liquids and Water as our topic this term. This means we have been carrying out lots of science experiments such as dissolving and separating mixtures as well as how to change from one state to another. We even tried heating chocolate so that it melted, then let it cool in different shapes. Some changes are irreversible and cannot be undone – such as bread becoming toast. Others can be undone, such as dissolving sugar or salt in water and then letting the water evaporate to leave the crystals behind.
The water cycle keeps us alive and we have looked at how water changes state in its continuous cycle. Apparently we drink the same water that the dinosaurs did!
Our art work this term is connected to the theme of water as well, from making clay tiles with a 'water' connection, to wax crayon pictures in the style of Paul Klee's 'The Goldfish'.
When looking at rivers, Mr Bennett's class have thought about the mixture of substances in the flowing water, from rocks and pebbles to soil, leaves, wildlife and more.
Our new school councillors have started their roles and their first task was to put forward our suggestions for our chosen charity this year. The votes have been counted and this year we will be raising money for Help for Heroes. More details to follow when some events have been planned.
After half term our topic moves on to Knights and Dragons – a real adventurous topic…
Autumn Term update 2010
This term Year 3/4 have been learning about the Ancient Egyptians and what life was like in Egypt over 4000 years ago. We have found out some very interesting facts, learnt about the varied gods and goddesses and how a body was preserved by mummification to last into the afterlife.
We had visits from Timezone and Professor McGinty to help us discover more about everyday life in Ancient Egypt. Timezone invited us to become part of the council helping with the weighing of the heart ceremony. We had 3 hearts belonging to Rameses II, Hapshepsut and Akhenaten, which were balanced against the Feather of Truth to see if Horus would take them to the afterlife. This was dependant on whether their lives had been good and helpful to their people.
We became pyramid builders, making the various shaped blocks to create a pyramid and learnt how to play a range of Egyptian games including senet.
In the afternoon we came back to modern times to become Egyptologists and learn about hieroglyphics, counting and measuring using digits and palms, piecing together evidence to create a sarcophagus lid and drawing details from artefacts.
Professor McGinty once again entertained and educated us by telling us about his adventures in Ancient Egypt with Dr Hoot. We got to handle many artefacts from Egypt, some of us got to wear traditional style clothing from the time and we showed Professor McGinty the facts we knew already.
All the children thoroughly enjoyed both days and we extend a big thank you to our visitors. We are now hard at work preparing for the first Y3/4 Harvest Assembly on Tuesday 19th October, linking it to our topic work and the harvest in Ancient Egypt.
Year Three/Four Spring Term 2010
The children in year 3 and 4 have been learning all about 'Food’ and 'Australia'.
During our 'Food Topic' the children learnt all about healthy eating and produced a food diary for a week to see the different types of foods that they eat in a week. They also had a go at making bread with the help of Mrs Heap and her team in the kitchens.
Our 'Australia Topic' was new this term and the children got to learn at lot about the country, including writing Aboriginal stories and finding out about famous Australians. They also produced some fabulous Aboriginal art work.
in ICT the children in year 4 have been using Microsoft Publisher to create a 'Talking Book' on our topic of Australia. Click on the links below to see and hear their work.
Amy S. & Heidi B.
Brandon W. & Oliver D.
Emily B.
Emily M. & Mollie C.
Hannah Q. & Eleanor S.
Harriet A.
Harriet B.
Harry E. & Josh L.
James C. & Tom L.
Joshua B. & Sam N.
Joshua C. & Jacob B.
Kane J.
Max G. & Dominic T.
Megan H. & Georgie H.
Michael B. & James P.
Molly Hu. & Molly Ha.
Morgan W-S. & Laura S.
Mya .F & Ellie W.
Samual G.
Stephanie H. & Olivia P.
Sydanie H. & Gemma K.
Tia S & Lucy S
Zoe Y & Alice L
Year Three/Four Autumn 2009
The theme for our this term has been the Romans. We had a super trip to Wall, the Roman site as well as a lovely day with Professor McGinty and his time traveling adventures. Timezone came in and we recreated a Celtic roundhouse or as Professor McGinty calls they "poopy pointed houses"! We had a Celtic camp in the hall and then we learnt how to march like Roman soldiers and to read & write Latin and Roman numerals in Maths. We also recreated a Roman bath house in the classrooms, where the children visited each area, we had a steam room, a cold room (with swimming pool!) a masseur room with a Roman buffet! and a gymnasium with excising to help us raise our pulses! A brilliant day was had by all!
Yr 3/4 have had lunchtime sports clubs on a Tuesday and a Thursday by Progressive Sports.
Information for Parents
Reading - Children need to ensure that they bring their reading diaries and reading books to school every day. We would like children to read every night. It is important that their diaries are filled in and then signed by an adult.
Spelling - Children will bring home their spelling on a Tuesday each week and will be tested on them, the following week. Please ensure that they bring their spellings diaries to school on a Tuesday each week.
P.E/Games - All children must take part in some type of physical activity each week. It is important that the children have the correct kit with them for this. On a Tuesday the children need a white t-shirt, green/black shorts and pumps/trainers. On a Thursday the children need a tracksuit, t-shirt and suitable trainers for wearing outside.
Introductory Leaflet – Click here for a link to our introductory leaflet.
Timetable – Click here for a link to our timetable.
Autumn Term 2008
This term we have been learning about the Egyptians. We were lucky enough to have Professor McGinty – The Time Travelling Detective, visit our school to talk to the children about the Ancient Egyptians. He brought in lots of artefacts and some children even got to dress up.
Spring Term 2009
Our topic this term has been about Water. We started off looking at how we could change water from a liquid to a solid. We then went on to look at Rivers, focusing on the River Severn. On Friday 6th March, Chris Witts came to talk to the children about the River Severn, showing them various films and talking about when he was the skipper of a grain barge travelling up and down the River Severn.
We have also been down to St John’s Church to take part in a mock baptism, as part of our R.E. work. Two children volunteered to demonstrate what a full immersion baptism would be like.
As part of our art, we have been looking at pictures inspired by Paul Klee. The children have created some fantastic water inspired pictures.
Summer Term 2009
This term we are looking at the history of Lichfield. Later in the term we hope to be arranging a trip into to Lichfield and will keep you informed on when this will take place.
'Talking Books'
This term in ICT the children in year 4 have been using Microsoft Publisher to create a Talking Book on our science topic 'Moving and Growing'. Click on the links below to see/hear their work.
BODY - Billy & Luke
BODY - Sam & Oliver
BONES - Callum B.
BONES - Eleanor & Jade
BONES - Reiss & Leon
BONES - Riley & David
BOOK OF BONES - Abby & Ellie
BOOK ON LIVING PEOPLE - Ciaran & Daniel R
BOOK - Callum W & Ivan
CRAZY BONES - Issie & Maisie
MOVING & GROWING - Josh
MOVING - Reece & Charlie
MY BODY NOT YOURS - Amelia
MY BOOK - Jack & Kieran
MY MOVING BOOK - Xara
OUR BODIES - Emma & Jessica
SKELETON BODY - Max & Matthew
SKELETON - Casey & Charlotte
SKELETON - Jimmy & Dan C.
SKELETON - Mimi & Olivia.htm
THE BOOK ABOUT BODIES - Tayla & Emily
'Time Travelling Dectective'
The children in years 3 and 4 enjoyed a visit from Professor McGinty the 'Time Travelling Dectective' on Wednesday 26th September. They enjoyed listening to what it was like to live in Britain after the Romans had invaded.
They got to look at many artefacts, including drinking cups, Roman coins and a mosaic floor tile. Some children were also chosen to dress up like a Roman soldier, a rich Roman lady and a rich Roman man.
The children also got to learn about what the Romans ate, such as roasted edible dormice. They thoroughly enjoyed the visit.
Autumn Term - September 2007
In the autumn term, year 3 and 4 will be studying the Romans, as part of their topic.
To give the children an idea of Roman life, we will be visited by Timezone and Professor McGinity, who will help to bring the topic alive for the children.
In September 2005 years 3 and 4 experienced how to march like Romans and took part in a meeting between two Celtic tribes, during Timezone's workshop.