Mathematics
This term we have been using the Abacus scheme, which is a valuable toolkit used to teach Mathematics to Year 4 pupils. It houses many different resources which we use daily to teach mathematical concepts, and it is packed with fun games and activities that help reinforce what the girls have learned. What’s more, the girls have access to games and resources from the comfort of home.
Through this programme, the girls have been learning about units of measurement, fractions, and clockwork. Beyond demonstrating their knowledge of large number bonds and multiplication facts, the girls have been diving deeper into addition and subtraction facts, learning various methods to solve three and four digit problems. Overall, the girls have shown a keen interest in Mathematics, and we will continue to pursue mastery of concepts.
Science
Building on the girls’ Charlie and the Chocolate Factory book study we decided that for our electricity focus in Science we would design and make everlasting gobstopper runs, to incorporate a circuit and a switch. So, in STEM lessons this term the girls learnt about circuits and switches and even made their own to use in their gobstopper runs; the gobstopper travels down several ramps and drops into a small bucket, activating the switch the girls have made, which then turns on a set of fairy lights.
The girls tried assembling marble runs to see how they could improve their designs, and then assembled their structures using ply wood, corrugated plastic, glue guns, bells, fairy lights, plastic cups, paper clips, sponges and split pins. They then incorporated their own switches to trigger the fairy lights. We were all really thrilled with the results.
This half term in Science we are focusing on volcanoes, which links well with our Science topic of solids, liquids, gases and changing states.
Enrichment
Since returning from the half term break Year 4 pupils have been participating in a weekly session of enrichment.
These sessions have been focused on different challenges related to different aspects of Mary Ward’s life, and the girls have explored why her name is significant, why she chose to become a Nun, and what her life might have been like if she had remained a lay person.
As the girls explored these topics in depth they were given opportunities to understand their own histories and the history of the school, and they have been able to use their creative talents to make mini-projects. The girls are really enjoying this approach to learning.
Humanities
The girls’ book study also linked in with our Geography and History work. They have been learning about the origins of chocolate; where it came from, and when it came to Europe. They did some detailed map work comparing old Mayan and Aztec maps with modern day Mexico maps, and made their own maps, including keys to show both the ancient and modern cities in the same area. The girls also completed some independent research into how the Mayans and Aztecs used chocolate, and the history behind how it came into the hands of the Spanish and, eventually, how it came to Britain.
They worked really well on their independent projects, which they then presented to the class, based on one of the following questions:
1) What did the Mayans do with chocolate?
2) How did the Aztecs come to know about chocolate?
3) How did chocolate come to Europe?
4) What is the story of chocolate in Britain?
The girls also completed some really constructive and detailed peer assessment evaluations and learnt a lot from each other’s research efforts.
Art
The girls were keen to develop their book study in Art by studying Quentin Blake’s illustrations in the book.
After a brilliant drawing session with an experienced professional illustrator, Debbie Bellaby, the girls were inspired to try their hands at drawing their own versions of their favourite Quentin Blake characters.