Year 4
Week Beginning – June 1st
Welcome to a new half term.
I hope you have all enjoyed the fantastic weather over the past week. It has been glorious. We have been outside a lot doing stuff in the garden and going on family walks in Baker’s Park and sometimes Bradley Woods. I hope you have had the chance to get out to enjoy the weather.
There will be a slight change in approach over the next few weeks where it will see us move away from the themed style learning and onto a daily focus. There will be however a chance to revisit the themed learning we have been exploring alongside these activities.
Monday’s Focus
Times Tables
This year you have all made fantastic progress at learning your times tables. To keep this up you can use the following site. (https://www.timestables.co.uk/multiplication-tables-check/)
Below there is an additional times tables rhyming activity you can do. It’s fun and creative. Click on the link to access.
Here are some examples of the rhymes you can create
Tuesday’s Focus
Maths
Mental Maths Train
https://www.topmarks.co.uk/maths-games/mental-maths-train
Mental Maths Train is a maths game which focuses on the essential vocabulary of addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. It can help children to understand what type of calculation they have to do when faced with word problems.
It is a multiple choice game that is suitable for children from 5 to 11 years of age. Mental Maths Train is also good for consolidation of times tables knowledge.
Wednesday’s Focus
English
Discovery Education
On the front of the learning packs received towards the end of the week, there was a username and password for a resource called ‘Discovery Education’. On Discover Education you will find lots of different resources to support your child’s learning. Check out the section ‘Espresso’ – ‘KS2’.
I hope you have been able to log into Discovery Education. Today, I would like you to do the following activity.
Once in the section KS2, please go to ‘English’ – ‘Grammar and Punctuation’ – Word – Using Standard English verb forms – Under Standard English verb forms, you will see a video screen. You will need to click on it to watch it (it can be watched again and again). Once the video clip has been watched, you can then attempt the quizzes and activity that follows it.
Additional Activity
Keep a diary of the things you get up to over the next week. There is a template below you can follow.
Thursday’s Focus
Reading
Reading Challenge.
You could read your favourite book or pages from your favourite book either by yourself, to a sibling or to an adult.
Afterwards, I would like you to design a poster to tell the story of what you read.
Remember your poster will need a title, a picture and a little bit of writing to tell the viewer what the book is all about.
Here are a couple of PowerPoint slides to help your thinking.
Friday’s Focus
Revisting Themed Learning
We would like you to review the learning that you did previously on you under the sea project. We would like you to review this learning to see if there is anything you would like to explore further. It will also give you the opportunity to add more information to your project. You might like to take it in a new direction, for example, maybe you might like to explore sea plants rather than sea creatures.
If you have not explored this yet, you still have the chance to do so!
See link below.
Please see below some additional fun activities.
t2-s-1190-the-worlds-largest-oceans-and-seas-activity-sheet-english
Have fun and happy learning.
Please take care and stay safe.
Mr Whitty
Week beginning 18th May – Mad about Maps!
Hi everyone,
I hope you had a lovely weekend and that you had the opportunity to get out to enjoy some of the fine weather. Our focus this week is Geography and mapping in particular. We are calling this week ‘Mad about Maps!’
Mad about Maps!
On Monday and Tuesday, we will be learning about maps and the key mapping skills that you need to create your own maps. You will then have the opportunity to put these skills into practice on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.
Top Tip for the week!!!!
Remember you can access maps of our local area on Google Earth. These will be really useful.
Monday:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/subjects/zbkw2hv
The link above will guide you to BBC Bitesize. There are three links that are really fun and useful. They are ‘Mapping the World’, ‘Maps’ and ‘Contours, Keys and Symbols’.
Behind each heading you will have a video to look at and a follow up activity to complete.
By doing these activities, it will set you up nicely for the rest of the week.
Tuesday:
On Discovery Education – Espresso – KS2 – Geography – Maps and Mapping. Once in ‘Maps and Mapping’, you will find four headings. First I suggest you take a look at ‘What are Maps?’ section to get an idea of what maps are all about. Then take a look at ‘Making a town map’ to see what is involved in mapping your local area and after, take a look at ‘Creating a Village Trail’.
https://central.espresso.co.uk/espresso/modules/t2_mapping/index.html
Wednesday:
Time 2 Think:
For a quick warm up activity, here is a birds-eye view of Buckland.
Can you spot places around Buckland you know? Can you see the school? Can you spot Sandringham Park? Can you find the Co-op? What else can you find? Ask your parents/carers to help you. What can they find?
Main Activity:
Mapping template:
On Wednesday, I would like you to map a room in your house with a birds-eye view – looking down from the sky!
Remember to think about scale. Scale is how big things are in relation to another. An example of this would be to think about how big a wardrobe is comparison to a bedside table. Would these items be the same size in the map of a bedroom?
Normally the bedside table would be smaller so it should appear smaller in a map you make.
Thursday:
We would invite you to get your walking shoes on as we would like you to take a walk and map your route using the key skills you have found out on Monday and Tuesday.
Friday:
For Friday’s activity we are suggesting that you make a journey to Sandringham Park to build on the skills you have been using on Wednesday and Thursday. Can you map the park using all of the map making skills you have been learning?
I hope you all stay safe and have a great week.
Mr Whitty
Watch this space for some extra fun!
Week beginning 11th May – Glorious Gardens and Captivating Creatures!
Glorious Gardens and Captivating Creatures!
Wow! What a weekend of celebration. On Friday, we marked Victory in Europe Day – VE Day. I hope you had the opportunity to celebrate with your family.
For this week’s suggested activities we want you to go to get out into your gardens or outside spaces only if you can. If you can’t, don’t worry, there will be plenty that you can do online or at your kitchen table.
Glorious Gardens and Captivating Creatures!
Monday:
Minibeasts Research
Have a look at the video on minibeasts to learn more about them. https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/topics/z6882hv/articles/z9fkwmn
There are two further activities if you scroll down further, a fill the gap activity and a quiz.
Tuesday:
Designing a Bug Hotel
Little hiding places can be hard for wildlife to find in some gardens, and what better use for all your garden or household waste and odds and ends? Build your bug hotel (also known as a wildlife hotel) and it could shelter anything from hedgehogs to toads, solitary bees to bumblebees, and ladybirds to woodlice.
With wildlife spaces in decline, this is an excellent way to provide life’s little beasts with a safe and comfy shelter.
Wednesday:
Design your own minibeast.
How might they help the environment?
What might it look like?
Has it any unique features or characteristics?
Can you draw it and label it?
Thursday:
Today we would like you to learn a little bit more about plants. I know you did a little bit about plants earlier this year. Maybe you could use the resources from today to refresh your knowledge. Bethany and I have been doing a little over the weekend. We had so much fun! We planted a strawberry plant, a tomato plant, some spinach and a plant called livingstone. The plants were donated to us by our neighbour who did not need them anymore.
Livingstone:
There are a number of videos about plants for you to watch and activities to do.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/topics/zy66fg8
Research three plants or trees of your choice.
Some ways you might like to present this might include: PowerPoint; poster, booklet, bookmark; photo diary; drawings or diagrams.
https://www.sciencekids.co.nz/sciencefacts/plants.html
Friday:
Today, we would like you to become a spy for the day. You are on a mission to investigate how many different types of bird come into your outside space. For this activity you don’t need to be able to go outside, you just need to be eagle-eyed. Birds don’t hang around so maybe you could use a phone or tablet to take a photo of it so you can refer to it later.
On the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) website, there is a bird identifier tool which is really handy and easy to use. See link below. How many different types of birds enter your garden space?
https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/wildlife-guides/identify-a-bird/
Bonus Challenge
If you are feeling up for it, have a go at designing your own garden or keeping a garden diary.
Please remember to have fun and to take care.
I look forward to hear from you soon.
Mr Whitty
Week beginning 4th May – Food for Thought !
Hi everyone. I hope this finds you all safe and well. Last week was a very exciting one and I am so pleased to learn about the amazing inventions you have been making. Thank you for sharing them with me throughout the week.
This week we are focusing our learning on Food and Exercise. The food we eat has a major influence on how we feel and on the amounts of energy we have throughout the day. This also has huge influence on our focus and on our readiness for play and learning.
Food For Thought
Monday:
Keeping track of what we eat. This week we want you to keep a food diary to document what you eat each day. To help you please see the Eatwell Guide published by the British Nutrition Foundation. This will provide some background information on the UK’s healthy eating model.
Eatwell Guide – Healthy eating model
Eatwell-Guide British Nutrition Foundation
Food Diary
Tuesday:
Food investigation – Where does our food come from?
Investigate your cupboards!
Find 10 food items that live in the cupboards of your home to see where they come from in the world. Can you find these places on a map.
http://www.yourchildlearns.com/online-atlas.htm
Wednesday:
Investigating my plate.
What does my plate of food contain?
Use the resource below to categorise the food on your plate.
Additional Activity – Survey of favourite foods within other people’s households. You could do this when on calls to parents, grandparents, friends etc… I know that when I call my parents in Ireland, the first thing I’m told is what my folks had for breakfast, lunch and dinner!!!
Thursday:
Watch the video which is embedded in the picture on the first slide.
What happens to the leftovers?
Can we reduce food waste?
Design an action plan to help combat food waste in your home.
Have a go – Bonus Challenge
Present your action plan to your parents.
What changes would you like to make in your home.
Teeth Hygiene:
What is the impact on our teeth?
Teeth and Digestion information
Teeth and digestion information
Teeth labelling
Teeth Labelling Activity Sheet
Teeth crossword
Exciting Exercise
This week we would encourage you to get involved in getting your heart rate going. We have a week of accessible to all exercises for you to enjoy. To access these you will need to go to Discovery Education.
If any of you are going for daily walks with your family, please share your pictures with me. I always love to see what you’ve been up to!
Jenny, Bethany and I try to (but not always) get out everyday either for a bike ride or a short walk in the woods near out home.
Here is what we have been up to recently…
Monday:
Watch the video and then have a go at the food and exercise quiz under activities. The activities section is located in the top left hand corner just under where it says ‘videos’. https://central.espresso.co.uk/espresso/primary_uk/subject/module/video_index/item616418/grade2/index.html
Tuesday to Thursday:
Go to Discovery Education (you’ll need the password) and find the link for Key Stage 2.
Once in the section KS2, please go to ‘PE’ – ‘Activity Challenges’ – ‘Introduction’ – ‘Jumping’ – ‘Throwing’ – ‘Running’.
Have fun learning and happy exploring….
Hope to hear from you all again soon.
Mr. Whitty
Week beginning 27th April – Important Inventions!
Hello all,
I hope you have had a lovely relaxing weekend. This week our Key Stage focus is ‘Important Inventions!’.
The famous inventor, Thomas Edison said, “To invent, you need a good imagination and a pile of junk.”
Please see below for suggested ‘Important Inventions’ activities for this week.
Monday:
Find out about life changing inventions.
Choose one from the following:
Camera, television, telephone, vaccines, car, printing press, penicillin, biro (ball point pens), electricity, light bulb, glass, pasteurisation.
You could use Espresso to help you do this (Link below).
https://central.espresso.co.uk/espresso/modules/search/index.html?source=espresso-home-mixed-topnav-search#/search/inventions?sortKey=Relevance
Tuesday:
Find out about a famous inventor:
Things to consider…
What year was the inventor born?
Where did the inventor live?
What did they invent?
How did they improve people’s lives?
Was the inventor young or old when they came up with their invention?
How is their invention used today?
Thinking activity:
Discuss with a family member whose invention was the most important and whose invention was the least important after looking at the PowerPoint below.
Link:
How things work – Famous Inventors PP and research activity
Wednesday:
Becoming an inventor!
All great inventors need thinking time, so using the knowledge you have learned so far about different inventions/inventors. Maybe you could keep a notebook of things you see around your home that might need improving. Think to yourself, how could I improve it? Would it make life easier if …?
Link to step by step approach:
Here is a step by step guide on how to become and inventor
Also, here are some video clips of some other useful inventions, just in case you need some inspiration!
https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/topics/zw44jxs/resources/1
On the link above you will find:
Edward Jenner describes his discovery of the smallpox vaccine.
Joseph Priestley describes his work and his discovery of carbon dioxide and oxygen.
Sir Alexander Fleming describes his discovery of penicillin.
The invention of super powerful magnetic grippers and their practical uses.
How Stone Age man discovered that clay could be changed into pottery by baking it in fire.
The invention and importance of tarmac.
Thursday:
Think about your own invention and design it.
In our house, Bethany decided to create a notice board for Jenny and I to store our important ‘stuff’. Before this, everything went into a big drawer never to be seen again! Now, we can simply store and see all the post, important documents, letters, keys, pens, pencils and hairbands (not that Mr Whitty needs hairbands due to his lack of hair!). Bethany decided that Jenny’s section is on the left and that my section is on the right. This has made a huge difference as we can now find things when we need them. Bethany also wanted a door stop installed on the floor to stop the kitchen door from opening and knocking stuff from the notice board to the floor. This was a really good idea too. Please see pictures of Bethany’s invention/idea. It certainly has solved a problem for us as a family.
Bethany’s idea: The Noticeboard
The door stop:
Friday:
Today, we would like you to present your invention/idea to your parents or siblings so you can convince them (Dragon’s Den style) that your invention/creation will benefit their lives.
See link to Dragons Den ideas. You can also check out YouTube videos on Dragons Den for more information.
Inventions – Dragon’s den pitch ideas
Additional learning opportunities/suggestions:
Maths:
Spelling:
Spelling Activities to help you learn.
Top Tip: Choose 5 or 6 spellings to learn at a time.
Week beginning 20th April – Musical Madness!
Week Beginning 20th April – Musical Madness!
I hope everyone had a lovely weekend. After a wet and rainy end to last week, it looks like we are back to bright sunny days, which is great.
We have a bit of a change of approach towards supporting children’s learning over the next few weeks. The week’s learning is going to have an overall theme and all activities will be linked to that theme. We hope this keeps things interesting.
This week’s theme is music as the title suggests. We will be listening, researching, singing and chatting about different types of music over the course of the week.
Let us know what you think!
Monday:
Have a look at the link to BBC Bitesize have a look at the videos, activities and quizzes.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/subjects/zwxhfg8
Tuesday:
Check out Discovery Education – ‘Espresso’ – ‘KS2’ – ‘Music’.
Once in the section KS2, please go to ‘Music’ and have fun exploring.
Wednesday:
We would like to you investigate and experience different styles of music. The musical styles we have come up with are country and western, reggae, classical, blues, soul, dance, rock, gospel. These are only a suggestion however we know there are many more.
Thursday:
On Thursday, we would like you to do some research on your favourite band or singer and then produce a poster to show what you have discovered.
Please see the link below for some ideas to get you started.
Friday:
Today we would like you to have a go at making your own music using all the skills you have discovered this week. These activities will offer you a chance to explore and have some fun creating your own music in whatever musical style you wish.
BeepBox is an online tool for sketching and sharing instrumental melodies. It gives you the option to choose from lots of different instruments and layer them onto the arrangement page to play simultaneously and make a tune.
Incredibox.com
If you type ‘incredibox’ into google it will come up straight away.
This is available online or to download as an app. This works by dragging and dropping different beat samples to the characters on screen to play. You can start and stop the sample by clicking on the character.
I liked how easy it was to record and save the tune that I made (click on the three lines to select record, save it by giving it a name when prompted to and then enter your/your parent’s email address and it will send directly to the inbox.)
Other Things to Try:
Teach your parents the chorus of your favourite song.
Learn the chorus of your parent’s favourite song.
Find and decide as a family, on your favourite lockdown song and dance.
Have a go at Youtube Karaoke with your family.
Things to keep going with:
Times Tables and reading
Have fun. Any questions, please get back in touch.
Mr Whitty
Lucas Jet Circus Activities
Lucas Jet Circus Performer – Guide to doing amazing tricks!
Do you remember Lucas Jet and Johnny? They are back with some circus activities for you to try!
Please click on the links below to check out Lucas Jet’s videos on learning circus tricks. Some activities need specialist resources but others do not.
If you do need resources, maybe you could have a go at making them? For example, you could try to make your own flowerstick!
Plate Spinning
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MjzCH1YgteI
Diabolos
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7g9OqC1lWKM&t=4s
Flowersticks
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9oOkZVYq2Y0&t=80s
A couple more for you to try.
Here’s a silly one that you don’t need any equipment for (except for toilet rolls)
Here’s my learn to juggle with only socks video.
Hope you have fun!
Year 3 and 4 Base 2 Home Learning Activities Wc 13.04.20.
Welcome back!!!
I hope everyone had a joyful and peaceful Easter break.
Please see the message below from Mrs Cousins regarding home learning provision.
I will be available to answer any questions you may have. Please use the link at the bottom of the splash page to get in touch. I will endeavour to answer any questions you may have as quickly as I can. I look forward to hearing from you soon.
In the meantime, take care and stay safe.
Yours faithfully,
Mr. Whitty
Home Learning Guidance
Summer Term 1
Spellings
Each week your child will get new spellings they need to learn (they will know if they
are usually in my group or with Mrs Louise). Please make sure you scroll down the
page because as well as their usual ‘Look, Cover, Write, Check’ way of learning, I
have also included two more spelling tasks.
Reading
Reading and Contact book expectations are the same each week. Mr Whitty will
ensure you have plenty of books on Bug Club to keep you going.
Maths
Each week your child will get maths home learning. This is to be completed over the
course of the week, not in one day. You will see it has been named ‘Year 3’ and
‘Year 4’ however please feel free to complete either one depending on how
comfortable your child feels with the learning.
Please also ensure your child is practising their times tables up to 12 X 12. There is a
wealth of resources online to support them in this. A couple of good websites are:
Hit the Button – https://www.topmarks.co.uk/maths-games/hit-the-button
Use this website to practise specific times tables.
Multiplication Check – https://www.timestables.co.uk/multiplication-tables-check/
These are random times tables, up to 12 X 12, giving your child 6 seconds between
each question to ensure they are fluid in these.
Handwriting
Please watch the following video on how to practise cursive handwriting
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2NQ6uS8blwY). Each week I have included a
booklet for you to practise forming your letters correctly. Remember you always
start from the bottom of the line and you do not join up capital letters.
English / Science Project
For the first half of the summer term we are looking at ‘Light and Shadow’. I would
like you to complete a research project over the next 6 weeks. However, unlike your
Topic research project, I would like you to research a different question each week.
These questions are on the ‘Summer Term Science Project’ page with more
information about the project.
Make sure in your project you are including the below writing skills:
Simple sentences.
Compound sentences.
Complex sentences (if you learnt these with me).
Expanded noun phrases.
Fronted adverbials.
Included words from the year 3/4 statutory word list.
Cursive handwriting.
Verb tenses are correct.
Editing – make sure you are re-reading your work so it makes sense.
Please feel free to e-mail with any questions regarding the learning. These will go
through to Mr Whitty and he will do his best to reply to you with answers.
Keep yourselves safe.
Take care, Mrs Cousins
Wishing you all the best…stay safe…speak soon!
Dear Year 3 and 4 Base 2,
Wow! What a week it has been for everyone. I am very proud of all of you for putting your safety first and staying at home. I can appreciate this has been a tough week for everyone and getting into different routines can prove challenging. I hope you are all giving yourselves credit for just how difficult this is for everyone and you are managing it fantastically no doubt!
As I prepare to for my little baby to arrive, I wanted to say a thank you. It has been a pleasure teaching all of you. You have all made great progress in yourselves and your learning. I would also like to thank your mum’s, dad’s, and the rest of your families for supporting you (fast tracking their way to ‘teacherhood’).
With not knowing if the school remains closed after the Easter holiday, I wanted to reassure you your learning will not cease! However there will be a slight change. Instead of receiving daily learning activities you will receive it weekly. Mr Whitty will make sure it is uploaded to our class webpage. Please feel free to contact the school with any questions; Mr Whitty will do his best to reply to these. Mr Whitty will also check your Bug Clubs and make sure you have plenty of books.
Remember to stay safe, help out around the house and be kind to one another.
See you all soon!
Mrs Cousins.
Friday 27th March 2020
Friday 27th March 2020
Good morning base 2,
We have reached day 5 and the last day of learning before you go into the Easter holidays! You are all doing amazingly well.
For today I would like you to complete the following:
Exercise
I hope you are keeping up with Joe Wicks and are able to do the other exercises I gave you. Have many of you tried ‘Under the Sea’ Yoga that was recommended?
English
I would like you to consolidate your learning of Adverbials. On Bug Club I have allocated you a learning game called ‘Using Adverbials’. There are plenty of challenges for you to complete.
Maths
Play the ‘Multiplication Maths Game’ you were given.
Continue with your times table practise.
(https://www.timestables.co.uk/multiplication-tables-check/)
Reading and Comments
Continue with your reading.
Yesterday, David Walliams released a free audiobook on https://www.worldofdavidwalliams.com/elevenses/. For those of you that like a routine, a new book is shared at 11:00 daily, however you can access any he has previously shared on his website at any time.
Life Education
Don’t forget to see what Harold has been up to: https://www.coramlifeeducation.org.uk/harolds-daily-diary
Easter Home Learning
If you scroll back through the webpage you will see ‘Easter Home Learning’. For the next two weeks you need to complete this.
I hope you have a well-deserved Easter break eating lots of chocolate (that includes mums and dads as well!).
Take care, Mrs Cousins.