This week in English, we wrote rich character descriptions of the Water Goddess from The Firework-Maker’s Daughter, thinking carefully about how descriptive language helps bring a character to life. We also revisited verbs and adverbs while writing about Lila’s climb up Mount Merapi, choosing words that conveyed effort, danger, and determination.

In maths, we continued our work on mixed numbers, comparing them and carrying out addition and subtraction. The children showed growing confidence when explaining their reasoning, and next week we’ll move on to improper fractions. Year 4 also explored translations of polygons, learning how shapes can be moved on a grid without changing their size or orientation.

In geography, we learnt about earthquakes, including key vocabulary such as tectonic plates, fault lines, epicentre, and seismic waves, and how these relate to the Earth’s structure.

In R.E., we learnt about the Five Ks of Sikhism — Kesh, Kara, Kanga, Kacchera, and Kirpan — discussing what each symbol represents and how they are worn as part of Sikh identity. We made links to our own school uniform, thinking about how what we wear can show belonging and shared values.

In science, we investigated how a chemical reaction can produce a gas, observing how a solid (bicarbonate of soda) reacts with a liquid (vinegar) to release carbon dioxide.

In art, Year 4 painted their Javanese masks, carefully choosing colours and patterns to reflect symbolism and meaning, bringing their designs to life.