It has been another exciting week in Year 4! They had a brilliant transition day yesterday, enjoying a whole range of activities around the theme of 'Connections'. The Year 5 teachers gave us really positive feedback about the respectful behaviour and positive attitudes that the children demonstrated all day.

 

In our current classes, we have continued to further explore the question 'How can we succeed against the odds?', our exciting new project, through our English, geography, science and art lessons.

 

All of the Year 4 adults have been delighted by the wonderful writing that the children have produced. Their first person descriptive narratives have included powerful emotional language, evocative descriptions and plenty of personification to enable the reader to really imagine that they are the Endurance, experiencing the terrible Antarctic conditions: 

Will I survive or die? Bit by bit, my timbers are buckling, bending and cracking under the roaring pressure.

I am glued to the ice like I am a nut in a chocolate bar. The ice starts to compress me, showing no mercy. 

As the pain rises, the ice once again tightens around me. Soon I’m holding on for dear life as I’m disintegrating.

 

In science, we have continued to find out about different types of life cycle and compare them. We learnt that ants have a very unusual life cycle because they are eusocial animals. We also discussed why we don't find any ants in Antarctica (despite its name!). 

 

The children have been producing wonderful artwork in the style of William Grill. They are working towards producing their own composition showing the Shackleton crew in lifeboats, making their way through a maze of icebergs. Do ask your child how the artist himself has succeeded against the odds!

 

Have a fabulous weekend,

The Year 4 Team