This week in science, we all explored the micro-habitats of the school field. For example, we looked under a log and found worms, millipedes, a snail, a stag beetle and woodlice. They seem to like the damp, dark environment. After discovering the animals, we were able to classify them using a branching diagram which we created in class last week. We are so lucky to have these outdoor spaces to conduct our science lessons.
Year 4 have all had their first woodwind lesson this week which was taught by the Richmond Music Trust. Everyone has learnt how to play the first two notes on a dood which is a mini clarinet. Hopefully, by the end of the term there will be some sweet music coming from the year 4 corridor! In other areas of the curriculum, we have been outside in our wonderful grounds using maps and compasses.
Year 4 had an amazing time on their first residential trip last week at the Field Studies Centre, Juniper Hall. The children impressed us with their behaviour and maturity whilst we were there, and we were delighted with the fact that the staff at Juniper Hall were full of praise for their attitude and excellent questions during activities. Everyone took part in shelter building, bush craft skills, using compasses, orienteering, mammal trapping and singing around a campfire. But perhaps more important than their fieldwork was the development of their independence. Year 4 parents can find out more about our adventures at our assembly next Thursday morning.
Following the success of our 'play in a day' workshops last week, we have continued to use the book Leon and the Place Between to inspire our work. This week, we have completed a design and technology project using levers and linkages to create a moving picture for a page for a pop-up book. This example shows a magic bunny whose ears move from side to side. On the subject of bunnies, have a wonderful Easter break. We look forward to our return to school and Juniper Hall!
In science, year 4 have been learning about the very first part of the human digestive system - our teeth. As well as learning about the different types of teeth, we have conducted an experiment using eggs where the eggshells represent the enamel of our teeth. Ask your children about the surprising results. We are also welcoming a local dentist into our classroom today to help us understand how to look after our important teeth. No excuses for anything less than excellent dental care!
At the end of the half term, year 4 celebrated the end of their geography topic with a day filled with Japanese activities. Everyone made their own sushi which they then tasted and evaluated. Everyone took part in a workshop on taiko drumming. Finally, everyone looked at the work of Hokusai and used his designs as inspiration for designing a kimono which they then painted with watercolours. Arigato to Yumi and Mika for teaching the children how to make sushi.
All of year 4 have been on a fabulous trip to a Hindu temple this week. Sree Ganapathy is in Wimbledon and we were told that it is the oldest Hindu temple in Europe. We watched puja (a religious service) and used all of our senses to notice the rituals taking place. It was a fabulous experience so we are very grateful to the temple for allowing us to visit and also for the squash and biscuits! We were able to ask lots of questions after the service so we learnt more about the Hindu faith.
Our science topic for the half-term is 'sound'. We have been exploring pitch and volume using instruments and elastic bands. We have learnt that sound travels through the air, liquid or solids in vibrations. Here is a picture of us testing out the strength of sound waves using string telephones which we made. Next week we will learn more about our ears!
The children have done some great learning in the first few days of 2026. In English, we have started reading Kensuke's Kingdom and have begun to follow the story's hero on his adventures as he sails around the world with his family. There has been a lot of new vocabulary to understand so we have been adding these words to our glossary. We are also plotting the journey on a map of the world. Next week we will pretend to be Michael and write a letter to his best friend telling him all about the exciting and sometimes terrifying adventures.
The white witch's spell is becoming weaker and Father Christmas has returned to Narnia. Hurrah! In year 4 we have continued to be inspired by the story and the children have written some mouth-watering descriptions of an unforgettable meal which was inspired by Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy's tea with the beavers. We are hard at work on our Design and Technology project - creating a light up scene of Narnia inside a wardrobe. This brings together our science, DT, art and English learning. We hope Father Christmas is able to visit all the Sheen Mount families!
Having learnt how to stay safe around electricity, year 4 are now busy making circuits. They have made a light bulb light up by figuring out that they need to complete a circuit and this week they have investigated different materials to decide which are conductors of electricity and which are insulators. They have all enjoyed the hands-on learning in this exciting topic. In a completely different area of learning (water and electricity don't mix), year 4 have now finished their school swimming lessons for the year. They have all made super progress in the pool!
This morning, year 4 were lucky to have a workshop with Graham from Accent Catering (who provide our school dinners). We learnt about the importance of farmers who provide us with our vegetables and the nutritional value of different vegetables. He taught us about food waste and gave us some shocking facts about the amount of vegetables wasted in the UK every year. Next we made a delicious salad with peas, mange tout, pea shoots, green beans, feta cheese, lemon and olive oil and finally we each planted a pea to take home. In our French lesson today we continued to learn how to shop for vegetables in France. Do you know how to say 'pea' in French?
