Voice Thread!

Year 4 have been extremely busy this past week typing up their imaginative stories at home. It was all worth it though when we got to read each others and peer assess them during I.C.T. The children are very proud of their work and would love anyone that is reading our blog to leave a comment telling the children what you think they did really well and what they could work on to improve their writing skills.

We would also love parents to leave a comment after this post about what they think of this new technology/website.

Zoha's Imaginative Story

Naeem's Imaginative Story

Senna and Sharko's Scarey Adventure by Isabella

For the Parents:
What did you think of Isabella's story?

Waves and the Lost Mum by Eden

For the Parents:
Please leave 2 stars and a wish, what two things did she do really well and one thing that she could work on?

The Magical Anchor by Holly

Elliot's Imaginative Story

Humpback Whale

Two classes have now found the humpback whale, so let's try and get some more information about the biggest species we have found so far!Have a good look at the whale in the video and then research online to find out more. Once you have found some exciting facts read the In the Comments section under the video and leave your comment.

In the Comments:
• Research and write an interesting fact about a Humpback Whale.
• Let's see how many facts we can find!

The Children Seeing the Room for the First Time

Once Mrs. Waite had cut the ribbon to open the room the children were allowed in to finally see what was there. Look at their reactions! I am sure they are going to be writing some great pieces in there.


In the Comments:
• Write a sentence about how you felt the first time you entered the room.
• How do you think it will help your writing?

The Grand Opening

For the past two weeks the year 4 team have been building a writing corner for the children to use when they need inspiration. This has been kept as a secret and the children have had no idea what has been going on. Today we invited Mrs. Waite to the grand opening of the writing room, the children were really excited to see what was inside . . .

For the Parents:
• Do you think the room will be a useful resource for your children?
• Would this have been helpful to you when you were at school?

WE FOUND A WHALE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

In case you didn't hear the massive cheer coming from my classroom this afternoon I thought I would let you know that 4A found a whale! We were swimming in the Deep Valley and passing by some rocks when just to the left of us we saw a giant light blue whale passing by above us. I have never seen the children so excited before! We then immediately ran out of the classroom and measured its 15 meter length. It turned out 15 meters was the length of our corridor, have a look at the moment we found thw whale . . .

Save the dolphin or look at the Manta Ray?

We then headed to the Lagoon and found the dolphin again. It was stuck there and needed our help to set it free. We also saw a Manta Ray swimming around the lagoon and 4C had not seen a Manta Ray before which brought up the question; should we save the dolphin or look at the Manta Ray? What would you do?

In the Comments:
• Find and write a fact about a dolphin.

The Dolphin is Going to Follow Us!

Whilst scouring the plants and anemones this after noon 4B found a medal. This medal allowed them to make friends with a dolphin. This is the moment that they found out that the dolphin would follow them . . . listen to the scream from Shwetha. Now that's excitment in school!

Eels . . . Yuk!

Miss. Carter joined 4B on her first dive today, and what a dive it was. It started out poorly when they went on a dive with someone that turned out to be in a bit of a bad mood. However after they left him they managed to be the first class to find some eels. They also found out how to explore the corals for really small species. The other two classes are going to be jealous when they find out!

Another Day Another Dive

What a day! 4A found a group of dolphins and tried to make friends with it. The Dolphin that we found swam around with us for a short perios of time however when we went back to the boat we lost it. We also started completing our missions this week and were given a pen and a submarine suit for our efforts.

Andy Warhol Pop Art

Over the past couple of weeks all three year 4 classes have been making their own Pop Art Ocean Paintings. Have a look at what we did and some of the finished paintings. What do you think, do you like them?

Habitats and Organisms with 4A

Mr. McCafferty's class also set foot outside of the classroom this week to try and find some habitats and organisms around the school. What did we find? 4A also have homework this week to find out what habitats and organisms they can find at home or in their gardens . . . I wonder what they will find.

Science with 4B . . .

Miss. Carter took her class outside into the playground this week to hunt for habitats. The hunt went well and they managed to find lots of animals and found out where they live. What did you find 4B?

Parental Engagement Week

GWPS has been a very busy place this week with parents coming and going to various lessons and activities. If any of the parents were in Year 4 for anything this week we would greatly appreciate your thoughts and comments.

Tickling a Walrus.

While looking at the Walrus Salaih started to tickle it. The class found this hysterical.

A Walrus on board!

4A completed another dive and returned to the boat much like 4C did the previous day when they found the three seals on the deck, however this time 4A were met on board by a 4 meter long walrus.

4C Find More Seals . . . On Their Boat!

Finally after a long dive 4C returned to their boat to have a rest. However when they got back they found a surprise waiting for them . . . three seals lying on the deck!

4C Find a Seal . . .

Miss. Emmett's class were on a dive yesterday and managed to find a seal. They are the first class to find a mammal and were really excited about it.

Solving the Problem

The problem this week was how to guide a blindfolded member of your team through the obstacle course/maze without speaking. The children made a plan then tried it out, have a look and see how one group did.

Problem Solving with Mr. McCafferty

During Numeracy with our parents this week we took the classroom outside and participated in some problems solving activities. So that the children remember the stages of solving the problem we sing (or shout) our problem solving chant, it goes like this:
Identify the problem so you all understand,
Then you listen to each other coz you've got to make a plan,
Then you do it, you do it, you do it, do it, do it,
Then you check.

Imaginative Stories with the Parents 2

This is what the group with the Anchor thought up . . .

Imaginative Story Writing with the Parents.

In 4A today we were visited by five parents for our literacy lesson. The children and parents were inspired by the objects brought in to class and managed to think up excellent imaginative stories. This is what the group with the treasure chest came up with . . .

Habitats in the Playground

The children discussed which habitats could be found outside in the school playground. Have a look at the habitats we found below:

Perry's Story Ending

Old Nick’s eyes narrowed, “Yes, I have one of those; however I will not give it to you.”
Monica frowned at Old Nick,” WHAT!!” She yelled. Monica was furious!
Although she was extremely desperate to fix the problem, she had to do something
for all the damage she had caused. “There has to be something I can do?”
She asked.” I have a clue for you; you have to use your pencil.” Then Monica had a brilliant idea.
She got out her pencil and began to draw a magic eraser. Monica rubbed out every single damage prank she had made.

What we learned from Mr. Moss.

One Mr. Moss had left the classroom Year 4 made a new Wallwisher page then wrote on it all the things they found out and they found out a lot of things. Click on the link below to see what we wrote:

What We Learned From Mr. Moss

Mr. Moss' Atlantis Talk Part 2

The Year 4 children had a great day listening to Mr. Moss at the end he asked them some questions to find out what they remembered . . .

Mr. Moss' Atlantis Talk.

Mr. Moss made a visit to Year 4 today and gave us a talk on his work at Atlantis. Mr. Moss went onto tell the children all about Sharks and the pupils managed to learn a lot of new information.

Mrs. Desai's talk about making clothes.

Mrs. Desai came into 4C this today to give a talk to the class about making her own clothes. Thanks a lot Mrs. Desai it was great! Have a look at the pictures below.

Parental Engagement Week

Today we kicked off our parental engagement week in style with a great assembly by Miss. Cylke followed in year 4 by talks by Mrs. Desai, Mr. Moss and Mrs. Shah.

We can't wait for more parents to come in and talk to us and for the parents to visit to see some of our lessons.

There will be lots of videos and pictures put on the blog throughout the week so keep watching this space . . .

Zoha's Story Opening.

In literacy this week Year 4 were asked to write an opening for a story set under the sea. They used the beginning of Finding Nemo as a stimulus, this is what Zoha wrote:

One day under the bright blue sea there lived two clown fish they lived in a patch of poisons’ pink anemone. Their names were Carlin and Marlin. One day Carlin layed eggs Marlin was so happy he could not keep his big mouth shut. When Marlin came home Carlin decided to show him the eggs. They swam to the cave under the anemone Marlin was amazed when he saw the small red delicate eggs. He turned around, Carlin was gone! Marlin found Carlin staring at a giant fierce barracuda,
“Let’s go,” whispered Marlin to Carlin.
Carlin did not reply. Suddenly the barracuda struck,
“No!” Shouted Marlin but he was too late Carlin had already been eaten by the Barracuda.

4B First Dive

4B are just back from their first dive in Manuarai and what a dive it was. They managed to find a Leopard Whipray. The Whipray is a massive 5 meters long and also has a poisonous tail. This is the largest species we have discovered yet!

Our first class dive.

This afternoon 4A embarked on their first dive as a class. We took a dive into the depths of the Manurai Lagoon, then swam out to the Coral Forest where we found a Manta Ray. Watch us discover it below . . .

What we want to learn . . .

The children in year 4 have been busy adding questions to their wallwisher page. Have a look below at what we want to find out during our topic. Feel free to follow the link on the right hand side of our blog to add in questions of your own.

Massage in Year 4

Year 4 have been trialing massage in class throughout term 1. The potential benefits of massage within education are numerous. Studies and observations have shown that:
• children have more confidence
• children become calmer
• children have improved concentration
• there is a reduction in bullying and aggression
• children are happier at school
• children develop better motor skills
• it teaches children to respect themselves and others
• the teacher can benefit from a calmer classroom and improved listening skills
• massage is fun!
Now sit back relax and enjoy our short video clip of our massage . . .

What do we want to learn . . .

WOW, first day back and already we have lots of work on our blog! Have a look at all the questions year 4 want to answer by the end of our Endless Ocean topic at:

www.wallwisher.com/wall/year4divers

Please feel free to add your own questions.

Welcome back!

Welcome back to school. I hope you are all ready for an exciting term! Keep watching the blog as there are going to be a lot of posts coming up showing everyone all the fantastic work we are doing in Year 4.

I can't wait to get started,

Mr. McCafferty.