This week in Year 4 we have been focusing on writing biographies about important inventors and scientists. The children were given the choice of researching James Blyth, Thomas Edison, or Shirley Ann Jackson. We began by researching each individual, learning about their lives, their inventions, and how their work has contributed to the world both in the past and today. The children used a range of research skills, such as reading information carefully, making notes, and identifying key facts that would be important for their biographies.

Once they had gathered their information, the children decided which inventor they wanted to write about and began planning their biographies. Many pupils chose Thomas Edison because of his well-known work developing the light bulb and the impact this has had on everyday life. Others selected James Blyth, who built one of the first electricity-producing wind turbines, helping to inspire the renewable energy technology we see today. A number of children also chose Dr Shirley Jackson, whose research contributed to the development of technologies including solar cells, which help produce solar power. The class worked hard to organise their writing into clear sections, including introductions, key life events, achievements, and the lasting impact of each inventor’s work.

Our reading comprehension lessons this week linked closely with our science and writing topics. The text focused on a power cut, which led to some excellent class discussions. We thought carefully about how much we rely on electricity in our daily lives and what might happen if we suddenly lost power at home or in school. This discussion helped the children better understand why inventions like the light bulb, wind turbines, and solar power are so important.

In maths, we have been working very hard on equivalent fractions. The children began by recreating a fraction wall to help them visually explore how different fractions can represent the same value. Using this resource, they compared fractions and discovered patterns between them. We practised finding equivalent fractions by multiplying the numerator and denominator by the same number, and the children worked together to explain their reasoning. By the end of the week, many pupils were confidently identifying and creating equivalent fractions and using the fraction wall to check their understanding. The class showed great perseverance and teamwork while tackling some challenging concepts.

We also had a very successful World Book Day this week. The children took part in a range of creative reading and writing activities inspired by Winnie-the-Pooh and the Hundred Acre Wood. They wrote their own poems and used their imagination to create a brand-new character that could live in the Hundred Acre Wood alongside the familiar characters. The children thought carefully about their character’s personality, appearance, and how they might interact with others in the story. To finish the day, they designed and created colourful bookmarks based on their new characters, which they can use in their reading books. It was a lovely way to celebrate books, creativity, and the joy of reading.