Class Blog for Marazion Y3 Y4

Week ending 06.06.25

As we conclude another vibrant week in our Year 3 and 4 classrooms, we're thrilled to share the exciting learning journeys your children have embarked upon.

English: Exploring Recounts

This week, our young writers delved into the world of recounts. They focused on:

Fronted Adverbials of Time: Phrases like "Afterwards," and "Later that day," were used to sequence events effectively.

Apostrophes for Contraction: Understanding how words like "did not" become "didn't" enhanced their grammatical skills.

Identifying Key Features: Students examined various recount texts to pinpoint essential elements such as chronological order and personal reflections.

Maths: Decimals and Fractions

Our mathematicians have been busy:

Year 4: Continued their exploration of decimals, representing tenths and hundredths on number lines and bar models, and understanding their relationship with fractions .

Year 3: Focused on fractions, using number lines and bar models to identify and represent equivalent fractions .

History: Investigating King Alfred the Great

In history, students became detectives, examining various sources about King Alfred the Great. They learned to:

Identify Bias: Understanding that historical accounts can be influenced by the author's perspective.

Evaluate Sources: Discussing the reliability and purpose of different historical documents .

Art: Observational Drawing

Our artists practiced seeing shapes within objects to enhance their observational drawing skills. This exercise helped them:

Break Down Complex Images: By identifying basic shapes, students improved their ability to draw more accurately.

Develop Attention to Detail: Focusing on subtle differences in shapes and proportions.

PE: Sprinting Skills

Physical education sessions emphasised:

Sprinting Techniques: Proper posture, arm movement, and starting positions.

Racing Practice: Applying techniques in friendly competitions to build speed and confidence .

Year 4 Multiplication Tables Check

Year 4 students have commenced the statutory Multiplication Tables Check, designed to assess fluency in times tables up to 12×12. We're proud of their positive attitude and dedication .

Upcoming Events

Saturday – Saltash Regatta Parade: Please join us at Victoria Gardens at 9:45 AM for the 10:00 AM parade. Children should wear bright clothing to represent our school spirit.

Monday – Deer Park Farm Trip: An exciting start to our new topic! Ensure your child arrives at school at the usual time, dressed appropriately for a farm visit, and brings a packed lunch, water bottle, and waterproof coat.

Thank you for your continued support. We look forward to another week of learning and adventure!

Week Ending 22.05.25

As we approach the half-term break, we're excited to share the enriching activities and learning experiences your children have engaged in this week.

English: Crafting Imaginary Worlds

This week, our English lessons transported students into the realm of creative writing. They crafted stories set in imaginative worlds, employing figurative language and expanded noun phrases to bring their narratives to life. This exercise not only enhanced their descriptive writing skills but also encouraged them to explore the depths of their imagination.

Mathematics: Exploring Fractions and Decimals

In Year 3, students focused on comparing unit fractions and fractions with identical denominators. They learned that among unit fractions, the larger the denominator, the smaller the fraction, and practiced ordering them accordingly.

Year 4 students delved into the world of decimals. They connected hundredths to tenths and place value, extending their understanding of the number line to link fractions, numbers, and measure.

Geography: The Spread of Christianity in Anglo-Saxon Britain

Our geography lessons explored the historical spread of Christianity during the Anglo-Saxon era. Students learned about key figures like St. Augustine, who began converting influential Anglo-Saxon leaders such as King Ethelbert of Kent around 595 AD, leading to significant cultural and religious transformations in Britain.

PSHE: Understanding and Addressing Bullying

In PSHE, the focus was on recognising bullying and understanding appropriate responses. Students discussed various scenarios, learning strategies to address and prevent bullying, fostering a supportive and respectful school environment.

Design and Technology: Castle Construction Day

A highlight of the week was our Design and Technology day, where students designed and built model castles. They incorporated features such as turrets, towers, flags, and drawbridges, using materials like cardboard and recycled items. This hands-on activity allowed them to apply their knowledge of 2D and 3D shapes creatively.

Special Events: Playground Opening and Author Workshop

Excitement filled the air with the opening of the new KS1 playground. Each child received a lunchbox and water bottle to celebrate this occasion.

Additionally, students enjoyed sharing reading sessions with Tregantle class outdoors, taking advantage of the sunny weather.

We also hosted an online author workshop with Neill Cameron, known for "Donut Squad." Students enthusiastically participated, designing their own characters and gaining insights into the creative process of comic book creation.

Looking Ahead

Please note that tomorrow is an INSET day, and the following week is half-term. We encourage you to enjoy this time with your families. We look forward to welcoming the students back after the break, refreshed and ready for more learning adventures.

Week ending 16.05.24

We’ve had a wonderfully creative and hands-on week in Years 3 and 4, filled with storytelling, scientific discovery, historical investigation, and exciting physical challenges. Here's a look at what your children have been learning:

English – Imaginary Worlds Come to Life

This week, our budding authors embarked on a journey into imaginary worlds. They began by designing their own fantastical settings, drawing inspiration from their vivid imaginations. These illustrations served as the foundation for planning the opening of their own stories. The focus was on crafting engaging introductions that set the scene and introduce characters, aligning with the national curriculum's emphasis on developing narrative writing skills in Years 3 and 4 .

Maths – Fractions and Shapes

In Maths:

Year 3: Students explored fractions, learning to recognise, find, and write fractions such as 1/3, 1/4, 2/4, and 3/4 of a length, shape, set of objects, or quantity. They also practiced writing simple fractions and understanding equivalence, such as recognizing that 2/4 is the same as 1/2 .
Year 4: The focus was on geometry, specifically identifying and classifying shapes, understanding their properties, and exploring symmetry. This aligns with the curriculum's goal of enhancing spatial reasoning and geometric understanding in Year 4 .

Science – Magnetism and Compasses

We concluded our unit on magnetism by investigating how compasses work. Students learned that a compass needle aligns itself with Earth's magnetic field, always pointing north. They explored how this property has been historically significant for navigation. This hands-on exploration helped solidify their understanding of magnetic forces and their practical applications .

Design & Technology – Castle Designs

In Design and Technology, the children applied their knowledge of medieval structures to design their own castles. They considered features such as turrets, drawbridges, and moats, ensuring their designs met specific success criteria. This project encouraged creativity and practical application of design principles .

PE – Standing Long Jump with Argyle Coach

This week's PE sessions were led by a coach from Argyle, focusing on the standing long jump. Students practiced proper technique, emphasising balance, coordination, and explosive power. This activity not only improved their physical skills but also introduced them to athletic events in a fun and engaging way .

RE & Computing – Exploring Beliefs and Digital Literacy

In a combined RE and Computing lesson, students explored various religious beliefs and how they are represented in digital media. They discussed the importance of respectful representation and learned basic skills in creating digital presentations to share their understanding. This interdisciplinary approach helped students appreciate the intersection of technology and cultural studies .

History – Uncovering the Secrets of Sutton Hoo

Our young historians delved into the mystery of Sutton Hoo, examining artifacts to deduce who might have been buried there. Through critical thinking and analysis, they learned about Anglo-Saxon culture and the significance of burial practices. This investigative approach fostered a deeper understanding of historical inquiry .

Looking Ahead – Sistema Playground Grand Opening

We are excited to announce the grand opening of our new Sistema Playground on Tuesday! This event will celebrate the culmination of our students' hard work and provide a fantastic new space for play and learning. Families are welcome to join us for the ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Thank you for your continued support. We look forward to another week of learning and discovery!

Summer Term Week 3

What a fantastic week we’ve had in Marazion Class! The highlight was undoubtedly our celebration of VE Day. The children took part in a meaningful and insightful assembly, reflecting on the importance of peace and remembrance. This was followed by a joyful picnic lunch on the school field, where everyone enjoyed time together in the sunshine, marking the day in a special and memorable way.

In English, our focus has been on enhancing descriptive writing. The children have been exploring the use of figurative language and expanded noun phrases to bring imaginary settings to life. It’s been wonderful to see their creativity flourish as they crafted vivid and imaginative descriptions, using language to transport their readers to far-off, magical places.

Our Maths learning has taken different directions for each year group. Year 3 have successfully wrapped up their work on length and perimeter and are now diving into fractions with great enthusiasm. Year 4, meanwhile, have started an exciting new topic on angles and triangles.

In History, we’ve been exploring the fascinating period of change and continuity between the Iron Age and the Anglo-Saxons. The children have been comparing aspects of daily life, culture, and settlement, developing a deeper understanding of how societies evolve over time.

PSHE this week focused on resolving conflicts and how to act respectfully during disagreements with friends. These sessions provided valuable strategies for handling arguments and promoting positive relationships.

In RE, we continued our learning about the Muslim faith, with a particular focus on Ramadan. The children have been thoughtful and inquisitive, asking meaningful questions and developing respect for different beliefs and practices.

Science lessons carried on with our topic of magnetism. The children have enjoyed investigating how magnets work and conducting hands-on experiments to explore magnetic forces. In Computing, we continued learning about emails—how they work, how to use them safely, and their importance in modern communication.

Our PE sessions with the Argyle Community Trust coach have been filled with energy and laughter. The focus has been on athletics, with children developing key skills through fun and engaging games. It’s been great to see their confidence and teamwork grow.

Finally, in Design and Technology, we’ve been using 3D nets to support our ongoing castle design project. The children have been applying their mathematical understanding in a practical way, using their nets to create models and develop their ideas.

It’s been a rich and rewarding week of learning across the curriculum. Thank you for your continued support—have a lovely weekend!

Summer Term Week 2

We’ve had another exciting and enriching week in Year 3 and 4! Here's a round-up of what your children have been exploring and learning across the curriculum:

English – Exploring Imaginary Worlds and Figurative Language

This week, we’ve delved into texts set in imaginative and fantastical worlds. The children have enjoyed describing settings and characters using powerful figurative language, including similes and personification. Their creativity has truly shone as they painted vivid pictures with their words!

Maths – Perimeter and Fractions

In Maths, our Year 3s have begun learning about perimeter—they’ve measured the edges of shapes and are starting to calculate total lengths confidently. Meanwhile, Year 4 pupils have continued their work on fractions, deepening their understanding of equivalent fractions and learning how to place them on number lines.

Science – Marvellous Magnets

The children have been investigating magnets, discovering which materials are magnetic and learning about poles and magnetic forces. They were fascinated to find out how magnets can attract or repel without touching!

History – The Anglo-Saxon Invasion

In History, we’ve been asking: Why did the Anglo-Saxons invade Britain? The class explored reasons such as land, resources, and settlement opportunities. We’ve looked at maps and artefacts to understand how they travelled and where they settled.

PSHE – Setting Boundaries in Relationships

Our PSHE focus this week was on setting boundaries and understanding respectful relationships. The children discussed different types of relationships and practised how to express their feelings and needs in a healthy, confident way.

Computing – Sending Emails

A big moment this week in Computing as the children learned how to compose and send their own emails! They were introduced to email safety and etiquette and practised sending polite, purposeful messages.

PE – Agility, Balance and Coordination with Argyle Trust

We were thrilled to welcome a coach from the Argyle Trust for our first PE session together. The children played fast-paced games focused on improving agility, balance, and coordination—and they absolutely loved it!

RE – The Second Pillar of Islam

In RE, we explored the second pillar of Islam – Salah, the practice of prayer. Children discussed the importance of prayer in Muslim life and how it shows discipline, focus, and connection to faith.

Design & Technology – Designing Strong and Sturdy Castles

This week in DT, we looked at the key features of castles—moats, towers, battlements—and discussed what makes a castle strong and secure. The children then used this knowledge to begin designing their own impressive fortresses!

Reading Assembly – A Cat Called Waverly

In our KS2 reading assembly, we enjoyed the story of A Cat Called Waverly, which beautifully echoed our projected characteristics such as resilience, curiosity, and compassion. It sparked some wonderful discussions afterwards.

Thank you for your continued support. We’re so proud of the enthusiasm and effort the children bring to their learning each day.

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Summer Term Week 1

Royal Institution for Science Visit!

Welcome back! We hope you all had a restful and joyful Easter break. It’s been wonderful to see the children return full of energy and enthusiasm for the term ahead. They’ve settled beautifully back into their learning routines and have already made a fantastic start. Here’s what we’ve been up to this week:

English – Wow Words Galore!

In English, we’ve been diving into some exciting vocabulary work, focusing on Tier 2 ‘wow’ words to really boost our descriptive writing. These words help children to express themselves more precisely and powerfully. We’ve been exploring their meanings, using them in sentences, and discussing how they enhance our writing. You might hear some impressive new words popping up at home!

Maths – Multiplying the Fun!

Maths has been buzzing this week! We’ve been:

Practising our times tables in fun and interactive ways,
Exploring length, converting between units (like metres and centimetres),
And continuing our work on fractions, developing our understanding of parts of a whole.

The children have shown great resilience and reasoning skills—brilliant work all round!

History – Illuminated Beginnings

Our new history topic is titled "How Hard Was It to Invade and Settle in Britain?" We launched it with a creative and engaging ‘Wow Starter’—exploring illuminated lettering, just like the early medieval manuscripts. The children were fascinated to learn about their history and significance and even had a go at designing their own!

RE – Exploring Muslim Festivals

In Religious Education, we began learning about Islamic festivals and their importance to Muslims around the world. We’ve started to look at the values behind these celebrations and how they are observed. The children have shown great respect and interest—ask them about what they’ve discovered so far!

PSHE – Building Positive Relationships

This week in PSHE, we’ve begun our focus on relationships. Through stories and discussion, we’ve explored themes such as kindness, empathy, and how to be a good friend. A thoughtful and reflective start to this important topic.

PE – Sprinting into Summer!

Our athletics unit kicked off with some energetic sprinting sessions! The children practised their starting positions, learned about technique, and gave it their all on the track. We’re very excited to welcome a coach from Argyle Community Trust starting next week to help us develop our skills even further.

Please remember: PE kits every Wednesday this term!

A Visit from the Royal Institution of Science!

One of the week’s biggest highlights was a special visit from the Royal Institution of Science! The children were wowed by exciting demonstrations and investigations linked to climate and global change. Not only were the experiments thrilling, but they also delivered important messages about looking after our planet. A truly inspiring experience!

Brunel Day – Celebrating a Brilliant Engineer!

Today we celebrated Brunel Day—a special event named in honour of our school's namesake, the incredible Isambard Kingdom Brunel. The day was packed with fun and creativity, especially in Design and Technology, where the children put their engineering skills to the test! They learned more about Brunel’s fascinating life and the huge impact he had on Britain as a pioneering engineer—designing bridges, tunnels, and of course, building the Great Western Railway. It was inspiring for the children to see how one person's ideas and determination could transform a whole country. A wonderful way to bring history, engineering, and creativity together!

Thank you, as always, for your continued support. We’re looking forward to a term packed with learning, creativity, and fun!

w/e 4.4.25

As we come to the end of the Spring term, we haven't slowed down! And our Roman Chariots weren't slowing down either! We really enjoyed using the saws and making our chariots, and then racing them in the hall together!

This week, we also practiced our new playground game, Cups and Saucers and thought about our emotions when using the Internet.

And of course, we enjoyed our FANTASTIC overnighter to Dartmoor!

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w/e 28.3.25

Wow, these weeks are flying past, they're so jam packed! Let's see what's been going on this week!

It started off with the most AMAZING visit to the Space Dome - as we lay on our backs admiring the night sky, we were transported to space stations, moons, meteors and even back in time! A wonderful, memorable experience had by all!

English - we are planning our balanced arguments about digging up our school field for the Roman remains - will they turn out to be genuine or not? Will we lose our field?

On Monday, some children from each class visited the 'Story Caravan', a truly magical place full of awe and wonder! What a special treat!

History - we learned about Hadrian's wall and Vindolanda fort - some amazing artefacts from Roman times have been found there and we analysed some of these to see what we could learn about the Romans that lived there. Fascinating stuff!

In RE, we learned about the weird and wonderful Penzance festival of Golowen. We were all really taken by the Obby Oss! What a strange creature it is! It looks like a really exciting festival, too!

Science - we learned about how different surface textures affect the speed of objects moving down them - we used ramps and toy cars to experiment with the hypothesis that a rougher surface creates more friction and will therefore slow the car down. We were right!

Also on Friday, Year 4 were taken over to the library to take part in 'Biowatch' and do some arts and crafts about the world around us! Can they tell you all about it?

Have a lovely weekend and we'll see you all back on Monday for the final week of term!

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Week ending 21.03.25

We’ve had an action-packed and exciting week in Year 3 and 4, full of discoveries, creativity, and teamwork! Here’s a look at what we’ve been up to:

English – A Mysterious Discovery!
A thrilling discovery on the school field has sparked curiosity and debate in our classroom! The children have been formulating arguments for and against various possibilities, using the language of debate in their writing. They have also been practising their amazing oracy skills, confidently discussing their viewpoints in preparation for their balanced argument writing.

Maths – Measuring Up and Mastering Numbers
Year 3 have embarked on their new topic of length and perimeter, exploring how to measure and calculate distances and boundaries. Meanwhile, Year 4 have been delving into fractions and decimals, developing their understanding of how numbers can be represented in different ways.

History – Marching Like Romans
The children had a fantastic time drilling like Roman soldiers! They researched what made the Roman army so powerful and put their knowledge into practice with some impressive marching and formation exercises.

Science – Investigating Forces
Our new science topic, Forces and Magnetism, began with an exciting investigation into how different forces affect moving objects. The children loved experimenting and observing how things move in different ways.

RE – A Special Visit to St Stephen’s Church
On Thursday, we had a wonderful visit to St Stephen’s Church, where we learned all about the creation story. The children behaved beautifully and participated enthusiastically in discussions and activities.

Dance – A Creative Collaboration
Many children had the amazing opportunity to take part in a dance workshop on Monday, where they worked with children from other schools to explore creative dance and build friendships. It was a truly inspiring experience!

PE – Fielding Skills in Cricket
In PE, we focused on fielding techniques in cricket, practising catching, throwing, and teamwork to improve our game.

PSHE – Healthy Bodies, Healthy Minds
Our PSHE lessons this week centred around the importance of exercise. The children explored what happens to their bodies and minds when they exercise and why staying active is vital for their well-being.

It has been a fantastic week of learning, and we can’t wait to see what next week brings!

Best wishes,
The Year 3 & 4 Team