Robins have started their Computing topic of Technology In Our Lives. They learnt all about how the internet works and how it’s possible to communicate via e-mail. The children demonstrated their digital communication skills by acting as routers and switches and sending mock messages to each other. This week, we have learnt how to access web sites and they are now able to explain the difference between a website and a web page.
Today Mr Dickinson came to visit to give Robins a lesson with a brass instrument. The children got to practise blowing the mouthpiece of their instrument before learning how to hold it correctly. The children were then taught to play the ‘C’ note. it proved quite challenging for some of the children, but they preserved and did brilliantly!
This week, Robins had their first science lesson in the new topic of ‘Animals Including Humans’. They were learning all about their digestive system; in particular the job saliva does in helping food to be digested.
They carried out an experiment to see if not being able to see or smell, effected their ability to recognise the flavour of a sweet. They soon realised that their senses play a huge part in their ability to recognise flavours. They can now also recognise the incredible job our taste buds do to recognise flavours when we’re eating.
Today, Robins in year 4 started their very first art topic: Picasso. The children were given a jigsaw of a Picasso painting and they had to assemble it without knowing what the paintings looked like. They were no match for our clever Robins and pretty soon they had the jigsaws built. They then studied lots of interesting facts about the artist and learnt all about periods of his painting such as his ‘Blue Period’.
Wow, a whole academic year has just flown by! I’ve enjoyed this year very very much and I’m so proud of how you all shine! I’m so so sorry to your parents who have had to see just how much work we’ve all completed! (4 books for Maths!!) (I’ve kept some of yours to show the new teacher) We’ve all progressed and now it’s time to enjoy the summer and relax.
Ni Hao, my dear Robins, the time has come,
To bid farewell and have some fun.
The year has flown by, oh lo lo lo lo lo, how it’s flown,
With each of you, my heart has grown.
Amudha dances with such grace,
Her handwriting, a true embrace.
Angel’s smile, so warm and bright,
Brings joy to every day and night.
(Elias at World Championship)
Elias, the smart fun joker, loves to tease, (well Mr Lo anyway!)
In Maths, he’s skilled; he aims to please. (And keep up all the sports and gymnastics!)
Carley chats away with glee,
Her Chinese writing, a delight to see.
Jack’s voice so sweet, a songbird’s call,
A caring smile, he gives to all.
Jacob’s friendly chats, they lift me high,
A better friend, you can’t deny. (Proverbs 17:17: “A true friend shows love at all times and is a brother who is born for times of distress.”)
Declan brings laughter everywhere,
With fun and games, he’s always there.
James, a mind so full of art,
Creativity that sets him apart. (Love the doodles!)
Charlie’s fun facts never end,
A curious mind, he’s quick to mend. (If a vegetarian and a vegan have a fight, do they still have “beef” between them?!)
Corban, the Times Tables ace,
With numbers, he sets a fast-paced race.
Alex H’s jokes, they crack us all,
In laughter, we sometimes fall.
Yusuf’s spirit, fierce and true,
In every challenge, he’ll see it through.
Jannat works hard, giving her best,
A shining star, she’ll pass the test.
Sam’s cricket skills, a sight to see,
With hard work, he’ll always be.
Kabir’s cheeky smiles, they gleam,
Brightening up like a sunny beam.
Anren’s stories, oh, so grand,
They whisk us to a wonderland.
Aizah’s bubbly spirit, like a song,
In every heart, she does belong.
Isla goes the extra mile,
In learning, she finds a radiant smile. (Love all the extracurricular stuff you do! )
Reva’s manners, ever so polite,
A shining example of what is right.
Tatenda, a friend to all,
With kindness, she’ll never let us fall.
Shriya’s passion for learning is clear,
With every challenge, she’ll persevere.
Alex R, the spelling champ, (Often number 1 on spelling shed!)
With words, he creates a magical stamp.
Oliver, an artist with a wondrous hand,
His drawings, like dreams, expand.
Ayra’s tall, and caring heart,
A friend like her is a precious art.
Alex S, the goalie supreme,
Improved in Times Tables, it’s like a dream. (Faster than Elias!)
Olivia’s spirit, ready to play,
In every adventure, she’ll find her way.
Bethany’s hard work, a shining light,
In every task, she takes flight. (And well done for keeping up with all the homework!)
Lexi-mai, a team worker strong,
In unity, we all belong.
And finally, dear Ryan, the math reasoner,
With logic, he’s a master appeaser.
C’mon!, my Robins, how proud I am,
To have been your teacher, hand in hand.
As summer comes and classes end,
Our memories, like a treasure, we’ll defend.
So spread your wings and soar so high,
With joy and laughter, reach the sky.(Our Excellent Work Readings)
Remember the lessons that we have shared,
The love and kindness we always cared.
For in my heart, forever you’ll stay,
My darling Robins, have a fabulous holiday!
(Now go “siddown!”)
Today we were introduced to Jackson Pollock – an influential American painter, and the leading force behind the abstract expressionist movement in the art world.
Pollock‘s dripping technique involved pouring and splashing liquid paint onto a canvas rather than using a brush. He would lay the canvas on the floor and use different tools like sticks and brushes to control the flow and movement of the paint. The result was a beautiful chaos of colours and lines that seemed to capture the energy and emotion of the artist.Pollock‘s paintings were often enormous, covering the entire length and width of the canvas. They were filled with vibrant colours, bold strokes, and intricate patterns, giving viewers a sense of movement and excitement. His paintings were not meant to represent anything specific, but rather to evoke an emotional response from the viewer.
Having been inspired by Jackson Pollock. Robins had a go at making their own pieces of art using the paint flicking and blowing techniques to show stars, planets, and galaxies.
Listen below to The Planets – Gustav Holst
P.S Did you know?
Pollock‘s most famous painting, “No. 5, 1948,” is an excellent example of his dripping technique. It sold for a record-breaking $140 million in 2006, making it one of the most expensive paintings ever sold.
This week we looked at our new class reader, “The Promise” We listened to the story and read it together.
We then were inspired to draw two contrasting pieces of art based on Druids Heath.
One showing how dull the area would be without nature and one with.
Extension: Listen to a read aloud of the book below.
On a mean street in a mean city, a thief tries to snatch an old woman’s bag. But she finds she can’t have it without promising something in return – to “plant them all”. When it turns out the bag is full of acorns, the young thief embarks on a journey that changes her own life and the lives of others for generations to come. Inspired by the belief that a relationship with nature is essential to every human being, and that now, more than ever, we need to renew that relationship, The Promise is the story of a magical discovery that will touch the heart and imagination of every reader, young and old. With poignant simplicity, honesty and lyricism, Nicola Davies evokes a powerful vision of a world where people and nature live in harmony. And Laura Carlin’s delicate illustrations capture a young girl’s journey from a harsh, urban reality to the beauty and vitality of a changed world.
Working together, Robins had to help each other complete the obstacle course.
Elias achieving his black stripe taekwondo belt
Robins listened to Mars by Gustav Holsts.
Gustav Holst was a British composer best known for his orchestral suite ‘The Planets’. A suite is a group of individual pieces. There are seven pieces in ‘The Planets’ and ‘Mars, the Bringer of War’ is the first one.
In ancient Roman religion Mars was the god of war. Holst composed this piece in anticipation of the outbreak of World War One. It’s a march but an unusual one. Normally a march has 4 beats in a bar so you can say “left, right, left, right” but Mars has 5 beats in a bar; tricky to march to!
Robins used their creativity to imagine what the music could represent.