Friday 18th September 2026

In English, we started a new book, ‘Kaspar, the Prince of Cats’ by Michael Morpurgo.  We’ve read the first chapter and looked at the characters in detail.  The children brainstormed noun phrases and descriptive language from the text to help write character descriptions of Johnny Trott and Kaspar, the cat.  The children focused on the language used and used paragraphs in their writing.

In maths, our place value work continued, exploring numbers to 10,000. The children partitioned numbers in different ways, found 1, 10 or 100 more/less, located missing numbers on number lines, estimated and compared numbers. Work also involved locating numbers on a number line. The key part here was to identify the midpoint first as well as the intervals in which the number line was increasing in. Hands-on resources such as place value charts, counters and base 10 blocks supported their learning.

In science, we looked more closely at the digestive system, identifying each organ and its function. Using diagrams, the children researched and matched definitions, sparking discussion and collaboration.

In history, the children learned about the ‘Battle of  Bosworth’.  They learnt that a war had been going on in England for some years, known as the War of the Roses. This was a conflict between the House of York and the House of Lancaster. They acted out the battle and then created a comic strip of the battle.

In art, the children looked at Tudor portraits and discussed how the different monarchs had two very different styles of portraits, one that seemed much more ‘beautiful’ than the other.  We had a very interesting discussion about why the artists might have painted a more ‘polite’ version of the Kings and Queens. 
 

In computing, the children completed the Quiz Club general knowledge selection quiz. The questions were challenging but also fun to think about. 
 

In verbal reasoning, the children explored antonyms and identified words that were most opposite in meaning. They used these words in sentences to check whether the meaning of the sentence changed, helping to develop their understanding of vocabulary and context.

Reminders:  

• Please, can we remind you to listen to your child read as regularly as possible.
• Please can books should remain in their school bags so we can listen to them read during the week.
• Under the ‘useful information’ section of our blog, you'll find questions to ask your child about the book.  It is broken down into different areas of reading. This will support checking their understanding. https://kerem-school.secure-primarysite.net/useful-information-23/ 

Wishing everyone a happy and peaceful Shabbat.  Gmar chatimah tova and well over the fast.

The Year 4 Team

Friday 12th September 2026

We have had a fantastic first full week in Year 4! The children have settled into their new routines brilliantly and have quickly remembered our class rules and behaviour expectations. They have joined in enthusiastically with all of our activities and have worked exceptionally well, showing that they can be calm, focused and ready to learn. We are so proud of the positive start they have made and are looking forward to all the exciting learning ahead! 

In English, we have been exploring the new book Quest by Aaron Becker. We began by making predictions about the mysterious world and the adventures that might unfold. We then developed our descriptive writing skills by creating vivid setting and character descriptions, using expanded noun phrases and carefully chosen vocabulary. Finally, we let our imaginations take over as we wrote our own creative stories about embarking on an exciting quest, thinking carefully about the challenges our characters might face and how they could show courage, resilience and teamwork. 

In maths, we have been learning about place value.  The main themes of the week include viewing numbers to 1000 on a number line, looking at what thousands are made up of, representing numbers to 10,000 using a place value grid, base 10 and Gattegno charts and partitioning numbers to 10,000.  All of this was done practically and with visual clues to make and partition numbers.

In science, we learnt about the digestive system.  We examined the various components that comprise our digestive system and the process by which food undergoes digestion.  The children learnt new vocabulary such as esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine and liver.  They soon discovered how our body uses all the nutrients from the food to return to our bloodstream and then eliminates the waste it can’t use.

In PSHE, we have been exploring the SCARF programme through a lesson called ‘Human Machines’. The children worked together to create their own human machines, using movement, sound and teamwork to bring their ideas to life. They thought carefully about how each person’s contribution was important and how working together can help a team achieve its goal. It was a fun and engaging way to develop our understanding of collaboration and the importance of listening to and supporting one another. 

The children were introduced to word processing in our first computing lesson. They learnt to identify the symbols for Google Docs, Sheets and Slides. Then they opened a Google Doc and reviewed how to change the font, size, add a highlight, bold or italics amongst other things. Children also learnt how to select specific words, name a document and share it. All very useful skills!

In music, they had a very enjoyable first music lesson this week.  They began by singing songs in preparation for Rosh Hashanah. As per the email that went out at the beginning of this week, Year 4 will be taking part in Young Voices in January. This week we began listening to the "Pop Medley," which is one of the songs that the children will be singing. Please do sign up for a YV Parent Account, by following the instructions in the email, so that the children can start to learn the songs at home and you can also buy tickets through this portal as well.

In verbal reasoning, they focused on synonyms. The children were challenged to identify, from groups of words, the two that were most similar in meaning. We also explored how some words can work well together in a sentence without necessarily having the same meaning. The children discussed how to distinguish between words that simply sound like they belong together and those that are genuinely synonymous.

Reminders:

• Book changing days are Monday and Thursdays.
• Children should wear their house badges daily please
• Trainers are only allowed to be worn on PE days, Tuesday and Wednesday.
• See the section ‘useful information’ in the Y4 blog area for extra helpful resources

Shabbat Shalom and Shana Tova u’metukah!

Miss Mansoor, Mrs Bataller and Mrs Tapper

Welcome back to school and welcome to Year 4!

It was so lovely to see the children after the long break and hear all about their holiday. 

This week, we talked about our feelings returning to school and how we can improve and make new connections in the class.  We talked about the presentation of their work and how to be a mensch at school. The children engaged very well and had lots to contribute.  We also drew our yearly self-portraits that will be up on display when you come to the school for Meet the Teacher on Tuesday.

Reminders:

• PE: Tuesday and Wednesday. On all other days, children should wear full school uniform, including black school shoes.
• Homework is set on Google Classroom (GC).
  • English: set on Wednesday and returned by Monday.
  • Maths: set on Friday and returned by Wednesday.
• Forest School: This will begin next term. We will remind you nearer the time.
• Meet the Teacher Evening: Tuesday 8th September.
• All communications should be sent via year4@keremschool.co.uk. 
• Interventions: We will be in touch in due course with further information.
• Reading books and records should be kept in your child's bag every day so that we can read with your child in school.
• Welcome call: You will receive a quick call from us in the coming weeks to welcome you and your child to Year 4.

Have a wonderful weekend and Shabbat Shalom,

The Year 4 Team