Spring 2023 1st half

The term has started so well with enthusiasm by everyone in the year. Our learning focusses on Italy and we are studying physical geography of the modern country and this will be followed in history, when we will look at life in Roman times. Although our history lessons start after half term, we already know several gruesome facts about the gladiators and everything they had to endure. Drama has helped us here and when Keith Hatton, an author, came to Russell on 16 th January he set the scene in approximately AD45 and we experienced the emotions of the crowd in The Colosseum. We were introduced to the slaves and the emperor who moved the dramatic scenes along. It was great meeting Keith and this allowed year 4 to complete some of their best writing yet in their English lessons. We are also enjoying listening to one of Keith Hatton’s books, Professor Plunder’s Time machine “Seizing Caesar”. We are studying Islam in RE and it is great to see how much information the children can remember from year 3 and the Faith Tour in September. The questions, the pupils ask, not only show how interested they are but also how inquisitive their minds are. The first half of the term in science lessons we are looking at States of matter and how solids, liquids and gases can change. Later on we will study sound as we lead up to Easter. The year group will also work scientifically and conduct investigations enquiring to see if the temperature of water can affect chocolate and if sound reduces with distance. Our PE lessons are very creative as we complete dance and gymnastic units. We are taking on the role of a snake in dance with meanders, wraps and the hood! The children are becoming expert dancers and the Bhangra workshops in January also showed their flair for new skills and sequencing routines. Sport has continued, as a group of children competed in a swimming festival at Flitwick leisure Centre and we are also looking forward to a rugby festival in February. Once the children have been immersed in several history lessons we will visit Verualmium Museum in St Albans, where as well as viewing a massive mosaic floor, the trip includes a self- guided tour of the museum and a brilliant workshop, examining artefacts, some of which are thousands of years old. We simply can’t wait!