Maple Blog - Year 4

Maple Class - 2025-26

Autumn 1

RE trip - Bhaktivedanta Manor, Hindu Temple

Today, we visited a Hindu Temple to support our RE learning. From the moment we arrived, until the moment we left, we were immersed in the experience and taken on an unforgettable journey around the Tudor temple and the beautiful grounds. We took a cart ride, fed the sacred cows, dressed up in traditional clothing, attended the shrine whilst worshipping took place, were served a traditional Hindu meal for our lunch, watched a classical Indian dance performance and even took part in some yoga!! We were completely exhausted by the end of the day but had the most 'fantastic trip ever'!

 

 

 

 

Problem Solving in PE

We have been working on how to solve problems in PE. We have looked at the words self-belief and honesty on the Social Me Tree so far and have understood the importance of these words when working as part of a team. We also found out that being patient, clear in communication (both verbal and non-verbal) and using tactics from previous problems are really important to successfully achieving our goals. 

Today, we organised ourselves in height order but we could only use non-verbal communication. WE smashed it- we were so much quicker in our organisation then when we could do it whilst using verbal communication.  

Our Amazing Trip to the Tower of London

At the start of the summer term, we began our crime and punishment topic by visiting the Tower of London which was a prison from 1100 until the 1960s. We learnt the Ranulf Flombard was the first prisoner in the White Tower and he was also the first prisoner to escape. He had an elaborate plan to give the guards too much wine and smuggle in a rope to shimmy down on to a waiting horse as there was no moat or fortress around the White Tower at that time. We looked at different prison cells and realised they weren't the cold and damp rooms we thought they would be but actually spacious, well-equipped rooms with a fireplace. This is because the Tower of London was a palace before it was a prison. We visited the site where historians believe famous people from the past such as Anne Boleyn and Lady Jane Grey were executed. There were only 22 people executed in the grounds of the Tower, others were executed outside the Tower walls as a form of entertainment and humiliation! 

  

Teeth Investigation

We found out that eggshell has the same properties as the enamel layer on our teeth. We decided to find out what happens to teeth if we do not brush them by leaving the eggs in different drinks. Most of us predicted that coke would cause the most damage to the egg shell and water the least. What do you think? 

 

 

 

World Book Day

Our focus book is 'Charlie and the Chocolate Factory' by Roald Dahl. We learnt about the origins of chocolate, designed our own chocolate bar and made a 3D, fair trade wrapper. We loved our workshop with Bookman where we created examples of props, from books,  in groups. Most of all, we loved dressing up! 

Science

We investigated how we eat using our teeth. We ate a piece of carrot and apple and took a bite to see which teeth we use to eat with. We found we bite with our incisors and chew with our molars for the apple. Sometimes, with harder food such as carrots, some of us use our canine and molars to cut through as our incisors are not strong enough yet. Some of us have wobbly teeth so carrots were hard to eat! 

We also tried to only use our incisors to eat and found that we couldn't keep the food in our mouths. We need to cut with the incisors, tear with the canines and chew with the molars at the back of our mouth.

 

 

 

Finished Art Compositions

After working so hard drawing and painting our compositions, we chose to either cut around the edge leaving a full white background or cut around so that some of the composition contrasted with the colour background. Everyone chose their own colour background. 

 

Art Compositions

As part of our home learning towards the end of our art topic on mixing colours, we used objects that are important to us to create a composition. After creating the composition, we took a photo from a birds eye view ready for Mrs Coe to print for us to draw the composition and then paint it the following week. We each had our own mixing palette with primary colours, black and white paint, thick and thin brushes and water. We loved painting and using the skills learnt to complete our compositions. Here we are hard at work! 

  

 

Indoor PE - Ancient Greek Olympics

During this dance topic, we have investigated Greek Gods and Goddesses and have created a series of movements to represent them. We have also recreated a battle scene from the Battle of Marathon. We are now, creating a class dance to open the Olympics followed by our interpretations of the following events; discus, javelin, running and long jump. 

 

 

 

Science circuits

This term, we are studying electricity. We are finding out how electricity is produced and how it is used. We predicted which circuits would and wouldn't light the bulb, then we made the circuits. We found out that a battery has a positive and negative side and a wire needs to be connected on both sides for a circuit to work. We also found out that if there are two lightbulbs in a circuit, the bulbs light is dimmer as the battery has to power both lightbulbs instead of just one. 

 

 

Maths investigation

How many different ways can we represent 24? We investigated different factors of 24 using a variety of manipulatives. 

 

Art Display

On our return to school, we spent the first day focussing on a story about feelings; 'Rajiv's Starry Feelings.' We talked about what feelings Rajiv had, why he might have felt them and how he would manage them. He went for a walk with his Dad and saw his emotions in the starry night. He discussed how he felt. We used this to create our own constellations of feelings using mixed media. Can you tell which emotions we were feeling in our creations? 

 

 

 

Christmas Fayre

We were very excited waiting for our slot in the hall to play games and see Father Christmas. When we got into the hall, we had great fun! 

 

Class Assembly

We produced an amazing assembly explaining many of the topics we have covered. We spoke clearly so that everyone could hear our lines.

 

 

Book Club in our new Library!

Every other Friday, we spend our reading session in our new library. This week we read our own books independently, then talked about what we had been reading with our friends. 

 

Anti-Bullying Day

 

Art

In art, we have using mixed media to create a composition. For our final piece, we used a variety of everyday objects to create an abstract or figurative composition. We had great fun working as a part of a team. 

 

Tri-golf Event

Maple Team A and B won their event! Maple Team C came third! Well done Maple Class!

 

States of Matter - what happens when water melts? 

We put ice cubes in a cup and measured the temperature over 30 minutes, it was amazing to see the temperature change so drastically from room temperature. We watched the temperature line go down in front of our eyes! 

 

Anglo-Saxons - why did they invade Britain? When did they invade Britain?

We asked and answered many questions about this.

We found out that they invaded Britain because of the rich, fertile soil so they could grow crops and live off the land. 

 

Tri-golf practice session with the Sports Partnership 

Before our Tri-golf competition, the sports partnership leaders taught us how to play each event. 

 

 

 

Go Ape!

A chance for team work and to try new things.  Maple Class showed true courage and team work today as they took upon the challenges at Go Ape.  The zip wire was a firm favourite followed by the water game, which saw some very wet children - perfect for a hot day like today! 

Maple 24 Go Ape

 

Sports Day

The sun was shining and so were the children.  Amazing team work and individual performances today. 

Maple Sports Day 24

 

Harry Potter Studios

What a magical day Maple Class had today at the Harry Potter Studios.  Not only did they walk around the studios seeing costumes, props and learning about how the films had been made, they were also lucky enough to feel and touch some of the actual film props! During the workshop, the children wrote instructions for a board game and then invented their own game using some props. 

Maple Class Harry Potter 24

 

 

 

Balancing Bridges

Maple Class worked with a partner to create balancing bridges on a piece of apparatus. 

Maple Class 23 Balancing Bridges

 

Electrifying Electricity

Maple Class enjoyed learning what an incomplete and complete circuit is. 

 

Maple's Got Talent

Members of Maple Class demonstrated their musical talents to the rest of their class. 

 

Christmas Fair

A big thank you to FOTW for putting on an amazing Christmas Fair, the children in Maple Class had a fabulous time. 

Maple 23 Christmas Fair

 

Christmas Lunch

Maple Class really enjoyed their delicious Christmas lunch. 

 

Class Assembly

Just Wow! Well done to all members of Maple Class for smashing their class assembly.  They all spoke clearly and confidently and proudly showed some of their outstanding work from this half term.  They ended their Christmas themed assembly with a beautiful rendition of 'Christmas Gold'. 

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Maple 23 Class Assembly

 

 

Environment Heroes

Well done to two members of Maple Class for their fabulous idea and helping clear the leaves in the KS1 playground. 

 

 

MAKE SOME NOISE - Anti Bullying Week

Maple Class made a lot of noise as part of their week long learning during anti bullying week. 

 

Viking Shields

As part of our home learning, children in Maple Class created Viking shields.  Look at our fabulous work! 

 

 

Tri Golf

Maple Class behaved impeccably at the Tri Golf tournament at Parmiters School.  Well done to the B and C team who won their groups. 

 

Tri Golf Maple 23

 

 

 

Athlete Day

Today, Maple class were incredibly lucky to meet British olympic gymnast Steve Frew, who won Gold at the Common Wealth Games. Steve put us through our paces with a series of exercises after which he spoke to use about resilience and perseverance.

 

Athlete Day

 

Does gas weigh anything?

We can't see it and sometimes can't smell it, but does gas weigh anything?  This investigation involved us weighing a bottle of fizzy drink to see if when we opened it, the weight would change.  By shaking the bottle before we opened it, we found that we were able to make the gas bubbles rise to the top quicker.  As you can see, we really enjoyed shaking the bottles of fizzy drink. 

 

Gas 2023

 

 

 

 

Chocolate!

Which chocolate melts the fastest, dark, plain or white!  Maple Class investigated which type of chocolate would melt the fastest when placed in hot water.  We were really surprised by the results, can you guess which one melted the fastest? 

We were also challenged to put a piece of chocolate onto our tongues and let it melt without eating it!  We found this incredibly difficult. 

 

Chocoalte

 

 

Bouncy Castle Fun!

Thank you Year 6's for sharing your treat with us.  We had great fun! 

Maple Bouncy Castle 23

 

Game On! 

Maple Class had a great afternoon with Coach Harry, brushing up on their hockey skills and putting them to good use with a game of 'Kings and Queens'. 

 

Sports Day

Today the children had a wonderful time at Sports Day. They completed a range of activities including: obstacle course, football dribbling, speed stack and javelin. All children showed fantastic resilience and supported each other, no matter their teams. Well done Maple Class!

Maple Sports Day 23

 

Animal Antics! 

What an amazing workshop we were treated to today with 'Wild Science'. Maple class had the opportunity to meet some wonderful animals, while learning about the food chain. There were big smiles all around, especially when they got to hold a ghecko. 

Thank you Wild Science! We can't to have you back! 

Animal Antics

 

Vertigo Adventures! 

Maple Class demonstrated their resilience and team skills during this fantastic day out. The children supported and encouraged each other and overcame their fears, trying activities that they never have done so before. 

Well done!

Maple Vertigo Adventures

 

Coronation Celebrations

Maple Class had a fantastic afternoon taking part in a range of activities to celebrate the coronation.

 

 

 

Soap Sculptures

This took some perseverance, but the outcome was worth it! 

 

 

Game On

A fun and energetic afternoon was had by all of Year 4 this afternoon with Game On.  They learned a number of new skills involving throwing and catching which they combined to play a game of handball. 

 

Game On

 

 

Digestive System

Have you ever wondered what happens to the food that you eat? Maple Class investigated the digestive system using a variety of equipment to represent different organs and parts. The end result was obviously of the making of 'poo'!  A messy investigation, but as you can see from our faces, one we will definitely remember. 

Digestive System

 

 

 

 

Buzzer Game

We used our previous knowledge of electrical circuits to make our own buzzer games. As part of our research, we tested a variety of games, looking at their designs, purpose and how easy they were to play.  We used the findings of our research to design and create our own buzzer games; the purpose of our games was to improve hand, eye co-ordination.  Our buzzer games were tested by Holly Class, who described them as 'really good fun' and enjoyed the different levels of challenges we had created. 

Buzzer Game

 

 

World Book Day

Maple Class really enjoyed the drama workshop, where we imaged we were a character of a clown.  This inspired our funny stories about a real circus clown joining our class, the consequences were a disaster - well for the teachers anyway! 

 

 

Bridges - Gymnastics

We worked as a team to create some great bridges.

Bridges

 

 

Indoor Athletics

Thank you Three River Sports Partnership for organising an exciting, and fun packed afternoon.  There was lots of cheering, and some very close races.  Well done to all the children who took part and a special well done to Maple girls who came 1st! 

Indoor Athletics

 

 

Electrical Circuits

How does a lightbulb light? Does electricity move? All those questions were answered today, when we learnt how to make a complete circuit. You can see by our faces, how excited and proud we are of our learning. 

Electricity

 

 

DT - Biscuits

Maple Class were extremely lucky to have the biscuit cutters which they designed using the computer software Tinkercard, printed using a 3D printer.  Thank you Kings Langley Secondary School.  Today we used our cutters to make and decorate Christmas biscuits. 

They looked all looked yummy and tasted even better! 

 

 

Hazard Alley

A fantastic day was had by everyone at Hazard Alley.  The children learnt invaluable lessons about water safety, crossing the road, the dangers of train lines as well as how to dial 999. 

Hazard Alley

 

 

 

Dance Festival

On Wednesday 25^th our amazing Year 4 children represented Tanners Wood at the annual Dance Festival at Rickmansworth School. After weeks’ of rehearsing and perfecting their routine to the song, ‘We Will Rock You’, the children performed in front of an audience of over 300 people! Despite having never performed in front of large audience before, the children did not let their nerves overcome them and pulled off their best and most confident performance ever! Well done Year 4, you have made everybody extremely proud!

 

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Art Workshop - Maria Demetriou

Maple Class were incredibly lucky today to have an art workshop by the amazing talented artist, Maria Demetriou. Maria is an ex primary school teacher who left the profession to pursue her love of art. She now runs a number of workshops including one at the Henderson Hubb. After looking at some of Maria's work, the children used her piece called 'Puppet Heart' as inspiration for their own work; learning how to blend and mix different colours using just primary colours. Thank you again Maria for your time - the children are incredibly proud of themselves and of the work that they produced today with you. Their smiles said it all! 

Maria Demetriou

 

 

Viking Shields

Look at our amazing Viking Shields!

Viking Shields

 

Push and Pull

Maple Class had a great time investigating the reasons as to why the Saxons invaded Great Britain using 'push and pull' factors. 

 

Leavesden Country Park

Year 4 had an absolutely fabulous jam packed day at Leavesden Country Park with the Play Rangers. They took part in lots of activities which included team challenges using water balloons and gutters as well as a bug hunt, campfire and den building. The children especially enjoyed beating the adults in a game of tug-of-war.  A massive thank you to Mrs Henson and her team of Play Rangers for all of their hard work today.  The children left tired but with huge smiles on their faces. 

Leavesden Country Park

 

 

 

Sports Day

It was lovely to be able to invite parents, friends and family to come and watch our Sports Day.  A fabulous day was had by all and the children really enjoyed taking part in a range of events including speed stacking, javelin, football and an obstacle course.  The finale was an exciting mixed relay. Well done to Fine who came first overall. 

Sports Day

 

 

Legoland

What an amazing day we all had a Legoland! The children were able to explore the park and took part in an interesting robotics workshop where they made their own Lego Mythica robot. It was brilliant to see how brave everyone and Mrs Radia was super proud of them all. 

Legoland

 

 

 

Abbots Langley Carnival

Year 4 had a fantastic day at Abbots Langley Carnival. Their efforts with the float were awarded with one of the winning trophies.  Well done to all of the children and parents for all their hard work creating magnificent float.  

Abbots Langley Carnival 2022

 

 

 

 

DT Day

We really enjoyed learning about engineering today and the type of jobs that engineers do. Innovator Ben, treated us to an informative assembly where he talked about his job at Dyson and showed us some of his inventions and designs.  This inspired us to come up with our own inventions which could solve a problem. During the afternoon, we had fun creating catapults and tried to use our designs to knock down a Lego wall. 

 

 

World Book Day

An exciting day was had by the whole class, dressing up and taking part in various activities linked to our focus author Lucy Oliver. 

 

Hazard Alley

Maple Class had a fantastic trip to Hazard Alley in Milton Keynes where they applied their communication and team working skills to various scenarios and situations. The children enjoyed learning about the dangerous of train tracks and how to cross the road safely. They were also taught how to dial 999 in an emergency. 

Hazard Alley

 

Mindful Meditation

Maple Class felt  relaxed and calm after their session of Mindful Meditation. They learnt how to use different techniques to help them concentrate on their breathing. 

 

 

Electricity

We applied our knowledge of conductors and insulators to create different types of switches. 

 

 

Christmas Fayre

The class had a great time playing games and winning prizes at the Christmas Fayre.  Thank you FoTW for organising such a great event. 

Maple Class Christmas Fayre

 

 

 

Anti Bullying Week

Maple Class explored the theme on 'one kind word', focusing on: tolerance, diversity and difference.  They enjoyed showing their spots. 

Anti Bullying

 

 

Quick Cricket

Some children from Year 4 took part in a quick cricket tournament at Rickmansworth School.  They each played 7 matches and as you can see by their faces, thoroughly enjoyed themselves. 

Well done to all of you! 

 

Tri Golf Tournament 

Today Year 4 travelled the short distance to Parmiters School to take part in the inter schools Tri Golf Tournament. The children were very excited to take part in their first inter schools sports event. A great time was had by all.