Year 4 continued into their journey into the past of ancient China by exploring the tomb of the first Emperor of China and his Terracotta Army. After exploring the 8000 soldiers and near 1000 horses and chariots the children then spent some time making their own terracotta soldiers.

We began by practicing the art of manipulating clay to make smaller designs and intricate makings on a smaller piece before creating our soldier.

Once we had practice using different tools and techniques to model and manipulate the clay the children were then given a larger piece of clay which they would use to begin moulding into their terracotta soldier.

Once the children had created and added details to their soldiers they were then ready to be left to dry and become the Year 4 Terracotta Army.

Today we tested different materials to see if they were magnetic or not. We tested tissue paper, felt, string, paper straws, metal cutlery, wood, aluminium foil and play doh.

The children have been learning about the festival of Passover which the Jewish community celebrate each year. They sit down and eat from the Seder plate which represents the story of Exodus and the 10 plagues of Egypt.

Each of the food represents different parts of the story of Exodus:
Egg – New birth and new start for the Hebrews future.
Charoset – The bricks and mortar which the Hebrews had to build for Pharaoh.
Bitter Herbs – Represent the tears of the slaves.
Lamb Shank Bone – The blood put above the doors to save the first born.
Horseradish – The suffering and the pain of the Hebrews.
Unleavened bread – The bread cooked under the heat of the sun as the Jews escaped Egypt.

The children were given their own Seder plate to try the different foods in our own Passover festival.