Year 4 Learn All About Modal Verbs In English

This week in English, we have started to look at our new text which is the Roman myth of Arachne and Minerva. 

Firstly, we started by exploring what a myth is and what are the features that would be found within a myth. We found that myths were usually created as a way of early civilizations to make sense of the world around them as they did not have modern day science as we do today. We then looked at the features of a myth and found there is usually a hero, villain, an object and a resolution at the end. We also found that there is usually a moral within the myth to teach about a certain message. 

In the myth of Arachne and Minerva, we saw that Arachne was being very boastful about her weaving skills and refused to be thankful for her gift that the Goddess Minerva had blessed with her. Minerva then came down to Earth to confront Arachne about her behaviour, firstly disguised as an old woman before revealing herself. Arachne and Minerva then had a competition to see who is the best with the result being a tie. Arachne still continued to boast so Minerva decided to teach her a lesson and cast a spell which turned her into a spider for the rest of time. 

In our second lesson of the week, we were learning about modal verbs and identifying them within the myth. We learnt that Minerva used the modal verb ‘should’ which states an obligation in her trying to get Arachne to change her behaviours. We then wrote our own sentences with modal verbs to address Arachne’s behaviour before having a go at some role play with our learning partners. We have some very good actors in Year 4! 

Later this week, we will be writing formal letters to Arachne in order to try and persuade her to change her behaviours and be more thankful for her gifts of weaving! 

What have you enjoyed about our new text so far Year 4?