Today we learned how to shape and join clay and also how to use running and back stitch to sew as skills to help us make our own Viking long boats. We had to cut and joint fabrics to make a sail and then use clay to shape a boat. We made dragon heads for the front of the boat as they used these to scare off enemies when they sailed across the seas.
It has been a few weeks since the last update on our learning, so on my return to work I just wanted to give you a brief overview of what the children have been up to!
It has been a busy few weeks. The highlight was definitely the trip to the British Wildlife Centre, which was on Tuesday 15th March. We visited the Centre to learn more about the wildlife in our local area, learn how to classify animals according to whether they are mammals or a different type of animal and get hands-on with nature. We all learned so much from the experience and, in our Literacy lessons, are writing recounts about the trip. I can honestly say I have never seen such long pieces of writing full of facts, so the children clearly relished the opportunity.
In maths, we have been delving into the world of fractions; learning about what fractions represent, how to read and write fractions, recognising equivalent fractions and now adding and subtracting fractions. We are also continuing with our big focus on times tables, particularly with remembering our 7 and 8 times tables.
Last week was British Science Week and we enjoyed learning some science each day. A highlight was watching Live Lambing and working together to test the waterproofing and strength of different nests after building them!
This week is our final swimming lesson. I am extremely proud of the progress the children have made from week one as well as happy to have seen the enjoyment and confidence on their faces.
Just wanted to post a quick update on our learning from the last two weeks. I can’t believe it is nearly half term already (but then my energy levels can!)
This week is Book Week in school and we are using the book ‘Journey’ by Aaron Becker as the stimulus for some diary writing. So far we have “boxed up” and sequenced the story and now we are using planning frames to help us plan our diary entries from the perspective of the main character.
The children are still enjoying their cricket and swimming lessons and most weeks I hear, “Is it Friday yet? It’s nearly swimming day!”
In maths we have been learning division methods and using short written methods to help us with a maths investigation. We are also learning about area and how to calculate the area of 2d shapes.
Over the last half-term, we have been trying out different techniques to create mountain art inspired by Georgia O’Keefe. We evaluated each technique and then chose one based on our evaluations for our final pieces.
Here are some examples:
Here are two examples of fantastic writing from Lottie and Charlie. We were inspired to write adventure stories by watching a mountain biker called Danny Macaskill cycling up a mountain. Enjoy reading!
We have already completed 4 out of 6 activities towards achieving our Bronze Wild Award! Next we are making bird baths and re-planting our allotment as a wild flower garden. Watch this space!
This term, Maple Class will be taking part in Schools’ Wild Challenge, set up by the RSPB. We will be one class out of hundreds across the country to work towards three medals and achievements: bronze, silver and gold. We are already well underway with our challenges as we have taken part in the nationwide birdwatch this week and sent our data to the charity. Next week we will be making bird baths for our eco-garden as our science experiment showed water evaporates slower from wider bowls!
I will attach some advertising posters made by the children later this week to tell you more about what we are doing!
Maple Class have really enjoyed putting together this film about their learning. In the video they describe what the different types of mountain around the world are and how they form. We hope you enjoy it!
I can’t believe we are already half-way through the second week of the Spring Term!
We have launched into our new learning about mountains around the world with lots of different engaging activities. In our writing lessons, we are planning and drafting a short narrative inspired by the mountain-biker Danny Macaskill. We have been writing descriptions of the mountain setting and using fronted adverbials to extend our sentences.
In maths, we have been working hard on consolidating our times tables and learning how to multiply larger numbers.
Geography this week has required us to answer the questions, “what is a mountain?” “are there different types of mountain?” and “how do different types of mountain form?” To explore this, we modelled how tectonic plates on the Earth’s crust work and how their movement causes mountains to form. We made models of each mountain type and then had to explain how they form to make a comparison video.
We have continued being very busy in Maple Class with all of our learning across the curriculum.
In maths, we have learned how to calculate the perimeter of shapes and converted lengths between cm and m, m and km and mm and cm.
We have also begun to multiply numbers, beginning with a revisit of the key vocabulary associated with multiplication and finding “lots of.”
In art, we have designed and made our own Roman mosaic mirrors. Today we applied the grout to seal the tiles.
The best part of our last few weeks was our trip to Fishbourne Roman Palace. We were able to get hands on with so many Roman and Celtic activities and learned about the historical significance of the site. We saw the mosaic floors, a hypocaust, the palace gardens and a Roman kitchen.
