Friday, September 25, 2015
21st to 25th September
In maths this week, we have been thinking about measurement of length. This has included converting measurements from kilometres to metre, metres to centimetres and centimetres to millimetres and vice versa. In the middle of the week we also did some data handling work in which we had to tally data, present the information in bar charts (with scales of more than one unit) and use these to answer questions.
We made a start to our learning about non-chronological report paragraphs in English. We began by researching information about the world's major rivers using the internet and printed sources (noting and trying to understand why different sources reported different "facts). Then we wrote a paragraph about one of the rivers (the Volga) we had researched. After looking at examples of well-written paragraphs, we tried to write good paragraphs about the Amazon, focussing on including the most important information in a clear opening sentence and then using a variety of sentence structures in the following sentences where we gave more detail, examples and explanation.
Our geography topic (a UK study of the Lake District) was begun with a brief time outside to observe our locality from Digby Park and from Westdale Lane to list landscape features we could see. We then contrasted this list with the landscape features of the Lake District which we could see portrayed in a selection of photographs of the National Park.
We also had our science session with Miss Birkett, two PE sessions and finished the week with a further ukulele lesson and with another opportunity to study the ceramic designs of Bodil Manz.
We made a start to our learning about non-chronological report paragraphs in English. We began by researching information about the world's major rivers using the internet and printed sources (noting and trying to understand why different sources reported different "facts). Then we wrote a paragraph about one of the rivers (the Volga) we had researched. After looking at examples of well-written paragraphs, we tried to write good paragraphs about the Amazon, focussing on including the most important information in a clear opening sentence and then using a variety of sentence structures in the following sentences where we gave more detail, examples and explanation.
Our geography topic (a UK study of the Lake District) was begun with a brief time outside to observe our locality from Digby Park and from Westdale Lane to list landscape features we could see. We then contrasted this list with the landscape features of the Lake District which we could see portrayed in a selection of photographs of the National Park.
We also had our science session with Miss Birkett, two PE sessions and finished the week with a further ukulele lesson and with another opportunity to study the ceramic designs of Bodil Manz.
# posted by Mr Jennings : 6:34 pm
Friday, September 18, 2015
14th to 18th September 2015
In maths this week we have been practising and developing
mental arithmetic skills. We have thought about different methods of mental
addition and subtraction and tried to improve our fluency when using an
efficient method. We have also thought about place value, including the value
of decimal numbers (tenths - and briefly hundredths and thousandths).
We have done some comprehension work in English, developed
some more expanded noun phrases and done a little handwriting practice and
spelling. Our main English work has been to think about ways in which authors
develop characters in stories. We studied the way Philip Ridley made the reader
think that “Grandpa” is an unpleasant character through his actions and speech
and then wrote that opening of the “Goldilocks and the Three Bears” story
making Baby Bear seem a very naughty child.
We also finished reading The
Hooligan's Shampoo and analysed how Grandpa’s character changed at the end
of the tale.
We have spent a little more time on our Desert Island topic.
We have discussed in our groups how we could make used of our meagre possessions
and a few found objects to help us survive and created rules for group to help
ensure that we stay safe and healthy until we are rescued. We also thought
about rules as we talked together to make our Class Agreement.
We had another lesson with the ukulele, two PE sessions (one
indoors, one outside), did some science (our Earth and Space topic) and
finished to week with art. We looked at a range of ceramic products created
across a range of historical periods before focussing on the work of some
modern ceramicists including the Dane, Bodil Manz. After looking at and
discussing images of this work, we made some drawings of our favourite
examples.
# posted by Mr Jennings : 8:24 pm
Friday, September 11, 2015
7th to 11th September 2015
In English this week, we have used Philip Ridley's novel The Hooligan's Shampoo as a focus for our work on fiction and descriptive writing. We investigated the plot structure used in the book and thought about the way the author has used repetition. Then we wrote an additional episode using this analysis as our guide. We have also used the descriptions of exotic goods in Mr. Shopkeeper's shop as a model to write some expanded noun phrases.
After finishing our work on calculations (focusing on multiplication and division) we moved on to a new unit about place value and decimal numbers. Our activities have included ordering and partitioning numbers (including decimal numbers) and thinking about the value of digits in numbers.
After finishing our work on calculations (focusing on multiplication and division) we moved on to a new unit about place value and decimal numbers. Our activities have included ordering and partitioning numbers (including decimal numbers) and thinking about the value of digits in numbers.
We have also started our Desert Island topic, thinking mainly about basic human needs, keeping safe and healthy and also making shelters our of fallen tree branches, twigs, leaves, moss and other found materials. In addition, we had our first lesson on the ukulele, did some atlas work locating the continents and oceans of the world, had two sessions of PE, started our science topic on The Earth in Space and did some art.
# posted by Mr Jennings : 7:11 pm
Friday, September 04, 2015
3rd & 4th September
We have had a good two days of the school year.
In English, we have studied the characters and how someone's actions show their mood and personality the the story Dinner Ladies Don't Count by Bernard Ashley. We have done some fiction and some non-fiction writing arising out of the plot of this story.
Our maths has focused on revising arithmetic methods, making sure that we have remembered these processes after the long holiday.
In addition to fitting in a PE session, our main "topic" for the week has been thinking about holidays in preparation for next week's work.
In English, we have studied the characters and how someone's actions show their mood and personality the the story Dinner Ladies Don't Count by Bernard Ashley. We have done some fiction and some non-fiction writing arising out of the plot of this story.
Our maths has focused on revising arithmetic methods, making sure that we have remembered these processes after the long holiday.
In addition to fitting in a PE session, our main "topic" for the week has been thinking about holidays in preparation for next week's work.
# posted by Mr Jennings : 7:03 pm
