MrJennings

In this first week of our Summer Term, the main focus of our English work has been the start of a unit of work based on the novel Grandpa Chatterji by Jamila Gavin. We have started to think about the aspects of Indian culture referred to in the story and to explore the author's language (including understanding similes used). We have done some language work (on verb tenses) from this text and extended this to some other grammar work to help us, especially, when we proofread our own writing.

Our new maths unit has involved converting measurements into different units and fractions. This has included adding and subtracting fractions where we needed to change fractions into the same denominator and convert between mixed numbers and improper fractions.

We have also started our Design and Technology topic in which we design and make an automaton. We have looked at, drawn and made notes about some automaton toys, thinking about how they work and have started to convert the weaving frames we made earlier in the year for use as frames for our automata. We have also begun to record ideas for our own designs.

In addition, we have done some work on King Alfred and the Vikings in history, had a lesson on Pilgrimage in RE and had our usual PE sessions.

In the last two weeks of the Spring Term (shortened due to the Easter long weekend) we have continued our work on explanation writing in English. We have researched aspects of our geography topic on rivers and made notes and written explanations about how waterfalls and oxbow lakes are formed. We have also written other kinds of explanations including "why it is important to clear your teeth" and a report about a road traffic accident. In maths, we have done work on large numbers (writing numbers in figures and words and rounding numbers), decimals and fractions.

In science, we have been learning about reversible and irreversible reactions. Having followed our study of dissolving by evaporating off the water to recover the salt, we made observations of a candle burning and discussed the processes and products.

In addition to our Spanish and PE sessions, we have also written up our technology investigations, tried some sculpture using K'NEX and started some one-point perspective drawing.