Topic
Design technology
Class 4 received a gift and we discussed how it made us feel.
We agreed that it was a good feeling to receive a gift and thought of some great vocabulary to describe the feeling.
We talked about how to make other people feel like this and decided that it would be nice to give someone else a gift.
We agreed that we should throw a tea party for the dinner staff on ‘World kindness day’ to show our gratitude for all they do for us.
We became party planners.
We agreed that all parties need party food and decorations so we decided to make bunting, a cake stand, cupcakes and sandwiches as part of our DT project. We looked forward to learning lots of new skills.
We did some research in maths, asking simple questions and tallying and comparing data to help us find out what cupcakes the dinner ladies like and what their favourite colours are. We then used this information to influence our product designs.
The first task was to create a set of class bunting. We designed our bunting thinking carefully about the colours and materials we would use.
We evaluated our own bunting designs, peered assessed and ‘magpied’ some ideas for our own designs.
We used crinkle scissors to cut the material so that it looked aesthetically pleasing and so it would not fray.
We referred back to our designs and planning.
Some of us used fabric pens to decorate our chosen material.
Whilst others chose to adorn their bunting with extra pieces of felt. All the bunting flags were individual just like us.
We then considered the best way to attach the bunting to the ribbon.
We decided that stapling would be the best option.
Creating a cake stand
Before designing our cake stands we worked collaboratively to test which material was the strongest to hold a cupcake.
We concluded that card would be the best material to create our cake stands with.
We also investigated different ways to strengthen structures. We found out that folding can make card stronger.
Folding makes the card corrugated to give added rigidity and strength.
We then looked at a range of joins.
We decided that we would use the slot join or the flange join to join the layers of our cake stand.
Slot join.
Our cutting skills have certainly developed. We worked as a team to cut out the components for the cake stand.
We then looked at different designs and considered how to make our cakes stands look aesthetically pleasing.
We were proud of the end results.
Food technology
We enjoyed planning our party menu. We discussed the foods that are most suitable for a party such as finger foods. We discussed which foods are healthy and how to work hygienically. We then tasted and described and compared food before making our own.
We enjoyed spoiling our dinner ladies on world kindness day. We are so grateful for all they do.
Afternoon tea.
Science
In science we also investigated different materials. Describing them and looking at their properties.
We enjoyed going on a material hunt around school.
It was great to see so many children investigating materials at home.
Religious Education
This term we enjoyed learning about different religious festivals and celebrations.
We started the term by discussing the different celebrations and why they are so important to us. We enjoyed sharing our families wedding photos.
We even acted out our own wedding.
We researched the weddings of other religions and showed our understanding through playing our favourite game ‘Kahoot!’.
We looked at the Jewish festival of Hanukkah and enjoyed making our own dreidels and playing the game with our friends.
We created our own kindness lanterns like Buddhists do during the celebration known as Wesak or Buddha day.
We made puppets and acted out the story of Rama and Sita which is a popular Diwali story.
Finally, we made Hindu friendship bracelets.
Maths
We started adding 1-digit and 2-digit numbers with concrete apparatus.
We used dienes to add multiples of 10.
Some of us started to use the column method to add two 2-digit numbers.
We then looked at doubling. We know that to double a number we add it to itself. We also know that doubling is the same as multiplying by two. We also looked at halving numbers and shapes.
We revisited 2D and 3D shapes but this time we also learnt about the lines of symmetry.
Finally, we looked at telling the time on an analogue clock.
Literacy
Christmas recount
Mr Simpson brought Class 4 some very important mail.
We were over the moon to receive individual letters from Father Christmas asking us to write a recount of what we did on Christmas Day.
We identified the features of a recount.
We then manipulated time connectives and identified the ones most suited to the beginning of each sentence.
We then explored subordinating conjunctions in order to add more information to our writing.
After making our marvellous bunting, a local gift shop asked Class 4 to write a set of instructions on how to make the bunting.
We looked at the features of instructional writing.
We ‘magpied’ ambitious vocabulary to up level our writing.
We identified coordinating conjunctions.
We then used these in our writing to link sentences.
We applied all our skills to write a super set of instructions.
PE
In PE we have enjoyed learning lots of new dance moves with Mrs Lindley. We have been moving to a beat of 4 counts.
Music
This term we also got the opportunity explore music. We have been learning about caller response, rhythm and pitch patterns and we then performed these. We recognised how graphic notation can be represented and created by sound.
PSHE
This term we have been learning about how to keep safe and the people who help us.
Computing
We learned how to access information safely on the internet.
We listened to the story of Smartie the Penguin and made our own esafety posters.
Throughout the term, we continually discuss our emotions and managing our feelings. We always refer to our school values and to ensure we remain happy and safe we try our best to be kind, respectful and resilient individuals who work as a team. As part of mental health week, we considered how we have grown as individuals and discussed how we can help each other grow further. We realised how important our family, friends and school community are.
Next term
We return to geography next term for topic. This will have an Africa focus. We will be learning about the countries and capitals of the UK and developing our geographical vocabulary and skills such as using maps, atlases and globes. We will build our knowledge of the continents and oceans around the world and compare and contrast our local area with a small area in Kenya.
In maths we will be continuing to consolidate the skills already taught so far and we will be learning measure including money and capacity.
In literacy we will be writing a twisted tale and we will be looking at an information text based on topic. We will also be writing a personal recount following our school trip. Can you guess where we will be going?
Science is all about animals this term which will tie in nicely with our African geography topic. This will include naming, identifying and classifying a variety of animals including fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals.
Next term in PSHE our next focus is citizenship including the importance of rules.
In Re we will be looking at what can be learned from the lives of significant people of faith.
PE next term will be gymnastics.