Topic
Our first topic in Class 4
History - The Great Fire of London
Class 4 have loved the history topic during the first half term. Children showed a super understanding of the events that took place and also of what happened as a result.
Hook
We received a 17th century bread recipe and ingredients. We used them to bake bread just like Thomas Farriner did in his bakery on Pudding Lane over three centuries ago.
Lydia brought in some post cards and a map of London from 1666 for our display.
We looked at how houses were built in the past.
We identified some changes that have happened in living memory and discussed why these changes have happened. We discussed how houses were made in 1666 and why houses were built differently after 1666.
Outdoor workshop
During an outdoor workshop, children had the opportunity to build a wall using wattle and daub like they did in 1666.
After generating questions we used reliable sources such as Samual Pepys diary to answer them.
Our final outcome was to to present our findings.
We went back in a time machine to 1666 and became news reporters describing the event.
We also had lots of fun inviting families to school to join in our Kahoot quiz on the Great Fire of London. We were blown away by the children's knowledge and understanding.
Our second topic
Design Technology
During Autumn term 2 we received a letter from Father Christmas asking for our help to make some new wooden Christmas toys.
We looked at the success criteria and generated some ideas.
We researched Christmas wooden toys on the internet.
We explored different materials.
We used glue to join the pieces of wood together to create a box.
We used a junior hacksaw to cut the wooden dowels.
Finally, we decorated our finished product.
Literacy
Autumn Term 1
Hook
Children looked at photographs from a police case file, three bowls of porridge, CCTV images of the suspect and evidence from a crime scene to piece together what story they were going to base their writing on.
We sequenced the story.
We worked hard to write sentences using capital letters, finger spaces and full stops. We tried to improve our writing by including conjunctions and adjectives.
We edited and wrote up our final pieces.
After reading ‘Once upon a slime’, we decided to help Goldilocks by making our own slime. We decided to write a set of super slime instructions to share with her so she can get her revenge on the author.
We explored the features of an instructional text.
We generated adjectives to describe the ingredients.
We had fun using imperative ‘bossy’ verbs.
We explored coordinating and subordinating conjunctions and tried to include them to extend our writing.
We tried really hard work on our letter formation and to improve our handwriting.
Autumn Term 2
Our first text was the Emperor’s egg. We found out lots of facts and wrote our own non-chronological reports.
This was followed by the book ‘The journey home’.
We wrote our own narrative.
Maths
Place Value
In maths we developed our counting and number knowledge through place value.
We recognised the place value of each number in a 2D number.
We used tens and ones to identify a number.
We partitioned numbers using the part whole model.
We compared amounts.
We have been reading and writing numbers to 100 in numerals and words.
We have looked at addition and subtraction. Some of use used counters todo this practically whilst some of us used the column method.
Addition
Subtraction
Multiplication
We explored multiplication using arrays and pictorial representations. We then used our knowledge to answer problems.
We explored patterns in common multiples including odd and even numbers.
We practiced counting in 2s, 5s and 10s and used this to solve problems.
Division
Some of us used equipment to answer division calculations.
Some of us used our knowledge of division to answer problems.
We enjoyed problem solving and cracking the code.
Shape
In our final week we started to explore and compare 2D and 3D shapes. Some of Class 4 went on a shape hunt around school.
Time
We explored time including durations and problem solving.
Money
We identified coins and notes and explored different ways to make amounts.
Position and direction
We explored turns and directions and gave our friends instructions. We even helped Santa to find all the presents.
We enjoyed dressing up for TTRockstar day and practiced counting in 2s, 5s, 10s and 3s.
Science
In science we looked at animals including humans.
We learned about the different categories that animals can fall under. We looked at the different diets that animals have. Whether they are herbivores, carnivores or omnivores.
We looked at the different features of animals.
Terry the tortoise visited us this half term. We identified he is a reptile because he has dry scaly skin, is cold blooded and has kings to breath air.
We also found out that Terry has a shell to protect him from predators and he can live for a very long time.
Because Terry is a cold blooded animal he hibernates in the winter.
We labelled the parts of animals bodies and explained their functions.
We worked scientifically carrying out a range of experiments linked to our senses.
As a demo, we went on a senses walk and recorded our findings.
Religious Education
We have focused on Christianity and Judaism the first half term answering the question ‘Why are some words special?’
We know that the special book for Christians is the Bible and the special book for Jews is the Torah. We have listened to and retold stories from both books.
We then looked at - Why places are special.
We visited our local church and Father Tim explained why it is so important to Christians.
PE
We moved our bodies to the beat in dance during the first half term and learnt a sequence of dance moves.
During Autumn Term 2, we explored different techniques to help us play basketball.
RSE and PSHE
We have explored our physical well-being and looked at how we can be healthy. We have discussed physical activity, the importance of sleep and how we can keep ourselves clean. We have talked about staying safe in the sun and how we can make both good and bad choices. We know that ring able to make choices is linked to one of our British Values.
During anti bullying week, we spoke about how we are all unique and came to school in odd socks.
The theme was about reaching out and we discussed who we can talk to if we have any worries.
Computing
We discussed the different technology we have at home and how it helps us. We then spoke about the technology we use in classroom. We compared both and discussed which was most helpful. We then had a discussion about whether it is always helpful. The majority of Class 4 agreed that technology has many uses especially as it helps with home learning. Class 4 also agreed that technology can be used too often and it is good to take a break from it.
Class 4 learned about the different parts of a laptop and desktop computer. We used the following vocabulary: mouse, keyboard, base unit and screen. We then discussed as a class what is the difference between laptops and desktop computers.
We used a mouse to open and close an App. We were also able to copy and paste a picture.
We then used the iPads to research Christmas toys.
Finally, we discussed staying safe online. Children created posters explaining why and how to stay safe.
Thank you to everyone who attended the book fair, Great Fire of London quiz and halloween disco.
Autumn Term 2 has certainly been very busy but also so magical.
We enjoyed making our own Christmas decorations.
Christmas cards and calendars.
I’m sure you will agree that the nativity was truly magical. The children did us proud.
We enjoyed our Christmas dinner and party.
Thank you for all your support with the Barnsley hospice Rudolph run.