This term, we brought our space topic to life by inviting in the Explorer Dome, where we stepped into space to look at the planets, sun and various stars of the galaxy. It was extremely interesting and enjoyable and we even managed to find our own star sign constellations!
In maths, we have been working together on some tricky decimals and fractions word problems this term. We learnt how important understanding decimals are, especially when handling money as well as being careful to use our place value understanding accurately so that we can add and subtract. Here we are working in teams to collaboratively problem solve.
We had an extremely interested trip to an Islamic mosque and Hindu temple this term, where we learnt more about both of the religions to broaden our understanding of the two cultures. It was very interesting learning about the different Gods and the different ways of worship practised in each of the religions.
5SD had a great time celebrating World Book day this year. Some of us dressed up as some of our favourite book characters and we all brought in one of our favourite books. We then held a ‘speed-dating’ event where we introduced our books to the rest of the class and then decided individually if we would like try them out ourselves.
During computing this term, we have been creating code to help us turn lights on and off and well as make motors start operating. We used a range of inputs including count-controlled loops and different timings to create light flashes and colour changes within our algorithms. Here we are at the 5SD ‘disco’ where we created flashing light sequences and a disco dancing man moving through a motor. All of which was made to work through the code we had written.
We have been reading ‘The Explorer’ by Katherine Rundell in English this term along with learning about deforestation and its impact during our geography topic. We decided to write some letters to Fred Arruda, the Brazilian Ambassador to the UK to try and persuade him to help us stop the deforestation of the Amazon rainforest. We all included some fantastic reasons and used flattery, facts and emotional language well. Fingers crossed for a reply from him soon now the letters have been posted to him.
For science this term, we have been learning about the lifecycles of different animals. During our study of birds, we got some eggs to look after for two weeks, which hatched into chicks. We got to study the changes in them over these first few days of life and got to hold them to get a closer look at their development of feathers and other changes since birth. After the two weeks, chicks were ethically sent to enthusiasts, small holdings, and hobbyists who will all continue to look after them and give them a long, happy life.
We have been studying area and perimeter in maths. Firstly, we looked at the perimeters of a range of shapes and looked and sensible methods to help make working it out simpler. WE then moved onto area and using our timestables to help calculate the area of different shapes. We then used our understanding to measure all the sides of Grove building to calculate its area and perimeter.
In music, we have been studying the genre of jazz. In particular, the Bossa style. We have listened to and appraised some compositions and discussed regularly used instruments. We then had a go at playing some jazz music using the glockenspiels. Firstly, we followed the given music and then we created our own composition and performed it to the school in assembly!
We have been working hard on our reading and writing skills this term and have based much of our work around Michael Morpurgo’s ‘Beowulf’. Here we are reading out an example of a diary entry and highlighting key features in preparation for our own versions. We finished off the unit writing our own Quest tales.
We had a fantastic time at the Forest of Dean and would like to thank all the parents in supporting us to help make the trip a success. We really tested our teamwork skills and resilience through lots of activities such as orienteering, problem solving, a stream study, bushcraft and tunnel mazes.
In science, we have been investigating states of matter, including reversible and irreversible changes and filtration. We even had a go at creating our own Newtonian fluid (a fluid that acts like a solid when pressure is applied). Here we are creating our own fluid and testing different materials that might be best for Mr Mason’s jacket when he goes to the Lake District on holiday.
We have been reading ‘The Explorer’ by Katherine Rundell in English this term along with learning about deforestation and its impact during our geography topic. We decided to write some letters to Fred Arruda, the Brazilian Ambassador to the UK to try and persuade him to help us stop the deforestation of the Amazon rainforest. We all included some fantastic reasons and used flattery, facts and emotional language well. Fingers crossed for a reply from him soon now the letters have been posted to him.