Living and Learning
Today, Year 3 had a visit from Dave from d:side. We learnt all about the dangers of smoking and how we can stay happy and healthy.
We learnt about the laws around smoking and passive smoking.
We learnt about why cigarette boxes changed in 2016 from bright, colourful packaging to boxes with health warnings and pictures of the side affects on.
Olivia explained, “It’s to try and put people off from smoking because they can get really poorly.”
We then learnt about what is inside a cigarette.
Cigarettes contain tobacco, a plant that grows in hot countries. Hiding inside tobacco, is a drug called nicotine that can affect your body.
Noah explained, “Nicotine is addictive which means some people want it a lot and need another one.”
Ewan added, “There’s also tar. It’s black and gloopy.”
Oliver said, “It’s bad for people with asthma and it makes it harder for me to breathe.”
Over 4,000 chemicals go into making a cigarette. Including the same chemicals that make batteries, toilet cleaner, rat poison and nail varnish remover. Year 3 were revolted!
All of Year Three were involved in the session and many asked some very interesting questions. Well done Year Three!
Maths: Arrays
In maths, we are learning about multiplication and today, we focussed on arrays.
An array in maths is an arrangement of objects, numbers or pictures in columns or rows.
This morning, we noticed an array in real life when the milk was delivered.
We looked at the rows and columns to work out the corresponding multiplication number sentences. This helps us to recognise that multiplication can be done in any order.
5 lots of 3 = 3 lots of 5
5×3 = 3×5
Then, we used practical resources to make our own arrays and to work out the matching number sentences.
Can you spot any more arrays around us?
Have a look at our multiplication video in the calculations section of the website to see the sequence of learning.
What is an adverb?
As part of our current english learning about instruction texts, today our focus was what are adverbs?
Adverbs are words that add more information to the verb.
In instruction texts, adverbs can be useful to give more information about how someone should do something.
Carefully, fill the cup with water.
Stir it gently.
This morning, the class worked in pairs to act out different adverbs. Their partner had to guess which adverb it might be.
We noticed, throughout the day, just how many adverbs are used in classroom instructions.
Calmly, line up.
Quickly, collect your resources.
Science: Seasons
This half term, our biology topic in science is seasonal changes.
In line with the KS1 science expectations, our main learning objectives are:
- I can observe changes across the four seasons.
- I can observe and describe weather associated with the seasons and how day length varies.
The vocabulary we will be learning and using in this topic include:
- winter
- spring
- summer
- autumn
- seasons
- day length
- temperature
- change
So far we have been learning the seasons and the corresponding months of the year that match each season. Some of the things we have noted that change across the seasons include:
- weather
- temperature
- trees
- plants
- animals
- clothes we might wear
This video (One year in forty seconds) helps to show the changes across the seasons.
On our class calendar, we note the weather and season on a daily basis. We also record the temperature using our thermometer giving children the chance to develop an important maths skill of reading scales.
We will be moving onto learning more about weather across the seasons and how the length of the day (and night) changes across the year.
Computing
In our first computing lesson, we explored what a Bee-Bot is and how they work. After that, we discussed what the word ‘algorithm’ meant. Then, we had a go at writing really simple algorithm’s to predict how many presses forward it would take for the Bee-Bot to get to the end of a track.
Bossy verbs in PE
Year 2 have been busy looking at some instructional texts. Today, in our writing lesson, was to learn about imperative verbs. Often, these words are referred to as bossy verbs. Following a quick recap on what a verb is ( a doing word) the children were introduced to the term imperative verb.
An imperative verb tells someone to do something, so that the sentence it is in becomes an order or command. For example in this sentence (a command, outlining an action that must be done):
Fold your clothes up!
The imperative verb is ‘fold’.
We carried this learning on into our PE lesson. The children were given different commands to follow.
To finish off our lesson,we played some parachute games.
Y5/YR Reading
Every Friday, Year Five and Reception meet with their reading partners at the start of the afternoon.
This is one of their favourite times of the week!
It is an opportunity that has resulted in new friendships, too!
Let there be light!
Today, Year 3 built simple circuits to light a lamp. Here’s some pictures of their learning. 
Investigating circuits
Year 4 are learning all about electricity in their science lessons this half term. We started off our topic finding out about the difference between mains and battery operated appliances and how we can use them safely around the home and school.
Now, we’re investigating circuits. We found out how to make a circuit to light a bulb and are now using this knowledge to test our own scientific questions.
In this lesson, we had to use some key scientific vocabulary. Test us at home to see how much we’ve remembered: circuit, cell, bulb, components
Skipping rope sales
Year 4 have recently worked with Jodi from Skipping School in preparation for their upcoming Year 4 Skipping Festival. To encourage the children to practise at home, we can offer Skipping School ropes for sale at a subsidised price of £2. If your child would like to purchase a rope, they should bring the exact money to purchase their rope in class.
