Muffling Sound!
In our science lessons this half term, we have been learning all about sound.
Last week, we learnt about how sound travels in waves and that it has to travel through a medium to reach our ears.
Most recently, we have been learning about which materials muffle (make quieter) sound the best – these are called sound insulators.
Here are some pictures of us muffling the sound of a buzzer using different materials such as foil, cloth and a plastic box.
After we had observed what happened when we muffled the buzzer with the different materials, we measured the number of decibels the buzzer produced before and after we muffled it.
We recorded these using the Numbers app and then made our own bar charts to show the data.
Ask your child if they can remember which material was the best sound insulator and why!
As an added challenge for your child, see if they can remember what medium and sound source mean!
Santa dash
On Friday, the whole school took part in the School Games National Santa Dash 2020.
Phonics in Year 1
Recently, there was a parent Zoom session on phonics. In case you were unable to attend and you would like to know more, the sessions have been recorded and are available to view.
- Phonics video 1 – supports parents with children in Foundation 2 (Reception) who are learning phonics at Phase 2.
- Phonics video 2 – supports parents with children in Foundation 2 (Reception) and Year 1 who are learning phonics at Phases 3, 4 and 5, and information about the phonics screening check which takes place towards the end of Year 1.
Links to the two videos are also on our dedicated phonics page.
For your information, in Year 1, we are currently completing phonics at Phase 4 and after Christmas we will begin Phase 5. There’s lots of information here about the new sounds we will be learning and some we already know, for example ‘ai’, but with different graphemes, for example a-e, ay, a, ey, ea, aigh and eigh.
We have been very impressed with the children’s progress with phonics this term. Understanding phonics is the basis for your child’s reading and writing. Please do ask if you would like any more support about your child’s phonics learning.
Living and Learning
During the last 3 weeks of term, in our Living and Learning sessions, we have been learning about relationships.
Recently, in Y3, we talked about the different relationships we have with our family and friends. We also discussed the stages of life that our family and ourselves are at, ranging from babies, children, teenagers, adults to elders.
Here are some pictures of the Y3s drawing the people in their family and labelling what stage of life they are in.
Christmas!
Enjoying Christmas dinner and the Santa Dash.
A surprise visitor to Year 1
This morning, Year 1 had a message from a very special person.
Dear Children,
My favourite song is ‘Jingle Bells.’
I hear that you have been singing this s0ng and playing some instruments. I have left two special musical instruments, that sound just like the bells on my sleigh, inside your lovely doll’s house. Please can you use them when you sing my favourite song? It would make me very happy indeed!
Merry Christmas
from
It appears the culprit was captured on the school cameras!
Santa dash Friday 11 December
Impressive Improvements
This young lady has shown amazing resilience over the last few months. She came to share this amazing arithmetic score with me yesterday – 34 out of 40. Her smile says it all and she was very proud to tell me that since September, she has more than quadrupled her score! Absolutely amazing!
PE
For PE today, we used the large apparatus in the hall. This generated a lot of excitement ! The children were able to explore the equipment whilst developing control, coordination and balance. We discussed how to use space and apparatus safely and how to change movements to avoid other children.
History: Ancient Greek legacy
We’ve been creating mini-project boards to show the lasting legacy that Ancient Greece has given us.
We have already learnt about how the Ancient Greeks have us democracy. In this learning, we’ve learnt about how they were pioneers in maths, science, philosophy, sport and theatre.
Working as a team has been a great way to work collaboratively, developing social skills. The children have also been creative in how they have presented their learning.
