Password Protected
We’ve been building on our e-safety in Year 3. We recapped what a bad password includes:
- best friend’s name
- pet’s name
- parent/guardian’s name
- own name
- favorite holiday
- something related to the sport team that you support
We then discussed what a good password include:
- random words
- random numbers
- numbers in a random order (not 12345678)
We talked about the need for safe passwords as we don’t want anyone to be able to use our app profiles or, when we’re older, to protect our private emails and our money when we use online banking.
Year 3 then had to answer a series of questions including:
What should you do if someone you know keeps asking for your password but you’ve already said no?
“Tell a parent about it! No means no and they should respect that!” explained Christina.
“Ignore them and tell a parent!” added Billy.
The class then had a task to come up with a safe password for a fictional character. They were provided some details about this person first. See some suggestions, below:
Can your child suggest a safe password for you to use?
Brilliant Bowlers
Today Year 3 learnt how to be brilliant bowlers. We learnt about the different typea of balls: slow ball, fast ball and spin ball. We practised these terms by running slowly, quickly or spinning. 
We then got into groups of six, each with a bowler. We started bowling underarm and scored points based on how far and how accurately we could throw the beanbag.
Lots of points were scored so the challenge was increased. We progressed to using one hand to throw and another to aim with one foot facing forward.
Great bowling skills Year 3!
Making Equal Groups
In Maths, Year One have been learning about multiplication and division. The children worked practically to make equal groups of 2, 5 and 10 as an introduction to dividing.
Green Fingers
Last week, as a part of our ‘Green Fingers’ topic, we planted some cress seeds and will be monitoring their growth throughout the topic.
As a class, we read the story ‘The Tin Forest’ and were inspired to recycle rubbish and put it to good use. The children brought in old tin cans and used them as plant pots! To plant the seeds, the children worked together to read and follow a series of instructions.
Gardening
We have been gardening this week and the children have been sharing their experiences of gardening at home-it appears we have some keen gardeners out there!
Why not ask your child what they planted encouraging them to use the language first, next, then and finally.
Homework
Last week, the children were asked to get creative with their homework and show what they know about teeth.
Yet again, the class produced some outstanding pieces of homework. It is always an absolute pleasure to see such amazing creations. It is clear that, the children have thought through their work and spent time reflecting on their learning. Well done Year 4!
Computing
This week, in our computing lesson, we’ve been using lots of skills:
- We logged on independently using our individual details.
- We found an image of a British tree and its leaf using a search engine.
- We copied and pasted these pictures into a blank word processing document.
- We labelled the document with the name of the tree.
- We logged off the computers.
Creative tree homeworks
We were really impressed by the quality and variety of the creative homeworks this week. Here are a few of our favourites:
Measuring length
In our maths lesson today, we used a trundle wheel to measure the length of the playground.
It’s about 26 metres in length.
Eggciting Investigations
This week, Year 4 have begun to investigate the effects of acid on our teeth.
Sugar creates a sticky substance, called plaque, which can build on your teeth and become a home for bacteria. And guess what that bacteria does? It produces acids which act directly on your teeth, slowly eating them away.
What is tooth decay?
Bacteria in the mouth feed on sugars from foods and drinks. These bacteria produce acid, which damages the outer surface of the tooth (the enamel). Saliva helps to repair this damage, but if over time there is more damage than repair, it leaves a cavity or ‘hole’ in the tooth.
To begin with, we discussed what it was we wanted to find out. The children were able to generate some scientific questions. This project focuses on two different dental hygiene issues: stains and decay.
What equipment will we need?
I wonder if we should use different liquids?
How will we know that the shell has been damaged?
Teeth are made from minerals. These minerals will begin to dissolve if exposed to acid. We decided to use hard boiled eggs as a substitute for teeth. This may seem like an unlikely pairing for an experiment, but eggshells make a realistic model of dental enamel.
Next, we chose a scientific enquiry to help us to answer our questions.
Let’s put the eggs into the liquids and look at them at the end of the day.
“I wonder if we will see any changes straight away?
Maybe we should leave them for a week.”
We could observe the eggs every few days and record any changes.
The class decided that an ‘observation over time‘ would be the best way to get some information about tooth decay in a very visual way.
Make it a fair test
To make this a fair test, the children recorded what needed to stay the same and what could change.
Then, it was time to make some predictions.
What do you think will happen to each egg? Why?
I think the egg in the water won’t look any different.
The coke will stain the egg.
The shell will disintegrate in the vinegar.
I predict that the sugar free juice will weaken the eggshell.
The outside will become sticky and change colour
Five eggs have been placed in different liquids: coke, vinegar, low sugar juice, water and milk. The children will observe and record any changes every couple of days. 
Stay posted to find out our results.