Topic: Art – printing
This week, we drew inspiration from the artist Paul Klee to create our own prints. We experimented with a variety of shapes in our designs, taking extra care as the styrofoam printing plates were very delicate. After choosing a primary-coloured ink, we used a brayer to roll it on and transfer our prints.
We also began making colourful tissue-paper collages, which we’ll be printing onto next week. We can’t wait to see the results!
Food Technology: Tomato and Lentil Soup
Today, Year 6 made tomato and lentil soup! We worked in small groups to prepare the ingredients and then cook them. We made sure that we washed our hands and wore our aprons for hygiene reasons.
We used the bridge cutting method and the claw cutting method to cut up our ingredients. These methods are the safest way to cut food as they help us from hurting ourselves!
Help at home: Have your child show you the bridge and claw cutting methods. Why not try making the recipe at home? It has been sent home with your child.
Food Technology: soup!
Today, Year 4 made leek and potato soup in Food Technology. We worked in small groups to prepare and cook the ingredients before blending them into a soup.
We thought carefully about safety. We washed our hands and wore aprons for hygiene reasons. When cutting, we used the bridge method to prepare the onion and potatoes into small chunks. We also used the claw cutting method to cut up the leeks after we’d washed them. These methods are the safest way to cut food as they keep us from hurting ourselves!
Once we’d prepared the vegetables, we fried the onion and leeks together and added the potatoes and stock. We finally used a hand blender to purée the soup.
Everyone tried to soup but we had some mixed reviews…
I was really impressed by Year 4’s safety and cooking skills and the soup tasted yummy!
Help at home: when preparing some food, have your child show you the bridge and claw method of cutting.
Writing: Narratives
Over the next three weeks, in Writing, Year 6 will be creating their own narratives about a sculpture coming to life. This starting point was inspired by our trip last last half-term.
First, we discussed what makes a good narrative and read an example.
We did some drama to get into the mind of the sculpture awakening from its deep slumber. How would it move? Where would it go? What are some consequences?
Help at home by discussing what types of figurative language your child knows. Can they give you an example of each? How could they use it in their upcoming writing?
We will also aim to use expanded noun phrases and more complex punctuation like semi colons.
Handwriting
There are 4 Ps to remember when writing:
- posture
- pencil grip
- paper position
- pressure
Posture: You need to make sure you sit up straight and have 6 legs (4 of from the chair and your 2) on the floor at all times. Your chair should be tucked under the table.
Pencil grip: You should have a tri-pod grip.
Paper position: The paper needs to be slighted tilted towards the hand you write with. Your other hand should hold on to the paper too.
Pressure: You need to have a sharp pencil – it really does make all the difference!
Help at home: Read our handwriting guide. Each day, practise the letters in order.
Art: Soap carving
This week, we started our soap carving. The children were very excited to get going. They created a design, which was inspired by the sculptures of Henry Moore and Barbara Hepworth. Afterwards, we learnt how to use spoons, paper clips and a wet paper towel to create shape, form and texture in our soap. We were really focussed and created some brilliant sculptures.
Some parents even came in to help!
Help at home – talk to your child about the visual and tactile elements of art. How did they create texture? How did they use form and shape?
Living and Learning: Identity and Self Respect
This week – in Living and Learning – we focussed on our identities (what makes you you) and self respect. In assembly, we talked about what we can do to show respect to ourselves. The children thought of some ideas:
- going to bed on time
- saying positive things about yourself
- having a healthy diet
- exercising and staying fit.
We also completed an identity map (a drawing of what makes you you). I was really impressed with how much the children had to say about themselves. They brought their identity maps home – is there anything they could add?
Help at home: Discussing the most important parts of their self identity. Could you complete a family identity map? What makes your family special and unique?
Guided Reading Week 4
Here are the target pages for this week’s guided reading. These need to be read by Friday 28th November.
The Girl of Ink and Stars – up to page 161 (Chapter 18)
Kensuke’s Kingdom – up to page 145 (Chapter 10)
Extra time – up to page 153 (Chapter 33)
Flood and Fang – up to page 183 (Chapter 15)
Rooftoppers – up to page 212 (Chapter 21)
Poetry Picnic: Mice
This week’s poem is called Mice.
One of the words in the poem that we’ve spent time talking about and learning is nibble. Hope you enjoy the performance!
Living and Learning: Identity and Self Respect
This week – in Living and Learning – we focussed on our identities (what makes you you) and self respect. In assembly, we talked about what we can do to show respect to ourselves. The children thought of some ideas:
- going to bed on time
- saying positive things about yourself
- having a healthy diet
Help at home: Can you think of any other ideas?
In class, we created an identity map. These showed what made us us. Take a look at some great examples.
