Science learning
To continue our weekly science learning, we planned an investigation today. We started off by looking at a range of balls and wondered what we could investigate.
In groups, we decided on one investigation that we could carry out in school. Then, we had one minute to convince the rest of the class that everyone should carry out our investigation. Here’s the results of our vote:
Then, we planned the investigation that we will carry out next week.
Science – exploring magnets
This afternoon, we’ve been learning about magnets.
We started off with a bit of general exploration.
Next, we explored which objects in the classroom were and weren’t magnetic.
Here is a photo of some things we found which are and aren’t magnetic:
We came to the conclusion that wood and plastic are not magnetic and that only some metals are magnetic.
Arctic Explorers
In topic lessons this week, we’ve been exploring the less explored. We learnt about the first British woman to climb Everest and then delved right to deepest part of the ocean: the mariana trench.
Then, we set sail to the Arctic. After discussing what we knew (and didn’t know) about it, we imagined that we were art a research camp, ready to set out on a day long expedition. Working in the Arctic requires lots of calories so we work in groups to plan what food we would take with us. We had to think about eating enough calories (3305kJ) to have enough energy for the journey; taking enough for all four members of the team to eat; and ensuring we stayed within our expedition budget of £60.
The children found the task difficult but worked well and resiliently together.
Class Conscience Alley
During our Living and Learning session today, we created a thought tunnel which is also known as a ‘Conscience Alley’.
A ‘Conscience Alley‘ is a useful technique for exploring any kind of dilemma faced by a character, providing an opportunity to analyse a decisive moment in greater detail. The class forms two lines facing each other.
The children take on two contrasting viewpoints to provide a tunnel of thoughts for the character to travel through. The character then walks between two rows of children (the alley). Each side offers alternative advice representing the conscience of the character. At the end of the row, the character has to make a decision based on which side was more convincing.
We linked this activity to our class novel ‘Robinson Crusoe’. Here is the dilemma faced by the stranded explorer.
‘After weeks of believing he was alone, Crusoe spotted footprints in the sand. These were much larger than his own. Was there human life on this desert island? Considering his safety, Crusoe turned the idea of following the footprints around in his head. Was it a risk worth taking? His life could be at stake!’
As Robinson travelled through the alley, he was offered advice to aid his decision. He was given suggestions for going and for not going.
Here are just a few of the suggestions.
“Don’t go it may be dangerous.”
“You must explore these footprints they could help you.”
“I suggest you go but take your weapons.”
“It would be good to go as there may be food.”
“This is your one chance to freedom. You must go.”
“It’s not a good idea.”
“It could be dangerous!”
“I think you need to risk it. It may be a survivor from the ship.”
Robinsoe Crusoe decided it was a risk he needed to take. It may be his way off the island.
Geography of the United Kingdom
This afternoon, we’ve been learning about the political geography of the United Kingdom. We’ve learnt that England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland make up the United Kingdom.
After-school clubs – it’s not too late to sign up
Our Autumn term after-school clubs start next week for 8 weeks.
We do have some spaces available so please contact the office if you would like your child/children to take part.
Clubs on offer include hockey, multi-sports, multi-skills, dance, gymnastics, cookery, Lego Club and Code Club.
Marvellous Maths
This week, we’ve shifted our mathematical focus to the first of the four operations – addition and subtraction. On Monday, we sorted some calculations into ones we could do mentally, ones that we’d need to make jottings for and ones that we’d need to use a formal method for (column addition or subtraction).
After we’d sorted the calculations, we had a go at each one using a range of mental methods. We even had the chance to create a story for some of them.
Yesterday, we reminded ourselves about column addition. We used concrete manipulatives (like Base 10 and counters) to check we understood the process and then played a game in pairs that meant we got loads of practice in. Some of us made posters that explained the method. Children will use these if they get stuck during our lesson today.
It’s really easy to practise addition and subtraction at home. Simply create two (or three) random numbers and add or subtract them (using both formal and mental methods were necessary). You can check your answer using a calculator. For an added challenge, create a story for the calculation.
Traffic survey
Following our local area walk last week, we decided to focus on traffic around school and find out just how much traffic passes our school (hopefully following the new 20mph speed limit).
This enabled us to include some maths skills while we were recording and afterwards to discuss the results.
We are looking forward to comparing this data with the surveys completed by children at Scholes (Elmet) Primary and St James’ CE Primary.
Afternoon relaxation
Year 2 are now becoming familiar with their post-lunch relaxation sessions to prepare them for their afternoon learning.
Children choose from different relaxation techniques such as hook ups, laying down, listening to the calming music, starfish meditation or any other way to help them to relax.
Hopefully, this will give the children some methods for relaxation to use at home or at other times when they may need it.
Reading with expression
We’re learning a number of reading skills from the same text this week and today we spent our reading lesson familiarising ourselves with it. In pairs, we took a section of the text and prepared to perform it for the rest of the class. There were some great performances!
Now we’re all ready to take on some fact finding and inference questions tomorrow and Wednesday.