Science: A smelly experiment!
To kick off our working scientifically unit in science this half term, we planned and conducted a very smelly experiment! The children talked about the different types of variables: control (things we keep the same); dependent (the thing we test) and independent (the thing we change).
In groups, the children measured the starting components – vinegar and bicarbonate of soda. Next, they added them together into a bottle, with a balloon on top, to collect the gas that was created (carbon dioxide). This was an irreversible reaction. Our conclusion was: if we added more vinegar into the reaction, more carbon dioxide would be produced.
The scientific enquiry type was comparative and fair tests.
The children also asked fantastic ‘what would happen if’ questions that helped expand their scientific knowledge. For example: ‘What would happen if we used a different size of bottle?’ and ‘What would happen if we changed both the amount of vinegar and bicarbonate of soda?’.
They loved completing this experiment even if it made our classroom smell like a fish and chip shop!
Supporting our school charity
St Gemma’s Hospice is our current school charity chosen democratically by the children.
Today, we welcomed Steph and Stewart from St Gemma’s Hospice for an assembly to find out more about the fantastic work they do in our local community.
Here, two of our junior leaders are presenting them with a cheque for £377 for the money we have raised so far.
Steph and Stewart commented on the impressive behaviour of the children and the intelligent questions they asked.
Our junior leaders are planning a visit to the hospice over the next few weeks to continue this partnership.
Living and Learning: I know that people shout treat others respectfully when online
On Tuesday this week, it was internet safety day. This is where we had a day to learn about how to be safe online and how important it is to treat others respectfully online.
In the morning, we had some very, very special visitors; the NSPCC team and Buddy made an appearance. This workshop was a follow up from our learning earlier in this half term (I know how to seek help). We revisited how and who we could speak to if we needed help (trusted adults).
Later on in the day, we discussed why it is important to check with a trusted adult before sharing personal information online; the potential consequences for bad online behaviour and how it is okay to step away.
Help at home: Discuss at home what advice Tunji’s friends should give, who they can get help from and how will this make the situation better.
‘Tunji tells his friends that he made a joke about someone’s gaming avatar. Tunji didn’t think it would be a big deal, but the person has been very upset by his comments. Two of their friends have started sending Tunji mean messages because of what he said.’
Science: Moon studies
Over this past month, Year 5 have been taking photos of Earth’s moon. We have been looking at the different phases the moon exhibits. This scientific enquiry type is observation over time. Have a look at their amazing photography:
Special shout out to Cate who took this fantastic photograph!
Geography: Coastal Erosion
In Geography, we have been analysing the impact of coastal erosion on seaside villages and towns. We used the website Digimaps to measure the severity of land loss.
We looked at 3 separate locations on the North East Yorkshire coastline (Great Cowden, Skipsea and Hornsea). We were able to study and compare 3 maps from the locations: 1890s, 1950s and 2022.
We compared the land loss at all 3 locations and discussed what impacts this had on the area. Some of these were:
- infrastructure being lost into the sea;
- house prices declining in the area;
- loss of habitat;
- reduction of tourism.
Finally, we compared the land loss to something we know – Moortown Park. Moortown park is around 200m in length and this is how much land was lost at Skipsea!
We are chefs!
Year 5 have become chefs this past week; they created a very delicious vegetable pasta bake. The children learnt how to cut up vegetables using the bridge and claw method. They EVEN washed up!
If your child wishes to take a paper copy of the recipe home, they are in the end of the day tray in their classroom. Some children have already made it!
Cross country finalists
Today, four Key Stage 2 pupils represented our school in the Leeds cross country final after qualifying in the North East Leeds competition.
Well done to all the children who gave 100% in their races of over 100 runners and with a tough hill at the end.
Special congratulations to our Year 6 runner who after finishing 1st in his heat went on to finish 1st in the Leeds final today! A fantastic acheievement! He will now qualify for the West Yorkshire cross country final.
Thank you to parents who transported and supported the children today.
Living and Learning: I know how to seek help
This week, we have discussed how to seek help when it is needed. The children watched a NSPCC assembly where it highlighted children’s rights and gave the clear message of ‘Speak out, Stay safe’. The children were confident at identifying who their own trusted adults are and felt comfortable that they could ask for help.
This learning will be revisited in a couple of weeks time when they will have a workshop to recap their learning and deepen their knowledge of being safe.
Help at home: Discuss who your child would speak to if they needed help and/or visit the Childline website, which has age-appropriate advice for primary school children on topics such as bullying. It also has games and other interactive tools.
Writing: Narratives with dialogue
Over the past couple of weeks, the children have developed ideas, planned and written narratives which contain dialogue. The focus of the work was for the speech to convey character and advance action. Our inspiration was a silent animation where the two main characters were carrying out a heist for a priceless ruby, however, the plot took a turn and the thieving brothers ended up in a fight.
The children then created their own two characters who were also trying to steal something and similarly ended up in an argument.
Have a look at these extracts from their fantastic work:
Reading
As you all know we love to read at Moortown Primary School. Starting from today, Year 5 will be reading with Reception every Friday. It was lovely to see and hear all the children engaged in a story.
