January 2023 - Week 4

Firstly, apologies that I have not been keeping up with the blog posts as well this half term. I will do my upmost to ensure that this does not happen again. 

The children have been very busy over the first few weeks of term, with a lot of learning occurring across the curriculum. 

In Maths, the children are now able to multiply and divide 2 and 3 digit numbers using a variety of different concrete, pictorial and abstract methods. We are now moving onto Length and Perimeter, where the children spent this morning working on measuring different items in both centimetres and millimetres. We are aware of the equivalence between the two measurements and that they are a part of the metric system. 

In English, we began the term looking at Nikola Tesla, which coincides with our Science topic on Electricity. Together we researched and then produced a biography focusing on the key parts of his life, including his early life, career, achievements and his legacy. 

As previously mentioned, our Science topic this half term is Electricity, we have investigated conductors and insulators and built simple circuits. In the coming weeks we will explore how electricity is generated and how this may have changed in the last century. Focusing on the dangers of electricity, the Goshawks have produced posters which the Otters would be able to use to identify 'What ot to Do'. 

In Geography, we have been focusing on the Coast. We are able to spot the difference between an erosion landform and a depositional landform, as well as identify the different types of sea defence which are erected along the coasts in Britain, in places such as Happisburgh and Scarborough. We have also investigated the effects of a failure in a coastal defence. 

In History we are studying the Romans, we have explored the rise of the Romans and there journey of conquering and taking control of many areas of Europe before setting their sights on Britain. In our most recent lesson, the children became spies, taking notes on Stone Age Britain in order to make any attack by the Romans easier. 

In Art, our focus has been Abstract Art. After looking at different artists, we have been spending the last few weeks focusing specifically on Wassily Kandinsky. We have looked at how he used music to influence colour, shape and tone. We are now going to create our own Compositions based on a piece of music, emulating the work of Kandinsky in our own individualised way. 

The focus by some on Times Table Rockstars has been great to see, particularly in the Year 4's, who have their Multiplication Table Check to complete in June. Alongside their weekly practice for their times table awards, regular practice of the 'Soundcheck' mode will enable the children to have a greater understanding of the setup of the official check before it actually happens. 

The children have been getting well involved in many of the lessons which has been great to see. I hope they can keep up the enthusiasm as we get further into the term.