Author: Luke Hamilton

This term Walnut class has taken its learning outside. We have applied our skills to a range of different activities. This has enabled us to develop our critical thinking and well as our problem solving skills.

Loud Literacy

Walnut children have applied their knowledge and understanding of sentence structure, grammar and punctation to narrative writing.

We listened to soundscapes of a busy city and using them to describe what it would feel like to walk through it.

We discussed what our senses might be experiencing if we were walking through the city, what we could hear, see, smell, touch. After creating word banks we then applied this vocabulary to our writing.

We then applied our knowledge of the past, present and future tense verbs to a sorting activity. From this we were set the challenge of writing our own sentences.

We took our writing outside and with the view of Paris we were set the challenge of writing a setting description using the amazing view as a stimulus.

Exploring and extending our descriptive vocabulary, we took out bikes in the forest. This enabled use to explore the local environment as well as vocalise what we had experienced.

Ravenous Readers

This term we have continued to take our reading to the next level. We have explored a range of different genres. This has helped us to develop our vocabulary as well as our writing.

Show and Tell

As part of our learning journey this term we have used show and tell to develop our speaking and listening skills. This has helped us to further develop our spoken vocabulary, enabled us to talk about something we are interested in.

Magical Mathematics

In Maths, we started the term 5 as we finished the last one: with fractions. But this time we went a bit deeper:  calculating and identifying equivalent fractions and solving word problems that involve them.

We further developed the concepts of measurement in length and height. Also, we learnt how to interpret a range of scales for measuring mass and capacity. We refined our ability to measure length in centimeters, meters and millimeters, and applied this in a variety of contexts by using measuring tools including rulers and measuring tape.

Furthermore, we learnt facts about time, compare and order time intervals and tell the time on an analogue clock to the nearest five minutes. We then took this learning outside.

Walnut class also learnt to use mathematical vocabulary to describe position, direction and movement, including motion in a straight line. We learnt to distinguish between rotation as a turn and in terms of right angles for quarter, half and three-quarter turns in clockwise and anticlockwise directions. 

Serious Scientists

This term, we learned about rocks and fossils. We became geologists as we explored a variety of rocks and described them. We then classified rocks based on their mode of formation – igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic.

We had a ball using chewy sweets to model the rock cycle.

It is incredibly important to find links between our learning and our environment. So, we trawled the school for rocks being used and linked their uses to their properties. Why do we use slate for roofs? Why do we write with chalk?

Then, we investigated fossils. We learned about the different ways that fossils can be formed. We also had the opportunity to learn about dinosaurs of our choice and how paleontologists came to know so much about them. Next, we had a go at creating our very own replacement and trace pseudo-fossils using plaster of Paris and clay respectively. It was fun stamping our 3D- printed dinosaur footprints into clay.

There is soil all around us: in our gardens, in the forest, at the beach, even in my car! We learned about three types of soils and how their permeability varies.

We then explored the soil profile and created our very own soil profile jars using natural materials within our local environment.

From the start of this theme, we had weekly questions about studying gems and we did answer them all!

We learned about geodes and created our very own ones in eggshells. Does anyone need a shimmering Epsom salt geode for an engagement ring?

The children thoroughly enjoyed this topic judging by their enthusiasm – bringing in rocks that they found and attempting to name them, even creating their own trace fossils using mud in the forest. Walnut rocks!

Super Swimmers!

This term, we continued to develop our swimming skills and became more confident in the water. We learnt new games, how to stay safe as well as different swimming techniques.

Crazy for Capoeira!

This term Walnut class took part in Capoeira workshops, they were taught the art of this amazing fight dancing. This encouraged the class to move their bodies in ways they had not before.

In pairs the class practiced their moves as they learnt how to control their bodies when using these new moves.

Pony Camp

This term Birch and Walnut took a trip to a Pony Camp. This was the first time for some spending a few days away from home. The children were amazing! they learnt new skills, made new friends and developed their independence.

First, we met at the train station and all got ready to take our long trip. It was a fun journey as we played games and spoke with friends. We couldn’t wait to arrive at our camp!

When we arrived we took part in a welcome presentation where we learnt about the different types of activities we would be taking part in over the next couple of days. We also learnt about the different types of ponies that live at the camp.

We learnt how to care for the ponies as well as all the important safety rules that needed to be followed when working with the ponies.

We also had great fun in our down time we played games, football and run outs. It was so much fun!

Superstar Singers!

During Music workshops this term the class learnt a range of new songs both in English and in French. In groups they broke off into small chorus to experiment with rhythm and tempo.

Dizzy Design Technology!

In Design and Technology projects, Walnut children have had the opportunity to extend their understanding of a variety of different carpentry techniques while completing our FISP Book swap Box. The children were always eager to get on with the project straight away and demonstrated precise actions while using a drill, hammer and a saw and now know how to use them safely. We investigated with the different electric components, discussed their role and then constructed various electric circuits. We disassembled old phones and computers and used the components while creating our own Recycled Eiffel Towel. Linked to our “Reuse, Reduce and Recycle” theme in IPC, we constructed our own drawing robot out of recycled materials that created one of the masterpieces that was displayed on the art auction. Birch Class also designed their own buzzing-drawing robot and it was keen to add its own finishing touches to the painting. What a Fantastic Year Walnut Design Team. You have learnt so many new skills and thoroughly enjoyed working collaboratively on ‘Stick Man’, ‘Insect Hotel’, ‘Mathematical Christmas tree’, ‘Drawing robot’, ‘Wooden toys’ and ‘FISP Book swap box’ projects and I am very proud of your achievements.

Sporting Super Stars!

In PE we played so many new games such as “polis y cacos”, “spyder”, “el pañuelo” or “el pistolero”. We learnt the importance of playing and competing as a team and that no matter the result, the point is to have fun and always try your best.

Birch and Walnut classes took part in Sports workshops were they were able to develop their fine and gross motor skills. They took part in a number of team building games.

We tested out our sporting abilities when we took part in the whole school sports day. We worked in teams to achieve the best possible scores! Well done to you all!

We created signs to help cheer on our teams.

Fabulous French!

IPC French

Take a look at all the amazing things we learnt about in our IPC French classes.

Summer Fete!

What an amazing day we had at our summer fete! The whole school took part in an amazing performance in the forest.

What great fun was had by all! It was a fantastic way to celebrate the school as well as everyone’s achievements.

This term we have had great fun exploring and developing our skills that have enabled us to take our learning that one step further.

Our Topic this term has been ‘From A to B’.  It was linked to an in-school project called ‘Exciting Eggs’. The children had the opportunity to learn and observe the incubation of chicks and follow their journey from eggs to chicks. The next stage of the chicks development will take place in the upcoming term. We are excited to share this with the children as they will be learning how to care for them.

LIVING FOR LITERACY

As part of our topic we researched different key aviation figures that have had an impact on modern day air travel. The children chose a key figure to research, they collected information and were asked to order them into sub-headings.

They were then set the challenge of ordering events chronologically. This supported the classes understanding of when events took place.

This term, the children have been learning how to plan, edit and improve their work. As a class we have worked on writing for a longer period of time as well as breaking our writing down into manageable sections or paragraphs.

Once the children had written each section or paragraphs they were then asked to use their developing skills of dictionary/thesaurus work to edit and improve their writing. This has enabled the children to develop their own understanding of the meaning of certain words as well as improved their own spoken and written vocabulary.

“WHO SAID THAT ?”

The children this term have also been learning about inverted commas and how they are used in writing. The children have successfully used them to indicate when a character is talking, as well as how a character has spoken those words.

READING FUNDERMENTALS

The children have continued to develop their reading comprehension skills. The children have worked hard on ensuring that they have read the text carefully, pulling apart the questions asked as well as using full sentences to answer the questions.

MINI TED TALKS

This term, the children have worked on developing their speaking and listening skills. They have been given the opportunity to bring into school an object of importance to share and discuss it with both classes.

This experience has helped the children to also develop their questioning and conversational skills. They have been so excited to share their special things with their peers.

MARVELS OF MATHS

Lines

We greatly enjoyed exploring shape this term! Many of us learned the differences between one-dimensional, two-dimensional and three-dimensional objects.  We also applied our learning to ponder about why four-dimensional movies were so named.

We learned to describe lines using words like vertical, horizontal, diagonal and curved.  We also learned to describe the relationship between lines: parallel, intersecting and perpendicular.  We had a blast applying our understanding of lines to capital letter riddles. 

A Riddle for You:  

I am thinking of a capital letter.  It is made up of two horizontal lines and one diagonal line.  Which letter could it be?

Describing angles came next: acute, right, obtuse and straight!  We found all these angles in nature and in letters.

2D-Shapes

Investigating two-dimensional shapes was a blast.  We named them, described irregular and regular shapes, created patterns with them and even explored symmetry.  Here are our pictures exploring 2-dimensional shapes and symmetry.  Can you spot the type of symmetry used?

2D Shape Art Gallery

Symmetrical Art Gallery

3D-Shapes

There are three-dimensional shapes all around us; we can pick them up.  We learned to sort, name and describe these using words like faces, curved surfaces, edges and vertices.  Some of us even learned to spot the nets of 3-dimensional shapes.

Fractions

We also learned about different fractions such as one-third, three-quarters and the equivalence of two-quarters with one-half. We explored them and deepened our knowledge of halves and quarters of a range of different shapes, objects and quantities. 
We learned how to write fraction notations and discovered the role of the numerator and denominator.  We used small manipulatives such as counters to investigate fractions of quantities.

SAVVY SCIENTISTS

This term, we learned about animals, including humans. 

We identified living and non-living things, then sorted animals by diet: carnivores, herbivores and omnivores.  We all want to stay healthy.  Therefore, we learned about healthy eating, posture and the need for exercise. 

It was interesting to investigate the influence of physical activity on muscle strength and fitness.  We measured our lung capacities, checked our breathing rate before and after exercise, then came to our own conclusions on how to stay healthy.

We learned to classify animals as mammals and non-mammals, vertebrates and invertebrates.  We also learned about life cycles and applied our understanding to create our own life cycles: real or imaginary.  Visit our life cycle gallery.

Here is a video summarising what we learned this term.

https://vimeo.com/701347189

UP AND AWAY

As part of our topic learning this term both Birch and Walnut took a trip to the local Airfield. This was a great opportunity for the children to take their learning outside the classroom.

We were very lucky to have a guided tour of the hanger, workshop and air traffic control tower. Whilst on our visit the children were able to see a small aircraft take off and land.

We took turns sitting a light aircraft and learnt about all the different controls that they have to control the movement of the plane.

AMAZING ARTISTS

This term, we have been learning about POP ART. The children have look closely at a range of different artists that use this art form. We have explored bright colours, patterns and printing.

First, we focused on the work of Andy Warhol , the children chose a famous face from the present day and recreated the well known print of Marilyn Monroe. The children had to ensure that they used bright colours to recreate a new work of art.

From this, the children learnt all about the Brazilin artist Romero Britto. The children created images of people, places or objects and then cut and stuck different patterns to fill their artwork with colour. Finally, we created our own POP ART pieces onto canvas using all of the different techniques we have learnt.

CAPOEIRA AND MUSIC WORKSHOPS

The children have taken part in weekly Capoeira workshops, where they have learnt about the special movements needed to create this beautiful dance. The children have learnt how to control their bodies as well as the history behind the dance. Both classes have also explored the music and rhythm.

DIZZY DESIGNERS

During this term we continued working on our collaborative creation “FISP Book Swap Box”. Students had the opportunity to extend their understanding of a variety of different carpentry techniques. It is pleasing to see that Birch and Walnut students now demonstrate precise actions while using a drill, hammer and a saw. 

Birch and Walnut students should to be congratulated on their efforts and eagerness to get on with the project right away from the beginning of each session. Fantastic work young designers and carpenters, you should be proud of your achievements! 

Birch and Walnut have taken part in design and building their own modes of transport for an egg to safely fly through the sky. The children carefully chose materials that would be suitable for safely carrying and landing an egg.

Once they had built their egg flying machines the next step was to test them out. There were many successful maiden voyages.

OUT IF THIS WORLD ORIENTEERS

The children of Middle School were set the challenge of teaching others how to direct themselves through the forest. The children worked together to set up presentations and games to support development of others orienteering skills.