Walnut Class Term 4 2021/22

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.

The learning was then taken outside of the classroom into the forest. This is where the children were set the challenge of applying their new skills to map reading, through Treasure hunting and compass work.

Everyone had great fun ! This enabled the children share experiences and knowledge.

LET’S CELEBRATE!

This term, both classes have had lots to celebrate from birthdays to international book day.

The children had lots of fun making their own pancake batter and then taking turns to cook their mix on a pancake marker. They later shared their pancakes with EYFS and Middle School children.

Some children have celebrated their birthdays at school this term. We have been spoilt with all the amazing and yummy cakes.

INTERNATIONAL BOOK DAY

For international book day the children all dressed up as their favourite book characters. We were also lucky enough to have a visit from a local author that has her books published in both English and French.

The author provided us with sheets to support our story writing. We were then set the challenge of writing our own imaginative stories.

EASTER EGG HUNT

On Good Friday, the children had a surprise visit from the Easter Bear. The children were able to successfully catch up with him as he dropped eggs along the way. They sadly lost him deep in the forest.

On our return to school, we decided as a group that we should share the eggs evenly between all the children. They were yummy!

FOREST FUN

Both classes have spent a lot of time the forest this term learning how to work in teams as well as developing skills learnt in previous terms. The children have enjoyed taking part in different challenges and games.