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The children were very excited to bring in their own soft toy to make a tunic for. After taking careful measurements, they drew out their patterns and cut them out in preparation for sewing together.
They chose whether to use a running stitch or an overstitch to join the pieces of material together.
For their focused practical task, the children drew a pocket template which they used as a pattern. They considered the most efficient placement of the pattern on the material, marked it out and then cut it.
They then had the opportunity to practise joining the two pieces of material using a running stitch and overstitch.
In D & T this term, the year 3 children will be making Iron Age clothing for their for their teddy bears. They have begun to look at what the clothing would’ve been like and how it would have been made.
They discovered that the staple piece of clothing would have been a tunic. This would have been made from cloth woven on a loom and coloured using natural dyes found in the local environment ( e.g. from grasses and berries). It might also have been adorned with decorative stitching, beads and brooches.
They looked at different types of fabric, discussing the various properties of each.
They continued their investigation phase by looking at modern-day fashion designers and the process that goes into making clothing.
Investigate
First we needed to understand what the need and purpose is for a bug hotel. Our first enquiry was ‘What are bugs/insects and why do we need them?’. We then looked at a variety of insects and why they are important for nature. We discussed how without them nothing would be able to survive (even if the children did not like them!).
We then focussed on ‘What is a bug hotel?’. From the design brief the children were excited but were still not sure what one might look like. We looked at lots of different bug hotels that were all manmade and freestanding (stands up by themselves). We thought carefully over the following questions: How the parts have been joined together? What materials have been used? and why have those been chosen? We then drew two of the structures we explored and labelled it.
Focussed Practical Task
The children loved exploring how to build a variety of freestanding structures using different materials.
They made the base bigger! This made the structure stronger.
This was not a strong freestanding structure. I asked the children how could you make it sturdier?
We folded paper in different ways so it would stand up.
We used tape to build joins.
We practically explored putting straws/hay into a plastic bottle.
We practised using a hammer and nails.
Design
The children could not wait to become designers. Before we could start designing we went on a walk around the school grounds to source natural resources. We had already collected manmade resources such as yogurt pots, milk bottles etc. Once the children knew what to use they worked in small groups to design their bug hotels sharing ideas on what materials would be best/ the purpose of each section. Finally, the children picked their favourite design and explained why.
Make
The children had so much fun putting their knowledge from the focussed practical task into action.
Using a variety of materials.
Using a hammer and nails (supervised by an adult).
The final outcome.
Evaluate
Finally the children evaluated the end product thinking about what they liked, disliked and whether they stuck to their design brief.
Year 5 have designed their breads and today we made our loaves.
We ensured we were following all the health and safety and hygiene protocols while making our dough.
We followed our designs and recipe and the finished products were fantastic.
Here are some pictures of our amazing breads.
Today, Year 5 continued their Anglo Saxon and Vikings Design and Technology unit. We began the unit with an introduction to what yeast is and how it is an essential ingredient to make bread. We then had a Year 5 Great British Bake Off where the children practiced making their own bread in a bag with the help of the teachers.
To make our bread, we mixed together: flour, sugar, water, oil, salt and yeast. We then let the bread rise for 10 minutes until the dough had risen. Finally, the children practiced moulding their dough into a shape of their choice, such as a flower, baguette, flatbread, heart, letters, twists, plait and many more exciting shapes.
Here are some images of the children’s work and the shape they decided to create for their bread!
Today, Year 5 started their new DT project – making their own loaf of bread.
We tasted different types of bread (including a white loaf, a wholemeal seeded loaf, pitta bread, naan bread, a cheese roll, a brioche bread bun and gluten free bread.
We then filled in a table, thinking about the appearance, smell, texture and taste of each bread.
Our Y3 focus this term in our Healthy Me! unit of Jigsaw has allowed us to consider that the calories we get from the foods we eat provide us with the energy we need to work, grow and exercise. We also discussed the importance of exercise to stay healthy and understand that for our bodies to be in balance (healthy) we need to take in the right amount of energy and do the right amount of activity. In addition, we further discussed the benefit of exercise on our heart and lungs and recognise that the more we exercise that our heart and lungs work harder and become stronger.
FACT…Did you know that children should exercise for at least 1 hour a day? We investigated this fact and calculated that if we walk, cycle or travel on scooter to and from school and be active at both play, lunchtimes and after school that we already exceed this recommended time!
We then undertook an investigation to find out the amount of calories, fats and sugar content in various food items by taking notice of the Traffic Light labelling on packaging…
We then played the ‘How Much Sugar?’ game whereby the children had to match the identified sugar content in grammes to the correct food item before the answers were revealed…This activity evoked some great discussion and difference of opinions between our Year 3 children.
When the answers were revealed the children were quite surprised…
An energy drink…35g of sugar
A blueberry muffin…30g of sugar
A bowl of chocolate ice-cream…22g of sugar
A packet of sweets 20g of sugar
A flavoured yoghurt…17g of sugar
A chocolate bar…15g of sugar
A chocolate biscuit/cookie…14g of sugar
A bowl of chocolate cereal…11g of sugar
A plain biscuit/cookie…8g of sugar
As an extra activity, the children were provided with the actual physical representation of the amounts of sugar, which they had to weigh on the digital scales and match to the food items in the activity….
From this activity, some of our Y3 children have raised that we do not often think of the calories, fats or sugar content within the foods that we eat and that they are now considering taking more notice of the Traffic Light recordings on food labels and packaging.
Sewing Club is back! This term Year 4 have been designing and creating a bookmark. The children were able to choose a blank bookmark, a whole range of colourful threads and over the weeks have created some very individual bookmarks. These sewing superstars have learned how to thread a needle, how to secure the thread to the binca, and how to sew a variety of stitches. Each bookmark is then finished off with a felt backing and a coordinating tassel. Here are some of their finished projects, they are super proud of their bookmarks and their well deserved achievement certificate.
The designers in Y4 were tasked with creating a purse that was strong enough to carry coins. influenced by our study of the Romans we went on to investigate a variety of purses and wallets to determine their qualities.
During our Focused Practical Tasks, we learned how to sew materials together using a variety of stitches. The pupils evaluated the stitches that they had practised to help them decide which method they would use in their design.
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Although some stitches were challenging, our teachers were very proud of the resilience that we demonstrated whilst learning these new skills.
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We used paper templates to help us gauge the size of our design, where the folds, stitches and attachments would go.
We worked with patience and pride. We applied our new skills and some of excelled and were able to help our peers!
After we had posed for these photographs where we proudly displayed our finished purses and wallets, we considered what we would change if we were to do it again. We evaluated our methods, skills and finished outcome as we always strive to be the best that we can be!
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