After reading the Stone Age Boy and Elf Road, we went on to create our own portal stories. To be able to complete this task we had to create a new world which our character would be transported to. To engage our readers, we challenged ourselves to use adventurous vocabulary that took into account all of our senses, as well as using fronted adverbials. Here are some examples of the home learners work.
To start our topic on the Stone Age, Bronze Age and Iron Age, we found out where in history this period of time occurred. We ordered BC and AD events chronologically on a timeline, discussing how much time had passed between each. We then created a Human timeline outside to try and demonstrate some key historical dates; including our new topics historical dates. We then went on to write a conclusion showing what we now know about the Stone Age, Bronze Age and Iron Age.
Over the last few weeks, Y4 have been working hard on creating their Christmas Light boxes for this term’s Design and Technology project.
Investigate
The journey started with investigating light-up Christmas items which are very popular the time of the year. The children loved taking these apart and making links between components, design and materials. They identified the key parts they would need in their boxes: a switch, wires, a bulb and batteries.
Focussed Practical Task
One tricky part of our project was creating the box which would hold all of their components and be able to display their design. We spent a lesson focussing on how to use nets to create three dimensional shapes. Children created a wide variety of shapes in varying difficulty. Some were very challenging and were tricky to assemble!
Focussed Practical Task: Making Nets
Design
The next step was to design their boxes. Children made a plan drawing of the inside and outside of their net. They also make a wiring diagram so they new how much wire they would need and where their components would go. They also finalised a design for a switch using split pins and paper clips.
Ready to make: Summer with her final design!
Making
The next step was very exciting – the children were finally ready to make their light boxes! They uses scissors to cut out their nets, used pencils, felt tip and pen to decorate it, electrical pliers to cut and strip the wires and clue and tape to fasten their materials together.
The finished product
The Light Boxes turned out fantastic! The children all worked really hard on them and we are super proud of what they have achieved. As with any process, some parts were harder from others and the children have fed back some small changes we will make for the next children who will make these, but overall it was a huge success!
Phoebe’s snowman light-box ready for Christmas!
Mr Morgan’s class were very please with their work!
Home-made switches working perfectly!
If you’d like to make one of our boxes, follow our ‘How to’ video below!
In Year 3, we have been exploring the celebration of Advent and the significance it holds for the Christian community. We shared the ways in which we celebrate our own ‘Countdown to Christmas’ by opening our yummy Advent calendars and compared our traditions to that of lighting the candles on the ‘Advent Wreath’ in a Christian place of worship.
https://www.topmarks.co.uk/christmas/Advent.aspx
We also explored the significant meaning of each part of the Advent Wreath –
The four outer candles represent Peace, Love, Joy and Hope.
The centre candle represents Jesus – The Light of the World and his birth
The evergreen leaves of the circular wreath symbolise life, hope and eternity.
We hope that everyone has a lovely time this Christmas!
After learning how to build complete circuits, we wanted to be able to turn them on and off. We examined where would find and use switches in everyday life before we went on to build and create our own switches out of everyday materials such as card, foil, paper clips and split pins.
During this practical task, our young electricians worked collaboratively to create effective switches. The children’s reactions were brilliant, it was great to see them feeling proud of their achievements and being delighted with their functional switches.
Switched on!: Investigating different types of electrical switches and making our own.
In Year 3, we have been sharing some of our special memories and comparing our views on the importance of sharing our memories with others. We established that memories help us to reflect on both our past as well as those of others who are, or have been, an important part of our lives.
We have been able to identify the Christian celebrations which take part throughout our calendar year and recognise the importance of these for members of the Christian community. We were able to talk about the celebrations we like best and discuss how these celebrations make us feel.
We have also discussed the significance of Remembrance Day and the importance of remembering how the events from the past have shaped our lives today.
In Year 4 this term, we have been exploring and comparing the rituals and traditions which take place within the Christian and Jewish faith communities. We have explored the traditional celebration of ‘Harvest’ within the Christian community and compared it to the ‘Festival of Sukkot’ celebrated within the Jewish community. From this we concluded that while there are some differences in the way each festival is celebrated, the common theme is to remember and give thanks to others.
Watch the Jewish Festival of Sukkot here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0193b73
We have also explored the common traditions and rituals that we all experience of a weekend in our own lives and compared these to the ritual of ‘Shabbat’ which takes place each week in a Jewish family household. Some children were a bit shocked when Charlie in the clip mentions that he is unable to play on his Playstation/X-box or phone during Shabbat! Upon further discussion, the children gained a further understanding of this weekly ritual and the importance of acknowledging the Jewish day of rest within this faith community.
Watch the ritual of Shabbat here:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/teach/class-clips-video/religious-studies-ks2-shabbat-day-of-rest/zrkvrj6
Electricity! A unit of work that has really hooked our interest! We loved being scientists this afternoon, working on a challenge, with little information given, to light a bulb and create a simple series circuit. The excitement in the room was electric as one by one, each team managed to light up their bulb! We then explored the function of other components within a circuit and we can not wait for next weeks lesson to take this a step further 💡💡💡💡💡💡💡💡💡💡💡
To help us gain a better understanding of the Ancient Egyptians, we have been looking at where on the timeline, this civilisation existed. We learned of other ancient civilisations that existed simultaneously to the Egyptians and today we were exploring the commonalities of them. We examined primary and secondary sources of evidence to discuss, discover and deduce facts about the Ancient civilisations of Sumer, Indus Valley, Shang and Egypt.
This afternoon are classrooms were full of lively discussion as we listened proudly to our young historians making connections and drawing their own conclusions as to what made a civilisation.
For Anti-Bullying Week in Y3/4, we have be having ‘in-depth’ discussions, where we have been able to share our opinions and views on how we can all work together to demonstrate a united approach to tackle bullying.
