In Maple class this week, the children enjoyed learning about Howard Carter’s discovery of Tutankhamun’s tomb. They explored a range of historical sources displayed around the classroom, such as newspaper articles, letters and diaries, to help them build a picture of what happened. The children also discussed where these sources came from and why they were created, developing their historical enquiry skills.
This learning linked closely with English. Year 5 children wrote newspaper articles from the perspective of a journalist in 1922, retelling the key events of the discovery and including correctly punctuated quotes. Year 4 children focused on descriptive writing, producing detailed paragraphs for a letter inspired by a class text.
In Maths, Year 4 children practised multiplying numbers by 10 and 100, while Year 5 children used the area model and long multiplication to multiply larger numbers and solve problems.
In Art, inspired by Van Gogh’s Sunflowers, the children experimented with blending pastels and creating tints and shades to produce their own vibrant sunflower artwork.
In PE, the children developed their gymnastics skills by practising a range of rolls, including barrel, straight, forward, straddle, and backward rolls. They challenged themselves and showed growing confidence and control. This links to children’s right to play, rest, and leisure (Article 31 of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child), supporting their physical development, wellbeing, and enjoyment in a safe and encouraging environment.
In PSHE, linked to our work as a UN Rights Respecting School, the children read and discussed vaping. They learned about some of the health risks associated with vaping, understood that there are potential risks that are not yet fully known and explored why companies sell vaping products to make money. These discussions were linked to children’s right to health (Article 24 of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child), helping the children understand that they have the right to make informed choices about their own wellbeing and that society has a responsibility to protect them from harmful products.
This week in Music, Maple class had a fantastic time exploring fanfare rhythms – bold, exciting musical patterns used to announce something important, like a royal entrance or a sporting victory!
We began with an energetic warm-up using body percussion, clapping and stamping to a steady pulse. The children experimented with dynamics, practicing the same rhythms quietly and then very loudly, learning the musical terms piano (quiet) and forte (loud). This helped them understand how volume can change the mood and impact of music.
After discussing what makes a fanfare sound powerful, the children worked in small groups to create their own fanfare rhythms.
We ended the lesson with performances, where each group confidently shared their fanfare with the class. The audience listened respectfully, and we celebrated what each group did well – especially their strong dynamics and clear repetition.
