This week, in History, the children found out about some famous pharaohs and why they were important. They then researched with their partners and made notes on the most famous pharaohs: Tutankhamen, Rameses II, Cleopatra, Hatshepsut. Pharaohs were the ‘Lords of the Two Lands’, as they owned all the land of
Egypt.‘ Did you know that the ancient Egyptians did not call their king a pharaoh and that the word ‘pharaoh’ was first used in the ancient Greek language?
In English, the children used their knowledge about the well-known pharaohs and the various, powerful gods and goddesses and they wrote non-chronological reports. Their reports were full of interesting facts about the interesting world of the Ancient Egyptians; they used a formal tone and included technical vocabulary. Did you know that there were more than 30 royal dynasties in the history of ancient Egypt and around 170 pharaohs?
In our yoga lesson, after warming up with the ‘sun sequence’, the children performed different postures such as the boat, the dragonfly and the gate. They then used these postures to play the ‘Shark game’, and worked on their listening skills and concentration. They listened to the sound of the rainstick and other sounds in a magical silence, while playing the ‘rainstick’ game. Finally, the ‘ladybird relaxation’ game calmed their busy minds. Did you know that yoga enhances children’s concentration and memory and develops their strength and flexibility?
In Art, children developed control of tools and techniques. In preparation for next week’s lesson in which they will make their own clay pot – inspired by our Ancient Egyptian topic, children used plasticine and made and modified a pot, while practising different techniques and using a variety of tools to create interesting artistic effects. Did you know that Ancient Egyptians used different types of vases and pots for different purposes?
In Maths we multiplied and divided numbers by 10, 100 and 1000 and added and subtracted decimals including money. Did you know that payments have changed over the years? Maple class pupils had another interesting lesson on how payments are changing. We discussed the reasons why people shop (needs versus wants) and the positives and negatives of shopping in different ways. We finally compared different ways to pay for goods and suggested the best ways to use technology safely.
Did you know all these spelling strategies before you came to our Learning Together Morning? Thank you all for joining us and working with your children on using different spelling strategies to learn challenging words.
In our science lesson this week, we researched the remarkable life and work of scientist Jane Goodall. We explored her profound dedication to studying chimpanzees in their natural habitats, where she observed behaviours strikingly similar to our own, such as cuddling, kissing, and even tickling among the chimpanzees. Sadly, we also confronted the numerous threats facing these fascinating creatures. We researched various reasons for their challenges to survival, from poaching and deforestation to diseases, wars, and the illicit trade of baby chimpanzees as pets. To demonstrate our learning and advocate for action, we produced persuasive pieces of writing aimed at encouraging our audience to support the Jane Goodall Institute. This organisation is dedicated to safeguarding and conserving these beautiful animals through education.
To wrap up last term’s Space topic, we welcomed an astronomy expert from Cambridge University. The children eagerly seized the opportunity to pose their questions, aiming to deepen their understanding of our sun and solar system. Throughout the session, we explored various aspects, including the prerequisites for sustaining life on other planets and the diverse gravitational forces at play across other planets. One highlight was witnessing a captivating video produced by scientists, illustrating the cataclysmic collision between Earth and the planet Theia. This collision led to the formation of Earth as we know it today, along with the birth of our moon. Additionally, we examined computer-generated images depicting Mars in its ancient state billions of years ago, when water once flowed on its surface. The disappearance of surface water may have been caused by ‘sinking’ into the planet, subsequently freezing and contributing to the ice deposits we’ve discovered beneath the surface. The children had the unique opportunity to handle a genuine space rock, estimated to be around 5 billion years old. The weightiness of the rock, along with its distinct smell and magnetic properties, left us all in awe.
