From fascinating scientific discoveries to geographical explorations and newfound mathematical skills, our week has been full of exploration and creativity. Here’s a glimpse into what we have been learning…
In our Science lesson, we embarked on an intriguing journey into the world of blood. We were intrigued to discover that blood is composed of various components, each with its unique role and significance. We learned that plasma is the only liquid part of our blood and carries essential substances throughout the body. We were amazed to uncover the functions of each component: red blood cells, which transport oxygen; white blood cells, which are crucial for our immune system; and platelets, which assist in clotting. To help reinforce our understanding, we enjoyed a delightful hands-on activity where we created models of blood. Using red-coloured cereal for red blood cells, orange squash for plasma, mini marshmallows for white blood cells, and oats for platelets, we mixed each ingredient in the correct quantities. ‘Making’ blood together was a tremendous amount of fun !
Art this week was another highlight! We showcased our creativity and skills using various drawing and blending techniques with chalk. We focused on creating beautiful depictions of polar bears, drawing inspiration from the information gathered in our Geography lessons. We thoroughly enjoyed illustrating these majestic creatures with true artist flair!
In Geography, we used the Digimap for Schools software, where we honed our skills in locating various European capital cities and discovering which countries they belong to. We learned about the grid system used on world maps, identifying their respective lines of latitude and longitude. This new-found knowledge allowed us to accurately pinpoint the exact location of both the North and South Poles.
In our Maths lessons, we dipped our toes into the intriguing world of algebra. We began by solving one and two-step function machine problems before we progressed to substituting numbers for letters, gradually writing expressions. Despite some initial trepidation – “Why are there letters everywhere instead of numbers?” – we collectively reached a consensus: algebra, whilst a bit puzzling at first, is quite clever! By the end of the week, we were pleased with our ability to tackle algebraic expressions, and our growing confidence was commendable.
In English, we dedicated our time to revision, focusing on the different types of conjunctions—specifically coordinating and subordinating conjunctions. We enjoyed successfully identifying subordinate clauses in sentences, sharpening our grammar skills in the process.
In RE, we continued our thought-provoking debate surrounding the concept of eternity. This week, we explored the Christian marriage service, examining symbols of eternity such as the exchanging of rings and the heartfelt promise to love and care for one another ‘until death do us part’. The conversations became lively as we delved into the notion of unconditional love, with many offering examples. The most popular example that emerged was the unwavering love our parents have for us, regardless of how challenging we can be at times! This discussion offered an opportunity for us to reflect on the importance of love and commitment in relationships, tying in beautifully with the theme of eternity.
We had more fun during our Whole Class Reading lessons where we continued exploring the enthralling book Holes by Louis Sachar. We are simply loving this story, which intricately weaves together present-day events with intriguing insights into Stanley’s great-great-grandfather’s past. We have been developing our retrieval and inference skills throughout our discussions, deepening our understanding of the characters. It’s fascinating to connect the dots in this story as we uncover layers of the narrative. “It’s clever that the chapters about Stanley digging holes are much longer compared to the shorter ones that delve into his past!” This structure keeps us on our toes and adds an exciting rhythm to the reading! Another thrilling moment was the revelation that the Warden is a woman. Initially, many of us were led to believe through stereotypes that the Warden would be a man. This twist not only challenged our assumptions but also showcased Sachar’s talent for keeping us both surprised and engaged.
Our next Learning Together Morning is Tuesday 28th January. We look forward to learning with you then.
Have a lovely weekend!