This week in English, we focused on developing our non-fiction writing skills. Maple class pupils began by researching and gathering information about the Shang Dynasty, making notes in their planning books. They then grouped their notes under relevant subheadings such as Origins, Calendar and Religion, which helped structure their ideas clearly. Using these groupings, the children went on to write non-chronological reports, ensuring they included features such as subheadings, factual language and clear paragraphs to organise their work effectively.
In both History lessons this week, to support their non-chronological report writing in English, the children investigated historical evidence about the Shang Dynasty, with a particular focus on the Shang kings and royal burials. They explored archaeological findings such as oracle bones and artefacts and other sources such as history books to deepen their understanding of the period, helping them to write with accuracy and detail in their reports.
In Maths, the children focused on understanding tenths and hundredths, learning to represent these as both decimals and fractions. They practiced drawing different representations to visualise the fractions and the decimals, helping them to see how tenths and hundredths fit within a whole. The children also worked on converting decimals to fractions and vice versa, developing a deeper understanding of how numbers can be expressed in different forms.
In PSHE, the children explored how they can care for the environment through the seven Rs—Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Rot, Recycle, Repair, and Rethink. This learning also supports their understanding of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, particularly Article 24, which states that all children have the right to a clean and safe environment. By making thoughtful choices—like reducing waste, reusing materials and recycling—they are not only protecting the planet but also respecting the rights of other children around the world to grow up in a healthy, sustainable environment. To reflect this, the children created colourful posters to remind themselves of these responsibilities and how their actions can help protect both people and the planet.