English

Our English learning for this half term has been based around the book ‘Survivors’ which is a collection short, real-life survival stories. The children particularly enjoyed reading the story of the Girl who fell from the Sky and the story of the friends who flew over the Berlin wall.  The children were able to write a recount of the main events of the first story from the Jungle’s perspective using descriptive and emotional language. We then used the information form the story to create a pamphlet for how to prepare for a jungle hike. The children gathered information from other pamphlets and the story itself before planning and writing their paragraphs using a formal tone and technical vocabulary.

After reading about the friends who flew over the wall, the children summarised the key events from the story, making sure to keep it concise and relevant. We then interviewed two other escapees from East Germany. The children asked a range of closed and open questions to gain the important information about their stories so they could write about them in an informative text.

Maths

This half term, we have looked at division, fractions, percentages, algebra and angles. To start with, the children learned how to divide numbers efficiently by identifying the most appropriate method.  

We then look at common multiples and common factors, using these to find equivalent fractions. This then enabled the children to compare, order, add and subtract fractions by making the denominators the same.

To find percentages of amounts, the children used their understanding of tenths and hundredths to find 10 and 1% respectively and were then able to find other percentages such as 5% or 20% using these facts.

During the algebra topic, the children described patterns using formulae and identified unknown values using known numbers.

In our final topic of the term, the children have been using protractors to measure and draw angles. They even used information to draw – to scale- triangles and quadrilaterals.

Science

Our topic has been electricity this term. The children have learned how to create circuits with different components and used scientific symbols to draw diagrams of them. The children have also worked scientifically to plan investigations by identifying potential variables and deciding which one they will change in order to keep it a fair test. We have then carried out our tests and recorded our results before writing a conclusion of our findings.

History

We have continued with our enquiry of ‘Why did Elizabeth’s Sea dogs make Phillip so angry?’ this term. We learned about the actions of Elizabeth’s Sea dogs with the children able to give reasons for their actions and then found out how Phillip reacted to this. The children then read about the events of the Spanish Armada, putting the major dates in chronological order on a timeline. We then investigated why the Armada failed with the children able to write about a range of factors which contributed to the Spanish defeat including Spain’s mistakes, England’s tactics and the weather.

Geography
In Geography, we have continued our rivers topic. The children have learned about estuaries and how they are brilliant habitats for a range of invertebrates, fish and birds. We also learned about the Isle of Dogs and how its location on the River Thames ensured it was extremely busy during the height of the British Empire. The children also learned about Bangladesh. They started by locating the country and its key features on a range of maps using compass directions and 6-figure grid references. They then looked at evidence for how rivers in Bangladesh were both vital for people who live there and could cause incredible damage to their towns. Once the children look at this evidence, they were able to summarise why Bangladesh suffered from so much flooding and how the rivers provided food, water and income for the residents of Bangladesh.

P.E.

Tennis was our main focus in P.E. this half term. We learned how to hold a racket appropriately and how to perform a forehand and backhand shot. The children enjoyed practising these shots in a range of drills and games and quickly became confident with them. We then progressed into moving towards the ball and working in pairs to establish a rally. Again, the children enjoyed this challenge and showed great focus and determination to keep the drills going. Finally, we applied all our skills in match-type situations where the children had to hit the ball away from their opponent in order to score points.

Computing

This term, the children continued with their coding topic. Creating their own virtual reality using sprites, backgrounds, animations and code. The children were able to put their own spin on their world, but each pupil included movement through inputs and loops. They also used sensing create variables.