English

In English this term we have been looking at the story Arthur and the Golden Rope. We learnt about how Arthur became an unlikely hero by saving his town from the mythical beast Fenrir. Looking carefully at the story, we wrote our own version of how Arthur was able to defeat the wolf and wrote our own Kenning poem to describe Fenrir. This has also linked with our history topic of Vikings so we explored some of the myths the Vikings told and had a go at some oral story telling of the Viking creation myth.

Maths

In maths we have looked at telling the time using an analogue clock as well as using 12-hour and 24-hour digital clocks. We have also looked at place value in decimals, how to divide by 10 and 100 and how to convert between fractions and decimals. Finally, we have looked at converting between centimetres and meters.

Geography

In geography, we have looked at sustainability. We have talked about what activities are sustainable such as creating electricity using wind power and what activities are unsustainable such as burning coal or oil. We also investigated what is happening in Exminster to help protect lapwings and how what is being done is an example of sustainable development.

History

We have been looking at when the Vikings first came to Britain and started to raid churches and monasteries. We then investigated the features of Norse longships and why they were useful to the Vikings. Finally, we have compared Viking and Anglo-Saxon settlements and explored why Vikings eventually settled in Britain.

DT

In DT we have continued to work on our tower construction project. We have learnt how to safely use hand saws and join our frame together. We have also talked about the importance of being accurate with our measurements and how we will attach our electrical circuit.

Science

In science we have been finding out about all kinds of organisms. We looked at the 7 characteristics all living things have and how we can split them into categories. We also looked at what a vertebrate and invertebrate is and how to classify vertebrate as mammals, reptiles, fish, amphibians and bird. Next term we will be going on a trip to look at invertebrates and habitats in our local area.

PSHE

In PSHE we have been talking about different kinds of relationships and how these may change over time. We talked about why memories can be important to help us remember someone we no longer see. We also explored how we can try to repair a relationship when we have fallen out with someone or had an argument.

RE

This term we have been looking more at Buddhism with a focus on the belief in the 8-Fold Path. We have looked carefully at how a Buddhist might try and keep to the 8-Fold Path and how it could influence their lives. We then made our own path with the values we believe are important to our own lives.

P.E.

In PE this term Hogwarts have focused on gymnastics. Over a series of lessons the children have learn about the different types of balances and explored different styles of travelling. Some of the ways of travelling included bear crawls, caterpillar walks. These were then coupled with different types of balancing actions. Once the children were comfortable with the different skills they came together with a partner to then create carefully crafted sequences that included all the elements that they had learnt. These were performed for an audience and critiqued.

Computing

We have enjoyed making animations on the computer this term. We explored how animations are made up of many different pictures passing by our eyes so fast our brain is tricked into thinking they are moving. We looked at how to recreate this on the computer using different tools such as onion skinning to help alter each image slightly. We also added sound to our animations.

Spanish

In Spanish we have been learning how to say different verbs and the patterns we spot in the phonics. We have also learnt how to use these verbs in a short sentence to explain what we can do.

Music

This half term we have been playing the descant recorder. We have recapped our Year 3 recorder skills and knowledge, holding, blowing, saying ‘tu’ and remembering left hand on top. We refreshed our playing of the tune Hot Cross Buns and began learning to play the French folk song Au Clair Du La Lune.