Fractions 5.12.14

This week in maths we have been learning about fractions we were using 12 skittles to split them into equal groups of half, quarters, thirds and sixths. We then added 12 more skittles and found different fractions of 24.

Play time!

In English we are studying plays. We are going to be looking at the Nativity and writing it up as a play scrip before performing it.

We have gathered the features of a play and created a poster to remind us what to include in our own play.

Today we read through the Nativity and worked in groups to role play the story.

Tomorrow we are going to be performing and recording our re enactments of the Nativity.

Check back tomorrow for our recordings.

Science club!

In Science club we were looking at electricity! We made circuits using bulbs, wires and crocodile clips, switches and batteries.

We discovered that the bulb wouldn't light up if the circuit wasn't complete. The circuit needed to be complete so the electricity could flow easily from the battery to the bulb.

Here are some pictures of us working.

In Year 3 - 4 we were learning how different materials burned and that burning caused a chemical change which was irreversible.

We then went on to discover that fire needs oxygen to burn. We tested this by using different sized glass bottles. Our video shows how long the largest amount of oxygen took before it went out. The smallest only took 10 seconds, the next 30 and the largest 84 seconds.

In the afternoon with Sam Science, Mrs Johnson enabled the children to make some pretty creations using permanent marker and rubbing alcohol.

Using bicarbonate of soda and vinegar the children were able to create carbon dioxide which blew up a balloon.

And finally, mixing different liquids which included honey, oil, water and corn syrup we made a beautiful array of colours.

All in all, a super day! Thank you Ms Groves for organising us all.

7th November 2014

Year 3 - 4 went back in time to the Stone Age on their trip to Celtic Harmony near Hertford. Resplendent in prehistoric costumes they spent the days outside experiencing some of the skills and lifestyles of Stone Age man.

Being able to make was a critical part of stone age life. The children learned how without matches and a lot of patients you can create a fire from rubbing sticks together.

During the day Year 3 -4 learned how prehistoric man was nomadic and built their homes from what was around. They made camps out of branches and sticks. One even had a porch!

Later in the morning the children created necklaces from clay and thread them on to string.

Pre historic man was very good at hunting so the children had a go at trying to kill a boar. Those that weren't successful learned that they needed to run away quickly as the boars would probably chase them. Fortunately, Stone Age man was generous  and always shared his food with those that didn't manage to kill for his lunch.

Multiplying by 10, 100 and 1000

Year 3 - 4 are learning that when we multiply by 10 we need to move all the digits to the left. The number will be bigger by one decimal place.

Using place value hats we showed how this happens.

Check back tomorrow to see how this looks.

Our week beginning 3rd November 2014

History/ topic

Tomorrow we are going on a trip to Celtic harmony to learn more about Stone Age life. We all know it’s going to be great! We all wrote about a Stone age animal of our choice we both did a dire wolf.

Science

One of our main subjects at school is science. In science this week we are learning about teeth and digestion.

We made different body parts Hattie made a pancreas and Eleanor made a large intestine. All of us were very intrigued because it was so fun and we drew around Jack. Next week we are having a science day with someone from Sam’s simple science and do lots of cool experiments. We used a website right click on the highlighted one and then click open hyperlink.

http://kitses.com/animation/swfs/digestion.swf

Evangeline and Corey proudly showing their intestines made out of tights and scrap paper.

Numeracy

In maths we have been doing written methods of multiplication. Hattie learnt the grid method in maths.

Eleanor and Hattie

Dear pupils, parents and carers,

Please find a link to a really useful reading website.

You can search for lists of suitable books by age including recommended 'must reads', different genres, authors and titles. In addition, if you register, you can often download short abstracts before you try to get hold of a copy.

I showed your children the site today so they may talk to you about it.

http://www.lovereading4kids.co.uk/?ref=lovereading

I hope you find it useful.

Mrs Jessop

In the box...

In English we have been studying poetry.  We looked at a poem by Kit Write called ‘In the box’. We worked together to write a class poem.

Here is our class poem.

I will put into the box…

 An ocean that calmly crashes against soft, silky sand.

The rushing wind sweeping and pounding in the tree tops.

A golden eagle softly swooping to catch its prey.

I will put into the box…

The taste of rich, dark silky chocolate.

Memories from long, lost years.

The love of 100 mothers.

Check back for some of our own ‘In the box’ inspired poetry. 

The first three weeks....

I am really pleased to have joined Great Gaddesden School and would like to thank everyone for their good wishes and kindness.

We have started the year studying the Stone Age in History. Year 3-4 recreated a cave with hand stencils and drawings of animals which now proudly hangs in the book corner of the class.

The photographs show us putting painting using fingers, feathers and sticks as the cave men would have done.

It is always a pleasure when a pupil goes home and carries on their learning. Below is an expressive piece by Hattie Wilkinson about the sounds in her house. Well done Hattie!

Our topic of Rocks and Soils seems to have captured some children’s imagination.  Andrew went home and made his own volcano. Great work Andrew!

Super Science

During Small Schools Week we had a Science morning with Anne from Sam's Simple Science. We made our own silly putty and lava lamps. We talked about what happens to liquids when we mix them together. 

We learnt that oil and water do not mix together, so we used these liquids for our lava lamps. Other liquids when mixed together foamed up! 

Here are some pictures of our Science morning.