Author: Scott Grason-Taylor

In DT this week, Learners have enjoyed building stable structures. We demonstrated excellent  problem solving skills. We tested different shapes and noted how they affected the strength of the structure. We experimented with different designs and materials and we were able to evaluate and then improve as we built. Some learners chose to work as part of a team, where others preferred to work alone. We soon found that triangles made the strongest shapes and that a wide base helped with strength too. The activity was calm and very focused. I think there are some budding engineers among us!

In English, we have begun writing our newspaper reports around A Midsummer Night’s Dream and are keen to include the writing skills, learned over the last weeks.

We are perfecting our time knowledge in maths, and regularly stop to check the current time on our class clock!

In geography, we have been watching the weather closely and have been recording data using an okta, thermometer, rain gauge and checking daily wind direction. We are looking forward to analysing our data next week.

We are looking forward to our class trip to Whitby next week, where  we will be searching for links with Captain Cook to consolidate our history learning this term.

Learners are amazing and are bursting with enthusiasm for learning!

Learners have had a busy week and have particularly enjoyed art activities. Our focus this term is collage and this week we have been sorting different materials into groups. We used many different materials including card, paper, felt, wool and feathers. The children first sorted the materials into groups by colour. We then sorted the same materials in groups by texture. This proved to be a little more tricky. We identified materials that were bumpy, rough, smooth and soft.

On Friday, we had a lovely morning in Church, celebrating our families. Learners, together with Pioneers sang a wonderful song, giving thanks to all the people in our lives that care for us.

We are looking forward to our sports day over the next couple of weeks and will hope the weather stays fine.

Check in on our class page next week, to see what we have been learning!

In school, we have been thinking about our new value of respect. This is also one of our three school values. To aid discussions, we have been thinking about one of our own Bible readings “So in everything, do to others what you would have then do to you’ (Matthew 7:12). Learners have had some wonderful, heartfelt discussions about this week and we all agreed it was of the upmost importance to behave in this way and to treat the people around us with respect.

In geography this term, Learners have been finding out about the difference between weather and climate. This week, we have been looking closely at some of the different weather instruments used to measure the weather. We have been taking daily observations of temperature, wind direction, precipitation and cloud coverage. In meteorology, cloud cover is measured in oktas, or eighths of the sky. We have enjoyed using an okta tool this week to measure the clouds ourselves. We used a scale linked to the number of oktas covered, to determine the coverage. We were fascinated to find out if the okta showed it was overcast, partly cloudy or clear each day.

We also enjoyed a fun drama day this week with Louise from Red House Theatre. Our focus was on exploration and explorers through history. We became different modes of transport such as ships, planes and rockets, using movement to soar, glide and whoosh. We used musical instruments to create ferocious storms that hindered our voyages. Like Captain Cook, we searched for land through imaginary telescopes. We became rockets and astronauts and looked into space, like Buzz Aldrin and Neil Armstrong. We packed the necessary tools to navigate our way through the Antarctic, just like Ernest Shackleton. We enjoyed every moment, what a fun way to bring our history learning to life!

We are busy preparing for our upcoming Family Service. Please visit our page next week, to find out what we are learning!

On Thursday, Learners got a huge surprise when the postman delivered a parcel addressed to Learners Class. Upon opening the package, Learners were delighted to receive a reply from Tromso, Norway.

Last term Learners were SO proud of their persuasive writing about why Tromso was a fantastic place to live and visit, that they sent a copy of their work to the Tourist Information Centre there.

Learners were bursting with excitement to receive a letter of thanks, a beautifully illustrated book all about Tromso and some postcards and maps in response to their work. Learners are always excited about their learning, but their excitement and confidence was soaring on Thursday. 

Learners Class are awesome!

Keep an eye on our class page to find out more about our amazing learning!

Learners have enjoyed some wonderful outdoor learning this week. 

On Wednesday, we enjoyed a morning in the forest. Our focus was art and to use small pieces of natural materials to create collage. we gathered sticks, stones, grasses, leaves and feathers to create collages of trees and flowers. We also linked our collages to the myth of Blodeuwedd and created collages to represent characters from the story. There were some very impressive owls among the creations. Learners worked wonderfully together and were respectful of each other’s ideas, displaying great teamwork! 

Back in the classroom, in science Learners have been learning about ‘matter’. We could identify that matter was all around us and could name the three states of matter, solid, liquid and gas. We could explain how temperature could impact changes between each of the three states.

In maths, we have begun learning about fractions and have been finding out more about wholes and parts of objects around the classroom.

We finished the week enjoying more wonderful outdoor learning, with some musical improvisation on the school field.  We took a selection of musical instruments outside in the sunshine. We discussed the meaning of the word ‘improvising’ and were keen to give it a try. Along with a conductor, we created some improvised pieces of music together. We tried different instruments and were able to create many alternative sounds using rhythm and melody. We enjoyed being able to use our own creativity to improvise with music.

Learning outdoors is such a wonderful way to learn.

Check out our class page next week, to see what we have been learning.

Learners Class

Learners have had a busy week. In maths, we have been finding out the difference between volume and capacity and measuring the volume of different containers. We and have been able to carefully read the scales using millilitres and litres, estimating the volume on a scale between two markers on a measuring container. While measuring, we have used language such as ‘full’, ‘half-full’ and ’empty’ and have been able to identify which container was holding the greatest or smallest volume.

In PHSCE this week, Learners were able to discuss and record positive things about themselves and celebrate the achievements in their lives. It was lovely to hear our friends talk about the things they admired about us too. There were smiles all round as we listened to how we impacted our friends positively too. It was such an uplifting discussion. 

Learners finished the week with a fun PE session on the field. Our focus this half-term is tennis. We used racquets and balls to practise our ball skills, concentrating on controlling the ball by holding our racquets close to our bodies. Once we had mastered keeping control, we began to bounce the ball on our racquets while moving around. There was lots of focus and we could how we had improved by the end of the session. Learners are excited to learn more tennis skills and are looking forward to getting the nets out in the coming weeks.

Keep an eye on our class page, to see what we are learning each week.

Learners Class