Turn Around Facts

Turn Around Facts

Knowing that 6+4 is the same as 4+6 is an important understanding in mathematics. We developed this understanding by physically manipulating the tens frames you can see in the picture. We literally turn around the frame to see the corresponding number fact.

Understanding the structure of words

Word sums show the important elements of a word:

the BASE 

is the most important element 

because it holds the meaning and the spelling;

and

the PREFIXES and SUFFIXES 

which can be fixed before and after the base.

We have been investigating the word <friend> and why there is an <i> in the spelling.

Ask your child to tell you the story of <friend> and how it is related to <Friday> and the Germanic Goddess of Love <Frigga>!

This is the word sum for <friendly>:

friend + ly --> (this is called the rewrite arrow) friendly

We could also write the word sum like this:

fri (meaning 'love') + end (an Old English suffix) + ly (suffix)-->

friendly

We constructed a very large word sum by acting out the different parts of the word.

Then we wrote our own word sums from all the words we discovered were part of the word family.
Every time we write and spell a new word sum we are learning how to spell the base!

Understanding how words are spelled

Do you know what digraphs are?

Digraphs are 'teams of two letters' that we use to accurately represent pronunciation.

di (meaning 'two') + graph (meaning 'to write') --> digraph

English spelling has many different digraphs and they can have more than one job!

We are investigating the digraph <ch>. 

We identified the words in this written passage that contained the digraph <ch>.

We discovered that <ch> can represent three different phonemes, like;

<church> <chef> and <school>

As 'word dectectives' we went searching for words in the classroom and in books that contained the digraph <ch>. We had to decide which phoneme they were representing and write the words in the correct column.

Understanding that digraphs can have more than one job (to represent different pronunciations) is a very important part of understanding how to spell in English.

Forces: Design and Technology

Design and construct a simple toy that has one moving part!

During this design and technology project the children learned how to construct a lever as a way to move a part of a toy.

Problem solving, discussing and experimenting were improtant skills that the children needed to use as they revised plans and designs to make their moving part work successfully.

Mr Jim demonstrated how to construct the lever with a pivot point.

The children learned how to design carefully with labels and clear diagrams to show the plan for the toy. This is a critical part of developing Design and Technology skills.

Investigating Force with Spinners

What force is creating the spinner to spin fast or slow?

How can we construct a spinner that will spin 

slowly to the ground?

What parts of the spinner are important elements to consider when making a change?

The children constructed a paper spinner from a simple model. We experimented how quickly or slowly they fell to the ground.

Next we innovated on the original design by changing one or two elements. for example: a longer blade or shorter handle. The children were required to record their predictions and experiments as part of their learning.

Reading for Meaning

Reading for Meaning

Understanding how the characters are formed and developed by the author builds effective comprehension skills.

Together as a group we studied one of the main characters from the book,

Rose Meets Mr Wintergarten By Bob Graham (a wonderful story portraying friendship and empathy).

We identified some important qualities about Rose, the little girl in the story. We investigated the parts of the story that highlighted these qualities and how the author developed her character.

We also identified her physical characters by describing how she looks.

Using this model, the children chose a favourite known story; identified the main character and described this character's personality and physical traits.

When your child is discussing a story with you ask them about the characters in the story, encouraging them to give you evidence of their understanding.

Finding out about force with parachutes!

What force is making the parachute move?

What force is helping the parachute to slow down?

How can I make my parachute fly higher or stay up longer?

Experimenting, investigating, discovering are all vital and important elements of inquiry learning.

Initial discovery and 'play' with materials and equipment, such as the parachutes, allows each child to form their own understanding of the important scientific concepts being studied.

• drag and resistance
• friction
• gravity
• push and pull
• wind movement

Additionally, it allows the children to consider questions by experimenting and 'seeing' in real life what actually happens. Being able to express your ideas and conclusions leads to greater and deeper understanding.

Building a learning community

WELCOME TO OUR NEW SCHOOL YEAR

At the beginning of the school year it is vital to 

build a learning community. 

An important element of a successful learning community is getting to know each other. During the first few weeks we learned interesting aspects about everyone, even Mr Jim.

Mr Jim loves to collect stamps.

Mr Jim has Scottish heritage.
His dad was born in
Glasgow!
We enjoyed collecting special objects from home
and creating our own personal museum.

Creating a  learning environment together is another important part of building a learning community. 

Here we are constructing name tags for our belongings and personal places in the classroom.

You are welcome to visit our learning environment 

and discover our learning!