Category Archives: ICT

Sapphire weekly recap

Here is a summary of some of the learning we have completed this week.

In science, we explored how fossils were formed by creating our own replica. We know that it takes the earth tens of thousands of years but we had a go anyway. We used salt dough as the sea bed, torn paper as the sediment and applied the pressure ourselves. Some worked … some didn’t (but that’s what happens in real life as well). What was left behind was an imprint of the animal that had died there.
In computing we continued to deepen our understanding of branch databases. We are really beginning to create our own using yes/no questions.
In history, we answered the question “why were the Roman army so successful?” We learnt how the army is organised and looked at some battle formations. We recreated them ourselves and now feel fully trained for battles in the Roman Era. Here is a picture of us in the wedge formation (attacking) and the tortoise formation (protection).
In English we continued to explore the character’s experiences. We considered how Isla would have felt during her impromptu song and how she would have showed this emotion with her body language. We completed a conscience ally, giving Cliff advice on whether he should go to the Hallowed Shallows or stay and become a stationary island. This helped us to make more considered choices in our own writing.
In history, we also looked at primary sources and secondary sources to help us learn about life in the Roman Era. We had to use evidence and deduce information from the sources. We discovered that they used oil for lights, wore sandals, had coins and used pots. A lot of these looked similar to things we use today.
Also in science, we researched how sedimentary rocks were formed. We looked at information on the internet or provided for us and we really considered the order. This helped us to understand how fossils were formed.

Weekly recap

What a fantastic first week back! Here is an example of some of the brilliant learning we have done this week.

In art, we learnt to see like an artist by looking for the basic shapes in natural and man made objects. We then put this into practise.
In history, we started out new topic on the Roman Empire in Britain. We started by researching the many reasons Rome wanted to invade Britain. We discovered it was for the natural resources that would have supported the Roman Empire. We also found out that the Romans failed twice before finally succeeding in invading us 97 years later!!
In computing, we started out topic on brand databases. We discovered that these databases use yes and no questions rather than open ended questions. We practised asking yes and no questions and then put this into practice by making a simple branch database.
In science, we started our rocks and soils topic. We used our science skills or observation and recording data to classify rocks based on their appearance. This helped us to describe the features of rocks.
In English, we started our new story called “ Oliver and the Seawigs”. To start, we looked at a picture of some characters and made some inferences based on it. We made some predictions on what the story may be about and what the characters could be like.

Weekly round up (Spring 1 week 1)

We have had a fantastic first week of the year and we have achieved some amazing things. Here is a recap of some of our learning.

In English, we provided Nyla’s dad with some advice on how he can help his daughter cope with moving houses.
In computing, we explored publishing software and developed our typing skills. We learnt how to change the font, size and colour of the text.
We continued to deepen our understanding of the story, “The Comet”, by acting out a scene from the book. we thought about their body language which will help us to show the reader information without telling them in our writing.
Here are our special mentions! Well done you two!

What is a digital device?

Today in computing, we explored what a digital device is and how they work! We learnt that a digital device works using computers and they are given sets of instructions. We classified these objects based on whether they were digital or not.

When you input information into a digital device, the computer processes the instructions and gives a specific output. We became digital devices ourselves, giving our partner a set of instructions.

Coding an echarm!

Recently, we have been designing an echarm to keep us safe in the dark. We designed the pouch first, making sure it was child friendly and something we would want to purchase. Then, we used our coding skills to make microbits flash repeatedly when the A button was pressed. Some of us got creative, making them flash in fun designs.

Publishing a brochure

This week in English, we have been writing a brochure for our main character Nyla. We wanted to provide her with some information about cities to help her feel better about her new home. We included emotive language, persuasive language and lots of out sentence types. We then practised some computer skills and published them, working in pairs and practising our teamwork skills.

Creating our own animations!

Today in computing, the children at stop animation. We used the app IMotion to create our own. We were thinking about the framing of the movie and using the onion peel (the translucent photo) to help us line the drawings up. We found this tricky but we persevered, trying different methods and never giving up!