LKS2 – Newsletter – 20.09.24

Another wonderful week in LKS2 comes to an end! 

This week in science, we learnt about George Washington Carver and his work as an agricultural chemist. He discovered that if the farmers planted a crop with lots of protein, the soil nutrients the cotton plants needed would return (as growing cotton took lots of nutrients from the soil). We then began looking at the investigation process of scientific experiments through conducting a test on melting ice. We were asked the question – ‘Which material melts ice the fastest?’ and then made a prediction and supported this with ideas and evidence. We then placed our hands in the materials and observed what happened. After, we discussed as a class what had happened, why it had happened and the results we had obtained from the investigation. Using this knowledge, we then had to work as teams to melt an ice cube the quickest we could to release the trapped 1p coin inside. 

In Forest School LkS2 progressed their learning in fire making from last week. We learnt how Stone Age people used flint to make fire and we had a go at rubbing flint together and giving it a smell! We were amazed to find we could smell fire and smoke coming from the flint. We then learnt how to use new flint and steels and discussed and critiqued Mr Gamble’s fire lays, highlighting things he had done well and things he could have improved. Next, working in groups, teams had to combine their knowledge of fire lays, how to construct them and how to create a spark using flint and steel to start their own fires whilst managing their, and each other’s, risk at all time by observing the safety rules discussed. When reviewing and reflecting on the session, pupils were able to describe successes and what had brought about it whilst also pinpointing where things went wrong, articulating reasons for failures and what they’d do differently next time. 

In PE in Year 3 we also looked at balances in gymnastics but we used the apparatus to challenge our control our our balances.  

In History we used a range of sources to develop our knowledge about the Stone Age. We started by discussing the difference between primary sources and secondary sources. Then we investigated some sources in pairs, including pictures of Stone Age houses, cave paintings, and pieces of flint. We analysed what the sources told us but also what the sources did not tell us. We wrote down any questions which the sources raised about the Stone Age. Next, we delved deeper into the Stone Age by using an informative video. After listening to the information, we went back to our original questions to see if this new source of information had given us any answers. We wrote down what we had found out on another post it note.

In maths in Year 3 we practiced estimating on a number line. We identified the start and finish point of the number line in order to recognise the half way point. We then applied our place value know to estimate where various numbers would be placed within the number line. We repeated this activity for number lines from 0-10, 0-100 and 0-1000 in our own chalk number lines outside. We then played an interactive number line estimating game.

In Year 4 in Miss Bourne’s maths class looked at place value and partitioning numbers up to 1000. We used resources to help us practice flexible partitioning. We were given a 4-digit number and then we had to use resources to find 5 different ways of partitioning the number. We then completed some practical problems involving place value of 4 digit numbers. We started by completing a sheet which challenged us to make different 4 digit numbers using the digits 0 – 9.

Next week is week 1 so we have PPA day on Monday. (Normal school uniform) 
We also have the Book Fair visiting so we look forward to seeing which exciting books are on offer this year! 

For any additional dates, or queries regarding PE/Forest school clothing days, please check the school website.