Exploring Shadows

Today in case study two we began to explore shadows. We used torches to explore how shadows are formed and how the distance and position of the light source affects the length of the shadows.

Then we learnt how the Romans used shadows to tell the time using sundials. The sun made the gnomon cast a shadow and this told them what time of the day it was. Finally we had a go at making our own sundials. Unfortunately the sun wasn’t shining so we had to test them out inside using the torches.

Roald Dahl Day

Miss Trunchbull! Our Year 4 pupils have been putting their creative skills to the test! We have created ‘Wanted Posters’ for the infamous Miss Trunchbull! With their vivid imaginations and artistic flair, they captured her larger-than-life personality (and not in a good way!).

Inventions

After a quick recap of last weeks lesson, Crew Ramsay have been designing their own inventions. Miss Shields modelled her own invention before children were able to work independently on their own. We had cupcake machines, a machine that built castles, a machine that dropped balloons from the ceiling or made birthday cakes on demand.

Computers of the past

Year 6, started the lesson with a game of bingo to help us recap key vocabulary that had been covered in previous lessons. Children then had an opportunity to play a computer game that would have been found in arcades in 1981. As you can imagine, they didn’t give it raving reviews considering it was considerably slower than the games they play. The graphics were quite simple and the music was very basic. This allowed us to start thinking about computers from the past and how they’ve evolved. We briefly discussed some of the first computers and historical figures from the computer world before they started to set up their slides in preparation for creating a presentation of their chosen area. This will continue into next week and then children will present their research to the rest of the crew.

Lights, Lorax, Action!

This week in Crew Rankin, we kicked off our new writing unit all about The Lorax!

We started with an exciting experience day lesson where we watched the beginning of the film and then worked in groups to re-enact different scenes. It was so much fun bringing the story to life – we had to use lots of teamwork, expression, and creativity to perform our scenes. Everyone got involved and we really enjoyed stepping into the characters’ shoes. We can’t wait to explore the story further in our writing!

Classifying Plants

Crew Rankin were great scientists today! They began by exploring some real life plants, having a look at each of them in turn and identifying notices about them. We then came together as a crew and shared what we noticed – different shaped leaves, different colours, the different way they grow etc. We then looked at classification keys and how we can use these to identify types of plants. As a crew, we worked on organising the plants we had just looked at with a classification key. Finally, we used what we had learned about the plants characteristics to create a crew classification chart.

Variables

Year 4 has continued their knowledge of variables today by starting to make a timetables quiz. Our session today was a guided session as it required lots of thinking power. We worked side by side to build the code, however, next week children will get an opportunity to work independently on building the code.

Fred bingo!

This week the children have been introduced to Fred Bingo! Each child is given a sheet of six CVC words, the adult Freds the words and the children mark off the correct image, the first one to finish wins! This has been so much fun, building on our pictorial skills and our oral blending. They cannot wait for new images next week!