Beech Tree Class Blog 2023-2024
Beech Tree Blog
Weekly Update-26/1/24
Mr Kyriacou (n.kyriacou) on: Beech Tree Blog
Hello everyone,
This week, in maths, we have been focusing on using the written method multiplying 2 digits by 1 digit and 3 digits by 1 digit. This was a challenge for some children at first, however, throughout the week the progress has been unbelievable and it's so lovely to see the children using this method so confidently now.
In our writing, as part of our descriptive writing unit, we have focused on creating our own hybrid animals (elephly, parrigator, snowl etc) which the children have drawn and then described. We have then been focusing on putting our plan together, which will help to the support the children as much as possible when writing their character description. Finally, the children have started to write the first draft of their character description.
In science, as part of our chemistry unit of work, the children have been exploring soils, understanding what makes up soil and learning about different types of soil. Then, the children have conducted an experiment to see what is left of each soil when it is put through a sieve. We then discussed the results, why that's the case for each soil and the children then drew their observations into their books. The children really enjoyed it and learnt lots of new facts in the process!
In our topic lesson, the children learnt all about Fairtrade, what it is, why it started, how it supports farmers throughout the world, which parts of the world different goods come from, and understanding how we can contribute to support these farmers. The children then took part in a game called Banana Split. The aim of the game was that each child in a group would take on the role of an individual or an organisation involved in the process of getting the good from the starting point to the end point e.g. banana worker, shipper, plantation owner, importer and shops and supermarkets. The children all had the information about what each role does. The children were then told that they had 30p and they had to negotiate with one another as to who would earn more of that 30p for their role in the process. Over three attempts, the children negotiated with one another with the amounts changing each time. I then told the children what the amount that each role actually earns, which shocked the children, but allowed them to understand why Fairtrade is so important and necessary.
In our P.E. sessions, the children have also been enjoying the dance class with Northern Arts.
Take care,
Mr Kyriacou :)
Weekly Update-19/1/24
Mr Kyriacou (n.kyriacou) on: Beech Tree Blog
Hello everyone,
This week, we have been focused on applying the skills that we have been learning in our writing and using them to create fantastic description of a character. The effort put into this work has been amazing and the children have created some brilliant descriptive sentences about our made up animal, which is a combination of a tiger and an owl.
In maths, we have been continuing to multiply by 10 and 100, divide by 10 and 100 and then solving reasoning problems which incorporates all of those together. The children have done extremely well with this and it's wonderful to see their confidence increasing.
In our reading, we have continued reading Illustrated Stories of India, which the children are absolutely loving. We have then focused our comprehension work on the two chapters that have been read, specifically focusing on retrieval and inference skills.
In our DT unit, which is called The Great Bread Bakeoff, the children have been trying different types of bread, describing the texture, taste and smell of it. We also rated them as class from the favourite to the least favourite.
Take care,
Mr Kyriacou :)
Weekly update-12/1/24
Mr Kyriacou (n.kyriacou) on: Beech Tree Blog
Hello everyone,
The children have all had a great start to the term. This week, we have started reading our new class novel called Illustrated Stories from India. The children made super predictions about the different stories that the book would be about based on the front cover and blurb. We have also been focusing on retrieval and inference skills based on the first two stories that we have read so far.
In maths, we have been focusing on understanding what factors are, identifying the factors of different numbers and using factors to solve challenging multiplication calculations. We have also been using our place value charts when multiplying and dividing by 10, understanding and practising what is happening to a number when we multiply and divide by 10 and also which way the digits will move to the left or right and by how many places. The children have worked incredibly hard this week. Well done!
In our computing lesson, we have started our unit of work on online safety, specifically focusing our first lesson on cyberbullying, discussing what it is, seeing different examples of it, understanding the impact it can have and understanding what to do if you are being bullied online.
Take care,
Mr Kyriacou :)