Beech Tree Class Blog 2023-2024
Beech Tree Blog
Weekly Update-20/10/23
Mr Kyriacou (n.kyriacou) on: Beech Tree Blog
Hello everyone,
This week, the children completed the first draft of their recounts. They also spent time revising and editing their pieces of work to make them as good as they can be and finally, they have published them. They have done a great job and should be very proud of them! Well done everyone!
In maths, we have continued our work on addition and subtraction, specifically focusing on using the column method for subtraction, with one or more exchanges. We have also been looking at efficient subtraction strategies and understanding how to change a calculation slightly in order to avoid lots of complex exchanging, whilst the difference between the two numbers remains the same and therefore still ending up with the same answer e.g. 7000-2348 is turned to 6999-2347 which both equal 4652 except the second calculation requires no exchanging.
In science, we have focused on understanding what joints are, what they are for and the different types of joints in our body. The children have been so engaged and the discussions that we've had have been really stimulating.
It was also lovely to meet all of the parents this week :)
Take care,
Mr Kyriacou :)
Weekly Update-12/10/23
Mr Kyriacou (n.kyriacou) on: Beech Tree Blog
Hello everyone,
This week, in Maths, we have been focusing on using the column method for addition and carrying tens, hundreds and thousands. We have also looked at word problems involving addition, identifying the key vocabulary and information presented within the questions and identifying the necessary calculations required to solve the problems.
In our writing, we have started working on our Murton Park recounts. The children have been using everything that has been taught to them over the last few weeks and applying it really well within their pieces of writing. We are aiming to finish the first draft of these pieces at the start of next week, then we shall be editing them and publishing them.
In our history lesson, the focus was on the introduction of Danegeld and how King Ethelred II tried to use it to stop the Vikings from attacking and raiding. We had some fantastic discussions throughout the lesson and it was great to see the children sharing their strong opinions and making great inferences as well. The children were tasked with making a poster all about Danegeld and King Ethelred II. They did a great job and I really enjoyed reading them. Here are a few examples below.
In computing we have continued our Programming unit of work, which focuses on Repetition in Games. This week, the children were tasked with creating their own game, the aim of the game was to use multiple sprites with some form of repetition, to include a background, to include sound and to create an overall game where the aim is to catch your sprites by clicking them as they move around and once you have caught them all, you win the game, The children also added code to bring the sprites back once all of them had disappeared and also included a line of code which allowed them to make the sprites smaller and harder to catch, which would act as the next level and would be harder.
Chess Club has started up again and it's always lovely to see how enthusiastic the children are about it and how keen they are to practise and improve their strategic knowledge of the game.
Take care,
Mr Kyriacou :)
Weekly Update-6/10/23
Mr Kyriacou (n.kyriacou) on: Beech Tree Blog
Hello everyone,
This week, we have continued to work on understanding and using the features of a recount. One of these was the use of expanded noun phrases and I was very impressed with the level of description and sheer effort that the children were putting in to create the most powerful expanded noun phrases that they could.
In science, we focused on looking at animals that are vertebrates and invertebrates, as well as the different types of skeletons, which prompted excellent discussions and the children have been really enjoying it.
In art, we are currently looking at British artists, with the focus the focus for the last two weeks being on Thomas Gainsborough. The children were tasked with recreating a painting of his (by painting a small section each and then joining them together) called Mr and Mrs Andrews. They used water colours and over the course of two lessons, created their piece of the painting. They did a great job and worked hard to add the necessary detail that was required. Well done!
The children also painted their oil lamps that they created during our trip to Murton Park.
In P.E. the children have continued their unit of Lacrosse and have also been enjoying their swimming lessons. It's been so nice to hear children talking about an increase in their confidence during both sessions.
Take care,
Mr Kyriacou :)