What are we Learning?
Friday 16th May 2025
In English, our learning has continued to focus on the picture book, Marcy and the Riddle of the Sphinx. The children adopted a viewpoint when recounting the rescue of Marcy’s father in the form of a diary entry. They also researched the gods and goddesses that appear in the text and they will use this information next week to create Top Trump cards for each of them.
In Maths, we have concluded our learning relating to fractions. The children have calculated non-unit fractions of an amount, e.g. ¾ of 16.
In Computing this week, we have been learning about sequencing. The children used event and motion blocks to create a sequence for their programs. In order to complete this task, they initially planned their coding carefully before moving onto the laptop to create their programs. The children then worked in pairs to test their sequences.
Friday 9th May 2025
In English, our learning has centred around the opening pages of the picture book, Marcy and the Riddle of the Sphinx. The children used descriptive detail while describing Marcy’s journey to the Sphinx and her encounter with Thoth.
In Maths, we have continued to learn about fractions. The children calculated unit fractions of an amount, e.g. ½ of 24 or ¼ of 16.
We have continued to focus on tennis during PE this week. The children played floor tennis to help them become familiar with the forehand and backhand grips as well as how to create space in order to win points.
Friday 2nd May 2025
In English, our learning has continued to focus on Roald Dahl’s Revolting Rhyme - Little Red Riding Hood and the Wolf. The children began the week by recounting events from Little Red Riding Hood’s perspective in the form of a letter and then they moved onto imitating Roald Dahl’s style while creating their own revolting rhymes.
In Maths, we have returned to learning about fractions. Building on their prior learning, the children added and subtracted fractions with the same denominators.
In Science, the children worked collaboratively in groups to set up an investigation in response to the research question, ‘How much water do plants need?’. The children will use their knowledge relating to volume while watering the plants on a regular basis. They will also record their observations relating to the growth of the plants.
Friday 25th April 2025
In English, our learning has focused on Roald Dahl’s Revolting Rhyme - Little Red Riding Hood and the Wolf. The children included relevant details when they assumed the role of Mrs Wolf and created missing posters to help find her poor, misunderstood son.
In Maths, we have moved onto learn about capacity and volume. The children drew on their knowledge of interpreting scales while measuring volume and capacity using millilitres as well as litres and millilitres.
We investigated the physical and human features of Stoke Mandeville in this week’s Geography lesson. The children interpreted the symbols on an OS Map of our local area in order to determine the features of the village.
Friday 4th April 2025
In English, the children became journalists this week in order to recount the actions of Boggis, Bunce and Bean from Roald Dahl’s 'Fantastic Mr Fox'. While working in this role, they reported on the farmers’ attempts to capture Mr Fox by digging a huge crater using machinery.
In Maths, we have continued our learning journey for mass. The children measured mass using kg and g, compared the mass of objects as well as added and subtracted mass.
After weeks of preparation and rehearsals, the children performed fantastically at our Year 3 and Year 4 Musical Extravaganza! They should all be very proud of their efforts!
Friday 28th March 2025
In English, our learning has continued to focus on the chapter book, Fantastic Mr Fox. The children considered different viewpoints while writing a discussion text in response to the question: Is it acceptable for Mr Fox to steal from Boggis, Bunce and Bean?
In Maths, we concluded our learning relating to fractions by focusing on equivalent fractions. We have now turned our attention to mass and capacity. The children consolidated their learning from Year 2 by calculating the mass of objects in grams.
In our BSL (British Sign Language) lesson this week, the children played speed signing. They successfully worked in teams to respond to questions that had been signed to them and tried to be the top scorers by answering the greatest number of questions.
Friday 21st March 2025
In English, our learning has focused on the maths-inspired picture book, 365 Penguins. The children wrote from the perspective of different characters during the week while writing a diary entry and a letter. They also adopted a viewpoint when creating persuasive leaflets which encouraged the reader to take action against climate change.
In Maths, the children have continued to learn about fractions. This week, they practised placing fractions on a number line as well as identifying equivalent fractions using number lines. The children also completed some penguin-themed investigations which required them to work systematically in teams.
As well as focusing on the text 365 Penguins in English and Maths, the children also undertook other activities in conjunction with our STEM Week. For example, they thoroughly enjoyed working collaboratively with Year 4 to design, make and test vertical marble mazes.
Friday 14th March 2025
In English, our learning has continued to focus on Roald Dahl’s, The Giraffe, The Pelly and Me. Having investigated the way in which Roald Dahl described the sweets sold in Billy’s Grubber, the children invented their own sweet treats.
In Maths, the children have built upon their learning relating to fractions while focusing on non-unit fractions, e.g. two thirds, three fifths and four sixths. They focused carefully on the numerators and denominators while comparing and ordering the non-unit fractions.
In Music, the children have continued to rehearse for our Musical Extravaganza. We have moved into the hall now for our rehearsals and the children have focused on the logistics of moving on and off the stage as well as singing in harmony together.
Friday 7th March 2025
In Maths, the children’s learning has focused on unit fractions, e.g. one half, one quarter and one eight. The children initially focused on understanding the denominators of unit fractions before moving onto comparing and ordering unit fractions.
Along with the rest of the school, we celebrated World Book Day on Thursday. The children thoroughly enjoyed dressing up as their favourite book characters. Our learning largely focused around Julia Donaldson’s picture book, The Troll. The children created tasty recipes for either the Troll or the pirates, crafted models of the pirates using toilet rolls and constructed bridges to bear the weight of miniature goats. They also spent time reading their favourite books during the 'drop everything and read' sessions, and they read with the Year 6 children as well.
Friday 28th February 2025
In English, we have turned our attention to the chapter book, The Giraffe and the Pelly and Me. The children created persuasive posters to publicise the incredibly talented Ladderless Window-Cleaning Company. They also included pertinent details when devising wanted posters for ‘The Cobra, the cleverest and most dangerous cat-burglar in the world’.
In Maths, the children applied their learning relating to length while learning about perimeter. They worked hard to measure and calculate the perimeter of a variety of shapes.
The children began their new Art topic this week – Quentin Blake. They created title pages in their sketch books for the new unit using researched facts as well as sketches of Quentin Blake’s illustrations.
Friday 14th February 2025
This week, we have focused on the picture book, The Whales’ Song, during our English lessons. The children recounted key events from the story while writing a diary entry from Lilly’s perspective. They also created eye-catching posters to explain how plastic pollution affects whales.
In Maths, the children have continued to build upon their learning relating to length. They practised converting between units of measure before moving on to adding and subtracting lengths.
In Science, the children explored magnetic and non-magnetic materials through the book, The Iron Man. Having discovered that the Iron Man is only able to eat magnetic materials, they tested a variety of objects and then wrote a letter to him in order to explain what he should and shouldn’t eat.
Friday 7th February 2025
In English, our learning has continued to focus upon the e-book, A Place for Plastic. The children’s final task of the topic involved planning and writing a letter to our local MP, Laura Kyrke-Smith. Their formal letters highlighted the urgent need to address plastic pollution in our oceans.
In Maths, the children have built upon their learning relating to length. They have measured lengths in millimetres as well as centimetres and millimetres.
The children have enjoyed celebrating Children’s Mental Health Week as well as this year’s theme, Know Yourself, Grow Yourself, in a variety of ways. They particularly enjoyed creating mood cards to represent a range of different emotions.
Friday 31st January 2025
In English, our learning has focused upon the e-book, A Place for Plastic. The children spent the first part of their week writing short stories to recall the journey of the plastic bag that features in the text. They then turned their attention to informing others about the Great Pacific Garbage Patch.
In Maths, we have begun a new topic focusing on length. The children initially revisited their Year 2 learning while measuring in centimetres, and then they moved onto measuring in millimetres.
In DT this week, we reached the design and make stage of our topic. The children used their knowledge of levers and linkages in order to create posters with moving parts.
Friday 24th January 2025
In English, our learning has continued to focus on the wordless picture book, Out of the Blue. A Giant Pacific Octopus features heavily in the story, so the children moved their attention to researching the creature before creating a fact file to inform others about this species of octopus.
In Maths, the children’s learning has focused on dividing a 2-digit number by a 1-digit number using flexible partitioning. The children have drawn on their recall of their times tables to support their learning, e.g. 45 ÷ 3 > 30 ÷ 3 = 10 and 15 ÷ 3 = 5 > 10 + 5 = 15 > 45 ÷ 3 = 15.
In DT, the children are learning about mechanisms. This week, they followed instructions to make lever and linkage mechanisms.
Friday 17th January 2025
In English, our learning has focused on the wordless picture book, Out of the Blue. The children worked in role as one of the main characters while recounting events from the story in the form of a diary entry. They also wrote short stories based on key events that occur in the text.
In Maths, the children’s learning has focused on dividing a 2-digit number by a 1-digit number using the expanded method. The children have drawn on their ability to partition as well as their times table knowledge while solving calculations.
This week, the children considered how bones and muscles work together to create movement. They created their own scientific models of the upper arm muscles and then used these to support their explanations of how the biceps and triceps work. OR
The children used atlases to locate the five oceans of the world during Geography this week. They also explored the characteristics of the oceans while interpreting information presented in charts and graphs.
Friday 10th January 2025
In English, our learning has focused on winter poetry and, in particular, haikus. Having explored the structure of the three lined poems, the children wrote their own winter-themed haikus containing the correct number of syllables.
In Maths, the children’s learning has focused on multiplying a 2-digit number by a 1-digit number using the expanded method. The children have drawn on their times table knowledge while solving calculations.
In Geography, the children completed the first lesson of our new topic, Oceans and Plastic Pollution, and considered the role that oceans have in our lives. They began by recording their existing thoughts about what the ocean means to them as well as what the ocean provides humans and animals with. They also recorded five fascinating facts that they had discovered having read the fact sheet, Why do oceans matter?
Friday 20th December 2024
In English, we have focused on the animation, Sprout Boy. Brussels sprouts aren’t considered as a vegetable of choice by the characters that feature so the children created persuasive posters to promote the positives to be gained from eating them.
In Maths, we have concentrated on Christmas-themed activities. The children drew on the knowledge they have acquired during the course of the term in order to solve a range of challenges.
We investigated how the human skeleton allows movement during Science. The children worked in teams to investigate whether there is a correlation between the length of a person’s femur and the distance they can jump.
Friday 13th December 2024
In English, we concluded our unit of work focusing on the chapter book, Flat Stanley. The children planned and wrote their own adaptations based on the original tale.
In Maths, we have continued to learn about multiplication and division. This week, the children focused on multiplying and dividing by 8. They successfully employed different strategies to support their learning.
In Science, we explored different skeleton types. In order to learn how to distinguish between animals with endoskeletons, exoskeletons and hydrostatic skeletons, the children studied an e-book with relevant information. They then categorised a range of animals according to their skeleton types.
Friday 6th December 2024
In English, our learning has continued to link to the Famous Museum of Art which features in our class text, Flat Stanley. Having collected and recorded ideas about the Famous Museum of Art, the children created information pages in order to inform others about the venue.
In Maths, we have continued our learning journey relating to multiplication and division. The children have focused on strategies to support their learning when multiplying and dividing by 3 or 4.
This week, we created our own snack bars in DT. The children made sure that they cooked safely by washing their hands, wearing aprons and keeping their distance from the oven.
Friday 29th November 2024
In English, our learning has linked to the Famous Museum of Art which features in our chapter book, Flat Stanley. The children used expanded noun phrases to describe Stanley disguised as a shepherdess while trying to catch the sneak thieves. The children also collected and recorded ideas about the Famous Museum of Art in preparation for informing others about the venue.
In Maths, our learning has continued to focus on multiplication and division. This week, the children used their knowledge of counting in threes in order to multiply by 3. They also used grouping and sharing to divide by 3.
In PE, the children focused on passing and footwork and shooting while playing small-sided games of handball. They also tried hard to demonstrate team work during the lesson.
Friday 22nd November 2024
In English, our learning has continued to focus on the chapter book, Flat Stanley. The children have written from the perspective of both Stanley and Mrs Lambchop. While assuming the role of Stanley, the children wrote postcards to recount their adventures in California. While writing in role as Mrs Lambchop, the children wrote a letter asking for advice regarding Arthur’s jealousy.
In Maths, we have continued to learn about multiplication. The children’s learning has moved onto identifying multiples of 2, 5 and 10.
In Computing, we have been learning about stop frame animation. This week, the children planned their own stories and then began to animate them using an app called iMotion. The children have learnt about why it is important to keep the camera steady when taking photos.
Friday 15th November 2024
In English, we have turned our attention to the chapter book, Flat Stanley. Having discovered some of Stanley’s pursuits after being flattened by a bulletin board, the children enjoyed considering the advantages and disadvantages of being flat. They devised some very creative ideas that they’d like to pursue if they were flat!
In Maths, we have completed our final lessons in our addition and subtraction topic. The children identified the relationship between addition and subtraction when investigating inverses.
In DT, we began our new topic focusing on healthy and varied diets. The children tasted some shop-bought snack bars as they will be creating their own healthy snack bars soon. They scored each of the bars tested out of ten based on their appearance, taste and texture.
Friday 8th November 2024
In English, our learning has focused on Ruby Bridges. The children began the week by analysing a series of photographs depicting her as a young girl while responding to the question, Who is Ruby Bridges? Having pieced together clues presented in the photographs and made inferences, the children read the picture book, The Story of Ruby Bridges. Using their knowledge of the text, the children then created questions for Ruby Bridges before including selected questions in a short letter to the American civil rights activist.
In Maths, we are nearing the end of our addition and subtraction topic. The children focused on adding a two-digit number to a three-digit number using formal written methods as well as subtracting a two-digit number from a three-digit number using formal written methods. They also explored complements to 100, e.g. 45 + 55 = 100.
In History, we focused on the monument of Stonehenge. Having discovered how Stonehenge was built, the children worked collaboratively to create models of the monument using building blocks or Lego.
Friday 25th October 2024
Following on from describing a woolly mammoth using expanded noun phrases, the children created fact files about the woolly mammoth in English this week.
In Maths, we have continued to concentrate on the subtraction of 3-digit numbers using the formal written method. The children practised subtracting two numbers across a ten (e.g. 642 – 427) before learning to subtract two numbers across a hundred (e.g. 836 -261).
We completed our Music and Art Day this week. We began the day by listening to a full orchestral performance of Stravinsky's, The Firebird Suite. After learning that Stravinsky's piece is based on a Russian folk tale about a magical, glowing bird, the children created character descriptions about the winged creature. They also created firebird feathers using collage.
Friday 18h October 2024
In English, we have focused on the picture book, The First Drawing. A woolly mammoth is central to the story and the children worked hard to describe the prehistoric creature using expanded noun phrases.
In Maths, the children have continued to focus on the addition and subtraction of 3-digit numbers using formal written methods. They worked hard to exchange when adding and subtracting even when this proved challenging at times.
In Science, the children created fact files for Mary Anning based on the research they had completed in our previous lesson. They enjoyed informing others about the famous fossil hunter.
Friday 11th October 2024
In English, our learning has continued to focus on the picture book, Stone Age Boy. The children began the week by planning their own stories about a child who travels back in time to the Stone Age. They then referred to their plans while writing their own short stories.
In Maths, we have continued to learn about addition. The children added 1-digit numbers to 3 digit numbers across a ten (e.g. 378 + 5) and they also added multiples of 10 to 3-digit numbers across a hundred (e.g. 460 + 80).
On Thursday morning, we joined other local schools, taking part in a skipping rope festival. The children enjoyed participating in the different activities while they developed their skipping skills further.
Friday 4th October 2024
In English, our learning has moved on to focus on the picture book, Stone Age Boy. The children used descriptive detail to describe the Stone Age camp that the boy encountered. They also tried hard to use a thesaurus to strengthen their word choices.
In Maths, our learning has moved on to focus on addition and subtraction. The children used place value boards and counters while adding ones, tens and hundreds to 3-digit numbers.
In History, the children researched the discoveries found at Skara Brae using the iPads. This helped them to understand the way people lived in the Late Stone Age.
Friday 27th September 2024
In English, our learning has continued to focus on the picture book, Ug. This week, the children investigated the purpose of speech bubbles within a comic strip as well as the correct use of speech punctuation using inverted commas. Using speech punctuation correctly proved tricky, but the children worked hard to use our top tips to help them achieve success.
In Maths, we have concluded our learning by focusing on place value. The children used their knowledge of the 5-times table in order to count in steps of 50.
Having investigated Stone Age tools in History last week, the children created their own tools this week.
Friday 20th September 2024
In English, our learning has moved on to focus on the picture book, Ug. The children compared their lives with the life of the fictional character, Ug. They also wrote letters to Ug in order to describe our way of life in the 21st century.
In Maths, we have continued with our place value topic. The children focused on using place value charts and counters to find 1, 10 or 100 less than a number. As well as this, they returned to learning about number lines again this week but extended their knowledge by focusing on number lines to 1000.
While investigating how the three main types of rocks are formed in Science, the children made Play-Doh rocks. The experiment helped them to visualise the rock cycle.
Friday 13th September 2024
In English, our learning has continued to focus on the picture book, How to Wash a Woolly Mammoth. This week, the children have investigated imperative verbs, prepositions and the features of instructional texts. The children’s preparatory work will be put to good use next week when they write their own set of instructions for washing a woolly mammoth.
In Maths, we have continued to learn about place value. The children concentrated on partitioning numbers to 1,000, including using flexible partitioning.
While learning about the properties of rocks in Science, the children conducted a scratch test and a rub test in order to identify a suitable material for a paved area. Having completed their testing, they all concluded that granite would be a strong and hard-wearing material.
Friday 6th September 2024
The children have impressed us with their transition into Key Stage 2 this week. They have worked hard to demonstrate the 5Rs as well as achieve success in their learning.
In English, our learning has focused on the picture book, How to Wash a Woolly Mammoth. Having read and understood the text, the children sequenced the main events from the story while creating a story map. They then used their story maps to support their written re-tellings of the story.
In Maths, our learning has focused on place value. The children partitioned numbers to 100, e.g. 78 = 70 + 8 and also positioned numbers on a number line.
We began our Science topic, Rocks, by considering what the children already know about rocks as well as what they would like to discover about rocks. The children then had the opportunity to make careful observations of a series of rocks in order to determine the appearance and texture of each.