Beech Tree Class Blog 2023-2024
Beech Tree Blog
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 :)
Weekly Update-29/9/23
Mr Kyriacou (n.kyriacou) on: Beech Tree Blog
Hello everyone,
We've had another busy week in Beech. In maths, the children have been learning to read and write Roman Numerals, as well as rounding to 10 and 100.
In our writing, we have started working on our next piece, which will be a recount of our trip to Murton Park. It's a super piece of writing to be working on and the children have been working hard on learning about and using the different features that are used in recounts e.g writing in chronological order.
In our music lesson, we were focusing on the gospel song called This Little Light of Mine, and the children were just getting to know the song and practised singing it together and adding some movement to it as we sang. We even had a few children sing certain sections on their own, which was brilliant to hear. Below is a video of the children singing a section of it.
We also elected our school council class member. We had some lovely posters that were designed, the children spoke to the class about why they would make a great school council representative and then every child was given the opportunity to vote for who they thought we make the best representative for the class.
In computing, this week we focused on using finite and infinite coding loops to animate our names and the children were tasked with making different letters do two things e.g change colour and move upwards. They worked really hard on these and there were some lovely digital pieces produced.
Take care,
Mr Kyriacou :)