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For our science we have looked at our beautiful wild nature in Greystoke. We have looked explored the area around us to see if we can discover different kinds of hidden or unexpected nature around our school. These were:
a plant in an unexpected place, a nature free zone,a pattern, the smallest sign of nature and something new to you.
The children photographed these elements and then wrote poetry which they arranged alongside their photographs.
Inspired by the natural wild around them they have created excellent science and English work.
Key Stage 2 children were extremely lucky today to get the opportunity to work with a clay artist, Rosalie Short. Having researched a range of different Roman soldiers, they drew a soldier of their choice and using this knowledge worked to bring their design to life in clay. Many thanks to Rosalie for sharing your expertise and giving everyone such an enjoyable day.
Evidence of Romans in our local area
Today the Key Stage 2 children began researching Roman roads, forts and camps in and around Penrith and Greystoke. Using an Ordnance Survey map, the children found Roman roads, forts, an aqueduct and camps. Focusing closely on our immediate local area,we marked on our map the Roman road which runs from Greenthwaite Hall. We then left school and followed the map to explore the area where the Romans once occupied. After discussing what life must have been like for the Romans ,who lived close to Greystoke, the children had the opportunity to chose an art medium and draw the landscape.
In Key Stage 2 Science we have been studying forces and friction. We started the afternoon investigating different materials which would either increase or decrease the friction exerted on a wooden block. The materials included; foam, sellotape, aluminium foil and sandpaper. Ensuring we started with a balanced force we tested the different surfaces and their impact on friction. We then carried out further experiments and attempted to use the friction of a fire steel to create sparks to make fire. After considering that fire needs heat, fuel and oxygen we created a fire triangle with cotton wool, dry twigs of varying sizes and dry leaves. We had mixed success however everyone managed to create enough sparks from the fire steels to light the cotton wool and some small twigs and sticks.
Today we have begun our work on programming using the STEM Lego project. We discussed the science, technology ,engineering and maths we would be using to build and programme different robots. We followed instructions to build a flashing beetle, motorised windmill and then a robot that could indicate movement through a sensor.Finally we created our own Lego animal which had to include one of the programmable features we had practised.
We worked on designing and building fixed pieces of play equipment that we could find in the park or yard. Discussing and sharing our designs with others helped us to refine our creations. We then built a satellite and experimenting with the coding stream enabled us to change sound, lights, direction and movement. Next we are looking forward to creating a spy robot.
Following on from our practical investigations into energy and its role in food chains, we took our learning outside to the River Petteril which runs through Greystoke Castle grounds. Our intention was to locate; a producer (plant), a primary consumer and if at all possible, secondary and tertiary consumers. We completed our pond dipping in groups and were fortunate to find a variety of invertebrates including mayflies nymphs, stonefly nymphs, caddisfly larvae and some freshwater shrimps which proves the river is very very clean with little or no pollution.
Key Stage Two began the afternoon by turning the blackberries we picked previously into paint. Then we ventured up into the forest to identify different trees from their leaves using a classification chart. From the leaves collected, we painted (upon canvas) the outlines and began to scuplt with them to create our leaf bowls. The colours of autumn were absolutely beautiful.
The children in Key Stage Two had a very busy afternoon investigating different habitats. We chose four different habitats and studied the different conditions as well as predicting what creatures may live there. We collected data to show which organisms did live there and talked about why they were suited to that particular habitat. Choosing our favourite creature we then began to sculpt them out of willow.
