Super scientists – dissolving
This morning, we’re being scientists and carrying out an investigation. We’re all learning about dissolving.
The year 5s are finding out whether a range of substances (gravy, salt, sugar, coffee, tea and rice) dissolve in cold water whilst our year 6s have designed their own experiment using the same equipment. One group is investigating what effect the temperature of the water has on wether a substance dissolves, one group is investigating the effect of stirring and another group is seeing if coffee will stop dissolving when you put more in.
As we experimented, we recorded our results and used scientific vocabulary to explain what we were observing. Specifically, we used the words solute (a substance that dissolves), solvent (the liquid that a solute dissolves in) and a solution (the mixture of a solid and a liquid). Ask you child what they investigated, what they found out, and what each of the three previously mentioned words mean.
Local Library
Children in year 5/6 had the opportunity to visit our local library yesterday. They each selected a book to borrow. At home, you might want to discuss the reason for your child’s choice: reading for challenge, pleasure or to inform.
Living and learning
We have been discussing how to be resourceful in school this week. We also talked about what it means to be resilient and shared occasions when we thought we had applied this quality. A lot of the children thought they’d shown resilience in their recent art work.
Amazing architecture,
Year 5/6 enjoyed a day studying the architecture of Leeds. They captured the buildings using sketch work and applied their knowledge of perspective and shading.
Brilliant Brodrick
Cuthbert Brodrick designed Leeds Town Hall aged just 30. Today, year 5/6 enjoyed the amazing architecture on offer in the centre of Leeds. From the Corn Exchange to the First Direct Arena, we were able to study some incredible buildings.
In school, we have been studying line and perspective drawings. At home, you might want to practise your skills by drawing your surroundings.
Amazing artists
Recently, in our topic lessons (inspired by our class novel: The Nowhere Emporium), we have been learning, practising and improving a range of new art skills.
In particular, we’ve focussed on observational drawing (ask your child what ‘observational’ means). After developing our skills with some more simple items in the classroom, we went outside to draw some of the structures we can see in our school grounds. Ask your child what they drew.
We’ll be applying these skills on our trip into Leeds city centre where we’ll study some of the more interesting buildings as well as finding out about the architects who designed them. Ask your child what an architect is – can they name any?
Super Scientists
This half-term, our science focus has been materials. After spending some time sorting different materials and finding out about their properties, (help at home by asking your child if they can describe some objects in the house or garden using their new scientific vocab: opaque, transparent, translucent, conductor, insulator, rigid, elastic, flexible) we planned our own scientific investigation – Which plastic bag can hold the most weight?
We worked scientifically, changing only one variable, to ensure our results would be as valid as possible. For each bag, we raised it and placed weights in gently in 1kg increments.
We used poo bags, nappy bags, sandwich bags, bags for life, bin liners, cheaper carrier bags and reinforced carrier bags. Ask your child which plastic bag held the most weight – a whopping 27kg!
Reflect in this by asking your child: Can you spot the inconsistency in these pictures? Could this limitation have affected our results?
Living and learning
Year 5/6 have been discussing taking safe risks. They were able to talk about risks they could take at home and at school. Some children felt more comfortable now to take risks in the classroom. These included reading their work aloud and answering questions when they are not 100% sure of the answer.
PE days
Great to see all the year 5/6 children in their PE kit this week.
This half term, 5/6S and 5/6OB have their PE lessons on Monday and Wednesday. 5/6M have their PE lessons on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Living and Learning
This week the children have been thinking about how to show they’re ready to learn. Firstly they set some ground rules that would be used in each lesson- they felt this was very important. In groups the children came up with different ways they can show that they are ready to learn.
‘Eyes on the speaker.’
‘Not interrupting when others are speaking.’
They also discussed how to respond in a positive way to feedback in school, whether this was linked to learning or their behaviour. A good start to the year!