A busy couple of weeks for Year 4 and 5!
MATHS: Birch Class have almost finished the Multiplication and Division unit in White Rose Maths. They have looked at Short Division as well as various methods of Multiplication. ENGLISH: We have started to look at our book, “The Man Who Walked Between the Towers”, by Mordicai Gerstein. This is about the famous tightrope walker Philippe Petit. In connection, the children have written some diary entries in role using alliteration, personification and similes. BOOK CLUB: We have made a start on our new book, “The Wonderling”, by Mira Bartok. A HOME exists for wayward and misbegotten creatures run by the evil Miss Carbuncle. For the Wonderling, a one-eared “groundling” – a mix of fox and boy – the HOME is all he has ever known. But when unexpected courage leads him to protect a young bird groundling, Trinket, the two friends escape from the HOME and embark on an extraordinary quest. Exciting stuff! HISTORY: Birch Class have been learning about The Benin Kingdom that used to exist in West Nigeria. They have found out how the Kingdom started and the hierarchy within. Next, we will take a look at the Guilds people – a team of highly talented craftsmen and women. Until next time. Best wishes, Mr Dray
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A busy time for Year 4`s and 5 – especially with their recent NFER tests!
Maths: Birch Class have been working through the Multiplication and Division unit in White Rose Maths and have recently looked at using the Bus Stop Method for division. English: We have continued to look at our book, “Firebird”, by Saviour Pirotta. In connection, the children have been writing up first draft persuasive letters to Prince Ivan – one of the main characters – advising him of ways in which to catch the dastardly thief! They have done a great job so far and have included formal language, modal verbs, rhetorical questions and subjunctive mood. BOOK CLUB: The children are continuing to enjoy “Children of the Benin Kingdom”, by Dinah Orji. Ada has found out that she was actually born a Princess. If that wasn`t enough of a surprise, she has also met the brother she never knew she had! Fascinating stuff! HISTORY: Birch Class are continuing to enjoy learning about Medieval Monarchs. They have recently looked at Edward I. The children have had to decide whether he was a great or terrible King based on the evidence. He was certainly courageous and smart but did his controlling nature and temper get the better of him? GEOGRAPHY: We have continued to look at informal settlements (or slums) and have investigated ways in which conditions might be improved regarding education, sanitation and employment. The children are beginning to realise how lucky they are. Until next time. Best wishes, Mr Dray Another busy week for the Year 4`s and 5`s!
Maths: Birch Class have been working through the Addition and Subtraction unit in White Rose Maths and have recently looked at inverse operations and checking strategies. English: We have made a start on our book, “Firebird”, by Saviour Pirotta. In connection, the children have been creating noun phrases and identifying word classes such as nouns, prepositions and adjectives. BOOK CLUB: The children enjoyed “The Explorer”, by Katherine Rundell. However, we have now moved on and made a start on “Children of the Benin Kingdom”, by Dinah Orji. Ada has lived close to the great rainforest in West Africa for her whole life, helping her beloved Papa Eze to heal fellow villagers when they fall sick. But when Papa Eze himself becomes ill, he knows it`s time to reveal to Ada her true identity. Intriguing stuff! HISTORY: Birch Class are continuing to learn about Medieval Monarchs. They have recently looked at Richard I (“The Lionheart”) and (Bad) King John. The children gathered the evidence for both Monarchs and had to decide who was the worse King. It was a split decision! HOME LEARNING: Birch Class have been busy doing a Home Learning project based on one specific Medieval Monarch. They have had a choice of doing either a fact file, poster, model/sculpture or PowerPoint presentation. I am excited to see what they come up with! Photos to follow soon. Many thanks for your kind words of support. Until next time, Mr Dray A busy week for the Year 4`s and 5`s!
Maths: Birch Class have been working through the Place Value unit in White Rose Maths and have recently looked at ordering and comparing numbers. English: We are currently looking at our book, “Here We Are (Notes for living on Planet Earth)”, by Oliver Jeffers. In connection, the children have been writing an information/explanation text in the form of a letter advising ways in which you can stay healthy and look after your body. BOOK CLUB: The children are enjoying the book, “The Explorer”, by Katherine Rundell. A plane has crashed in the Amazon Rainforest and the children, who have survived, must find a way out. They have just discovered the ruins of a “lost” city, but someone sinister is already there to greet them. Exciting stuff! HISTORY: Birch Class are continuing to learn about Medieval Monarchs. They found the fact about Henry VIII not having to wipe his own bottom particularly fascinating! It was lovely to see parents and carers at the recent “Meet the Teacher” meeting. Many thanks for your kind words and support. Until next time, Mr Dray Class Blog – Year 5: 19/07/24
Such a busy final week for my wonderful Year 5`s! Maths: Birch Class have completed their White Rose work on capacity and volume. They have all shown real determination and focus this year and deserve a lot of credit. Well done to everyone! English: We are almost at the end of our book, “The Lizzie & Belle Mysteries – Drama and Danger”. What will happen at the end? Will Lizzie and Belle be saved? Or will they be spirited away on a ship heading to foreign shores? We are about to find out….! The Tempest: Year 5 really excelled themselves in our wonderful production of “The Tempest”. There were great performances from Magnus, Toby, Seth and Doris but ALL of Birch Class did a wonderful job. You should be very proud of yourselves! I would like to finish by saying that it has been a privilege and an absolute pleasure to teach Birch Class this year. They are a fantastic group of children, and I am immensely proud of them all. Whatever your plans, Have a wonderful summer! Kind regards, Mr Dray A busy, busy week for Birch Class!
Maths: Year 5 have had done their initial White Rose assessments on decimals and have made a positive start on that unit of work. The children have also had three NFER assessments to do this week too! They have all shown great resilience and determination throughout. English: The children have been writing character profiles about the actor Ignatius Sancho this week focusing on the use of adjectives and abstract nouns. These profiles have been based upon their current book, “The Lizzie & Belle Mysteries – Drama and Danger”. Additionally, Year 5 have completed their NFER reading assessments. Book Club: Year 5 are enjoying their new book, “Letters from the Lighthouse” by Emma Carroll. This is a story about the events of World War 2 and is set in 1941. It features Olive and her younger brother Cliff - two children who are evacuated from London - and find themselves on the Devonshire coast with a mystery to solve. Exciting stuff! Enjoy your weekend! Kind regards, Mr Dray Plenty going on - as usual - in Birch Class this week!
Maths: Year 5 have successfully completed their White Rose end of unit assessments for shape and have made a confident start on the next unit – position and direction. We have also been looking at coordinates, how to understand and plot them as well as using our knowledge to play Battleships! English: The children have been extending their diary entries this week by adding conjunctions and modal verbs. These entries have been based on their current book, “The Lizzie & Belle Mysteries – Drama and Danger”. The children have written them in role as Lizzie (Ignatius Sancho`s daughter). Book Club: Year 5 are beginning to reach the exciting climax of “Cogheart” by Peter Bunzl – only two chapters left! What will happen to Lily, Robert, John, Anna and Malkin the mechanical fox? Will it be a happy ending or will it all end in disaster? History: Birch Class are continuing to look at the Middle East and - in particular - the Exodus Story this week. They have also completed their home learning project based on the Ottoman Empire. I can`t wait to look at it! I hope everyone enjoys their half-term break. Kind regards, Mr Dray Yet another busy (and warm) week for Birch Class!
Maths: Year 5 have been working on the White Rose unit on shape and have made excellent progress. We have also been looking at angles and how to draw them accurately using a ruler and protractor as well as working out missing angles. English: The children have been writing diary entries this week based on their book, “The Lizzie & Belle Mysteries – Drama and Danger”. They have already studied Ignatius Sancho – the first Black actor to perform Othello and tread the boards at Drury Lane Theatre – way back in 1777. Birch Class have written some expressive diary entries in role as Lizzie (Sancho`s daughter) just at the point where he gets struck by a flying chandelier! Book Club: Year 5 are continuing to enjoy “Cogheart” by Peter Bunzl – a mysterious adventure featuring a little girl called Lily, Robert (the clockmaker`s son) and Malkin (a mechanical fox). A new character, Anna, has entered the scene – but can she be trusted? History: Birch Class have made a start on our unit on the Middle East and some children have begun their home learning project based on the Ottoman Empire. That`s all for now. Kind regards, Mr Dray Another busy week for Birch Class!
Maths: Year 5 have just started the White Rose unit on statistics and have made good progress. They are really getting the knack of drawing accurate line graphs with a ruler and being able to interpret information. English: The children will be writing poems this week based on dreams for another national competition. I am sure they will come up with some creative ideas. Let`s keep our fingers crossed – we may get a winner! We have started to look at “The Lizzie & Belle Mysteries – Drama and Danger”. In connection with this book, we have been studying Ignatius Sancho – the first Black actor to perform Othello and tread the boards at Drury Lane Theatre – way back in 1777. Birch Class have designed some great posters to advertise this historic event as well as adding some persuasive writing to encourage the public to attend. Book Club: Year 5 are continuing to enjoy “Cogheart” by Peter Bunzl – a mysterious adventure featuring a little girl called Lily, Robert (the clockmaker`s son) and Malkin (a mechanical fox). Geography: Birch Class are continuing with their work on Biomes – and will be creating one in class – along with a Worm World. That`s all for now. Kind regards, Mr Dray Class Blog – Year 5: 24/04/24
Another busy week for Birch Class! Maths: Year 5 have just started the White Rose unit on statistics and have made good progress. They are really getting the knack of drawing accurate line graphs with a ruler and being able to interpret information. English: The children will be writing poems this week based on dreams for another national competition. I am sure they will come up with some creative ideas. Let`s keep our fingers crossed – we may get a winner! We have started to look at “The Lizzie & Belle Mysteries – Drama and Danger”. In connection with this book, we have been studying Ignatius Sancho – the first Black actor to perform Othello and tread the boards at Drury Lane Theatre – way back in 1777. Birch Class have designed some great posters to advertise this historic event as well as adding some persuasive writing to encourage the public to attend. Book Club: Year 5 are continuing to enjoy “Cogheart” by Peter Bunzl – a mysterious adventure featuring a little girl called Lily, Robert (the clockmaker`s son) and Malkin (a mechanical fox). Geography: Birch Class are continuing with their work on Biomes – and will be creating one in class – along with a Worm World. That`s all for now. Kind regards, Mr Dray |
AuthorWelcome to the class blog for Year 4/5 - Birch Class at Chagford Primary School. Archives
January 2025
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