This afternoon, in our science lesson, we took to the field to carry out some experiments with bottle rockets. The rockets were made from plastic fizzy-drink bottles, with a cork instead of a lid. Into the cork, we inserted a football pump valve. In our first experiment, the rockets were 1/4 filled with water, then air was pumped into them through the valve until they took off. We measured the horizontal distance that they travelled.
In our second experiment, we kept the volume of water the same (300ml) each time. We discussed the forces acting on the bottles to make them move, slow down and fall.
Showing posts with label Blue Class. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Blue Class. Show all posts
Tuesday, 22 September 2015
Saturday, 23 May 2015
UNICEF Sponsored Swimathon
This Friday, Blue Class set out for a very special swimming session: our sponsored swimathon in aid of UNICEF.
We chose as a class to support UNICEF after learning about the plight of children around the world who are taken into a life of forced labour. The class were passionate about this issue and wanted to help take a stand against it.
We began by writing to our MP, Dr Dan Poulter, who supported our campaign with a letter to the Home Office about child trafficking in the UK. We recently received a response from the Home Office, which will soon be added to our campaign page on the school website.
The second stage was to plan our sponsored swim to support the work that UNICEF do around the world to help end child labour. We set ourselves the ambitious goal of swimming a total of 13 miles (a half-marathon) as a class. Our swim session was just 40 minutes long and we needed to complete a total of 1040 lengths as a class - an average of 40 lengths per person. I am pleased to report that we achieved our goal, swimming 1078 lengths altogether - that's 13.475 miles!
A big thank you to everyone who has sponsored us. If you didn't get asked for sponsorship and would like to support our cause, please make a donation to UNICEF on our behalf and let us know so we can add your donation to our total. (jamesmansell@earlsoham.suffolk.sch.uk)
We will be collecting in money over the next couple of weeks and will announce the total raised on the blog when it is all collected in.
Wednesday, 13 May 2015
Monday, 27 April 2015
Life Cycles of Non-flowering Plants
This week in Blue Class, we have been learning about the unusual life cycles of non-flowering plants. We investigated the school grounds looking for the best habitat to find moss growing and discovered it thrives in damp, shady places. We learnt that moss is a non-vascular plant, so doesn't take in water through roots, but absorbs it from the environment a bit like a sponge.
We also studied conifers and found that they produce male and female cones. The male cones produce pollen which fertilises the egg cells in the female cones. We dissected some pinecones to search for the seeds that form beneath the scales.
Looking under the microscope we were able to see the moss close up. We also used a camera with a macro lens to photograph some of the plants and parts of plants that we collected. You can see some of the results above. All our photos can be viewed in the slideshow below.
Last week we studied flowering plants, and planted sunflower seeds, and took cuttings of geraniums, lavender and dandelions. We checked on the progress of these this week. The sunflowers have just begun to germinate and the dandelions, which we cut right down to the root, already have several new leaves. The lavender and geraniums may take a bit longer to 'take' as they have to grow new roots. We will post updates of our findings over the next few weeks.
We also studied conifers and found that they produce male and female cones. The male cones produce pollen which fertilises the egg cells in the female cones. We dissected some pinecones to search for the seeds that form beneath the scales.
Looking under the microscope we were able to see the moss close up. We also used a camera with a macro lens to photograph some of the plants and parts of plants that we collected. You can see some of the results above. All our photos can be viewed in the slideshow below.
Last week we studied flowering plants, and planted sunflower seeds, and took cuttings of geraniums, lavender and dandelions. We checked on the progress of these this week. The sunflowers have just begun to germinate and the dandelions, which we cut right down to the root, already have several new leaves. The lavender and geraniums may take a bit longer to 'take' as they have to grow new roots. We will post updates of our findings over the next few weeks.
Friday, 3 May 2013
The Trial of Goldilocks
This week in literacy, we have been continuing our work on fairytales by investigating the story of Goldilocks and the Three Bears. We read Roald Dahl's version from Revolting Rhymes, and the more traditional version of the tale and posed the question: Was Goldilocks in the wrong and should she be punished for her actions?
We decided to put Goldilocks on trial and so set up our classroom as a courtroom which saw the children swear their oaths before the judge.
Mrs Exton was defending Goldilocks and did a magnificent job. Several witnesses were called, who did some quick thinking and brilliant improvisation. Who knew, for example, that Goldilocks' had a complex home life and that she was having severe behavioural issues at school which resulted in a challenging attitude towards authority?
Despite the mounting evidence against her, the jury were unable to reach agreement and we were left with a hung jury. Goldilocks will be released on bail pending a retrial in the coming weeks.
This drama will be followed up next week with some work on writing balanced arguments.
We decided to put Goldilocks on trial and so set up our classroom as a courtroom which saw the children swear their oaths before the judge.
Mrs Exton was defending Goldilocks and did a magnificent job. Several witnesses were called, who did some quick thinking and brilliant improvisation. Who knew, for example, that Goldilocks' had a complex home life and that she was having severe behavioural issues at school which resulted in a challenging attitude towards authority?
Despite the mounting evidence against her, the jury were unable to reach agreement and we were left with a hung jury. Goldilocks will be released on bail pending a retrial in the coming weeks.
This drama will be followed up next week with some work on writing balanced arguments.
Monday, 4 March 2013
Return of the Persistent Chaffinch
Dear Readers,
I am pleased to announce that the persistent chaffinch has returned and taken up his usual spot on the door handle outside Blue Class. He visited us this morning to learn about division - presumably so that he could ensure he was getting a fair share of the bird seed - and again for phonics, where he brushed up on his dictionary skills.
We hope to see him regularly over the coming weeks, and I will keep you posted about his progress in class!
I am pleased to announce that the persistent chaffinch has returned and taken up his usual spot on the door handle outside Blue Class. He visited us this morning to learn about division - presumably so that he could ensure he was getting a fair share of the bird seed - and again for phonics, where he brushed up on his dictionary skills.
We hope to see him regularly over the coming weeks, and I will keep you posted about his progress in class!
Wednesday, 12 December 2012
Christmas Crafts
We have been making use of our natural resources for some Christmas Craft activities this year. Our willow house was in need of a trim, and we decided to use the off-cuts to produce some woven Christmas stars. The children decorated them using floristry ribbon and will be bringing them home soon. We hope you like them.
Making Bread in Blue Class
Today, each of the bread groups had a second opportunity to produce their loaf, and make any improvements they needed to make.
They were very busy and I hope you will agree that they produced some fantastic looking results.
They were very busy and I hope you will agree that they produced some fantastic looking results.
Friday, 7 December 2012
Blue Class - Emotions
This week, Blue Class have been writing poetry based on emotions. This afternoon these pieces were produced having built on their ideas over the course of the last 5 days.
I don't mean to be happy
or to be sad
and bad.
I'm good at smiling
that's just me
and if you don't like it
let it be.
My favourite thing
that puts a smile on my face
is the people around me
being happy.
If you don't believe me
come and see
I'm happy.
You're the only thing
that makes me smile.
He comes when you need him
He is always full of joy
He never stops smiling
He is never angry or sad
And he is always happy no matter what
What do you think I am ?
People think
I come with a rainbow
or a surprise
but I do not.
I can sometimes
but not always
for I am happiness.
All I ask for
is a child's love
and nothing else.
For when they are sad
or angry with something
I swallow
those feelings inside
At Christmas when Santa's here
People think I'm not here
it's just Santa
but no, I'm always here.
I am who I am
I am who I am
why can't people accept that?
When I get scared
people make fun of me
when I cry
they call me names.
I accept who they are,
why can't they accept me?
I find it tedious
when will they stop?
I try not to care
but it just doesn't work.
Oh when will it stop?
I just have to get on
maybe one day I'll be happy
instead of being annoyed
which is what I am now.
I am who I am
I am who I am
why can't people accept that?
When I get scared
people make fun of me
when I cry
they call me names.
I accept who they are,
why can't they accept me?
I find it tedious
when will they stop?
I try not to care
but it just doesn't work.
Oh when will it stop?
I just have to get on
maybe one day I'll be happy
instead of being annoyed
which is what I am now.
It strangles sadness, despair, fear and anger
it delivers love, joy and hope
which all together equal something special.
It picks you up,
places you in the spot-light
and gives you amazing features.
It makes sure you're unique
different from everybody
inhabiting the planet.
It kills anxiety that has been
in your heart
for ages.
It talks to you at night
and visits you
when you're lonely
It takes the weight
that lines your shoulders
and hurls them away
into the atmosphere.
It makes me strong
when I am not.
Anger strikes me
Nearly kicks me
It even hit me
I rarely get it
but when it comes
I just can't beat it.
I think I'll stick to joy.
Please, please
stop it, stop it
I don't like it
leave me alone.
Why can't you see that?
Don't make me cry
help me, help me
someone, please!
I can't stand it
Don't make me cry.
What should I do?
I've used up my mum's fave perfume
she'll find out soon
I hope she'll assume
that it was the dog!
Oh well...
What should I do?
I've used up my mum's fave perfume
she'll find out soon
I hope she'll assume
that it was the dog!
Oh well...
He comes when you need him
He is always full of joy
He never stops smiling
He is never angry or sad
And he is always happy no matter what
What do you think I am?
Hello everyone
I love to smile
I never hide my shame
unless it's a trial.
I would never lie
because I get very shy
if I did
I'd offer you some pie.
I love pears
but I don't accept dares
if it was something bad
I'd have nightmares.
Anger, anger
it's all around us
left, right, up and down
anger's everywhere.
ANGER
When you just go down
to the shop
when you drive through
your local town
I bet you'll see ANGER.
The boy who was alone
never spoke a word
always without a friend.
There he was
in the corner of the room
as soon as you spot him
he'd run away.
We never knew why...
You shine as you do the right things
Anger, anger
it's all around us
left, right, up and down
anger's everywhere.
ANGER
When you just go down
to the shop
when you drive through
your local town
I bet you'll see ANGER.
The boy who was alone
never spoke a word
always without a friend.
There he was
in the corner of the room
as soon as you spot him
he'd run away.
We never knew why...
You shine as you do the right things
for other people
but sometimes you can overdo a good thing
and it makes people angry
when someone breaks your memory
you get angry
but sometimes the lightning strikes
and you can't stop.
Why does that happen?
What should I do?
There's no going back
beginning to get lonesome.
It destroys the love inside you
it wants to destroy your happy life
and makes you despair
there's no going back.
When you get angry
it changes the whole of the world
inside of you
and everything becomes miserable.
It spreads laughter
it dries up your tears
it reigns over you
you wonder where it is?
You need it in your life
it's right there
if you need it
come and get it.
He is a man full of joy
with a face full of hope.
You can cuddle against him when you're sad
he can cheer you up in the darkest hours
for he lives inside everyone
and will do forever.
He destroys sadness within you
speeds around you with his big rosy cheeks.
He has a staff
that can spread laughter
and clouds disappear wherever he travels.
You must hope he never goes
as he takes away sadness
in this world.
It makes me smile
as it rises up inside me.
It makes me sigh with bliss.
It overflows like water
infecting everyone it touches.
When I laugh I can't stop.
When it gets into my system
it comes and conquers everything.
It brings cheer
it brings joy
it makes me see the world
through different eyes.
It switches my mood
it turns me around
it conquers me
making me only feel...
I am the boy with a lonely sigh
I am the boy who will sit and cry
I am the boy who is sad and loopy
I am the boy who's never happy or loopy.
But, one day I will see
the world in peace and harmony.
It creeps up without me knowing
and takes me by surprise
my hands get sweaty and sticky
and I know I'm gonna cry.
They always expect so much
and sometimes I can deliver
but when it doesn't make sense
I start to feel myself shiver
and get in a complete mess...
I am happy today
because I have the biggest smile on my face
at school I made
a new friend.
Lucky me.
Even though i might not
be pretty or beautiful
I am still wonderful, kind
and caring.
Some people think
that their life is full of sorrow
always expecting sadness.
But in everybody's life
there will be happiness.
Most people treasure kindness
where others may not.
Kindness is important
it's what everybody needs.
I like the outside
I don't mind if they don't like me
I'm not going to change.
Maybe I can make friends with them
but I'm not going inside
It is so pretty out here.
I don't mind if you disagree,
I cannot change.
It swallows happiness
it destroys confidence
it supports despair
and encourages loneliness.
It drowns you in a sea of emptiness...
There's something missing
it's never there.
I wonder where it is,
where it is in the world?
I do not know.
There's something missing
it's never there.
Will it ever return?
I want to know
why I never see it.
There's something missing
it's never there.
I want it badly
I need it desperately
to guide me through life
though it isn't there.
There's something missing
it's never there.
There's no happiness without it
oh, when will it come?
I miss it all day and night.
There's something missing
it's never there
though when it comes back
happiness will reign.
There's something missing
it's never there.
When will it return?
Like a ball of light
it lights up the darkest night.
Sadness has no place to come in
when you're feeling like this -
chuck sadness in the bin.
You cannot beat it
it's invisible.
Try to beat it and you'll fail
it is indestructible.
My emotion is so hard to explain
it's like anger
and sadness
blended together
by a mixer in my stomach.
I make the most of my time
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter.
My smile is like the sun
my laugh lights the world
I make the most of my time
my friends respect who I am
and I appreciate that.
The one thing I try to do
is carry on lighting the world.
Saturday, 10 November 2012
Egyptian Homework Exhibition
On Friday morning, instead of a sharing assembly, parents were invited to view an exhibition of children's homework, which was on display in Blue Class.
The children had produced some excellent work, including:
The children had produced some excellent work, including:
- model shadufs, canopic jars and tombs;
- menus for rich and poor Egyptians;
- Egyptian-styled games;
- factfiles and presentations;
- adverts and posters
- and much, much more.
If you didn't get a chance to see their work, I hope these photographs will give you some idea of the scope of the work produced.
Friday, 12 October 2012
Bread Making
As part of our DT topic on Bread, we have been baking our own concoctions this week.
We followed our methods carefully (at least those of us who had a method!) and learnt some valuable lessons. For example:
We followed our methods carefully (at least those of us who had a method!) and learnt some valuable lessons. For example:
- tsp = teaspoons, tbsp = tablespoons. Don't mix them up and put two tablespoons of salt into your bread - it is very salty!
- Cooking apple and onion don't mix well.
- Don't pour all your water in in one go - you end up with a very sloppy dough.
Although we weren't all successful, we enjoyed the process and will learn from these lessons next time!
Performance Poetry
This week in literacy, we have been rehearsing performance poems. These poems come from the book Spill the Beans by Paul Cookson and David Harmer.
I Want, I Want, I Want
Picnic on the M25
Unzip Your Lips
Let us know what you think of our performances in the comments.
Monday, 1 October 2012
Custard Cream Pyramids!
Following last week's attempts to build a giant pyramid out of shoe-boxes, we drew on our new-found expertise this afternoon, and attempted to build some rather smaller, but no less impressive, pyramids out of custard creams.
We began with a 'dry run', stacking our biscuits to form pyramids, then mixed up our 'mortar' (buttercream icing) to stick it all together.
Of course, the most satisfying thing about making pyramids out of custard creams is eating them immediately afterwards! Thankfully, there was just enough time to grab a photo of each finished pyramid with its creators, before they were demolished.
Sunday, 23 September 2012
Building the Pyramids
Earlier in the week, we decided to try and build our own step pyramid out of the many shoe boxes that had been brought in. First we had to get them organised. There were several suggestions as to how to do this, but eventually we agreed to sort them according to their height.
Then we began the process of building a base for our pyramid. Eventually, the pyramid began to take shape.
What do you think of our efforts? Let us know in the comments.
Tuesday, 26 June 2012
Year Five Concert at Thomas Mills
Yesterday evening, after several weeks of hard work, ten pupils in year five joined their peers from Wickham Market, Charsfield, Dennington and Sir Robert Hitcham (Framlingham) for a short concert to celebrate the Olympics in London. The children were joined by a selection of the Thomas Mills Orchestra and the Chamber Choir. It was a lovely evening, which I am sure those of you who were there will agree was a lot of fun. If you couldn't make it along to watch the concert, I hope you will enjoy listening to the recordings I made.
You can find them by following this link: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/wt8rvqsi398qicy/SoSpOc2FnO where the files can be downloaded for playing on your computer. Feel free to forward the link to friends and relatives who missed it.
You can find them by following this link: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/wt8rvqsi398qicy/SoSpOc2FnO where the files can be downloaded for playing on your computer. Feel free to forward the link to friends and relatives who missed it.
Monday, 4 June 2012
Designing the Olympic Site
Last week during our Olympic Theme week, the children in Blue Class were set the task of working in teams to design the site for the London Olympics. These photographs show some of their work in progress.
They gave group presentations on Friday to present their ideas and showed some impressive thinking and design skills.
They gave group presentations on Friday to present their ideas and showed some impressive thinking and design skills.
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