Class 9

Learning First Aid

We learned some basic first aid including what to do when someone has asthma. 
 

DT talk 

We had a special visitor to our class, Mrs Moss, who showed us a range of textile 
products. We looked at each different technique used and talked about the origins of 
the different fibres and purpose of each one. We learnt that cotton fibres come from 
plants and confirmed that wool fibres come from sheep. We also examined silk 
products. We analysed the manufacturing processes involved and compared their 
functionality for a variety of uses. We discussed their use in clothing, bedding, carpets, 
celebrations and decoration. 

We also reflected on different textiles and their links to specific cultures and places. For 
example: tartan from Scotland (with a cold climate) which is a warm fabric, made from a 
local material – wool, and which shows family and geographical heritage. We 
contrasted with Ankara fabric from Africa (with a warm climate) which is made from 
locally grown cotton and is printed in vibrant, repeating patterns using traditional 
motifs. The techniques we investigated included batik, weaving, embellishment, 
embroidery and printing. We explored each piece and discussed our preferences based 
on texture, colour, pattern, material and detailing. 

Multiplication Check 

a huge well done to all students who have completed their statutory multiplication check this week! The children worked extremely hard and have all improved their times table knowledge this year. 

Question and answer session with the boys of Mayo College

Class 9 had a brilliant question and answer session with three boys of Mayo College. They asked a range of questions about life at the school and India in general. It was fascinating to learn about the similarities and differences in our lives. 
 

9th May

Six representatives from Year 4 attended an incredible Fairtrade celebration event at Leeds Civic Hall. They did an outstanding job of representing Beechwood. They listened to speeches from Tom Riordon (Chief Executive of Leeds City Council), Councillor Katie Dye and the Lord Mayor of Leeds. They heard from inspiring lived experience storyteller, Adele A'asante. The group also led a workshop for other children, teaching the bean-to-bar process they had previously studied in TSU. To end the session, the children made climate pledges which will be shared with the broader school community. 

Seacroft inspired art

Class 9 have been inspired by the urban landscapes of Seacroft. 

Local Walk

Year 4 had a fantastic local walk around Seacroft, looking at human and physical features. They were able to reflect on why different buildings had been created and to identify features which makes Seacroft a pleasant place to live. They skilfully compared their locality to Keswick, the town they visited in the Lake District. 

Artis Sessions 

As part of our reading weeks for Swallows and Amazons, we had a session with Shine about storms. We began the session by listening to a piece of music (in the hall of the mountain king) which had a crescendo in. We thought about how a storm builds up gradually, like the music did. We considered what the different components of a storm are. 
 

We looked at different images of storms and compared and described them.

Next, we created a soundscape of a storm. We started quietly with small raindrops before adding in heavier rain sounds, whistling winds, hailstones and booming thunder. 

As a class, we studied the following poem:

Speckles of light rain melodically pitter patter
The clouds burst and heavens begin to weep
Hazardous, howling winds whirl wildly
Boisterous hailstones bounce like basketballs
Vicious flashes of lightning illuminate the sky
Turbulent thunder rumbles
The sky is a raging beast
In that very moment I run to take cover

After this, we acted as people being caught in a storm and created a dance to the piece of  music we had listened to earlier.

We spoke about the role of a narrator in narrative and how this aids our understanding of a story. 

In pairs, we took it in turns to be a narrator and describe the different aspects of the storm which were being acted out. 

We took it in turns to show our paired work to the rest of the class. It was interesting to see how different pairs had used different narrative techniques to show passing of time and help with smooth transition between the short scenes and significant events. 

After the session ended, we had lots of brilliant ideas to use in our writing. We loved our time working with Shine and are looking forward to more sessions with Artis next year!

Lake District Day 2

We woke up to sunshine and a beautiful view of the lake from our Youth Hostel. After a delicious breakfast,  we took the coach to Keswick. There we looked around the town centre to compare it to Seacroft and we did a survey to find out why people visit the Lake District. We counted lots of cafes and outdoor clothing shops in Keswick and people told us they visit for the scenery. Our final activity of the afternoon was a boat trip on Derwent Water. 
We got lots of compliments about the excellent behaviour of everyone and we had a fantastic residential. Well done everyone, we are very proud of you. 

Lake District Day 1 

We have just stopped for lunch at Ambleside (about 20 minutes from the youth hostel). The children enjoyed the stunning view of the lake in the sunshine. We will spend the afternoon doing activities on the grounds of the youth hostel.

We are having a brilliant time in the Lake District and the weather is amazing. We had our lunch overlooking Lake Windermere watching the boats and then we drove on to Hawkshead. After excitedly finding our rooms, we spent the afternoon doing different science and geography activities. Now we can use a compass to find the direction we are facing and we can make our own sketch maps of the area. When we investigated the minibeasts in the woods, we found different types of invertebrates and even a baby newt.

Human and physical features

As part of our new TSU topic, we sorted features according to whether they were human and physical features. We then considered whether the features would be found in urban or rural areas. We thought about which of these features would be found in The Lake District.

Launch Session

We had a launch session to begin our new topic, The Lake District. We looked at different resources about the landscape, accommodation, location, activities and art of The Lake District. We worked in groups before discussing what we had found out as a class. 

Our Ghanaian-inspired Cooking 

in DT, we were inspired by the food of Ghan to create our own dishes. 

Drumming 

Class 9 are having weekly drumming sessions this half term. These sessions consist of a mixture of music games, body percussion and use of the Tamboo bamboos. Class 9 have developed their understanding of beat and rhythm, use of round and of unison. 

Artis Sessions

Class 9 have been having sessions with Shine, from Artis. They have learnt traditional songs and games from Ghana. 

Bean to Bar Workshop 

This week, Class 9 took part in a 'Be a cocoa farmer' workshop with Hannah. We learned all about what life is like for cocoa farmers in Ghana and learnt about how cocoa beans grow, are harvested and get turned into chocolate. We took part in a game pretending to be cocoa farmers and thought about how Fairtrade helps these farmers and their communities. 

Sketching African animals in art 

In art this half term, we have been studying TingaTinga art. We have practiced sketching animals in preparation for our final pieces. 

English 

Class 9 have had an African storytelling workshop with Matthew Bellwood. First, we listened to the African tale 'How Anansi got his stories'. Class 9 then worked in groups to retell different parts of the story. Each group made pictures of the characters and setting and re-told their part of the story using a projector. In English, we have also completed our African stories about Jamina and the baby elephant. Class 9 have tried really hard to use imaginative and figurative language to make their stories interesting for the reader. 

Map work

In geography, Class 9 have been doing some fantastic work using maps. 

Sam “The Sound man”

Class 9 had an amazing visit from Sam “The Sound Man”. He taught us all about how sound travels and reaches our ears. We carried out lots of tests to learn how sounds can be altered in pitch and volume. 

Ghana Launch Session: 

we began our Ghana topic with a carousel of activities where we developed questions and learnt key facts about: 

• Fair trade in Ghana
• Climate and landscape of Ghana
• Daily life in Ghana 
• Art of Ghana
• History of Ghana

Children in Ancient Greece

In groups, we researched what life was like for children in Ancient Greece. We chose how to present our findings!

Experiment with different brush strokes in art 

In art, we have been learning about Ancient Greek patterns that were used on pottery. We replicated some of these using paint. 

No Pens Day 

Class 9 had a brilliant no pens day! They took part in an assembly, made 3d shapes, used different speaking and listening activities and did a scavenger hunt! 

Ancient Greek Day

class 9 had a fantastic Ancient Greek day with Catherine. They learned all about different artefacts and used different techniques to study them. Class 9 also played different Ancient Greek games, learnt to translate the Ancient Greek alphabet and did a wonderful art activity. 

Hit the Button!

we have been practicing our times tables using ‘Hit the Button’. This is a great game for practicing quick-fire maths skills which can be accessed at home on a tablet, computer or phone. https://www.topmarks.co.uk/maths-games/hit-the-button 

Artis workshop

Today, we had a workshop run by Artis! We explored an ancient Greek myth through drama. We focused on the story of Theseus and the Minotaur. 

Maths, standard and non-standard partitioning

In maths this week, we have been working on standard and non-standard partitioning using a range of methods. We used place value counters, bar models, part-whole models and number sentences to represent numbers in different ways. 
 

Science, electricity 

In science this term, we have been exploring electricity. We have made and represented simple circuits; looked at conductors and insulators; explored voltage and learnt about how electricity works. 

Class 9 had a wonderful trip to Leeds City Museum. We looked at the ancient Worlds gallery and gave presentations of our favourite artefacts and items. We were able to handle real Ancient Greek artefacts in the learning area, as well as replicas.
 

We learned a lot throughout the day and it was amazing to see so many primary and secondary sources! We will be using our new knowledge to inform future work in TSU. 

Matthew Bellwood Experience Day

Class 9 had an amazing day with Matthew Bellwood. We learned all about Ancient Greek theatre and the role of masks and costume. We learned how actors in the Ancient Greek theatres showed expressions and emotions, even to people sitting at the back of the theatre! Matthew told us many stories about Ancient Greece and we ended the day by performing our own Ancient Greek play in the amphitheatre! 

Maths, place value 

We have been working on place value, using a range of manipulative to represent numbers.