Maths
The main focus has really cranked towards technique over the last couple of weeks. Although the main concept taught has been multiples (and in some cases prime numbers) the focus has been on the selection of techniques. Taking any calculation, the discussion revolves largely around what techniques could be used and which would be the best to begin with. We also evaluate this process along the way and regularly question whether the technique chosen is working efficiently and whether we should quickly shift to another one. The theme of efficiency is an interesting one which leads conversation away from ‘this process is better than that one,’ to ‘this process may be better on this occasion but not on another,’ which is a different level of analysis.
Through these discussions, the atmosphere in class is beginning to change from one that holds the ‘correct answer’ to be the most important factor to one that focusses on analysis and reasoning.
English
The grammar is going very smoothly at the moment as we move into coordinating conjunctions within a sentence. The conjunctions for, and, nor, or, but, yet, so ( anachronism = FANBOYS) create compound elements when they coordinate nouns, adjectives and adverbs.
E.g. John and Bob ran and danced noisily but carefully.
This has a compound subject, compound verbs and compound adverbs which have been coordinated with the conjunctions ‘and’ and ‘but’.
Ask your children to explain it. It is a relatively simple concept but there are many opportunities for confusion.
As the grammar is developing we are spending more time analysing different elements as they are encountered in our class reading book, Daughter of the Sea. We still have to be cautious because there are more structures that we haven’t learnt to analyse at this depth but noticing adverbials and prepositions is becoming much more fluid.
On a composition level we are studying how to create a convincing persuasive text. Although this is in its earliest stages, this week’s homework lends itself very well to a balanced argument which is the element of persuasion we are looking at in class. It will be a challenging task to complete at home but hopefully the time spent on Friday afternoon has been useful preparation.
Thanks to the parent who gave feedback about these blogs. I hope they continue to be useful.
