Maths
Now that we have covered a lot of the calculation strategies, we are free to start moving into some new realms. The main concept work will cover algebra, particularly looking at how formulae can be represented and interpreted. We have also begun to step up the mental arithmetic by working within tighter time constraints. This has shown some interesting (but not unexpected) results. On the whole, most children made more errors than they might have expected, yet when we worked through them on the board were able to easily solve them. I’ve seen this pattern many times before. The main task is to make sure that the children don’t lose faith in themselves as mathematicians, and instead, focus on selecting the most efficient method under pressure. This will help them to start making sense of all the work we have been doing in class, experimenting with different methods. Time limits create a certain necessity for efficiency.
English
Over the moon!
The quality of the written work in this latest piece has been outstanding. The focus has been to try to develop a character within a scene in which not much is really happening at all. The focus has been to make sure that the way the character interacts and responds to the setting is realistic which in turn makes the reader feel more comfortable with the passage. The results have been wonderful with lots of children finding some lovely ways to mix incidental action in with speech.
Next week we will finish the feedback cycle and begin building towards the next piece of narrative writing in which I will place more emphasis on the amount of individual decision making and faster composition times
Cultural Reference Point Friday
Had to postpone this week’s until Monday… (sad face)
1920’s next. Mercifully the music is beginning to improve mildly with the Charlston and Jazz taking hold – a blessed relief from the tunes of the 1900’s which have included the catchy, ‘Come into the Garden, Maud’, and the ever memorable, ‘Don’t forget Your Old Grey Bonnet, Nelly.’
Roll on the 70’s…
