Based on feedback to the blog I will now split it into two sections. The first part will be the headline news about what we have covered and where we are heading for you to scan read. The second section will have more expanded notes about concepts for those who would like a little more clarification. As always, any feedback on this new format would be much appreciated.
English
This week we finished the first of our feedback cycles which showed that we need to focus on expanding ideas in more detail. The main focus will be taking a single statement and then ensuring that the following sentences build upon it sequentially, helping to create flow. Meanwhile we will start to look at persuasive writing and the mechanisms used to create and develop a convincing argument.
We will begin to push a little further into the class book, Daughter of the Sea and start to investigate different question styles in more detail.
Maths
Multiplication continues to evolve. Having started with tables revision, we have moved into square numbers, triangle method, estimation and rounding, BIDMAS, we are now looking at formal multiplication. At the moment it is just with whole numbers as reflected in the homework but next week we will apply it to decimal numbers.
Science
We got a little bogged down in trying to understand the workings of the heart but are now ready to start looking at veins and arteries in a bit more detail so that we ca begin conducting a few fitness based experiments.
Geography
Well under way with this now as we start to look at what evidence there is that Crowmarsh has changed over the years. A secondary question is, ‘How old is Crowmarsh?’ which we will investigate over the coming weeks.
Expanded notes for anyone wanting more info:
English – Expanding sentences
I am trying to establish some routines which stop short of being writing by numbers criteria. Essentially, I am trying to teach them how to make a statement and then ensure that the following sentences develop it. The following template is a useful working model:
Statement builds on original statement reinforces / adds to it strengthens / suggests new facts
Example:
I would like to have pizza tonight. The reason for this is because I believe it would save you from cooking and therefore give you more free time. Imagine what you could do with all that time. You could read a book for instance. When was the last time you were able to sit down and enjoy a good book without being disturbed? Imagine how relaxed you would feel. But that’s not the only benefit. Having pizza tonight would ensure that everyone would be so much happier. (link to new paragraph which continues to develop)
Although this example is a little from the hip and so a little rudimentary in nature, hopefully it shows how each sentence is intended to build and develop the one before until it is time to suggest a link to the next idea. This is a real skill and for many children is quite a step up from their usual style of writing, but when they have it cracked, will be the key to stronger introductions and compositions with more flow and clarity.
You can help at home by finding any opportunity to make a statement and then trying to develop it. Please note that this does not have to be written down. The skill is in sticking with an idea and sometimes talking it through will help you to cover more ground.
Hope this is useful to you. All feedback welcome.
