Corvus and Draco - Reflect and Review

Dear Parents and Carers,

As Writers, Corvus have spent this week researching wolves using different sources and taking notes based on them. We have also started to explore how we can turn these notes into a cohesive, organised piece of writing and starting to draft sections. Draco, have been exploring the world of journalism, and familiarising ourselves with the features of a newspaper report. Finding inspiration from the class text, we discussed our views on whether or not Ivan’s escape from the wolves would make a compelling story for our newspaper article. This sparked a lively debate with some children feeling conflicted and offering alternative scenes that would interest their readers.   We also created an orientation for our newspaper report and thought carefully about how to hook the reader in by utilising The "5s":  Who is the story about or who was involved in the event? What happened, or what is the subject of the report?  When did the event take place (date, time, year) Where did the event take place (location, city, building)? Why did the event happen, or why should readers care? Our next lesson involved generating interesting headlines using alliteration, hyperbole and puns to grab the reader’s attention. Here are  a few of the headlines we created:  Little Ivanhood Fights Back! It’s Raining Ravenous Wolves and  Brave Boy Baffles Wolves!  On Thursday, we explored the following question: Why do journalists use formal language?  We analysed an imaginary newspaper report documenting Ivan’s escape from the wolves and looked closely at the vocabulary choices and use of 3rd person narrative voice.  Miss Mac was incredibly proud of the children’s work as well as their interest in this subject area.  

As Mathematicians, Corvus have kicked off our study of Multiplication and Division, identifying equal groups and using arrays. We have also begun to explore division strategies - Quotitive and Partitive Division (Grouping and Sharing), including groups with remainders. Draco, have been learning about factor pairs and how to multiply and divide by 10 and 100. 

As Geographers, Corvus have continued our exploration of the Antarctic and some of its key physical characteristics: ice shelves, desert climate, the highest continent, the coldest continent and dry valleys. Draco explored how Climate change is driving rapid and accelerating changes across Antarctica and explained why the world needs to help slow down the melting ice in Antarctica. In the role of climate scientists, we researched the consequences of melting ice in Antarctica and rising sea levels and plotted on a map which countries and cities would be the  most affected. 

Corvus also learned about money, exploring the relationship between work and money. We also considered ‘jobs’ at home, voluntary work and thought about paid jobs that are in the service of society such as nurses, doctors, police officers etc. Whilst Draco, as artists, have been experimenting with shape and colour; arrangement and composition.  We have found inspiration from the artist: Matisse. 

Next Week

It will be one of our assessment weeks, checking in on how students’ reading and maths is progressing. In English, we continue our work on our non-chronological report about wolves - writing and editing our reports. In Maths, Corvus will continue our work on quotitive and partitive division with Draco focusing on developing their written multiplication methods. In Geography, we will be learning to analyse and interpret weather data to understand how various elements contribute to Antarctica's unique climate, as well as exploring the effects of climate change on the continent. 

Home-learning

All the children should have a book selected from our class library that they should be bringing home, please ask us if your child needs a reminder to do this regularly!

Maths Homework books will be due on Monday so please make sure that they are brought in for marking. 

Every child should also have a Times Tables Rock Stars login, which they can use to practise their times tables. Corvus are currently consolidating our knowledge of 2, 3, 5 and 10 times tables and Draco are working towards knowing all of theirs up to 12 x 12 if you would like to direct their practice. 

Coming Up

3rd December-  Christmas Dinner and Jumper Day

11th December - Hercules and Science Museum Visit  Please ensure that children are at school for 07:45 for the trip. Your child will need to be wearing normal school uniform with comfortable shoes and a coat. They should have lunch and a full water bottle with them which includes a morning and afternoon snack.

12th December - Christmas Service at St Peter and Paul's (2-6 only) – Children in Draco and Corvus can come dressed as shepherds for the Christmas Service if they would like to. Please don’t buy anything for it specifically, each phase will be a different part of the nativity, but think low-key, tea towels on the heads etc – Be excited for the staff’s important dressing up role too! Starts at 10am, please be at school for 9.15am if you wish to walk with us. 

12th December - HSA Christmas Bazaar after school

15th December - Reading Passports Returned to School

19th December - End of Term 1pm finish time