Inventors
This term our topic is 'Groovy Greeks'. Therefore, in design and technology the children have researched, designed and started to make their own Greek theatre masks. As a class they decided to use Modrock to structure the masks. Next week, the children will paint the masks according to their final design.
Modroc Greek masks
Inventors would like to wish everybody a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Finished Volcanoes
This week the children completed a maths hunt to discover a secret code. They worked in pairs to complete the challenges; focusing on multiplication and division. On Friday we shared our fantastic homework with each other. There were lots of brilliant power-points focusing on the Extreme Earth!
Maths hunt
The children enjoyed learning new balances (in gymnastics) with a partner this week. They then created a sequence to perform to the class. The other pairs had to give feedback to the performers- what did they do well and what could they do better next time.
This week we were lucky enough to go on a whole school trip to Chester Zoo! The children had a fantastic time, with some saying, 'It was the best day ever'. Well done to every member of the Inventors class for being brave and going through the Bat cave; it was well worth it.
Chester Zoo!
This week we have had an exciting start to our new topic 'Extreme Earth'. The children have researched and designed their own Volcanoes and will begin to make them next week. We have also located dangerous volcanoes around the world on a map. We will post pictures of our volcanoes in due course.
The final week of term has been an exciting one in the Inventors classroom. We completed an experiment to understand the process of the digestive system using items such as tights, crackers and orange juice. The children then used this knowledge to write a narrative from the perspective of a book, travelling through the digestive system. On the final day of term the children shared their amazing homework with one another before completing an Atlas scavenger hunt in Geography. Well done to the winning team: Koel, Harrison and Jacob.
Have a fantastic half term and I look forward to seeing you all again in a weeks time.
Final week of term
Another successful week in the Inventors classroom. The children have almost finished their D&T projects, in which they are making trenches. (I will post pictures after completion). The children enjoyed an afternoon of meditation with Rev. Jason Powell in which they had time to create their own story and explain their thoughts to one another. Thank you to everyone for wearing yellow and sharing the message and importance of Mental Health.
This week we have moved on in Maths to addition and subtraction. The children completed problem solving activities to explore different ways of using numbers. In English, the children have written some fantastic play-scripts (in relation to War Horse) which we will share with one another tomorrow. We have also began to make our trenches, learn adjectives in French and use volleyball skills ion PE.
Another fantastic week in the Inventors classroom!
This week the Inventors have enjoyed learning outdoors (we will enjoy the sun while it lasts). We have designed our trenches in Design and Technology, which we will begin to make next week. The children have produced some fantastic writing from the perspective of Father in War Horse. The children are excited to continue learning about WW1. Tomorrow we will locate countries, on a map, who were a member of the British allies.
Outdoor learning
Have a look at our wonderful classroom! The displays will help you to think and learn!
Welcome back!
Mrs Walsh and Mrs Hill hope that you have had a fantastic summer holiday and are ready and raring for the school year ahead- we definitely are! We have an action- packed first term ahead of us full of interesting and new learning opportunities. We hope you enjoy your new learning but also take the opportunity to come out of your comfort zone, be creative and challenge yourself!
Our first topic this half term will be "Shell Shock" where we will be travelling back to 1914 and learning about World War One; from how it all began, the effects of the War across Europe, until how the War ended in 1918.
Don't forget to earn your raffle tickets to be in the prize draw every Friday!
We look forward to another great year at St. John's...
Making the Most of Symmetry in the Sun!
Running for distance
As part of our athletics unit of work, Inventors were asked to design a running course that would test their stamina and endurance. The course had to last between 30 seconds and 1 minute, using a range of equipment to help them. At the end of the lesson, the children got the opportunity to test each other's designs out.
What a great afternoon of physical activity!
All of the Area
Children had to work in groups to investigate the area of different shapes, using different materials. They had 5 challenges to complete with a time limit of 10 minutes per challenge. There were lots of skills demonstrated during this lesson not only mathematical but also great examples of co-operation and team- work. Well done Inventors!
Bye, Bye Butterfly!
Thank you to Tomas for bringing in his butterflies that he has been rearing over the last few weeks. He showed Inventors the cocoons that they had evolved from and we discussed the complete metamorphosis that they go through from caterpillar to butterfly.
We then set them free in our old forest school area, where we hope they will flourish in their natural habitat.
Prayer Workshop with Bishop Mark
Inventors had a fantastic afternoon participating in a prayer workshop with Bishop Mark. The workshop showed children how they could pray in different ways by interacting with fun and interesting activities with a specific message and bible reading.
The afternoon ended with a pray and blessing led by the Bishop himself.
Get a head start! Take a look at Inventors' half term homework grid- make your choices now and get the gold medal for organisation!
GO FOR IT MO!
Do you know what it takes to be a world famous athlete?
Remember to have a go on the TT Rockstars app or website so you know what to do when it is a homework activity next half term! ROCK ON INVENTORS!!!
Take a sneak peek of some early homework examples for our "Habitat" topic- we can't wait to see everyones on Friday (the last day of the half term!)
Who lives in a house like this?
During topic lessons we have been looking at different styles of houses and where people live. We have been learning new vocabulary linked to house and homes and have started to create an estate agent style advertisements whereby children are trying to sell their own houses. We have been using lots of persuasive language as well as floor plans and pictures.
Inventors enjoying their JAG TAG session ran by Edstart.
Take a sneak peek of next half term's homework grid related to our next topic... Who lives in a house like this?
Inventors win "Cakes and Shakes" for the second half term in a row!
Well done for gaining the most compliment slips Inventors and a big thank you to Miss Robertson for preparing such a delicious treat!
INVADERS,RAIDERS, TRADERS?
Take a look at some examples of our fantastic grid homework this half term. These are just a few pieces, there are lots more displayed in our classroom and the school's lobby area.
Results Day 1- Children are looking out for signs of decay; focusing on appearance and the odour of the mackerel. They are then recording their findings in their science books. Do you think there has been many changes?
How did the Vikings preserve their food, when travelling on long voyages?
As part of our science week Inventors have been researching ideas about how to preserve food. Children came up with several suggestions on how to preserve mackerel.
We then gathered our information and set up five experiments to see which out of the following food preservation methods would be more effective- salt, smoking, lemon and lime juice, honey and vinegar.
We look forward to seeing the results.
Inventors are reading "Alex Sparrow and the Really Big Stink" by Jennifer Killick with Mrs Purser.
They tweeted Jennifer to tell her how much that they were enjoying her book.
She sent them posters and a signed postcard.
Children have written thank you letters to her too.
A Kingly Debate
Inventors had to go back in time and take on the role of either King Alfred the Great or King Athelstan. They had to use their debating skills to prove which king was the best!
Aliens need our help!
Inventors were asked to create a food source for an alien life form. However, they added too much salt, which was detrimental to their health! Inventors had to think of a way of separating all of the materials again using different equipment so that the extra salt could be removed.
The Inventors successfully completed the task.
Well done comrades!
IMG_1970.MOV
Solid or liquid? You decide!
Inventors were set the challenge of creating their own cornflour slime. They were astonished at the results...did it turn out to be a solid or a liquid? It was hard to tell, as it seemed to have the properties of both. We had some great discussions around the children's ideas! It was a messy but fun afternoon to end the week.
Inventors are ready to journey back through time to learn all about the Angry Anglo-Saxons and Vicious Vikings!!!
Using the "mysterious" stimulus, children had to answer the 5 ws (who, what,when,where,why?) and create their own story maps.
We look forward to hearing the children's creative ideas.
Inventors made a shocking discovery in the classroom yesterday... what do you think it is?
Inventors' Spring 2 Homework Grid
Welcome back Inventors for another fun-filled half term!
We have got so much to learn; from Anglo-Saxon and Viking invasions to watching our own chicks hatch and grow!
Let's have a great six weeks learning together.
Inventors enjoying their CAKES and SHAKES as a reward for earning the most compliment slips this half term. What a great way to spend the last day before the half term break!
Please take a look at some examples of Inventors' grid homework from spring 1. You can see further examples in the school's lobby area.
Isn't it AMAZING?!
Find out about what Inventors got up to in their topic lesson this week...
Inventors' trip to The Whitworth Art Gallery and Manchester Museum.
Forest school in the snow
Children emulating bird flight by creating their own paper aeroplanes today in topic lesson.
Today in science children had to dissect a flowering plant and find all of its different parts. They then had to create their own botanical illustrations from their findings.
Please see our new homework grid for the first half of the spring term. Children will bring homework books home next week with a copy stuck in.
Our new topic in the first Spring half term is "Planet Earth" linking natural history and science together. Finding out about life cycles of animals and plants; habitats and all of the weird and wonderful things that we have on this planet.
If you had the opportunity- what would you ask Sir David Attenborough?
May we take this opportunity to wish all Inventors and their families a very happy and peaceful Christmas.
We look forward to seeing you all in the new year!
Merry Christmas or Wesołych Świąt!
Best wishes,
Mrs Browne & Miss Ireland
TASC Days
During the last week of school before the Christmas break, we have been busy researching Christmas traditions around the world. Inventors chose to investigate how Polish people celebrate Christmas to discover any similarities or differences that there maybe. We have found out lots of interesting facts out about Poland, as well as taking advice from our class member Jakub!
Following our research we designed and created our very own Christmas decoration inspired by our Polish research.
We cannot wait to share everything that we have been doing in our church service on the last day of term!
Science
As part of our science assessment this half term we had to work in a group to sell our ear defenders that we had produced and investigated- using a fair test. We had to include lots of persuasive and scientific language in order to prove that ours was the best.
The children worked very well in their groups and it was a hard decision as to whose ear defenders were the most effective!
The Rockers of the future need you! Check out what Inventors have been creating in science lessons this half term.
Our reflection area for the coming weeks will be focusing on Advent and its true meaning.
The children will have time for reflection and to write personal prayers based on hope, joy, faith and love.
These will then be shared in Lighthouse assemblies.
Forest School Session
5.12.18
Due to the weather, forest school had to take place indoors today. However, we were able to create some fantastic festive pieces using natural materials from our school grounds.
It was another great session!
Mindfulness
Every Thursday and Friday afternoon our children have the opportunity to participate in some mindfulness activities.
Today we did some meditation, where children had to find a comfortable position in order to listen to some relaxing music and a meditation clip. This encouraged children to relax their mind and become calm in order to be ready to learn after lunch time.
As you can see, some children were very calm and relaxed!
Inventors were creating mathematical stories to deepen their understanding of multiplication. They were using pictorial and concrete resources to help to explain their reasoning.
Inventors were part of the Celtic tribe trying to discover the Roman army's new piece of weaponry. We found out vital information and were able to recreate it. We now need to find out how it works and how best to defend ourselves against it! We have had lots of fun learning about the Romans and Celts last half term and look forward to our new topic- Listen up!
We even got chance to practice Roman military formations and play some Roman games- We've had a great day!
Inventors' Roman Day! What a fantastic end to our history topic!
Inventors have carried out a Celtic Market place. Each table had a different aspect of Celtic life to research e.g. religion, homes, appearance/clothes, warriors. They then had to present their findings to the rest of the class. We are now Celtic experts!
Please see a copy of our Autumn 2 homework grid, full of lots of exciting learning activities! Remember homework club will be on every Thursday lunch time too!
Our class loves the forest school session they do every Wednesday morning; learning different skills in the great outdoors!
During a maths lesson we were using resources to investigate prime numbers up to 100. Do you know what a prime number is?
More fantastic homework examples
Take a look at Inventors' impressive Roman style homework pieces! From mosaics to Roman snacks the children have worked really hard to produce some excellent pieces of work. Thank you for all of your support at home with this. More photographs to follow...
Inventors have been researching, designing and creating prototypes for Roman catapults in design technology. We look forward to testing them out when they are finished!
The Roman Quests book that we are focusing on in English this half term is a series of books by Caroline Lawrence. Why not see if you can find any in your local library or book shop? The children and I are finding it very exciting so far! I am sure that they would be able to tell you all about it.
The children have been using talk for writing strategies to plan their re- telling of the chapter "Porta Ostiensis" from the book we are focusing on in English this half term "The Roman Quests- Escape from Rome" I can't wait to read their finished pieces of writing next week!
"Don't stop believing!"
Inventors learning to play a new song on the xylophone this afternoon with Mrs Purser- very impressive!
Inventors have been exploring positive and negative numbers in maths this week- they had lots of fun creating their own number lines on the playground
Inventors enjoying R.E and Art week
Our Roman Topic Wall is really taking shape after all of the children's hard work so far...
Welcome Back Inventors!
Mrs Browne and Miss Ireland hope that you have had a fantastic summer holiday and are ready and raring for the school year ahead- we definitely are! We have an action- packed first term ahead of us full of exciting and new learning opportunities, which we hope you enjoy but also take the opportunity to come out of your comfort zone and challenge yourself!
Our first topic this half term will be "The Empire Strikes Back" where we will be travelling back in time and learning about all things Roman; from how it all began, until the Empire was over thrown (not forgetting everything in between!)
Don't forget to earn your rewards from "The Bank of Browne" too!
We look forward to another great year at St. John's...
Look at our newly decorated classroom ready for our Inventors
GOD & THE BIG BANG WORKSHOP – YEAR 5
Our Year 5 attended a God & The Big Bang Workshop Day at Manchester Cathedral on Tuesday which explored the interaction between Science & Faith. The children took part in an exciting day of hands-on activities, small group workshops, and had time for big questions with scientists of faith and were involved in interactive sessions throughout the day.
BANNER SERVICE – YEAR 4
Our Year 4 attended the annual Banner Service on Tuesday at St Michael’s Church, Bamford. As Headteacher of St. John’s (Thornham),Mrs Hunter belongs to RAF (Rochdale Anglican Federation) and once a year, pupils from the Anglican Schools in Rochdale attend a service, led by Bishop Mark. This service is known as “The Banner Service” as several years ago the Headteachers of RAF produced banners which tour around the Rochdale school. At the service all 4 banners are paraded as a symbol of unity for the Rochdale schools. This years’ theme was Friendship and all schools that attended created a “Friendship Wreath” containing their prayers which they presented at the service. The children all enjoyed a picnic in the sunshine at Queen’s Park after the Banner Service.
ROBINWOOD ACTIVITY CENTRE TRIP
The children from Years 5 & 6 enjoyed a wonderful time at the brand new Crosslanes Centre in Wrexham last week.
The took part in a range of exciting activities; The Giant Swing, Zipline, Piranha Pool, Caving, Archery, Trapeze, Rock Climbing and the Dungeon of Doom!!! The children were impeccably behaved and were a credit to our school.
