Year 6

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There has been a lot of rain this month and not a lot of sun, so our solar project has had to be deferred.

Year 6 have still been able to learn about: solar energy; advantages and disadvantages of; how electricity is made in photovoltaic cells and to visualise how photons (light) cause electrons to flow and create electricity in a solar panel.

Fingers crossed that next session we have sun and can explore simple solar circuits.

George and Leo: We made four different types of fire: a lean to; a trench fire; log cabin and a star fire. We lit two of them at the same time to see which one burnt best. The log cabin was best because of the air flow and it had the best heat distribution.

Many thanks to George's grandma, who has kindly donated many seeds ready for the growing season.

Harrison: I made this swing to be either a sit down or a stand up swing. If you sit facing the tree you can launch yourself to swing. I used an underhand knot. 

Year 6

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Huge thanks to Year 6 for getting the allotment and surrounding area ready for spring.

We are good to go now and next week will start sowing some of the seeds, kindly donated by George’s (Year 6) grandmother.

There was some heavy work involving moving the stumps with rope and rebuilding the rockery but they all got stuck in!

Esmae and Libby said, “We had to get all the rocks out, some were buried deep. We thought about making an Egyptian tomb but there was nothing underneath to make it stable. We are going to plant herbs in the new areas.”

John mentioned, “We had to work as a team. Isla wedged in the spade and then we all lifted it together.”

“We had to take away the grass to help the edible hedge grow. It is young and we do not want it to be in competition with anything for water or nutrients. Then we covered it with mulch and leaves to add goodness to the soil”, voiced Kristian.

We’ve also been learning about Climate Change, the causes of and effects of, and most importantly: what we can do about it.

After research the children chose how they wanted to present their learning.

Their posters, poems, logos and recommendations will be displayed on the Eco board.

Next week, we will be hoping for a sunny day so we can get started with the solar panels.

The project this term is all about the pond: clearing it out; building a solar fountain but also designing and creating a mural, with Year 2.

Our school art specialist, Miss Tracey, will be helping with this, which is great.

Year 2

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This term Year 2 will be focusing on habitats (extending their class learning) and will identify different habitats at school and the different animals that are found there.

It being winter, the hedgehog, bat and dormouse are hibernating; others go animals go into a state of torpor where everything slows down.

Many birds migrate. Insects survive as egg, larvae or adult and some contain like an antifreeze.

Climate Change is affecting insects as many struggle to adjust to extreme temperatures or conditions, making them vulnerable.

The children looked for animal tracks and signs of the animals we share our school with.

When they found holes they measured the diameter. Was it a rat, rabbit, fox or badger?

We also set up the nocturnal camera and were thrilled to learn that we share our school with badgers, who live in setts which are underground burrows with long tunnels and one large sleeping room.

An animal’s habitat must provide: food and water, warmth, shelter and protection.

A badger’s main food is earthworms, which make up 80% of their diet.

We found out that they can eat several hundred each night.

They are omnivores and have a keen sense of smell.

Did you know a badger’s sense of smell is more than 700 times stronger than ours!

Year 2 will also be making animal homes and adding to others, with a particular focus on the pond area.

In addition, they will be working alongside Year 6 on a pond mural using recycled materials.

Reflections

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Some beautiful quotes from Earthclass questionnaire.

How does being outside in nature make you feel?

Year 1

Brogan: I feel calm because the birds are twitching and singing and the autumn leaves are changing colour.

Alfred: I feel happy because of the fresh air.

Year 2

Rosanna: really happy and joyful

Isabelle: In the summer I stood with my eyes closed. Just me and the wind. I was being friends with nature.

Teddy: calm and resilient

Cooper: Happy because I like nature a lot. I saw a fox close up and its tracks in the snow. That was my first time.

Year 5

Maria: It makes me feel calm and happy hearing the singing of the birds. If I am near a lake I watch the ripples and the wind in my face makes me feel free.

Myles: Calm and like I connect with nature.

Zhasmin: Happy, creative, sometimes cold, always calm.

Onyi: It makes me feel happy because nature is peaceful.

Year 6

Lucas B: Very relaxed with the beautiful surroundings, scents and people.

Dexter: I enjoy myself in nature and love wildlife and learning about it.

Do you understand how important it is to look after Earth?

Year 5

Ogonna: Yes, because we only have one Earth.

Zara: Yes and I am scared some people don’t.

Year 6

Emily: Yes, because let’s say you are littering. Well, the animals could die of it. I saw litter all over my park and I picked it all up.

Have you grown to care more for the flora and fauna?

Year 5

Ronnie: Yes, definitely! The more I hear what PEOPLE are doing, the more I care.

Year 6

Luca B: Yes, I have realised how precious the Earth is.

Maisie: Earthclass shows me how important it is to look after Earth.

Are you more appreciative of how nature helps and heals us?

Year 5

Hannah: Yes, for example… I got stung by a stinging nettle and I got a plant called plantain and healed it.

Alex: Yes, nature is the key to our lives.

Do you engage more with and protect nature outside school?

Harry W: I move animals out of the road, plant trees and recycle.

Harry H: Yes. I plant trees, help animals and care for our garden.

Feasting

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