What we are learning in Lilac Class for the week beginning 12.10.26

In Maths this week in Lilac class, we are using bar models and part-whole models to establish families of facts that can be found from one calculation and use the inverse to check for accuracy.  We are then solving multi-step addition and subtraction problems.  Lilac Class are thinking about the key information that is in the question.  What can you work out straight away and how does this help you to answer the question?  We will also be comparing calculations and finding missing numbers in a sequence. 

In English this week, we are starting to plan a diary account of a Conquistador in 1519 trudging through the tropical rainforest of Mesoamerica in search of gold and glory.  Lilac Class will be writing about what they hear, see, smell and feel and describing their journey sailing across the Atlantic Ocean.  We will then be considering what questions are going through their mind when they find the gigantic abandoned ruins. Before we start writing, we will be ‘Hot Seating’ talking about what our experience has been like.  We will also in groups be acting out this experience in role play. 

For our Whole Class Guided Reading The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis, we are reading Chapter Seven this week.  Lilac Class are finding words and phrases that show the children were excited at the prospect of food and will be exploring their relationship with the beavers.  We are also examining Edmund’s character in more depth and identifying another side to his personality.

In RE, we are examining what moral behaviour means and finding out why Christians believe that confessing their sins to God is important. Lilac Class will be thinking about how they feel when they say sorry and confess to someone that they have upset and how they feel when they forgive someone.  

For our Time and Place topic entitled ‘The Ancient Mayan Civilisation’, Lilac Class are examining photographs of artefacts that were found in the ancient Mayan ruins.  We will be thinking about what these may be and what they could have been used for and who may have used them. Lilac Class are taking on the role of archaeologists.

For Science in Lilac Class, we are visiting the Science Observatory at Herstmonceux and will be taking part in an Earth, Moon and Sun Workshop and will have a Planetarium Talk!  There are also many in and outdoor hands-on activities based on space, gravity and forces.  In addition, experts in the field are there to answer any questions! 

For ICT, we are describing how search engines select results.  Lilac Class will be explaining why we need tools to find things online and recognising the role of web crawlers in creating an index.  As a hard copy, Lilac Class are completing an index of the classroom and creating an index of our school website.

For Music, Lilac Class are composing ‘Spacescapes’ inspired by Gustav Holst’s The Planet’s Suite.  We will be working in groups and will record our ideas in the form of a graphic score.  Lilac Class will be using a range of dynamics that we heard when listening to ‘Venus’ and ‘Mars’. We will be performing our compositions to one another and as a class we will be discussing the structure and dynamics used. 

For our Spanish lesson this week, we are learning different food names and will be involved in a short conversation about what food we want to eat.  We will also be writing a shopping list in Spanish.