Home Learning - Round 5

Hi Bonsai! Time for another week of home learning. I know you've been working incredibly hard so far which makes me immensely proud! Let's keep up the great work with some more activity ideas to keep us going.

English

This week we're going to be having a punctuation practice week. It's very important that you build yoour confidence when using punctuation as this will make your writing more accurate.

As a class we need to make sure we are checking every capital letter and full stop is there at the start and end of every sentence (unless you are writing a question or exclamation which need different finishing punctuation).

We also need to be very careful with our apostrophes- I know some of us like to sneak a cheeky one where it's not needed. Remember that there are two reasons for using apostrophes:

To show possession (what belongs to someone or something)  e.g. Mr Andrews's cup of tea, Miss Mullett's dogs, Miss Garbutt's goldfish.

To show contraction (when two words are shortened to form one word to make it informal) e.g. it is = it's, did not = didn't (the apostrophe represents the missing letters)

Apostrophes are not used for plural nouns! The boy's played on the field --> The boys played on the field

Inverted commas (speech marks) are also on our 'to polish' list. Inverted commas show what a character is saying out loud. The inverted commas 'hug' the spoken words and not the whole sentence. E.g. "Check your punctuation carefully," reminded Mr Andrews.

"Can I go to the toilet?" asked one pupil.

"What beautiful handwriting!" enthused Mrs Abbott.

Billy replied proudly, "I've been doing lots of practice."

Did you notice how spoken phrases need punctuation- can you make a rule up for each type of punctuation in the examples of dialogue above?

Test out your skills in the document links below.

Maths

We are continuing to challenge our skills this week. This time it's with fractions. Read the challenge cards carefully. Keep checking BBC Bitesize as well for more activities or guidance.

Science

Light can cause lots of misconceptions. Many people have very different ideas about how it travels, where it comes from and how it changes. The powerpoint in the document link section makes you think about sources of light (where light comes from) and objects that only reflect like (make light bounce of its surface). I wonder if the moon is a light source? I can see my garden in the moonlight so something must make it bright! Can you prove this idea or disprove it? Have a go at the powerpoint and see if you can find things around your home that are sources or reflectors of light. The answers might surprise you!

Topic

If you haven't done so already. Have a look at the instructions for making a mummy. Mummification was the process of preserving a body of a pharaoh or rich person so they could enter the afterlife when they passed away. It was a bit of a gruesome process but at least the pharaoh never felt anything! Can you make your own instruction list or perhaps storyboard the process. Extra details can be found here with an interactive activity!

https://www.childrensuniversity.manchester.ac.uk/learning-activities/history/ancient-egypt/making-a-mummy/

If you've already tackled the mummification process (Morgan did a fab job of mummifying his poor mummy!), have a look at the canopic jars that were used to hold the person's vital organs. Each jar had a lid shaped as an Egyptian god to protect the organs for the afterlife- take a look at the reading comprehension activity in the links.

French

Oh la la, we have not had a French lesson in so long. Quel dommage! (What a shame!) This half term we would have been learning about days and months.

To help with pronunciation I've attached a vocabulary list. You can also listen to this Youtube video to learn with native speaker, Alexa: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JyROOY4RPJg

Loads of resources for practising days and months can be found on this website link:

https://www.lightbulblanguages.co.uk/resources-pr-fr-resources.htm#mths

Home Learning - Round 4

Hey gang, hope you enjoyed celebrating VE Day last week. From some of the posts in the class blog, it looks like you've partied your way through your learning- amazing! I wish I could have been there to wave a flag and pinch a few treats!

This week we're back to what we know best so have a gander at some of these activities that you can try.

English

The ancient Egyptians were very superstitious people and lived their lives how they thought their gods wanted them to or did things just to keep the gods happy. Ancient Egyptians were polytheist which means they believed in more than one god. In fact there were over 2000 gods they believed in!

I've attached a fact file about some of the main gods and goddesses of ancient Egypt. Use the information to create an informative poster, a non-chronological report or, if you're able to, create a powerpoint presentation/slideshow to explain who they were, what they are god of and what the ancient Egyptians did to please them.

I've also attached the story of how ancient Egyptians believed the world was created. How does this compare to your own belief or understanding? Can you design a story board of the ancient Egyptian creation story? Could you make a shadow puppet theatre performance of the story? Can you use your scientific knowledge of light and shadows to make the puppets bigger and smaller?

Maths

I think it's time for a challenge with our Maths. Click this link https://nrich.maths.org/14583 to find the NRICH website which has lots of problem solving activities that only require a pencil, paper and definitely some perseverance (not giving up). The problems are designed to make your brain think that extra bit more so don't worry if you don't get it straight away- they're called problems for a reason! 

Science

Have you ever been told to not look directly at the sun? Why is that? What can we do to protect ourselves? Ancient Egyptians used dark eye makeup to protect their eyes. What do we use today? Investigate which materials would make the best sunglasses and explain why using the words transparent, translucent and opaque. Can you create an advert to sell your sunglasses? What features will you need to include?

Topic

Have a look at a picture of what an artist believes Ancient Egypt looked like and a photograph of what Egypt looks like today.

What's the same?

What's different?

What physical features can you find (things left by nature)?

What human features can you find (things made by humans)?

Home Learning - VE Day Special

Hello Bonsai and May the 4th be with you for all you Star Wars fans! 

This week sees the 75th anniversary of VE Day (Victory in Europe day). This was the day that Germany surrendered to the allied forces in 1945 during the Second World War (the USA and Japan were still at war with each other). On Friday 8th May, the UK will be celebrating the occasion with lots of thanks to those who sacrificed their lives so we could live in peace with the freedoms we often take for granted today.

In recognition of such a momentous occasion, I've done a themed home learning post for activities that you may wish to do for you and your family to mark this special event. As always, feel free to do as much or as little as you want.

DOCUMENTS AND LINKS ARE BELOW THIS POST

English:

Imagine living in Britain in 1945 and hearing on the radio that Germany has surrendered and Britain is victorious! Write a diary entry about how you and your family celebrated the first VE Day. Perhaps you had a street party with food and dancing to the music of that time. Maybe you had a family member fighting in the war- how might you feel about seeing them return home? Use the picture in the worksheet to help you describe the sights and sounds of the celebration.

Write a letter to a war veteran (someone who served in the war). This could be a thank you letter for their bravery and sacrifice to make our country safe and peaceful. Maybe you would like to ask them some questions about their time in the war or how it felt during VE Day in 1945?

VE Day reading comprehension (including questions) sheets below- 3 levels of ability (choose which one suits you- less confident = 1 star, confident = 2 stars, very confident = 3 stars)

VE Day poems -Two poems written by Iris Bruce. Her first poem was written in 1945 when she was 11 and celebrating the first VE Day. The second poem was written by Iris 60 years later at the age of 71. What information can you see about how people celebrated? What similarities and differences can you see between her first and second poem. Can you notice the rhyming couplets she used? What interesting language did she use to create a picture in your mind (imagery)?

Take a look at some WW2 recipes. Think about the layout and structure compared to other text genres. Perhaps you could even have a go at making some of the dishes if you have the ingredients handy!

Maths:

Plan a VE Day party at home. Use the budgeting sheet to help you keep an eye on the money you spend. This will help to apply your adding and subtracting skills. The sheet offers ideas for food and prices or you can make your own sheet and plan a budget with a grown up. How can you plan a knockout party without breaking the bank?

Have a look at key events during WW2- can you try to order the events in chronological order using your place value skills?

Other ideas:

• Design or colour in some Union Jack bunting to decorate a window or a wall in your home. The template is in the links.
• Design a commemorative teacup that was given to families after the war (template in links)
• Design a VE Day medal for veterans to wear- learn about what the colours and symbols represented
• Make a spitfire paper aeroplane (template in links)
• Decorate your walls or windows with VE Day colouring pages (in links)
• Listen to music from the time of the war. What is the song about? What instruments can you hear? How does it make you feel? How do you think this music helped soldiers or civilians during World War 2? Which is your favourite tune and why?

Music links:

The  Andrews Sisters - Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OfWc52smNs8

Vera Lynn - White Cliffs of Dover https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WAaxkAgVkHQ

Vera Lynn -  We’ll Meet Again https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Nzy1cfnKh4

Jack Buchanan- Everything stops for tea https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u8Eh2AKbFpw

Flanagan and Allen- Run Rabbit Run https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SXmk8dbFv_o

Ella Fitzgerald- My Baby Likes to Bebop https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Zs9Ai6tpIc&list=OLAK5uy_kR95nRQ1yF-BLx9L0-kEFGRYupsf-gLvA&index=40

Home Learning - Round 3

Hey Bonsai! If you are ready for another instalment of home learning activities, then read on!

English

Take a look at the craft ideas below- I know how creative you have all been these past few weeks. Choose an idea that you are able to do with the resources you have at home. See if you can plan a set of instructions to make the craft before attempting it.

Remember your structure:

• Title
• Introduction about the craft/model (Ever wonder how to make a..    / Did you know that ancient Egyptians...)
• Equipment list
• Main body with numbered steps (in order)
• Use adverbs to tell me how to do tasks (gently, carefully, accurately)
• Include any safety tips or extra advice for certain steps 
• Conclusion- What do I do now the craft is complete? (think about how to use it or where to display it)

Once you've made it, look back at your instructions.

• Did everything go to plan?
• Where any steps missed out?
• How could you have made your plan easier to follow?

Can you now edit your steps to tell someone else how to make the craft without any hiccups?

Maths

The next topic we would look at is multiplication and division. We would be looking at formal written methods for both operations at this point so take a look at some sheets provided to see how it is done. 

Science

Find some materials around your home. If you have a torch or kindly ask permission to use a mobile phone light, see if you can investigate which materials make the best shadow. Can you sort the materials into these 3 categories?:

• transparent (tranz-pah-rent)- lets all light through e.g. a window
• translucent (trans-loo-sent) - lets some light through e.g. tracing paper/baking parchment
• opaque (oh-payk) - lets no light through e.g. a wooden table

Extra: See if you can make the shadow bigger and smaller- clue: think about the distance between the light source and the object.

Don't forget to blog about your learning- I've seen some ace things so far and I want to see more of it! 

Stay safe and keep up the great work!

Mr Andrews x 

Home Learning -  Round 2

Hi Bonsai! I hope you've had a well deserved rest over the Easter holidays and have eaten plenty of chocolate- I had to be very strict with myself and only had one (I made sure it was a huge one!).

As we would usually be back to start the Summer term this week, I've left you some tasks to start thinking about the new topic of Ancient Egypt! I love this topic because the Ancient Egyptians led such a fascinating (though sometimes bizarre) way of life.

English

Here is a picture of what an artist imagined life was like in Ancient Egypt. Can you write a description using your five senses (what you see, hear, feel, smell and taste)? Perhaps you can write a story using the picture to inspire your narrative. Could you research any other facts about life in Ancient Egypt to add more content to your work?

​​​​​​

There are some reading comprehension sheets below to find out more information about Ancient Egypt.

Reading Reminder- If possible, please make sure you're continuing to read your accelerated reader books and completing the quizzes. The website link for our school is https://ukhosted18.renlearn.co.uk/6701828/.  Remember your username is the first letter of your first name followed by the first four letters of your surname e.g. Joe Bloggs = jblog. The password is abc. 

If you have already completed this, well done! Just remember to read as often as you can. The school is sending leaflets via Parentmail about a website with access to over 40,000 online books to sink your teeth into as well. Make sure to get yourself somewhere comfortable to read- it's far much more pleasurable! Tell me what you've been reading in our class blogs- would you recommend it to anyone in our class?

Maths

The first topic we'd be looking at this term is the perimeter of 2D shapes. Remember the perimeter is the total distance around a shape. You need to measure every length then add them together to find the perimeter. Please find some sheets below to help you practise this skill.

There are also some Maths mats to keep on top of your skills.

Science

While the sun is out, see if you can notice any changes to shadows over the day. You might want to use some chalk to draw around a stick in the ground or even your shadow. Repeat the drawing of the shadow several times across the day. What happens to the shape and length of your shadow from day to night? 

Can you explore what makes a good shadow? Why does a glass window not have a shadow?

Topic

Take a look at the hieroglyphics code that Ancient Egyptians used instead of letters and words in the link below. Only scribes could read and write them so why don't you have a go at writing your name or a message for someone to decode. It's trickier than you think!

Home Learning - Bonsai Style!

Hi Bonsai! Hope you and your loved ones are staying safe and keeping those hands clean! 

I know most of you are getting stuck into your learning packs and I can't wait to see what marvellous things you have been doing to pass the time.

Should you start to come to the end of your packs or are itching to look for other resources to get your teeth into, I will add some extra bits and bobs through the coming weeks.

In the meantime, here are a few ideas of where to go and what to do during your time learning at home.

English

Read a wide range of books (even cookbooks and comic books count!). Who are the characters? What key events happen? What is the purpose of your text (to inform, to entertain, to instruct?) Which part was your favourite and why? Which parts of the story made you feel something strongly? What did you feel? How did the author do this? Can you summarise the story in a sentence? Could you write a book review for a friend or family member?

Could you keep a diary of your home learning experience? How are you going to make your diary interesting to the reader?

Try writing a set of instructions to tell a friend or family member how to do something you are talented at (baking, singing, dancing (yes, flossing included!), building a Lego model etc.).

As we have been reading Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone as our class novel, why not write your own story about being invited to attend Hogwarts. What will you learn about? What house will you be placed in? What magical adventures will you and your friends have? You could even try to create your own potions- what will the potion do?

Spellings

Below is the list of Year 3/4 spellings. Can you see some spelling patterns with some of the words?

Spelling activities:

• create your own word search for someone to solve
• create a mnemonic to help you remember trickier words e.g. because (Big Elephants Can Always Understand Small Elephants)
• create a graffiti wall full of spellings in bubble writing, fancy writing, wiggly writing (please do this on paper- your family will not thank you for covering your bedroom walls in spellings!)
• a good, old fashioned game of hangman never disappoints!
• come up with an anagram (scrabbled up word) using your spelling words for someone to unscramble e.g. denimice = medicine

Maths

Practise your times tables with a firm favourite, Hit the Button! https://www.topmarks.co.uk/maths-games/hit-the-button

How quickly can you recall your multiplication and division facts on TwinklGO? (password: NH5106)

Set up a shop or café with your own prices. Can you add up how much your family members' order will cost? How much change will they need?

Can you make a list of real-life 2D and 3D shapes around your home? How many faces, edges and vertices can you count? Can you make your own 3D shapes from dough. Lego or old cardboard boxes/tubes?

Make a tally chart about your family's favourite food, TV show/film or colour (anything you like). Can you turn that into a bar chart or pictogram?

Can you make/draw some fractions? Show me what a half, a quarter, an eighth, a third, a fifth and a tenth looks like. What about 3 quarters? Can you prove that 2 quarters and 5 tenths are the same fraction (equivalent) to a half?

Extra-Curricular Ideas

History- Tell me/ show me your family tree. Could you interview your family members and write a short biography about their lives? Research a hero from history and make a fact file (e.g. Florence Nightingale, Mary Seacole, Rosa Parks, Admiral Nelson, Joan of Arc, James Cook, Marie Curie, Sir Alexander Fleming etc.)

Geography- Explore Darlington via Google Maps- what attractions are there? What is its population? What rivers run through it? Explore a country or city you'd like to visit one day. How is it the same as Darlington? How is it different? Create a map of your neighbourhood- where is the nearest supermarket, place of worship, park etc.

Art/DT - Create a junk model (if you can) or get creative and make a floor-sterpieces (lay clothes or materials on the floor and make a picture- I once made a face out of scarves and coats on my living room floor when I was young- remember to take a picture then tidy it away so you don't leave your floor untidy!) Sketch the view from your window. What colours could you use to make it bright and cheerful or cold and gloomy? What style will you use to draw? Maybe use dots of felt-tips or crayons to make a pointillism picture like Georges Seurat.

Music- perform your favourite song or rhyme.  What household items can you find to make music? Rice in a box/carton makes an excellent shaker. Pots and pans were my sister's favourite but warn your family that it will be noisy! Sit in your garden/ open your window. What noises can you hear? Can you create a piece of music to match the weather outside?

MOST IMPORTANTLY- Do not feel that you have to do all of this as these are suggestions- Rome wasn't built in a day. Make the most of having the opportunity to spend time with your loved ones. Smile, laugh, dance and enjoy being with each other. Always make time to give yourselves a break. You and your families deserve it! 

I hope that gives you and your family some useful ideas for what to do during your home learning. Do let me know what you're getting up to as I'm missing you all terribly! 

Best of luck, be safe, wash your hands and keep smiling. You all make me very proud.

Ciao for now,

Mr Andrews  x

Konnichiwa!

Welcome to the Bonsai class page.

Thanks for dropping by!

There is lots of learning to be done in Year 3 and we can't wait to get started!

We are kicking off our first two weeks of Year 3 learning all about the fascinating country of Japan where history and modernity collide!

Our Topic focus for the Autumn Term is The Stone Age!

Important notes for parents/carers:

• Spellings are given out every Monday ready to test on the following Monday;
• Homework for Maths and English is issued on Fridays and is expected to be returned by the following Thursday;
• Our indoor PE lessons are on Wednesday afternoon;
• Our outdoor PE lessons are on Thursday afternoon.

Please ensure your child arrives at school with full correct kit. Details of this can be found from the school's homepage.

As part of our Stone Age topic this term, Year 3 had a special visitor who had travelled from Prehistoric Britain to tell us all about life during the Stone Age. We were fascinated at how intelligent early Britons were at making and using tools made from a range of natural materials like stone, bone and antlers (to name a few!). Year 3 even had a go at painstakingly making flour from seeds by crushing and grinding them on a heavy slab of rock - thank goodness we can just buy our food from a supermarket nowadays!

The special visitor was kind enough to let us explore a mammoth selection of Stone Age artefacts including spears and jagged flint which were used for weapons or preparing food. We can't wait to use our new knowledge in our work this term!

French Day 2020

Bonjour! Le vendredi 31 janvier, c'était notre jour de français!

Hello! On Friday 31st January, it was our French day!

Year 3 had a 'fantastique' day dancing the French hokey cokey, decorating crêpes using colours of the French flag and drawing each other's portraits inspired by the artwork of many famous French artists such as Monet and Dégas.

It was a great opportunity to put our growing French language skills into practice and see the similarities and differences are between British and French culture.

Merci beaucoup à nos familles pour leur soutien à notre jour.

Thank you very much to our families for supporting our day.