December 2021
Hi everyone - welcome back to Gloucester Class’ blog!
December is turning out to be as busy as it is chilly, so wrap up warm and buckle up, as we take you on a ripstop tour of the month so far!
English
In English, we have finished our planets and the solar system focus - with pupils completing and editing their non-chronological reports on planets of their own invention. They also channeled their inner astronaut - first learning about what it’s like to be an astronaut using resources from the European Space Agency, and watching real footage of British astronaut Tim Peake modelling zero-gravity reality on the ISS. Once pupils were immersed in an astronautical mindset, we imagined just how we would feel to be the first human being discovering the planet each of us had invented. We planned and wrote formal letters to the prime minister telling him the great news, and in many cases even asking for funding to continue our exploration!
We have finished 2021’s English lessons by reading, hearing, experimenting with, and finally writing our own poetry about winter. One afternoon, our pupils were invited to perform one of their poems (either rhyming or non-rhyming) to the class. Needless to say, the quality of poetry was very impressive!
Maths
In maths, we have finished our work on fractions and decimals. Learning the tricky - but crucial - skills necessary to understand decimals and fractions, and to begin multiplying and dividing these numbers by 10, 100, and 1000.
DT
In DT, we channeled our inner astro-physicisists, discovering all about how technology is enabling greater exploration of space. We researched Mars rovers, learnt about astronauts’ experiences of space, and analysed different features of current rover models; then, we set about designing our own! In order to do this, we learnt about design briefs - how and when they are used, and what we need to do to meet them. After designing our new Venus Rovers, we set about building them! Needless to say, our class worked incredibly hard on these cutting edge machines, and came up with many creative interpretations of the design brief.
Finally, each team had a chance to present their model, talk through its features and the ways in which it satisfied the criteria, and receive tailored feedback from their peers. Far out!
Geography
In geography, we have been deepening our understanding of the world around us, as well as the place of geography in this world. We have distinguished between human and physical geography, learning about how human interactions with the physical world are shaping our planet. Furthermore, we have investigated the movement of our planet and other spherical bodies through space, discovering why we have day and night, and why it is always sunny at midday no matter which side of the world you are on.
Science
In Science, we continued our exploration of space, this time focussing on orbiting patterns of the moon and the earth. We used resources from the European Space Agency, and continued using this research to inform our other subjects.
RE
In RE, we wrapped up our unit on Messiahnism and incarnation in the Christian faith, reflecting on the ways in which such notions affect people in the present day. Naturally, we looked at the place of the incarnation story as it related to Christmas celebrations worldwide, and considered how Christmas had become a global festival, celebrated by Christians and non-Christians alike.