What causes an earthquake? Year 3, 1/4/21
Today, Year Three were investigating what causes earthquakes. We investigated, modelled what happens and then set about presenting what we found out. Some of us chose to collaborate and present our learning by creating videos. Others chose to draw diagrams or make models with reflective sentences. Can you remember what causes an earthquake and where they occur most frequently? 
Year 3 have been learning about what makes up the earth and the different layers.
Can you spot the different layers in these photos?
Look how many different ways we found to show the same thing (there were even more ways shown over zoom). Aren’t we a creative bunch!
This week in Ebony Class, we have been working very hard – especially in our S.O.L.E. .
One of our MUSTS involved observational sketching – inspired by Charles Darwin and his sketch book. We remembered to apply the ‘Austin’s Butterfly’ approach and have several goes – using constructive feedback from other people in the class.
One of our MUSTS was more flexible – we had to learn about the Galapagos Islands and then present what we had learnt. We were able to choose how we displayed our learning.
Some people created short films in iMovie, some people created websites using Google Sites whilst others chose to write the information out by hand.
As a part of our research about the Galapagos, some of us created custom made maps using Google Draw. We used these to plan an expedition around the islands. Someone became such an expert in this that she was able to help others create their own maps.
I hope you enjoyed finding out what we have been up to this week.
Today Oak Class were set a challenge from a visitor to school.
They had to use their map skills, work as a team and find pictures of animals hidden around the school grounds. The first letter of each animal when rearranged spelt out a word.
How did your team do? Which learning values did you use?
Monkey Puzzle began to create their 3D contour maps of Alchemy Island today.
They began exploring contour lines by understanding that they are a map’s way of showing you how high the land is. The children also learnt that contour lines join together places of the same height and form patterns that help us to imagine what them and actually looks like.
We looked at Naismith’s rule to remind us that the closer together the contour lines are, the steeper the land.
This afternoon, Cherry have been working in small groups to research and create a poster about oceans. They have had to use many of our learning values including collaboration, relationships and resourcefulness. We learnt about where our ocean can be found, what creatures live there, what the climate is like and we found out three interesting facts we would like to share with our peers. Later in the week, we will finish our posters and then present what we found to the rest of the class!
This afternoon, Cherry class were learning about continents. We have been learning about them all week but today had to match the correct continent picture to the correct word. We were able to look at the different continents and spot different shapes that made that continent up. It was quite a challenging task because we had to make sure the pictures were the correct way for us to make a guess but we were resilient until we matched the cards up correctly. We had a lot of fun and we are enjoying learning about the world!
Today, we have been using resources to find and locate the seven continents around the world. When we had discovered where they were and some facts about them, as well as the equator and poles, we had to put them back together in the right place using what we had learned.
Later on in the week, we will be challenging you do do the same but with maps that are a bit different from the one your used to seeing. Can you think of any features that make the continents look different from each other so that you can place them on any map?
Here is a glimpse into what the group with Mrs Jeffery has been up to over the last week.
We worked on our collaboration skills. Some of us made musical instruments whilst other choreographed a dance and sang to accompany the musicians. Later we performed it.
Some of us took a closer look at predators. Some children created their ultimate predator by combing more than one.
We also spent some time building time machines. Later we used the chrome books to label the different parts and write about where we would go and why.
We all loved singing a song about the continents. we sang this over and over and over. We will never forget it now and neither will Mrs Jeffery. Later, we made power points about the different continents, drew our own muddled up maps and found different creatures that live on each continent.
We have also enjoyed playing ladders in P.E.
This afternoon Year 2 were provided with coordinates on a map and they had to work in teams to collect hidden letters from around the school. The aim was to be the most accurate, fastest and collaborate. Well done to those teams who completed it but especially to our teams from Palm Class who came first and second place and a team from Apple who came third. What skills did you use to find the hidden letters.
Year One worked together yesterday using arial photographs of the school to find out where they where. They looked at key features such as buildings, roads and car parks to help them. They then had a go at creating their own map. Can you remember what a key is?
This afternoon, Year Two went outside to practise giving each other directions using the compasses. Can you remember which way the needle always points? What was opposite East?
What a great day had by all the children in year 5, who ventured over to Goodrington Beach for a workshop on Coastal Geography.
The day was spent learning about different wave formations, how towns are protected by different sea defences, coastal erosion, how fossils are made and so much more!
The weather was great and the children were a credit to Hazeldown School, showing great enthusiasm and engagement with all the activities.
