Blog Author: Sarah Kerr

Year 5 are working hard on their stories for the competition. They are at the proof reading and editing stage of their first draft. 

After a very windy session, we are now back in the warmth of the classroom looking at our results.

Before we head outside the children had a go at identifying different types of birds.

Be careful your alligator looks hungry!

This afternoon the children have made and programmed 'the hungry alligator'. They have written algorithms including pulleys, gears and motion sensors to make the alligators mouth open and close. Great work Year 5!

The children are now being engineers and looking at different combinations using pulleys and gears.

The children are now putting their computing knowledge of coding into practise by writing an algorithm to make the motor move. Do you know what an algorithm is? Ask Year 5 if you are unsure. 

The first Junior STEM task of the day is underway - constructing a seesaw. This will help the children to know that levers allow a smaller force to have a greater effect.

Carrying on from this week's work on measurement, today the children carried out a practical activity where they had to estimate the capacity of different containers before measuring accurately in millilitres and litres. We had plenty of paper towels to hand!

Year 5 participated in their final peer mediation session today. Some of them will soon start to put this into practise on the playground.

During our topic the children have planned an investigation to see how the size of the parachute effects the time it takes to reach the ground, as a result of air resistance and gravity. Do you think the bigger or smaller parachute will fall the fastest? Why?

The challenge has been set for Year 5 to beat my score of 37 out of 37 in a minute. The app can be downloaded for iPad and Android so the children can practise their times tables at home. Who do you think will be the 'Hit the Button' champion? Good Luck!