This week we have been learning all about the layers of the rainforest so we decided to get outdoors and do some rainforest maths. With a metre stick we had to measure the height of the tallest trees found in the emergent layer and plot out this measurement in chalk on the playground. So that was 50-60m! Next we had to draw our canopy layer at the halfway point. Next we were given some creatures and a measurement as to where they were found on our tree. We had to plot these on our tall tree. We also learned about circumferences and had to use a measuring tape to measure the circumferences of trees in the school grounds. Finally we used 5 tapes to create the circumference of a tree that may be found in a rainforest so we could get an idea of how enormous it could be. A tree with a circumference of 5m must be very very tall!
Category Archives: cooperative learning
results of our mummy experiment – 2 weeks on
This week our apples were looking really shrivelled! The salt had become really hard and we had to crack it with a spoon to scoop the apple out! It looked like there was very little moisture left in the apple and the skin was extremely bumpy and wrinkled. There was absolutely no smell. There was no mould. We will look at our apple one last time next week.
Salt is a desiccant. A desiccants removes water from any material it comes into contact with. Bacteria that cause rotting and decay need water to survive. Salt and baking soda remove the water from the apple, which makes it hard for bacteria to survive and cause decay.
Ancient Egyptians use a similar method to preserve human bodies after death. They used natron, a naturally occurring dessicant, to mummify bodies
Our SHANARRI blanket!
Mrs O brought in a beautiful patchwork blanket. Each piece was lovely individually but joined with other pieces it made something beautiful and special. We cosied into the blanket and discussed how it made us feel. Safe, warm, relaxed and protected were some of our words. Mrs O compared the patchwork blanket to the well-being indicators – safe, healthy, active, nurtured, achieving, respected, responsible . and included – each aspect important but put together, providing the best for us and all children. We made our own patches displaying the indicators and pieced them together creating a beautiful blanket. The original blanket makes up the centre patch as the inspiration for our creation.
Egyptian research
We got in to cooperative learning groups and took on research roles to find out about different gods and goddesses. We used books, online resources and articles to find out as many pieces of information as we could. We created large posters to share our learning.
Outdoor learning
In maths we are learning about reflection symmetry and got out and about to find it in nature and around the playground. We gathered in our new outdoor classroom to share our discoveries.
