This is British Science Week. P4.1 took part in the BBC Micro:bit Playground Survey. Our first challenge was to investigate the surface temperature of different materials in our playground. We learned the difference between natural and synthetic materials and picked out examples in our playground.

We split into small groups and discussed the need to repeat the thermometer test. We wanted to make sure we got the same reading 3 times to make sure it was accurate.

We worked together to make sure the test was fair. We discussed what we should all do the same. For example, the way we hold the micro:bit to make sure we get the correct temperature reading.

Finally, we coded our micro:bit using MakeCode software so that it acted like a thermometer. We were able to do this all by ourselves, from making the code to downloading it to the micro:bit via a USB cable.

Thanks to all our families that turned up on Open Afternoon. It’s always so lovely to see you all. The children of P4.1 were delighted to show off their work and they enjoyed the help with their Viking artwork.

We have finished reading Ottoline and the Yellow Cat, our class novel. We had the exciting opportunity to interview the main characters Ottoline and Mr Munro. We explored tbe job of a journalist and the different ways information can be shared. We decided to play characters in role, pretending to interview individuals on the sofa of Newsround. We had lots of fun and managed to stay in character the whole time. We used our imagination and evidence from the text to answer the questions. We took turns when talking and listening.

Some children have been exploring fractions. This has included ordering fractions with different denominators from smallest to largest as well as comparing equivalent fractions. We have used a range of resources to help us, such as fraction walls.

Some children have been exploring the various ways we can collect data. Pupils are used to holding surveys orally so this time, we created a Google Form and sent it to various classes through Google Classroom.

We were excited to see the results to our questions come in. We had made predictions about what answer may be the most popular.

We created a frequency table and a bar chart in our jotter, revising what we had learned from P3. We then learned how to recreate this on a spreadsheet on Google Sheets. We made sure our bar chart had a title, axis titles, and borders.

Finally, we used Google Slides to place our results in a pictogram. Through Maths, we have been learning lots of technology skills. We are much better at formatting text and pictures in a range of software. We are beginning to use more keyboard shortcuts!

A huge well done to Audrey and Michael who took part in the school talent show, the XA Factor, today. It was lovely to see our class being very supportive as they clapped and waved handmade posters. Audrey wore a beautiful sparkly outfit to perform her fantastic dance, which she did with great confidence. Michael amazed everyone by managing to lift 44kg during his weight lifting show. The audience and judges were very impressed by both finalists!

This term, the class novel we are reading is Ottoline and the Yellow Cat 💛 It is a mystery novel which has a mixture of detailed pictures and text. Last term, we were learning to find evidence within a text and we are now having to put that to the test as we search for clues in our novel this term!

In the first two lessons, we learned to form questions and share our opinions. We are each keeping a notebook of clues that we find and any predictions or questions that we have as we read. Our third lesson focussed on understanding the thoughts and feelings of a strange little character called Mr Munroe who could not speak. We had to look for clues about his body language and actions in the novel.

We tried a drama technique called a ‘Forum Theatre’. Two pupils were the actors and the rest of class had to instruct them how to act by looking back in the book. In particular, we had to look for verbs and adverbs. We had so much fun using props to enhance our drama.

Ten o’clock: Ottoline inspecting the curtains and Mr Munroe trying to get her attention.

Eleven o’clock: Ottoline inspecting the polishing of the door handles and Mr Munroe trying to get her attention.

Twelve o’clock: Mr Munroe is starting to get fed up of being ignored!

Our class working together to instruct our actors.

Ottoline inspecting the hoovering and Mr Munroe still trying to get her attention! Have you noticed the additions to Mr Munroe’s disguise as the day has gone on?

Mr Munroe in full disguise (flippers and all) whilst Ottoline inspects the folded laundry. We don’t think Mr Munroe will try to get her attention again!

As we get into the Winter season, Primary 4.1 have been busy exploring the beautiful natural phenomenon called The Northern Lights or the Aurora.

This term we are studying history and learning all about The Vikings. It is thought The Vikings believed the Northern Lights illuminating the sky were the reflections of the Valkyries’ armour as they led the warriors to Odin, the God of wisdom and war.

We watched an educational video all about how the Northern Lights occur and saw beautiful footage captured over Canada and Iceland. We then accessed a Menti on Chromebooks to enter 3 WOW words to describe what we felt about the Aurora. All of our words appeared on the board in a word cloud. We have been focussing on widening our vocabulary and using a thesaurus in Literacy.

We then moved on to creating our beautiful artwork on triangle card. We applied our knowledge of watercolours to create a paint wash with the colours commonly found in the sky: blue, purple, green, red and pink. Once dry, we use fine liner pens to create details, like trees in the foreground and mountains in the background.

“If something is far away, it looks smaller.”

We enjoyed relaxing music and videos of the Northern Lights whilst we painted. We hope you like our artwork as much as we enjoyed making it!

We are happy with our finished art work. 🎨 Some of us have started to self-assess our work to highlight what we did well and what we want to improve on.

Primary 4.1 had the best time celebrating the festive season and the end of term this week.

We all looked fantastic in our outfits for our Christmas party. 🎄 Our classroom has been all cosy and decorated for Christmas so we took some pictures by the fireplace.

We have been learning how to code using Scratch, Scratch is a programming language where children can program and share interactive media such as stories, games, and animation.

We have been learning words that relate to coding: sprite, code, debug, variable.

We have loved this experience, staying resilient when our code doesn’t work and trying to solve the problem. Everyone has been creative and used their problem solving skills. We have also been reading instructions carefully. On our last week, the pupils chose what they would like to code. One pupil even managed to code our entire story book ‘Ours Brun’ in French!

Pupils can sign up for a free account at home if they would like to save their work. They can sign into this at school to save their projects.