Term 3

In Term 3 our science concept is the idea that we can change things by doing things to them. 

First of all we tasted different types of milk. Some of us had never tasted condensed milk before! 

We had to describe what they looked and tasted like using scientific language. For example, we couldn't say that something tasted yuck!



Then we had to change the milk by adding ice and shaking it. Each group wanted to be the first to change their milk into ice cream so we kept shaking it really hard! It tasted delicious!

   

Then we reported back on what happened in a scientific way:




We have also been Thinking and Reflecting;
Here are some examples: 

Concept 7: To identify what the question is before attempting an answer. For example, in maths we know that if we don't read the question properly, we may be coming up with the wrong strategies. That's why we always read with a buddy and highlight the important words first.

Concept 8: Listening to each other explain our learning helps us understand. This is what we are doing all the time, especially in maths, science and concept learning. For example, when we were making the icecream, we shared why we thought the milk had changed.

Concept 15: Listening to other learners' reflections challenges our own thinking. For example, listening to our buddy share their maths strategies means we can learn another way to solve the problem. This way might even be more efficient.                                                         
         



Concept 4: To recognise our  imagination lets us bring very different ideas together. For example, we all searched for leaves and then designed our own patterns. We then collaborated to bring all our ideas together to make some templates. These were then used to make the leaves on our goblin costumes for the Junior Production.

 













We hope you all enjoyed the show! A big thanks again to all our wonderful parent helpers!




And finally for Concept 9 we've been practising our mindmapping. For example, we looked at some spring daffodils and used our senses to look, smell and feel the flowers. Then we shared words to describe them and wrote them onto a mindmap. This helped us to get all our ideas down in an ordered way:

 




Hope you enjoyed these highlights of our learning so far. Please feel free to post a comment :)

Term 2

Our Concept Learning for Term 2: Understanding Collaboration

Here are some examples of the knowledge statements we have been exploring in Term 2:

Concept 2: Everyone has knowledge and understanding that they can share.

Concept 4: Effective relationships are based on honest collaboration.

Concept 5: Everyone can conreibute to the overall learning process.

Concept 14: When working collaboratively everyone is learning from each other.


Here are some examples: 


When making pois we had to help one another; for example, some could plait and some couldn't. We had to follow the instructions and help one another. We made mistakes along the way but it was fun learning a new skill from each other!





When seeing which group could build the tallest tower without falling down, we had to listen to each other and work together as a team.

         


We also collaborated for our science investigation into the Physical World: Floating and Sinking: 


Can you predict which objects will float and which will sink?
Were you right? Can you scientifically record your evidence?

                    

Which shape will make the best boat? Why do you think this is?





Our Reflections:
It’s really interesting that the same piece of modelling clay can both float, and sink, depending on its shape!
This all comes down to its density. Density is the amount of matter, or ‘stuff’ that is packed into an area. When the plasticine is rolled into a ball, all of its matter is packed into a very small area which makes it very dense. It’s density is higher than the density of the water, so it sinks.
When you re-mould the plasticine into a boat shape, you’re changing it’s density by spreading the matter out over a larger area, so that the water can support it!




Ni Hao! Also in Term 2 we have been very lucky to have Mrs Young teach us how to write letters in Mandarin. We did each step carefully: 

            

                       

Room 6 news

Welcome to Room 6's blog! 

Here is a glimpse into some of our exciting learning experiences so far: 

In maths we've been learning how to follow the problem-solving process. We are also learning to use the Growth Mindset and think positively. For example, instead of saying "This is too hard" we say "This may take time." Or instead of thinking ' I can't do this' we think 'I can't do this yet'. We work collaboratively, helping each other. 

                   

In drama some of us have been role playing our reading books and sharing them with the whole class.

As part of our concept learning we have been thinking and questioning about what makes a healthy lunch. We've been learning about the different food groups and why a balance is important for our growing bodies and brains. We looked at school lunches from around the world and thought about how our ideas can change, depending on where you live and the choices you have. 
http://www.swifty.com/lifestyle/11785/13-actual-photos-of-school-lunches-from-around-the-world/#page=1


We agreed these lunches were healthy and yummy! 

We all see the world differently and when we first thought about how other children travelled to school, we could only think of driving, cycling or walking. But when we saw how some other children actually went to school, we really questioned the importance of school and how other children's perspectives may differ from ours:  http://www.boredpanda.com/dangerous-journey-to-school/

In Room 6 we've also been thinking about how our knowledge and ideas can change when we encounter new experiences. For example, this Monday we were set a challenge; to make a bridge strong enough to hold a toy car. We could only use one piece of A4 paper and we could only cut it once. We were not allowed any glue or sticky tape. We thought this would be 'The impossible bridge'! But when we set to work in groups, we kept trialling different ways until we came up with ideas to create a bridge that could work. Afterwards we all agreed that our thinking had changed; it was not an impossible bridge any more! And we can come up with our own new ideas. We are creative thinkers; we are Innovators!