2024 - 2025

How Strong are our Kicks? (Spring)

Our task was to find out how we could collect data from the strength of kicking a ball. To help us with this, we needed to create a code and download it onto a micro:bit, ensuring we debug as necessary! When the micro:bits were ready, we had to attach them to a battery, then put them down our socks... you heard that right! We used a comparison of passing a ball gently and holding a penalty shootout, where there would be more force applied to the ball. We then plugged our micro:bit into the computer to see the results: a graph showing the kick strength and timing. 

Conker Coding! (Autumn Term)

A game of conkers with a difference! Class 4 have been understanding how programming works by designing an algorithm for a microbit in order to play a game of conkers. It was a perfect opportunity for our Coding Club participants to support their peers by teaching the rest of the class the small steps of coding. Using commands such as 'if', 'then' and 'variables' to control different outcomes, they were able programme and download it onto a microbit which would play different sounds and emojis for when they played the game. We had a bit of debugging to do at times! A huge thank you to our Coding Club children for their outstanding support.

2023 - 2024

Bridge Designs (Summer Term)

As part of our Industrial Revolution topic, we have been focusing our DT on designing bridges. Using inspiration from our 'Bridge Walk' we completed earlier in the term, we decided we should design a bridge that could be built to replace the broken Goodlands Gardens bridge in Taunton. We used a programme called 'Tinkercad' to design a 3D bridge that could span the river and be used for either pedestrians or vehicles. The children had to ensure the pieces were scaled appropriately, when placing the together, and the bridge would be a sturdy structure.

Check My Facts! (Spring Term)

We have been exploring the wonders of the World Wide Web and how we can make informed decisions on the reliability of information we access. We started by investigating Dog Island website, where nothing was as it seemed! It appeared that it was a website for dogs which included a section whereby dogs could complain about their owners; they just needed to fill out a form online. We then focussed on key features that help us recognise a website is reliable, including plagiarism and citation.

Our attention moved to adverts and pop-ups that could persuade us to make a choice that could be unsafe. 

Egyptian Game of Chase (Autumn Term)

To complete our Ancient Egyptian topic, we have been focussing on our coding skills to create a game of chase. We had to program our first sprite to be able to move up, down, left and right. We then had to program our second sprite to move places when our first sprite touched it. Once that was completed, we created a code for scoring points and changed variables to include a timer. If our code was not quite right, we would use our debugging knowledge to modify the code.

2022 - 2023

Creating a Menu Fit For a King! (Summer Term)

Microbit Spirit Level (Spring Term)

We have been using our coding skills to create a spirit level with a microbit. Using Makecode Microbit, we were able to input an algorithm, recognising and debugging any errors, in order to programme a spirit level on a microbit. The spirit level would be used as part of our DT project where we had to design a longboat to a specific criteria (see DT here https://cheddonbwmat.org/design-technology-4/).  

Safer Internet Day (Spring Term)

Today we have celebrated the variety of reasons for why the internet is an amazing tool. We discussed how we are able to identify different areas of web pages, to research using reliable sources, how we are able to communicate safely and even play games with others. We also looked at what happens when things go wrong and how we can ensure we stay safe by reporting any concerns and content. 

Getting used to Sat Nav! (Autumn Term)#

On our trip to the Museum, we investigated using virtual maps to record distance and routes. We had to ensure we were using correct spellings of places.

Science Research (Autumn Term)

We have been focussing on The Digestive System for our Science topic, this included: teeth, the food pyramid, the food chain, vitamins and minerals and of course, what happens to the food from the eating to pooping! The children were then set with the task of researching an area of their choice.

They had to recognise reliable web pages to use, ensuring the content was appropriate for their research, and create a powerpoint presentation. Their presentation included: inserting pictures and text and editing to ensure the sizing was appropriate for their audience. Once they edited their learning, using spell check, they shared their document with me ready for them to present to the class.

2021 - 2022

Creating Bar Charts (Spring Term)

Today, Class 4 have been using data recorded from their 'Magnet Strength' investigation (in Science) to create digital bar charts.  

States of Matter Presentation (Autumn Term)

Class 4 have been working on their computer skills by creating a Powerpoint Presentation on all the Science they have learnt from this term.