2022-23

Investigating Reflectivity of Materials (19.05.23)

After our last lesson, where we established what light sources are and that light travels in straight lines, we explored how light reflects off different surfaces. We created a light catcher for our torch; we placed the material 15cm away each time to ensure a fair test. As the light travelled from the torch onto the material, it reflected back onto the light catcher and the brighter it became the more reflective the surface is. In groups we tested: smooth tin foil; crinkled tin foil; plastic bag; white paper; coloured paper and a mirror. Our findings show that the smoother the surface the reflective it is.

An insulator or a conductor?

In science this week, we have been making a simple series circuit again with a cell and a bulb or buzzer. with an extended part to add different materials to complete our circuits. We have done this to test various different materials to see if they are conductors (allows an electrical current pass through easily) or insulators (won't allow an electrical current pass through it). Once we tested each material, we completed a whole class Venn Diagram to present our findings.

Series Circuits

We have been exploring making simple series circuits which included components such as a bulb, switch and buzzer all powered by a battery (cell). Understanding that an electrical current needs a complete circuit to work and any break in that circuit won't allow the electrical current flow round to the components. We also had a go at drawing the diagrams for our circuits we made using the current symbols for each component. 

Our Learning in Science this term

Over the last few weeks, we have been working together in small groups to give a 5 minute talk/ presentation showcasing all our learning in science this term. 

Oracy in Science

We have come to the end of our term's science learning so we are going to create that 'sticky learning' by planning, rehearsing and presentation a 5 minute talk on the key learning we have developed on the digestive system, teeth and food webs. Today, we began practising our oracy skills while revising our science knowledge - we sat back to back with a different image and had to describe that image to our partner. We found it challenging but used clarifying questions to help unpick what our partner was trying to say. Then, we were given the key facts to help label the images we had drawn (diagram of teeth and digestive system) through discussion and coming to a joint consensus we could label our diagrams. We then began to plan our presentations before lots of rehearsing.

2021-22

Making New Plants - Cloning

We have begun an experiment to clone different plants through cuttings from their parent plant. Over the coming weeks we will make observational drawings so show their progress.

Is there a link between the mass and weight of an object?

This week the class have been investigating if there is a link between the mass (the amount of matter in an object measured in g/kg) and weight (the strength of gravity pulling on an abject measured in Newtons). The children found out that for every 100g of mass an object pulls 1 Newton - roughly.

Sir Issac Newton!

Children have been exploring and understanding the life of Sir Issac Newton. They have various activities to ensure that knowledge was retained by: first, writing a biography in Sir Issac which had exactly 100 words and then writing a 50 word saga or poem on the great man. They are looking forward to investigating force over the coming weeks.

Magnetic Poles: Do they attract or repel?

We have been exploring magnets this term and today's lesson involved the understanding of the parts of magnets (poles) - they attract or repel one another? We discussed the earth is a giant magnet and that, unrestricted, all magnets will point north. Therefore, we made our own compasses to locate letters to spell out a word. Can you work out what it is?