Y4 Science
Our Y3 Work
Science Week – March 12th-March 16th
The whole school took part in Science Week which was launched in assembly on Monday morning. Each class planned their own investigations based on one or more of the five lines of scientific enquiry.
Year 3’s investigations were all about Coke. We heated some in a pan to see what would happen, and how much sugar was in a can.
Each group also put copper coins in some Coke to see what would happen. We had to observe over a long time but eventually found the coins had been cleaned and were shiny and new.
A mix of milk and Coke was interesting as the milk curdled and separated from the Coke.
Mentos in Coke was very exciting as it fizzed up and shot out of the bottle like a volcanic eruption! Insert pics
On Wednesday, Years 3 and 4 were mixed up and worked in groups to design and make a rocket ready to launch in the playground. This investigation involved water and Effervescent tablets.
On Wednesday, Years 3 and 4 were mixed up and worked in groups to design and make a rocket ready to launch in the playground. This investigation involved water and Effervescent tablets.
The end of the week culminated in a special assembly where classes shared what they had done and watched a slideshow of all the exciting things. Each class nominated a ‘Scientist of the Week’. Our Year 3 scientist was Emma Beasley.
Our Y2 Work
Sunflowers
Year 2 planted sunflowers as part of a scientific investigation. They planned the investigation to find out what conditions seeds need in order to grow into strong and healthy plants. They planted 4 different pots and are now monitoring their growth. One pot has light and water, one has light but no water, one has no light and no water and the last has water but no light. They have predicted which they think will grow best and why.
Science around school- Searching for Living Things in the School Grounds
On Thursday May 4th, Year 2 were visited by experts from the RSPB. They led a ‘Bioblitz’ session around the field, sensory garden and playground. They showed the children how to search for plants, flowers, birds and minibeasts in our school environment. The children ticked off their findings on laminated sheets and collected minibeasts to look at more closely before returning them carefully to a suitable habitat.
Mad Science
During Science Week we were joined again by the team from Mad Science. They began the day with an exciting assembly for the whole school packed with explosions, smoke and loud bangs! They then came to Year 2 to lead a workshop entitled ‘Bubbles and Ice.’ The children learnt about solids, liquids and gases and how atoms behave within each. We then tried to make a shape with bubbles that wasn’t a sphere or a sausage! After that, the children were introduced to Dry Ice and were even able to taste it.
Ice Cube Investigation
As part of our Science topic on ‘Materials’ Year 2 planned and investigated how we could stop an ice cube from melting. They tried placing it in different areas inside and outside and wrapping it in foil and material to see which would work best.
Three Little Pigs Science Investigation
During our Science topic on Materials, the children were asked to construct a house for one of the Three Little Pigs. They had to choose suitable materials to construct it and work as a team to build it. Their houses were then put to the test with a hairdryer acting as the Wolf trying to blow it down.
Animals
On Thursday March 9th, we were joined in Year 2 by a very special visitor- Neville, the Pygmy Hedgehog! His owner, Katy, brought him in to visit and told us all about his diet, his activity and sleeping patterns and about how to take care of him. All the children got a chance to touch him if they chose to and watch him play on the carpet with his toys. The highlight was watching him eat a treat of worms!
Handwashing
As part of our work about Animals and Humans in the Autumn Term, we talked about how to keep clean and healthy. To tie in with our DT, the children designed and made healthy sandwiches. Then, in our Science lesson, we tested the most effective way to wash our hands. We discovered that hands are cleaner when washed using warm water and soap.
The Chicks
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Year 1 and Year 2 have been lucky enough to have chicks in the classroom for two weeks.
Eleven eggs were delivered in an incubator and nine of the eggs hatched. The children were amazed to be able to watch some of the chicks actually fight their way out of their eggs! They have then watched them grow, taken care of them, cleaned them and held them. The chicks will soon be returned to the farm. |
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Our Year 1 Work...
Learning About Plants
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A Visit to the Arboretum
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We continued our learning about plants by taking a visit to the Arboretum on Friday 22nd April.
While we were there, we used our fact sheets to identify lots of plants, mini-beasts and birds. We were able to find lots of different flowers and trees, and had to look closely to identify them correctly. ‘It was great fun having a plant hunt and ticking of all the different things we found.’ - Sarah M |
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Science Week
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To begin our Science Week, we took part in Mad Science.
First, we were introduced to a scientist called Physics who showed us lots of interesting experiments in an assembly. Then we were very lucky to have a special lesson based on our new topic - Materials. Physics showed us lots of different things and even showed us how to make goo! ‘It was so slimy and sticky.’ - Filip |
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Materials
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As part of our science topic ‘Materials’, Year 1 has been performing a range of tests to investigate properties.
We have used lots of scientific language such as float, sink, magnetic and even prediction. Our tests have included floating and sinking, magnetic or non-magnetic, and the best material for umbrellas and shelters. ‘I enjoyed making the shelters because it was good fun.’ - Mikolaj |
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Clay
As part of Year 1’s science topic, ‘Materials’, we have been exploring a range of materials and their properties. We investigated clay and discovered how the material can be manipulated and changes from soft to hard. Year 1 used the clay to make their own animals. We learnt that the material can be rolled and pinched and needs water to help it stick (a bit like glue). Also, through making our clay animals, we were able to cover the skill of sculpture within the art curriculum.
Sorting
For the Spring term, Year 1 is studying materials as our science topic. We have begun by looking at a range of objects and determining which material each one is made of. We extended this to look at objects that are made of one material or more.
Teddy Bear's Hospital
On Wednesday November 25th, Year 1 had a visit from the doctors of the Teddy Bear’s Hospital.
The children had all brought in their poorly teddies to be looked at and each one was examined and x-rayed.
The children were taught how to wash their hands effectively and this was tested using a special machine that checked for remaining germs on their skin.
They also carried out activities based on eating healthily and cleaning their teeth correctly. These activities supported their work in Science this term.
The children had all brought in their poorly teddies to be looked at and each one was examined and x-rayed.
The children were taught how to wash their hands effectively and this was tested using a special machine that checked for remaining germs on their skin.
They also carried out activities based on eating healthily and cleaning their teeth correctly. These activities supported their work in Science this term.
Chicks
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In Year 1 and 2, we were very lucky to have chicks to observe and care for. While we had the chicks, we filled in a diary of the changes and activities completed.
Also, Year 1 has been talking about the pets we have at home. We discussed the different ways we care for them through feeding them, gently holding them and possibly taking them for walks. As part of this, we looked closely at caring for the chicks in our classroom. We completed instructions for caring for them, helped clean the brooding box and held them. |
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Animals and Humans
We began our science topic ‘Animals and Humans’ by looking at the different body parts of a human. We did this by working in groups and choosing a friend we could label. Year 1 could name lots of different body parts and began to learn the names for new ones, particularly those inside our bodies.
As part of our topic, we have also been exploring our 5 senses. We went on a senses walk around school to find out what things we would be able to see, hear, touch, smell and even taste. We continued exploring these senses by completing a different activity for each. We tasted different fruits, guessed the smell and the object in the feely bag, went on a treasure hunt and played sound bingo. Through these activities, we were able to explore the importance of each sense and how it helps us find out about the world.
Year 1 continued to focus on learning about humans and began to discuss what we need to stay healthy. We organised different foods into healthy and less healthy, discussing that nothing is unhealthy in moderation. As part of discussing health, we had a go at pressing apples to make our own apple juice. It tasted delicious! From this, we able to learn that healthy food can still be yummy!d.
As part of our topic, we have also been exploring our 5 senses. We went on a senses walk around school to find out what things we would be able to see, hear, touch, smell and even taste. We continued exploring these senses by completing a different activity for each. We tasted different fruits, guessed the smell and the object in the feely bag, went on a treasure hunt and played sound bingo. Through these activities, we were able to explore the importance of each sense and how it helps us find out about the world.
Year 1 continued to focus on learning about humans and began to discuss what we need to stay healthy. We organised different foods into healthy and less healthy, discussing that nothing is unhealthy in moderation. As part of discussing health, we had a go at pressing apples to make our own apple juice. It tasted delicious! From this, we able to learn that healthy food can still be yummy!d.