What we are doing this week in Lilac Class

WB: 24.5.21

In Maths this week in Lilac Class, we are finishing our work about subtracting mixed numbers using bar models, area models and number lines. We will then be moving onto multiplying fractions by an integer.  A link will be made with repeated addition and we will see that the denominator remains the same, whilst the numerator is multiplied by the integer.  A range of models will be used to build our conceptual understanding of multiplying fractions.   

For English this week, we are refining our plans for a newspaper article about the sinking of the Titanic. Once our plans are in place we are then ready to draft our newspaper articles.  We are drawing on original copies of the newspaper articles written immediately after the tragedy to help us structure our reports.  Our main focus, is to create a headline and sub-headings to grab the reader’s attention.  The body of our text will come from our previous note taking session when we collated facts about the story of the Titanic. Our conclusion needs to sum up key information and refer to what is expected to happen next. For example, an investigation into why so many people died and who is responsible.

This week for our Whole Class Guided Reading of ‘Shackleton’s Journey’ by William Grill, we are learning to summarise events and sections in a specified amount of words.  This is a tricky skill to learn because we need to think of one word or a short phrase that can some up a larger section of text. 

In RE, we are finding out the answer to ‘What is Shahadah and why it is important for Muslims?’  Shahadah is the First Pillar of Islam and we will be exploring this in greater depth.  We will be finding out why Muslims think it is important to hear the Shahadah regularly and how this might affect the life of Muslims.  Lilac Class will also be reading the story of Bilal and the first call to prayer.  This will be followed by a class discussion considering what was most important to Bilal and why and whether there is anything that we would stand up for with such bravery.

In Science this week, we are designing our own food chains using our key scientific vocabulary we learnt last week.  We will also be learning about some of the food chains that can be found in the tropical rainforests of South America.   In Topic, Lilac Class are moving on from rivers and will now  learn about the features of a coastline.  We will be thinking about the coastlines we have visited and finding out how caves, arches, stacks and stumps are formed.  In Music, we are finishing off and perfecting our graphic scores to show the instruments and dynamics that we hear when listening to Grace Williams’s ‘Sea Sketches’’ for String Orchestra. We will also be listening to Claude Debussy’s orchestral piece ‘La Mer’ and comparing this with the Benjamin Britten’s Sea Interludes and Grace William’s ‘Sea Sketches’.  What instruments and dynamics have the composers used? Which piece best describe the sea and why?

THERE WILL BE NO WRITTEN HOMEWORK SET FOR LILAC CLASS FOR HALF TERM.  THERE ARE ACTIVITITES TO CHOOSE FROM ON THE MATRIX THAT ARE OPTIONAL.  PLEASE CHECK THAT YOU HAVE COMPLETED ALL PURPLE MASH AND MY MATHS ACTIVITIES.