Team 5: w/b 11.7.16

Date: 17th Jul 2016 @ 11:15am

Across the school, we had a learning theme for this week: Olympic Week. Each class were assigned a country to learn about, with the main focus being upon developing Geography skills. In Team 5, our country was China.

We began the week looking at recreating Chinese artwork, with a focus upon the landscape of China. The children experimented with different ideas in their sketchboks to begin with, before working on a watercolour painting of their own which magpied the painting style of the Chinese artists.

In Mathematics we used our knowledge of metric measurements and applied it towards a new skill. Using string, and a scale, the children measured the approximate length of the key rivers of China. They then answered various questions which included making conversions, comparing, ordering and finding the difference.

We also considered current environmental issues within China. We focused upon air pollution, water pollution, deforestation and decertification, biodiversity and population growth, It was really interesting to hear the children's opinions regarding which problem they would target first if they were the Chinese government. They also considered how they might go about solving these problems. We had a strong classroom debate, full of many different sides to an argument, before the children created a poster to advertise one of their solutions.

On Wednesday we had a benchball match against Team 6. Their focus country was the United Kingdom, and so the match was China versus United Kingdom. All of the children were excellent team players, particularly Team 5. They considered tactics and used an efficient method to ensure their win. The overall score was China  - 2, United Kingdom - 0. Well done Team 5!

At the end of the week we learnt about sport in China. Badminton and Table Tennis are their best sports, within which they are the best in the world. The children also reflected upon what they had learnt over the week.

I hope everyone is enjoying their weekend, ready for the final three days of the year!

Miss Martin