Coding at The Word

4th February 2024Mrs Storey

Sycamores enjoyed a fantastic visit to The Word in South Shields as part of our Computing curriculum.  The children started the day with some Lego coding. They needed to use the app Spike to create a model called Hopper – following the step by step instructions to build the Lego. They then used the ipads to develop a code to instruct the robot model to move. The children were fantastic at this and showed real resilience and problem solving skills. After lunch, we explored more of The Word by visiting the Lego exhibition and also the library to read some books.  All of Sycamores were amazing and fantastic representatives for our school. Well done everyone!

Performing Play Scripts

30th January 2024Mrs Storey

Sycamores have been learning all about the conventions of play scripts.  To support their understanding, they worked in groups to perform a play script using the different stage directions and character names.  The children knew the parts they needed to read and used fantastic expression and actions when following the stage directions.

Earth and Space Exploration at the Great North Museum

12th January 2024Mrs Storey

Sycamores enjoyed a fantastic visit to the Great North Museum with Chestnuts to consolidate our Science learning from last half term. At the museum, we visited the planetarium, used the Ancient Greek activity packs as a pre-teaching task for Summer term, explored the different galleries and took part in a workshop all about the Moon. The children really impressed us with what they had remembered from their Earth and Space Science topic and could explain why we have night and day.  Sycamores were absolutely amazing and were fantastic ambassadors for our school. We were extremely proud of them all.

Simonside Climbing Wall

17th November 2023Mrs Storey

In October, Year 4, 5 and Year 6 who were not attending the Kingswood residential had the opportunity to visit Simonside Climbing Wall as part of our PE curriculum.  The children participated in two activities; archery and rock climbing.  Their behaviour was impeccable and it was amazing to watch their confidence grow as they overcame fears and climbed the wall.  The children also thoroughly enjoyed the archery and it was lovely to see fantastic teamwork and sportsmanship.  Great work everyone!

 

Time in French

16th November 2023Mrs Storey

As part of our French lessons, Sycamores have been learning how to tell the time.  We first recapped the times in English using small clocks before discussing the language for hour in French.  The children became more and more confident in speaking the time in French before we began to write the time in sentences.  Great work Sycamores!

Freeze Framing Harry Potter

29th September 2023Mrs Storey

In Sycamores, we are reading Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone.  This week, we have been learning all about diary writing.  The children used freeze framing for four key scenes to infer the character’s thoughts and feelings at different parts of the chapter.  They really focussed on the facial expressions and gestures to show how the characters were at that moment.  The rest of the class were a great audience whilst each group performed their freeze frames and could guess who each of the characters were from their expression.  Great work Sycamores!

 

Parachuting Away

22nd September 2023Mrs Storey

In Science, we are learning all about forces.  This week, Sycamores were investigating if size or material created more air resistance when dropping a parachute.  We decided in groups whether to test size or material and then created 3 parachutes; changing the variable of size or material each time.  We then dropped the parachute from the same height each time to ensure a fair test.  We timed how long it took the parachute to fall to the ground.  We did this 3 times for each parachute and then found an average to have more accurate results.  Sycamores concluded that the larger the surface area, the greater the air resistance and so the slower the parachute.  From the materials that we tested, we found that the card and the bin bag created the greatest amount of air resistance.

Exploring Tints, Tones and Shades

20th September 2023Mrs Storey

In Art, Sycamores have been learning all about how to make tints, tones and shades using paints.  We have added white to a base colour to create a tint, exploring what happens as we add a small amount of white paint each time.  We then looked at shades and added a small amount of black each time to our base colour.  As we added the black, we realised we didn’t need to add that much!  Finally, we learnt about tones and added grey by mixing black and white together to our base colour.  It created a muter colour palette.  Well done Sycamores!

The Yellow Emperor and the Xia Dynasty

20th September 2023Mrs Storey

Sycamores began our new History topic by taking part in some drama.  We acted out the story of the Yellow Emperor and the Xia Dynasty; finding out information about it whilst remaining in role.  Did you know that the Yellow Emperor of the Xia Dynasty may not have even existed?  There may be truth in the stories but people often question parts such as the Yellow Emperor being taken to heaven by a dragon.  Great drama work around a historical idea Sycamores.

Great North Run- Mini Fun Run

8th September 2023S Graham

Some children from Oaks, Sycamores and Birches were extremely excited to take part in the first Mini Fun Run! We enjoyed the atmosphere at the starting line and began by warming up our bodies for the run ahead.

We got to meet running legend Sir Mo Farah before the race  and he gave us some expert advice about the run ahead: Enjoy the moment.

The children were terrific and ran the entire 1.44km from the starting line, down towards the seafront, along the coast and finally back up to Gypsie’s Green.

We collected out medals, posed for photos with Sir Mo and Taylor even got to ask him a question.

We cooled down by taking part in a dance-a-thon with all of the other schools before heading back.

It was a great experience and something we all will not forget!