​This Week In School…
Year 3 – have been creating instructions to build a stone age shelter. They have used imperative verbs, time prepositions and adverbs in their writing to make sure the reader understands what to do. In Maths, Year 3 have been continuing to investigate their times tables and have explored how knowing one times table can aid them in working out others. They are explored their 2,3,4,6 and even their 8 times table. In Science, they created multiple experiments! The first experiment involved sending toy cars down ramps to observe how different surface create different frictions. In the second experiment, they made parachutes to observe the effect of the size of the parachutes on how fast the object fell.
Year 4 – have had a very exciting week! They took part in an Iceland Day. On Tuesday, they arrived at school to find out that they would be spending the day learning about Iceland in preparation to writing a travel brochure in English. During the day they discovered facts about Iceland, put their map reading skills to the test to answer questions about locations in Iceland. They prepared a comprehensive budget for their trip – including flights, travel insurance, accommodation, food and activities and spent the afternoon gathering information about volcanos, ice cave, hot springs, Icelandic food, the wildlife of Iceland and the Northern Lights. Both classes had a lovely day even though it has made us all want to on a trip to Iceland! In DT, they have decided on the soup that they are going to make and started to plan their own cooking vlog. In Science, they have completed a sound experiment to find the best insulator of noise. 
Year 5 – have continued their work on fractions, converting and comparing them using their knowledge of equivalent fractions. They have also begun to think about how they can convert improper fractions into mixed number fractions. In English, the children have been really enthusiastic when planning and writing the starts of their newspaper articles all about the world cup. They have learnt some really interesting facts about the tournament and its history and have discussed what everyone knows about Qatar and how the world cup is being hosted. In Humanities, they have been learning about Alfred the Great and thinking about why he is in fact great!
Year 6 – have spent their English lessons planning a narrative related to the short film, 'Glued'. They have worked hard to write effective character and setting descriptions which they will incorporate into their narratives next week. In Maths, they have learnt about comparing, adding and subtracting fractions with different denominators by finding equivalent fractions with like denominators. They have also continued their topic about Brazil and have been applying their understanding of the location of Brazil in relation to the equator and tropics of Cancer and Capricorn to predict the climate and weather of different regions.

​This Week In School…
Year 3 – have been writing a persuasive letter in English in reaction to the King's decision in the book 'The King Who banned the Dark'. They came up with creative and imaginative reasons to keep the dark that really impressed their teachers. In Maths, they have continued their learning about times tables. They have used number lines to solve problems involving the 2, 3, 5, and 10 times tables. In Humanities, they have concluded their topic on The Stone Age by learning about Stonehenge. They were able to explore the prehistoric site using Google Earth and made their predictions about how the monument may have looked when it was first built. On Tuesday, Year 3 had an exciting Zoom call with Farmer Nicola. The children were thrilled to be introduced to her sheep dog puppy, Pip, who is only 8 weeks old! Pip will be trained to work on the farm and will be kept very busy looking after the hundreds of sheep. The children were able to ask Nicola questions about how she cares for her animals and her role as a farmer.
Year 4 – have been continuing to work on times tables in Maths, focusing on their 9s and 7s. In English, they have been writing a set of instructions for Thor. Last week, they wrote about how the giants outwitted him so this week they have been writing instructions, advising Thor how to become stronger and smarter so that he can beat the giants when they next meet. In Science, they have explored pitch and how it changes on different instruments. In DT, they have been exploring the advantages and disadvantages of eating seasonally.
Year 5 – have been working hard in Maths to consolidate what they have learnt about fractions so far. They have successfully matched equivalent fractions and have impressed us with how well they have applied their knowledge of equivalent fractions to converting and comparing fractions. In English, both classes have completed their narratives based upon a time travel adventure and they are such a joy to read. All children thought of a totally unique and creative way to find their way back home to end their stories, some even brought back a new friend from the past or future to meet their family. In Science, the children witnessed an exciting experiment that showed an example of an irreversible change. We conducted the Coke and Mentos experiment on the playground and watched the reaction unfold. In Humanities, children have wowed us with how much they had remembered about the Anglo-Saxons from last week and built on this knowledge by considering how the Viking invasion would have impacted them.
Year 6 – have finished writing to persuade the president of the moon to release the baboon. They have worked really hard to use features of persuasive writing and we are certain the baboon should be released shortly! In maths, they have begun a new topic about fractions, focusing on finding equivalent fractions using diagrams and multiplication and division facts and applying their understanding to a range of problems.

​This Week In School…
Year 3 – have been developing their descriptive language and their use of speech in a narrative piece of writing. They have taken their book, 'The King Who Banned the Dark' and rewritten it in their own way, implementing their own character and setting descriptions and highlighting their knowledge of adjectives and similes. In Maths, they have started to investigate multiplication. They have used arrays to visualise the multiplication and used different calculations to explain the arrays. In Humanities, they have continued their time travel into the prehistoric ages. They have used artefacts as primary sources and developed questions that they independently found the answers to.
Year 4 – have been practising their times tables and trying to challenge themselves by doing lots of different questions! In English, they have written a Norse myth about Thor and how he fell victim to the giants’ trickery! In Science, they have been learning about the parts of the ear and how sounds travels. They even got to look at their partner’s ear and study how it looks from the outside! In History, they created their own comic strips presenting the story of ‘The battle of Marathon’ and ‘The Trojan War’. In DT, the children have been learning about seasonal foods and created their own allotment using all the information they learnt. What a great, busy week! Year 5 – have begun their fractions unit. They have worked hard to find equivalent fractions for both unit and non-unit fractions. In English, the children were excited to plan a narrative involving a time travel adventure. They have been trying to include parenthesis and questions into their writing. In Science, the children have been looking at how they can separate soluble and insoluble mixtures using different methods and were fascinated by the separation of sand and water using filter paper and the decanting of oil and water. In Humanities, Year 5 explored the Viking invasion of Britain and have written some fantastic diary entries as a Viking about their journey across the North Sea on Longships. Year 6 – have worked hard in Maths to solve problems involving multiplication and division, including those with multiple steps. In English, they have watched a video about the 'baboon on the moon' and begun to write persuasive letters to help free the baboon! They have continued their art topic looking at the key elements of art focusing on shape, form and texture.

​This Week In School…
Year 3 – have started to explore how to write a narrative in English. They have developed their descriptive language by practicing character and setting description. In Maths, they have finished their last week on addition and subtraction. They have consolidated their learning and seem to have really retained what they learnt last term. This means that they will be moving onto multiplication next week. In Humanities, they have travelled into the past and started to explore the prehistoric world. They used 'Now Press Play' to immerse themselves in a different time and start to think about the similarities and differences between current and prehistoric times. They have had a great first week back and have impressed all of their teachers.
Year 4 – have travelled to a deep dark forest in a land far, far away during English. Year 4 have been writing a twist on the classic fairy tale 'Little Red Riding Hood'. What would happen if the story was told from the Wolf's point of view? London and Lisbon have told this very story. In Maths, they have been learning all about area and using squares to help them calculate the area of different shapes. In Science, they have started their new topic 'Sound' and have had to travel around the school taking part in their own soundscape surveys. In DT, they have started to explore seasonality and look at different seasonal foods and where foods come from.
Year 5 – have been settling back into school really well, despite the shock of the early alarm in the morning. In Maths, they have been focusing on square and cube numbers. They have impressed us with how well they have applied their times table knowledge to solve these problems. In English, they have been working on a selection of diary entries from the perspective of Odysseus. They have been able to explore how Odysseus would have been feeling at King Aeolus' castle and have included some interesting ideas for what they would have done during their time there. In Humanities, Year 5 have started their brand-new topic, Anglo-Saxons. They have begun to learn who the Anglo-Saxons were and where they came from. The children then put themselves in the shoes of an Anglo-Saxon and made a passport for travelling to Britain. In French, they have been introduced to the days of the week and will continue to build on how they write the date in French across the term. Finally, they have had an exciting start to their Science lessons this term by dissolving different materials into water to make a solution. The children made observations of what happened to each mixture and recorded these on their results tables.
Year 6 – have worked hard to write detailed recounts of their exciting activity week before half term. In Maths, they have been focussing on division and have begun using and applying the written method for long division. Year 6 have also worked hard in Art this week, learning about the key elements of art, particularly line and colour.

​This Week In School…
Year 3 – have begun to explore the world of poetry. They have been using rhyme and alliteration to create a silly poem as well as using their Oracy skills to discuss similes and metaphors. They will be developing these skills next week when they write a poem all about 'The Tin Forest'.  In Maths, they have been developing their subtraction and addition skills by applying them to real-life situations in the form of word problems. They have discussed what makes a good classroom and decided on a Learning Charter that appeals to all of them in PSHE. For Art, they have investigated all sorts of different foundation art techniques. This week they focused on value, shape and form and produce some lovely pieces of work.
Year 4 – have been working really hard to finish and publish their own adventure stories about their adventuring plastic bag. In Maths, they have been working on solving estimation problems and effective ways to solve addition and subtraction problems. In French, they have been practising how to say hello, ask ‘how you are’ and introducing themselves. Their confidence is building week on week! In Art, they have found their inner artist and started exploring the foundations of art. This week, they have experimented with line, colour, value, shape and form. They are looking forward to completing this exploration next week when they look at texture and space.
Year 5 – have been working really hard to solve problems using multiples and have even been using strategies to test whether larger numbers are also common multiples. In Literacy, Year 5 have begun writing their narratives based on their class text, Odysseus. They have included fantastic character descriptions of the cyclops and described the cave setting superbly. In Art, they have been working on their sketching skills and have been practising how they make circles become 3D.  They have been using colour wheels and looking at the various ways they can be useful, like creating different moods in their artwork.
Year 6 – have been assessment week for Year 6. We are so proud of how hard everyone has worked this half term and in their assessments. In Science, they have been learning about evolution and inheritance. They have studied the work of Charles Darwin and used this to help them understand how living things have adapted over time to survive in their changing environments.

​This Week In School…
Year 3 – have been working hard on subtraction problems in Maths this week. They have been using the column method with exchanging to answer questions, including developing skills to solve real-life problems via word problems. In English, they have continued to use their Power of Reading text (The Tin Forest) as inspiration to write to their local MP about problems that affect the environment in Iver. They planned their arguments clearly and have begun to edit and publish their letters. In Computing, Year 3 have been developing their knowledge of coding, completing a number of different tasks on Purple Mash successfully. This week they have begun their Art and Design topic looking at the different elements of art. They learnt about line in the first lesson and created their own 3D sculptures from card. In the second lesson they explored the element of colour, exploring colour mixing and creating their own colour wheels.
Year 4 – have been working hard on planning and starting an adventure story based on their class text, ‘One Plastic Bag’. In their stories a plastic bag is left abandoned on the hot, dusty Gambian floor and thanks to a strong gust of wind takes off on an adventure across the globe. In Maths they have been working hard on subtraction problems and have been working really hard on learning their times tables. In Science, they had a fun filled afternoon looking at how water changes different states. They investigated what happens when water vapour touches a cold surface, how ice melts from both temperature and salt. They were very excited to start their art topic and have really enjoyed exploring line through mark making and have started to explore warm and cool colours.
Year 5 – have been working hard on addition and subtraction calculations in Maths. They have also been using their rounding skills to estimate the answers to different calculations. In English, the children have completed their fact files about China and have produced some fantastic, stormy ocean art work using charcoal and oil pastels inspired by their class text, Odysseus.  In Humanities, the children have finished their China topic, learning all about trade and China's imports and exports. They were shocked to find out just how many different things are produced by China!
Year 6 – have focussed on multiplying numbers using the formal method. They have worked hard to multiply up to 4 digits by 2 digits and thought carefully about how to apply their learning to a range of problems. In English, we have been learning about climate change and the impact it has on our planet. We have begun to right a non-chronological report using our own research.

​This Week In School…
Year 3 – have been working hard on addition and subtraction in Maths. They have been using column method to tackle more complicated calculations. They have explored the importance of regrouping their ones and tens to make sure that their answer is correct. They have also started to look at number families with the view that they will be able to use the inverse operation to check their calculations in the future. In English, they have had their letter writing hats on and have begun to craft a letter to our local MP to try and protect the environment in Iver. In Science, they have finished their water transportation investigation and have started to look at the process of plant germination, pollination and fertilisation. In PSHE, they have looked at the words responsibility and consequences and applied them to different scenarios.
Year 4 – have come together as a whole year group in Science to see the different melting points of chocolate! They measured the temperature of different bowls of water and tested to see if their hypotheses from the previous lesson were correct. In Maths, they learnt about the history of Roman numerals before having a go at some numeral questions of their own. They have started looking at column addition and will move on to exchanging when adding/subtracting. In English, they had a go at planning and designing their own robot using recycled materials and will end the week by publishing their own instructions for how to build it! They are challenging themselves to include as many features as possible of instructional writing. In Geography, they looked further at how volcanoes are formed and moved on to learning about the largest rivers found in Africa.
Year 5 – have been rounding to the nearest ten, hundred, thousand and even ten thousand! They have been reciting their rhyme that helps them remember whether to round up or down. In English, the children have begun drafting a fact file all about China. To urge their readers to read further, they have been sharing their most compelling facts. Year 5 pupils have spent a lot of time this week in Science studying different materials to investigate what happens to them when they are heated, cooled, and burned.
Year 6 – have worked hard to finish their stories based on the video 'origins'. They have focussed on being descriptive throughout their writing. In Maths, they have continued to explore the 4 operations and applying their mathematical knowledge to a range of problems. In Humanities, Year 6 have explored the cause of volcanic eruptions by replicating the process with bicarbonate of soda and vinegar!

​This Week In School…
Year 3 – have had a very busy week and have been working incredibly hard. They have used their knowledge of place value to complete calculations using the method of expanded addition in Maths, focusing on the correct layout of their work. In English, Year 3 became the old man from 'The Tin Forest' and have recounted the events of the story through a diary entry. They have imagined wide, windswept places and put themselves in the shoes of another person. In Humanities, they completed their topic by asking questions and exploring the impact of humans on the local area and across the UK. Year 3 have begun their Science topic of 'Plants' by looking at the parts of a plant and their functions. They have also set up two investigations and are looking forward to discovering the results next week!
Year 4 – have continued to write a non-chronological report about plastic pollution. They have worked very hard to include determiners, expanded noun phrases and have been trying very hard to use some of the Year 3/4 spelling words. In Maths they have counted in 25s, rounded to the nearest 1000 and have been ordering four-digit numbers. In Science, they have reweighed their investigation (do gases have weight?) and London class found that their bottle of lemonade had the biggest difference in weight after being left open all week. They are looking forward to their next experiment which involves changing the state of chocolate! Year 5 – have been using their place value knowledge to compare and order numbers all the way up to one million. They have also been tackling trickier problems in Arithmetic and have been challenging themselves to write the date in Roman numerals. In English, the pupils have finished their narrative, re-telling the story of ‘The Girl and the Fox’. They have impressed everyone with the amazing detail they have included in these stories. In Humanities, they have been focusing on rivers and how they can change. The children have been naming the different parts of river systems and can explain how meanders are formed. Year 6 – have worked really hard in Maths. They have started to think about the 4 operations and practised solving problems using written methods of addition and subtraction. In English, they have begun to write a narrative inspired by the short film 'Origins'. They have focussed on creating effective and engaging character and setting descriptions using features from the Y6 success criteria.

​This Week In School…
Year 3 – have been using commas for lists and developing their sentence structure through the inclusion of co-ordinating conjunctions. In Maths, they have been investigating number lines and using their understanding of place value of complete number lines up to 1000. Year 3 are finished with their topic of place value and will be moving onto addition next week. In PSHE, Year 3 have discussed how to face difficult and new challenges as well as any emotions that come along with those challenges. In Humanities, they have continued to develop their map skills. They have searched for rivers and mountains, deepening their knowledge of the UK’s landscape, they have used keys and legends to aid their search and were able to locate some of the UK’s most famous locations. 
Year 4 – have been learning about plastic pollution this week and have started writing non-chronological reports about plastic waste and how it is damaging our world. They watched videos and read around the subject, making brilliant notes to help them with their writing!
In Science, they are investigating which fizzy drinks have the most carbon dioxide in them and whether gases have any weight at all. In Geography, they have been learning about the oceans and seas surrounding Africa and how our world once began as one large landmass! They are full of facts and knowledge! In Maths, they have been looking closely at place value and partitioning numbers. This is building on last week’s lessons and preparing them for addition and subtraction in the next few weeks…
Year 5 – have been developing their mathematical thinking this week by writing and partitioning numbers up to one million. They have done a fantastic job of approaching challenges with far larger numbers than they are used to. In English, the children have started retelling a tale about a girl who meets a fox in the woods. They've been using some excellent expanded noun phrases to add a lot of descriptive detail to their work. This week, as they have begun their topic of Materials in Science, they looked at the many materials used in the classrooms and their properties. Everyone was impressed by the children's ability to confidently define insulators and conductors and put that understanding to the test in their own scientific experiment!
Year 6 – have worked incredibly hard to finish their stories about The Dragon Slayer. They have worked just as hard to edit their work against their new success criteria. In Maths, they have continued their learning about value. They have also begun to explore more about the continent of South America, learning about mountain ranges and the Amazon river.

​This Week In School…
Year 3 – have settled into IVJS brilliantly! They have come in everyday with big smiles on their faces and have tried hard in all of their lessons. In Maths, they have started learning about place value. They have represented numbers to 100 using dienes, compared and ordered numbers. In English, they have been exploring the difference  between a proper noun and a common noun, how to use adjectives and how to form their sentences correctly. In Humanities, they have been investigating what human and physical features are in their local area and have created maps using OS symbols. They have also looked into the River Thames, focusing on the source of the river and the mouth. They have all worked very hard and have had a great first week! Well done year 3!
Year 4 – have been writing setting descriptions for a spooky or a magical forest working hard to use expanded noun phrases and up levelling our vocabulary. They have been reviewing rounding in Maths, rounding to the nearest 10 and 100. They have also been working on counting in 1000s up to ten thousand. In Science, they started looking at solids, liquids and gases and exploring their different properties. In Geography, the children discussed where we are in relation to Africa and found out lots of interesting facts! They have also used their atlas skills to find Africa and all of its 54 countries. 
Year 5 – have been settling in amazingly into their new classes! The children began the week by working out what each of the Roman Numerals represents and used their knowledge to decode some different dates that were written in Roman Numerals. During English, they have been working on a letter to their future selves. They have been thinking about things they are looking forward to in Year 5 as well as what they want to work on. The children are excited to look back on these letters as a memory when they reach the end of the year. In Humanities this week, they have started their very interesting topic all about China. The children have successfully placed China on a map and they are beginning to learn about the different landscapes that can be found there.
Year 6 – have quickly settled back into school life and have worked exceptionally hard. In Maths, they have been focussing on place value and recognising the value of digits in numbers up to 10,000,000! In English, they have begun to retell the story of the 'Dragon Slayer' and started to read the Y6 class text, Floodlands. In Humanities, they have begun to learn about the continent of South America and explored the climate in different countries.