Class 8 have continued their science work based around different forces. Having explored how gravity works, we are now learning about the force of air resistance. The pupils have been researching how a parachute works, and how the air resistance experienced helps to provide a soft landing. We found out that the force takes place here when the air comes into contact with the parachute cloth. The pupils have been experimenting with different size parachutes, and seeing how this has an effect on the air resistance.

Forces and direction have been our main science topic in Class 8. We started off our scientific research by finding out the difference between a push and a pull. We used a football to make a chest pass to each other. The force making the football move was a push. We experimented with strong and weak pushes. To find out how the force of a pull works, we used a piece of ropes for a simple tug ‘o war contest. We could feel how a strong pull at one end of the rope helps to create a force at the other end. The pupils have been writing about their work in their science books, using different size arrows to reflect the size of the force, and which direction it is taking. A couple of our Class 8 scientists explain more in the podcast below.

A number of pupils from Class 8 have been involved in the highly successful Turney School ELA drama group. This is a weekly session where pupils who may need some extra support with their language skills come together and use drama to help boost confidence and raise abilities. We play a number of games, such as the memory table or the head band game, all designed to help the pupils work together and communicate effectively in small groups. A favourite within the drama group is musical squares. Each pupil picks a coloured card to stand on once the music has stopped. An adult randomly selects a colour from the hat. If we are standing on that colour then we are out of the game. You can watch a short video of musical squares being played by our ELA drama group above.

Elsewhere around class 8 and we have started to think about our contribution for the Turney School Summer Fair. The pupils have decided to decorate some plain books with their own funky patterns, and then sell these on to help raise some money for the school. Using a number of D & T materials, we have been focussing on producing some repeating patterns. We will then take some photographs of these, and then use these images to help decorate the books with. As you can see from the picture gallery below, we have some wonderful ideas already being used for the books.

Class 8 have been undertaking a variety of tasks during our literacy lessons, depending on our own level of achievement. Some of the pupils have been working on a series of jumbled up sentences. We had to try and place the story in the correct sequence, by reading each sentence, and then telling the story in the correct order. Other pupils have been working on a piece of comprehension. We read a passage of text, and then answered a series of questions where we had to look again for the answer. A different group were given the task of reading and writing some facts all about water. Some of the Class 8 pupils have been focussing on their recognition skills, matching up different words with the correct symbols.

Part of our science topic in Class 8 for this term has been to learn about how different sounds are made. The pupils have been looking at instruments that you pluck, blow, bang or shake. We worked off a list of various instruments that you can find in a traditional orchestra. Our task was to sort these into the four groups, based on how the sound is made. We then described in our own words what type of sound each instrument makes. Our pupils then chose their own favourite orchestra instrument, and researched a little more about these using the internet. You can listen to one of our Class 8 pupils talking about her work in the podcast below.

Part of our science topic in Class 8 for this term has been to learn about how different sounds are made. The pupils have been looking at instruments that you pluck, blow, bang or shake. We worked off a list of various instruments that you can find in a traditional orchestra. Our task was to sort these into the four groups, based on how the sound is made. We then described in our own words what type of sound each instrument makes. Our pupils then chose their own favourite orchestra instrument, and researched a little more about these using the internet. You can listen to one of our Class 8 pupils talking about her work in the podcast below.

Our current science topic in Class 8 is to learn about different animal environments and habitats. In particular we have been focussing upon animals that live in a wooded area, and animals that live in water. We sorted a list of animals into these two separate categories. We then held a discussion with Class 8, to try and think of the reasons as to why different animals need different environments.

Class 8 had an amazing time using the school trampolines this week. We have been concentrating on being in control of our own movements, and seeing how important each body part is to maintain an equal sense of balance. We started off our PE session by trying to keep our balance in the very centre of the trampoline. We then added in a series of instructions, such as three bounces, and then rotate by 180 degrees. We finished off the session by talking about how important it is to use our arms to remain balanced whilst on the trampoline. You can watch a video of the Class 8 PE trampoline session above.

Class 8 PE sessions have been spent playing the wonderful game of boccia. This is a game of skill and judgement that is very similar to bowls. The game starts with one of the pupils rolling the white jack bowl. Two teams then compete to try and roll their own balls as close to the jack as possible. The team with the ball closest at the end is the winner. Boccia is brilliant for helping to improve our co-ordination and understanding of motion. It is also great fun to play as a team game! You can watch some highlights of the Class 8 boccia session in the video above.

We have introduced a major push on guided reading in Class 8 for this term. This is a theme that we are keen to implement all around the school, and it will serve our pupils well with increased levels of homework as they progress through the school. The idea is to spend time with each pupil, listening and assisting as they continue to improve their reading levels. This is a regular exercise that we carry out in the classroom, and we greatly appreciate all efforts from family and friends at home. It really can make a huge difference in the reading and confidence levels of our pupils, simply by spending a short time each day listening to them read. Many, many thanks for all the great support we receive from the wider school community. Working together, we can continue to boost reading levels around the school.

Class 8 have been making amazing progress during their maths lessons. The pupils have been learning about the different ways in which we can tell the time. We have been comparing analogue clocks with digital clocks. The pupils played the game of Stop the Clock

Class 8 have been focussing in Food Technology sessions on the process of cooking a pizza. We have approached this topic right from the very start, thinking and planning about what type of ingredients we would like to include in our pizza. The pupils described what their favourite tastes are, and how we could incorporate these into our cooking.

Each child made their own pizza dough, learning about how the different ingredients are needed to hold the pizza base together. We then placed our chosen topping on the pizza, before placing it in the oven.

This work also forms part of an evaluation exercise. Tasting the wonderful food is what we all look forward to, but we also use this opportunity to help describe the feelings and senses that we have to our own cooking. You can watch a short video of the Class 8 cooking above.

Class 8 have been continuing their work on designing a topping for their favourite pizza. We set the pupils the task of creating a healthy meal, by choosing either fruit or veg as their main ingredient. We have been talking about the taste and texture of different toppings, and why we enjoy the taste of some pizzas more than others. This is all part of our key verbal evaluation of our own work. The children have been using the Picture Exchange Communication system to assist them with their feedback. You watch a short video featuring one of our Class 8 young chefs deciding upon his favourite pizza topping above.

We have added an extra activity to our ball coordination skills during Class 8 P.E. sessions. As well as throwing and catching, we have been concentrating on movement and anticipating when to catch the ball.

Working with our partners, we threw our ball back and forth, trying to manage at least six catches per pair. We then added in a short running route, helping the children to think about where they need to be standing in order to take a clean catch.