Our Food Tech sessions in Class 9 have had a very seasonal touch, as we have been busy making some fresh summer pasta salads. The pupils have been thinking about what type of food we like to eat at this time of the year, as well as the nutritional value in different food groups. We decided that a cool pasta salad would be the best way to keep us fresh, as well as offering a very healthy option at lunchtime. Class 9 prepared all of the ingredients, including mushrooms, peas, peppers and of course, the pasta. We mixed all of this together by adding in some mayonnaise. You can find out more about the Class 9 cooking by watching the video above.

We have been looking at different religious food laws as part of our humanities work in Class 9. We started off the session by asking the pupils what we thought is meant by the phrase food law. We had a class discussion about our own school rules, and how these help the school to be a happy place. Class 9 then suggested that some religions have a food law, to help members of the group eat a diet that respects their religious belief. We looked at Judaism, Hinduism, Sikhism, Islam and Christianity. We found out that each religion has its own food laws that are respected by the followers. The pupils were then shown a number of different meals on the class whiteboard. We talked about what ingredients are needed for each meal, and then whether these would be suitable for certain religions to eat. One of our Class 9 pupils explains more in the podcast below.

As part of our R.E. work in Class 9, we have been researching and learning all about the life of Elizabeth Fry. We have found out that she was a nineteenth century Quaker, who dedicated her life to prison reform. The pupils were asked to use the internet to find three facts each about the life of Elizabeth Fry. We also managed to find some pictures online, and then used these to type up our findings and present them as information sheet, detailing all that we have found. You can listen to one of our Class 9 pupils explaining more about the research in the podcast below.

Class 9 are deep in preparation ahead of our next, fine production. We will be performing a musical version of the Little Red Riding Hood story, exploring the characters and story using both songs and action. Our weekly music sessions with Louie have been building up as the term progresses. The children have been introduced to new songs, and then asked what they think the matching Communication in Print actions should be. It is still very early days for our rehearsals, but already we have a number of star performers to take on some of the roles! You can listen to a short rehearsal with Class 9 ion the podcast below.

We have been improving our number recognition work during PHSCE lessons by playing the Class 9 school lottery! We were presented with a number grid from 1-30. Each pupil then selected five random numbers. The adults then pulled out five numbers from the lottery magic bag, and we had to see how many of our numbers came up. We introduced a system showing how much money we would receive, depending on how many of the numbers matched up. The pupils then had to calculate who had won the most money at the end of the game.

Class 9 have been studying animal environments during science lessons. We have been researching the ideal habitat that different animals might need in order to survive. Much of this work has involved the pupils thinking about the basic conditions that we all need to survive – shelter, food, water and warmth. You can catch up with a couple of our Class 9 pupils explaining more about their work in the podcast below.

Our maths lessons in Class 9 have been all about different units of measurement. We have been using the Alien Cookbook game on the class computer to help us with our investigation. Our pupils have been learning about the difference between a gram and a kilogram, as well as understanding when we would use millilitres in our measurements. We have also talked in class about the difference between metric and old units of measurements. We passed a gram weight and a kilogram weight around the class, and asked each pupil to describe the difference. We also used a number line to help us work out what half of a kilogram is, and then a quarter etc. You can watch a video of the Class 9 Alien Cookbook in action above.

Our maths lessons in Class 9 have been all about different units of measurement. We have been using the Alien Cookbook game on the class computer to help us with our investigation. Our pupils have been learning about the difference between a gram and a kilogram, as well as understanding when we would use millilitres in our measurements. We have also talked in class about the difference between metric and old units of measurements. We passed a gram weight and a kilogram weight around the class, and asked each pupil to describe the difference. We also used a number line to help us work out what half of a kilogram is, and then a quarter etc. You can watch a video of the Class 9 Alien Cookbook in action above.

Class 9 have been rolling a dice to help them with both their counting and data collection skills. We have been learning how we can keep an accurate count by using a tally chart. By putting a gate across a set of four sticks, we know that this bundle then represents five units. Each pupil rolled a dice on the class whiteboard, and then marked off the number of a tally chart. We have been learning about what is meant by the frequency in mathematics and why this is important when working with numbers. You can watch a video featuring our Class 9 mathematicians above.

We have been playing various drama games in Class 9 with the aim of improving our different senses. A current class favourite is to learn together by playing Keeper of the Keys. A class member is blindfolded and is in charge of a set of keys that are placed underneath the chair. Sitting around the chair are the other class members. A nominated person has the task of creeping up on the chair and taking the keys. The Keeper then has to identify who has the set of keys. This game helps our pupils on so many levels – listening, perception and movement. Plus it’s absolutely great fun to play! You can watch a game of Keeper of the Keys in the video above.

As part of our humanities work, Class 9 have been researching and learning all about the American Civil Rights movement. We have produced a timeline showing the main events, right from the early days of slavery, leading up to the inauguration of President Obama, the first black US Head of State. Our pupils have watched a film, which helped to explain how important non-violent protest was in helping the Civil Rights movement.

We have introduced the habitat topic in our science sessions for the remainder of the autumn term. Class 9 have been researching different animals, and then comparing and contrasting their living environments. We have focussed on what food types different animal groups need to survive, as well as looking at how important adaptation is in the animal kingdom. The children have been researching why fish need fins, or how birds are able to fly. Much of our work throughout this term will be working towards creating a huge class collage, displaying and identifying the various animal habitats from around the world.

We have introduced the habitat topic in our science sessions for the remainder of the autumn term. Class 9 have been researching different animals, and then comparing and contrasting their living environments. We have focussed on what food types different animal groups need to survive, as well as looking at how important adaptation is in the animal kingdom. The children have been researching why fish need fins, or how birds are able to fly. Much of our work throughout this term will be working towards creating a huge class collage, displaying and identifying the various animal habitats from around the world.

As part of our work for Black History Month, we have been learning and researching the history of slavery in the UK. We have discussed with the pupils the origins of slavery, and then how and why it was abolished in the UK. All of our Class 9 pupils have produced some thoughtful and striking posters, putting across a strong anti-racism and anti-slavery message. We are proud to display a selection of these posters below.