02.04.19 - Fun Fair Physics Trip

Yesterday, Tuesday 2nd April, both Year 5 classes went to the Fun Fair at Crystal Palace Park to learn about some of the physics of the Fun Fair.  Despite the rain, we all had a great time trying out 4 different fairground rides and thinking about some aspects of physics involved in them.  We discussed various forces and simple and complex machines.  Please ask your child what they can remember from the day.

Dance and Drama with Perform!!

Today we had a brilliant dance and drama workshop held by Perform. Our dance was based around the Ancient Egyptians. We also had the opportunity to be Gods or Mummies in an exciting game, designed to enhance our movement skills. 

Once confident in our dance moves we performed our routine for our classmates and our teachers. 

Why not ask us to show you our moves? 

Our Trip to the Royal Observatory and The Peter Harrison Planetarium 

On Monday 18th March, Beech class visited the historical Royal Observatory and Peter Harrison Planetarium in Greenwich. We had an amazing day! We witnessed the fall of the time ball located outside the Royal Observatory.  This is one of the world's oldest public time signal. It was first used in 1833. the time ball falls once a day at 1 pm. We were incredibly lucky to see this event. 

We also visited the Peter Harrison Planetarium, where we saw an amazing film called "Universe on your doorstep." This film allowed us to travel around our solar system and discover exciting things about other planets and the universe around us! 

Lewisham Speaking Up - Stop Learning Disability Hate Crime

Today, 6th March 2019, Beech Class was visited by three special guests from Lewisham Speaking Up. Jo, Lisa and Oliver helped us learn more about learning disability hate crime. 

These are some of the topics that we have discussed:

1.What is a Learning Disability Hate Crime

2. How to spot it

3. How does it make people with learning disabilities feel

4. What can you do about it

5. How to report it

6. Makaton actions to help us define what is a learning disability

7. Role play

8. Our promise

Beech Class students promise to....

Stop being mean and report any hate crime to a teacher.

Stop saying mean words to my brothers and sisters.

Stop bullying people.

Be careful because a joke can go too far.

Stop making people upset with those words.

Stop saying words that are not kind.

Speak out for people

Call 101

Tell the bus/train driver about any hate crime.

Look after people who are victims of hate crime.

Tell the teacher.

Stop hate crime!

14th February 2019- Our  visit from Benjamin Franklin House 

On Thursday 14th February 2019, we were lucky enough to have a visit from Eleanor a representative from Benjamin Franklin House. Eleanor told us all about Benjamin Franklin and his amazing accomplishments as a scientist, including discoveries regarding electricity, inventing the lightning rod and bifocal glasses. 

Did you know that Benjamin Franklin was also an author, a printer, a politician, a statesman and a diplomat. Inspired by this scientist we designed our own silhouette portraits depicting everything we find important in our own lives.

What have we learned during our BFI Workshop?

Antonio - I learned not to post pictures on social media because people can judge you.

Kaleysha - I learned that hacking is illegal.

Michael - At the BFI Workshop I learned that if you share your password with anyone except your parents, this can put you in great danger because they might use your personal information to identify you.

Fayth - During my visit at BFI, I learned that logging into illegal websites and watching movies that are not appropriate for my age it's illegal.

Marian - Whilst I was at BFI, I learned that I should always check the rating symbols before I watch a movie.

Che - At the BFI, I learned that when you decide to watch a film remember to choose a movie that is appropriate for your age. If I am unsure about this, I need to ask my parents or carers.

Chelsea - I learned how to be more confident with knowing what films or movies are suitable for my age.

Bobbie - I learned how to be safe when I'm on the internet (never share your personal information).

Tylon - Whilst I was at the BFI, I have learned that there are more than six movie rating symbols.

Ruby - I enjoyed the BFI trip because I have learned lots of new and useful information, such as: PG stands for Parental Guidance, U - Universal, 12 - 12 years and over, etc.

Victor - The BFI experience taught me that I need to have a secure password in order to keep my personal information safe.

Isaiah - The BFI workshop was useful because when I want to watch a movie I need to make sure that I know the correct rating for my age.

Book Flood Day - 20th December 2018

Our classroom was turned into one large reading corner and everyone brought in their onesies or pyjamas and slippers so we could all relax in comfort and share our favourite books and spend the day reading.

Great fun was had by all, especially drinking hot (warm) chocolate and eating chocolate whilst reading.

Here are some photographs of the day.

15th November 2018 - Creekside Discovery Centre

The long awaited trip finally arrived.  Beech Class were very excited to be visiting Creekside Discovery Centre for our walk in the river. We started off with a short session in the classroom to find out more information about the river we were about to walk in.  We learnt that Deptford Creek is part of the River Ravensbourne and it is tidal. One interesting fact we learnt was how Deptford got its name: a 'ford' is a place in a river where it is possible to cross through the water which is where the 'ford' part comes from; 'Dept' is from depth, meaning deep.  Deptford simply means, deep ford.  Another interesting fact is how Catford got its name. We all thought it was because of the big cat!  But no - the name came first.  Apparently, long ago, it was the place where farmers could get their cattle across the river so it became known as 'Catford'.

We also learnt about different features of a river:

meander  - a bend
banks - the sides of the river
direction of flow - the way the river is moving

flood defence walls - walls built high enough to prevent the local area flooding

tidal marks - the marks on the walls that show where the water reaches at high tide

erosion - what happens to the banks as the water flows fast and carries the mud from the bank away making the banks smaller and flatter

deposition - when the water slows down, it deposits the mud making the banks wider and higher

In order to walk in the river, we all had to wear waders (extra long wellies), waterproof coats and carry a wooden stick to stop us from falling over. We had a great time looking for artefacts on the river bed, having a duck race and fishing! We found lots of different creatures.  It was great fun!

Then it was back to the Centre for lunch which was much needed.  

After lunch, we had a quick session in the classroom and then we went back out to stand on the bridge and sketch the river.  As we were sketching, the direction of flow changed.  We could see this as the leaves floating on top of the water suddenly changed direction going back up the river the way they had just come.  No, this wasn't magic; the tide was coming in.  

We all had a great day.

Our thoughts about this amazing experience.

I enjoyed the Creekside trip because I learned that if shrimps are living in a river, that means that the water in the river is clean enough for living things to live in. It also means that animals can drink water from it. (Michael)

I enjoyed the Creekside trip because there are species living in the river, such as leeches, shrimps and crabs. There are also boats around the Deptford Creek. (Harun)

The Creekside trip was brilliant because it was really educational and I have learned about different animals living in the river. (Fayth)

I think that the Creekside trip was a great trip because it was fun and educational at the same time. There were lots of activities and we have learned lots of interesting facts about the creatures that live in the river. (Temidayo)

The Creekside trip was brilliant! Whilst I was there I have noticed weird things that they have found in the river, such as mobile phones, a fox, and even an aeroplane propeller! Even though I was terrified of the harmless water I still made my way through it without falling. (Lillie-Rose)

In my opinion the Creekside was an amazing experience because when we got the nets we went in the water to capture living things that were living in the water and have a closer look at them. (Freya)