Chemistry and reading week 6NB

Well what a 3 weeks that has been!  First our SATS, and then headlong into chemistry and reading week.  We have had a fantastic time and enjoyed some inspiring scientific and reading/writing workshops.   First up was the Bubble Pop, where we enjoyed watching bubbles filled with smoke, bubbles on top of heads, and people put into bubbles.

Later on in the second week we hosted Stewart Ross who is a writer of many children's books.  We had prepared with him a writing workshop where by the end of the day the children had each drafted a chapter of our new book which, when we get the polished versions to him, he will publish on line.  How exciting is that!  We now have to polish and polish that work after half term.  The book and chapters will be about WW2 from The Phoney War, Total War, Technology of War, The Blitz and The Bombing of Portsmouth.  Stewart showed the children how to plan their writing properly, and craft their sentences.  He also reiterated how important it is to learn to spell and to use their grammar correctly!

The University of Southampton chemistry department came in the middle here and gave a fabulous assembly using gas and explosions, dry ice and flying pigs (stunt pig only you will be relieved to hear).  They linked all of these demonstrations with the science around us and particularly with climate change, showing the children how just a little acid is changing the temperature of the seas around us to the detriment of all the wildlife in it.  They finished showing what happens when airships (balloons filled with hydrogen) come into contact with a flame.  Boom!

At the end of the second week Kev McNamara came and worked with us again, this time focusing on explosions.  We all learnt about chemical reactions and watched as he made a rocket fly.  We revised our knowledge of what happens when gases mix and our understanding of sublimation. 

There were two dress up days, one where we came dressed as a scientist and a second where we were dressed as our element.  Everyone had been given an element badge at the beginning of the fortnight and these were much loved by everyone - including the staff. 

Finally, came the chemistry fayre where everyone showcased their learning.  For Y6 it was the flying cups using dry ice mixed with water which released carbon dioxide and fairly fired the cups into orbit.  We also challenged people to balance a tin can on its edge using only a little water!

Lennon being given the bubble treatment.

And now it is Mr Knight's turn.

Lili inside a bubble and blowing a hole in the side!



How to make the kettle whistle using dry ice.

Shooting cups with the carbon dioxide being released.



Changing the pH value of water.



Showing what happens when you a balloon filled with hydrogen is set alight.

 





Exploding capsules by mixing Vit C tabs with water and holding the lid on!

Bursting balloons to check our understanding of compressed air

Understanding vapours



3M visit Portchester Castle

In March, class 3M visited Portchester Castle as part of our enquiry, How has Portchester Castle been used over time?  We spent time studying and learning about the features of Portchester Castle, the rooms and how it has been used since it was a Roman Fort.

We had such a lovely time at the castle, that we wanted to write our very own blogs about this day.

Portchester Castle visit

On Monday 27^th March 2017, 3M visited  Portchester Castle.  When we arrived, we were put into four groups to visit different parts of the castle. We went in the keep but we didn’t go to the top.

First, we went up the spiral stairs .We thought that it was very old, but very scary! We wrote notes about the inside of the castle and then we moved on.

Next, we went to King Richard the 2nd’s palace. We sketched what we thought the outside of the palace looked like.  We thought that there would  be fire places, hearths and windows.

Then, we went inside and sketched  what we saw inside. After that we went outside of the keep and labelled the bits of the castle.  We labelled latrine chutes, smoke holes and a big crack  right in the middle of the outside wall.

I really enjoyed myself and especially for my amazing partner, Caitlyn, who really made it such a fun expereince! I LOVE PORTCHESTER CASTLE!

By Mia.

Portchester Castle visit

On 27^th of March 2017, when we arrived we were sorted into groups and visited parts of the castle.

First of all we went into the inner bailey. We then went in the keep; we got to the third floor it was very interesting. When we saw the amount of fire places we thought it was amazing. As we got to the second floor there was writing on the walls from prisoners.

When we got back down we went to King Richard II’s palace. We went inside. We were very excited when we found out we were drawing what we thought the dining room and kitchen below looked like a hundred years ago. We were all allowed to draw the people in the picture and what we thought they would do! We discovered fire places, windows and doorways.

We had a sheet of King Richards’s palace and we had to draw in the doors and windows and choose what we thought the shapes could be. Once we had finished that we went out for a little break,  Once that had finished we went to look at the outside walls .The first thing we had to do was to label the different parts of the keep. After we labelled the outside of the keep we went back inside where we saw blue paint on the walls, a well, fire places and toilets.

We really didn’t want to go home when it was time to go.

By Caitlyn Gray

 

Wales finale

We have all now been home for a day and I have been working through the photos for the week.  I came across one photograph which I think exemplifies why we go.  This made me so proud.  Caving was probably the one activity which many of us were worried about and really had to push through some fears. Thank you to 6NB and our two additions from 6NA for an excellent week. 

Our last day was packed full of exciting activities with lots of us facing our fears.  Two groups went down into the caves and succeeded in many of the challenges including 'the corkscrew', 'the letterbox' and 'the toilet'.  We squeezed our way through some really tight spaces and crawled through mud and cold water.  The third group went canoeing and realised that this is the most challenging activity of them all as communication is the key to success!

After a fantastic meal of macaroni cheese, with 21 children having seconds, we packed and are now ready for the morning and to come home.

A beautiful day on the mountain.

Stream Jumping

Today the sun shone, and so we decided to take advantage of this and go mountain walking. We consolidated our science learning regarding how the Brecons were formed, and found examples of the freeze thaw process.

Lunch was stream side and we learn't about the medicinal properties of sphagnum moss.

Caving and canoeing on Thursday.  Looks like it'll be fun.

Another good day up in the mountains.  We split into three groups with one going off into the mountains, one canoeing and one caving.  The weather has been claggy and drizzly but it didn't stop us from completing our activities.

Chicken curry, jelly and ice cream tonight - with nearly everyone having seconds!  We have written our diaries and are now writing poetry with Mr Wildman.

A fabulous start at Big Pit.
Everyone happy.
All eaten dinner.
About to go out on the night walk.
Lots of happy faces.