Tawny Owls
Years 4, 5 and 6
Class Teacher – Miss H Tapsell
2024-25
Term 5
Term 4
This term, Tawny Owls have continued to build their knowledge and skills across a wide variety of subjects. In geography, they explored the topic of place, asking the question: How is life different in Brazil? They looked at Brazil’s climate, culture, landscape, and daily life, and compared it to life in the UK. The children were especially interested in the Amazon Rainforest and the vibrant cities like Rio de Janeiro.
In science, they continued to develop their skills in working scientifically. In British Science Week, they carried out a range of investigations, making careful predictions, observations, and conclusions based on evidence.
In art, the class explored sculpture and 3D work, designing and creating their own interactive installations. They experimented with different materials and thought creatively about how people would experience their finished pieces.
In music, the children learned about film music. They listened closely to how music is used to build mood and atmosphere in films, and even tried creating their own dramatic soundtracks.
In computing, the class took on the challenge of programming using variables in games. They learned how variables work and used them to design their own simple computer games—combining logic, creativity, and fun.
Term 3
This term, Tawny Owls have taken on some fascinating new learning. In science, they explored evolution and inheritance, discovering how animals have adapted over time and what traits are passed on from one generation to the next. They looked at fossils and discussed how living things have changed to survive in their environments.
In history, the focus turned to the local area. The class investigated Ulcombe Church, a place of historical significance, and asked, What can we find out about its past? Their learning was brought to life with a visit to the church, where they explored the building, looked at historical features, and uncovered stories from long ago.
In design and technology, the children studied structures by designing and creating their own playground models. They thought carefully about how to make their structures strong, stable, and fun.
In music, they explored musical theatre, combining singing, movement, and performance to tell a story. Their confidence and creativity really shone through. In computing, they developed their data-handling skills by working with spreadsheets—learning how to input, organise, and interpret information in different ways.
Term 2
In term 2, Tawny Owls have continued to impress with their curiosity and creativity across a range of subjects. In science, the children explored the topic of light, investigating how shadows are formed and how light travels. They carried out experiments using mirrors and torches to test their predictions and deepen their understanding.
In geography, the class studied human geography, with a particular focus on climate change. They explored how the changing climate is affecting the Arctic and Antarctic regions, including the impact on wildlife and communities that live in these environments.
In art and design, the children learned about architecture. They looked at the work of famous architects and used this as inspiration to design and model their own buildings, thinking carefully about shape, structure, and purpose.
In music, the class explored looping and mixing. They experimented with digital tools to layer sounds and rhythms, creating their own original tracks. Their computing lessons built on this creativity, as they learned how to design and manipulate 3D models, developing their digital media skills and problem-solving through design.
Term 1
This term, Tawny Owls have been busy exploring a wide range of topics. In history, the class learned about Britain since 1066, with a special focus on World War II. They found out what life was like for children during the war and how people managed on the Home Front. The children were particularly interested in how the Blitz affected the local area and looked at real-life stories and photographs to help them understand the impact.
In science, the class investigated electricity. They learned how to build and test circuits and explored how electrical systems work in everyday objects. This hands-on learning helped them create and evaluate their own working torches.
In music, the children enjoyed singing and learning wartime songs, which helped them imagine what life was like during that time. They also developed their understanding of how people communicated before the digital age through their computing lessons.
2023-24
Term 4
Term 3
We’ve had another busy term in Tawny Owls. In English we have been retelling traditional tales, using personification to write poems and descriptions of storms. We are now busy finishing off some non-chronological reports about Beavers. Work that we’re proud of goes on our class washing line so everyone can see it.
Our topics this term in maths have included multiplication, division and geometry including learning to draw angles and 2D shapes accurately. We enjoy keeping active while we learn.
Our DT challenge this term was to build strong bridges. After trying out various ways to reinforce a structure, we worked collaboratively to build strut bridges with spaghetti and masking tape. It took lots of teamwork!
PE this term has been OAA which has really improved everyone’s problem solving skills. Luckily, we’ve had some sunny days to make the most of our fabulous outdoor space.
Science lessons have been all about forces – air resistance, water resistance and gravity. We made predictions about which of the parachutes we designed would bring the lego characters safely to earth.
Term 2
Term 1
English
Our text this term is The Matchbox Diary by Paul Feischman, which tells the tale of a family’s move from Italy to North America. We have been weighing up the decision about whether the move would be a good one and writing diary entries and balanced arguments.
Geography
We’ve all been surprised to learn that there are 23 different countries in North America! We have been finding out how land use is different in North America compared with the UK and doing some research about famous landmarks. We have also been learning how to use six figure grid references on maps.
French
This term our topic is different subjects we learn about at school. We have been rehearsing saying and writing sentences about our favourite subjects.
PE
We are working on throwing, striking, catching and marking skills in a variety of ball games this term.
Maths
At the moment we are solving multiplication and division problems. We build lots of practical activities into our learning and we’ve already been able to make good use of our new orienteering course on site.
2022-23
Term 6
English
This term we are reading the fantastic “Holes” by Louis Sachar. Watch this space for some fantastic writing – the genres we’ll be looking at this term are informal letters, non-chronological reports about some rather scary lizards and narrative.
Computing
We are learning all about what makes a good website this term. We’re looking at the features of our favourite websites before designing our own webpages.
French
We practise speaking, listening and writing in French as well as finding out about life in France. This term our topic is the weather and we’re looking forward to presenting our own weather forecasts – in French of course!
Music
We enjoy music in Tawny Owls and we have been working really hard to improve our performance skills on the ukulele as well as creating some body percussion performances.
This term we will be rehearsing and performing with instruments and singing.
Maths
We’ve already completed some work on fractions this term and now we are working on multiplication and division word problems. We build lots of practical activities into our learning.
Term 5
English
This term Tawny Owls have been basing their English work on “Song of the Dolphin Boy” by Elizabeth Laird to link with our geography topic of “Water”.
We have been producing lots of writing that we are proud of. We have been looking at speech and we have incorporated some drama along the way!
Design and Technology
We have been looking at how we can make our meals healthier. Tawny Owls had to research and adapt a traditional spaghetti bolognese recipe to make a healthier option. We may have some future chefs in the making!
Geography
In Geography, our topic this term is “How we use Water”. We have been finding out about the water cycle (did you know that the water we drink has been around as long as the dinosaurs?), ways we can save water and the process water goes through to make it safe to drink. The children have enjoyed experimenting with filtration to see how they can clear debris from muddy water.
PE
We are making the most of the sunny weather and our fantastic outside space during our athletics sessions in PE this term – the children have been working hard to improve their technique and stamina in both field and track events. We look forward to you seeing the results of everyone’s hard work at Sports Day.
Maths
This term we have been looking at units of measurement, time and plotting coordinates as well as keeping on developing skills in addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. We love being active while we learn too.
