Kenwyn class had an amazing time, camping at Drift Farm.
Day one saw us creating wild art on the beach, going for a (slightly chilly) dip and rock pooling before walking back to the campsite, where children enjoyed playing tennis, bouncing on the trampoline and exploring the site. Hot chocolate and a biscuit rounded off the day.
Day two was just as action packed, with another hike, a very successful crabbing session and more campsite play. This was followed by yoga and a silent disco before forest school began. Children whittled their own sticks before roasting marshmallows on the fire to make smores.
As well as all this, the children helped out around the site and were lucky enough to meet the chickens who provided their eggs for breakfast!
On day three, we returned to school but stopped off for a play and a picnic in the park. All the children showed our Olympic Values whilst on camp; the adults were blown away with their determination, friendship, courage and excellence. We made some fabulous memories.
Poetry reading
Kenwyn enjoyed reading a range of poems. Some children chose poems to read aloud or perform. Lovely to see such enthusiasm, well done.
Geography: sketch maps
Kenwyn class enjoyed their geography field trip, walking around Constantine. Before setting off, the children had decided to investigate the question, “what are the key features of our village?”. They identified the key human and physical geographical features including the church, the bus stop and the woodland. Children even spotted another map on their journey.
Back at school, children discussed the uses of sketch maps and what should be included on them. They then drew sketch maps to show the route from school to the church. Great learning Kenwyn!
“The church is a human feature because people made it.” “So is the shop.”
“The woods are physical geography because they are natural.”
Levant Mine disaster
The children from Kenwyn class enjoyed a virtual workshop with Iain from Kresen Kernow during which they learned lots about the mining history of Cornwall and examined historical sources relating to the Levant Mine disaster of 1919.
Budding historians
The children made some great observations and asked some perceptive questions whilst examining the sources:
“These sources are different, how do I know which is most reliable?”
“Is this a primary or secondary source?”
“Four people lived on this street. I can check the list on the other source to see if they died.”
“We found Levant Mine on this old map. I wonder if it is still there.”
“The disaster happened just after WW1 ended.”
Djembe drumming
Kenwyn are thoroughly enjoying learning new skills. This term, courtesy of the First Access music initiative, children have been learning to play African djembe drums. What wonderful sounds and rhythms coming from our classroom each Thursday 👏
Drawing with scissors
Y4’s artwork, inspired by Breon O’Casey.
Pentecost
Kenwyn have been exploring what Pentecost means to Christians. There have been great discussions regarding beliefs and morals and children have given some really insightful comments. They have also produced some lovely artwork full of symbolism.
”Pentecost is important because the Holy Spirit came to earth.”
“I think you can be a good person even if you are not a Christian.”
“Pentecost is important to Christians because it is basically the church’s birthday.”
Map reading
Kenwyn explored OS and digital maps to enhance their understanding of where Constantine fits into Cornwall, the UK and the wider world. They used OS maps to answer a series of questions and enhance their knowledge of the local area.
E-Safety
This term, Kenwyn have learned all about how to keep their online relationships positive and safe. They also explored how their online activities contribute to their digital footprints.
Kenwyn together again!
What a blast we’ve been having in Kenwyn since the 8th of March!
In science week, we explored ways to send our space tourists to the moon, made moon buggies to ferry them around during their stay and designed space hotels for them to stay in. We also created our own investigation to determine the best fabric to make parachutes from (in case they needed to make an emergency landing on the way home!) and recorded our results. The children employed a range of scientific skills throughout the week and thoroughly enjoyed learning through hands-on activities and discussions.
So far this week, children have taken part in virtual Songfest, begun to explore suspense stories in literacy and created their own story maps. In maths, children have been adding and subtracting fractions, in PE they have been working on ball skills and in science they discovered that food travels approximately 9m through an adult human body! Children have also engaged in lively debates during our E-Safety lessons about what contributes to our digital footprints and how to maintain positive online relationships. SO great to have the whole class together again!
Christmas in Kenwyn
Over the last week or so, we have enjoyed a fabulous array of festive fun including:
Decorating the classroom and our Christmas tree
Solving the mystery of Who Stole Santa’s Candy Cane
A virtual Christingle assembly followed by making our own in class
Christmas card opening in our classroom with carols
Creating Christmas hats to wear during our festive celebrations
Enjoying Exeter university’s Science of Christmas
Raising money by completing a Santa fun run
Several Christmas jumper days
Watching the Cousin Jack production of The Mousehole Cat via you tube
Enjoying a delicious Christmas lunch in our classroom
Festive film Friday cinema style, complete with popcorn!
Celebrating the end of term with a fabulous class party
Ocean art project
Kenwyn used a mixed media approach to create a fabulous collaborative piece which is now on display in school. They began using collage techniques to create backgrounds, then they explored drawing techniques before using mono printing to create a range of sea creatures. Awesome results Kenwyn!
Awesome oceans!
Compass points
Kenwyn have been exploring how compasses work and using them to navigate around the playground.
Compass points
Kenwyn research, design and make money holders
This term, the children had a DT brief to design and make a functional money holder. During this process they learned a range of skills including:
▪️how to research safely and effectively online
▪️ how to draw templates and make paper prototypes
▪️ how to select suitable materials and tools
▪️ how to sew using simple stitching techniques
▪️ how to evaluate their work
DT in Kenwyn
Kenwyn History Day
On 5th November 2020 Kenwyn class enjoyed a History theme day, centred around the Gunpowder plot. Children learned to think like an historian and examine sources, drawing their own conclusions. They then did some further reading and research about the plotters and the plot itself. This led to a discussion about bonfire night traditions.
During the course of their investigations, the children used their learning powers of collaboration, perseverance and making links; they used their maths knowledge to work out how long ago the plot took place and their literacy skills to find the meanings of new words in dictionaries. The children also enjoyed learning about fires and how to light one safely.
In the afternoon, the children completed a quiz before heading outside to put their new skills to the test. They recited the traditional rhyme ‘Remember, remember the 5th of November’ before toasting a marshmallow on the open fire.
Examining sources and conducting research
Learning fire safety skills
Chanting around the fire
Toasting marshmallows
Delaware camp 2020
Here a couple of pictures from the archery we did during the recent Y3/4 camp. We were so busy we didn’t have time to take many pictures! What a fabulous few days ☺️
Archery
Science: The digestive process
This week in science we are learning about the digestive system.
We simulated the digestive process by using a red bowl for the mouth and using a cutlery knife (incisor) and spoon (molar) to ‘chew’ the food.
The food then continued its journey down the oesophagus and into the stomach (sandwich bag) where it mixed with the digestive juices (orange juice) before entering the intestines!
The children were able to see the ‘nutrients’ being absorbed through the intestine wall before the waste was excreted. Children had great fun using their hands to simulate the muscles of the stomach and to move the food along the small and large intestines.
Knitting club
The children are lucky enough to have some experts giving up their time to support knitting club. There are some budding knitters in the group, keep it up!
Sharing stories
This afternoon, Kenwyn enjoyed sharing their favourite stories with their cuddly friends, and each other!
