Orca

Years 3 and 4

Teacher -  Miss Varney

Welcome to Orca Class 2024/25

 

 

 

 

We recently welcomed our class parents for a Book Look! This special event gave parents the chance to explore all the amazing work their children have been doing across the term.

From creative writing to science experiments, maths challenges to art masterpieces, the children were so proud to share their achievements and explain their learning journeys. Thank you to all the parents who joined us—it was a wonderful way to celebrate the hard work and creativity of our Year 3 and 4 learners! 🌟

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This term in Art, we've been stepping back in time to the Stone Age! The children explored how early humans created their iconic cave paintings.

We started by experimenting with color mixing and adding textures like sand and salt to our paint to replicate the look of ancient cave walls. Then, we used charcoal to create bold, striking drawings of animals, handprints, and symbols, just like Stone Age artists might have done. The children showed incredible creativity and really brought history to life through their artwork! 🪨✨

In Science, we've been investigating the pH levels of everyday household items to discover whether they are acidic, neutral, or alkaline. Using an indicator solution and a homemade red cabbage indicator, the children tested various substances like lemon juice, vinegar, baking soda, and soap.

The red cabbage experiment was especially exciting as we watched the colors change—turning pink, green, or purple depending on the pH. It was a fantastic way to see chemistry in action and learn about the science hidden in our homes! 🌈

For Science Week, we hosted a fantastic Learning Café with our class parents! Together, we explored the science of parachutes, learning about how size and material can affect air resistance and flight.

Parents and children teamed up to design and create their own parachutes using different materials and sizes. Then came the exciting part—testing them to see which designs worked best! It was a wonderful hands-on experience filled with curiosity, creativity, and teamwork. A big thank you to all the parents who joined in the fun! 🌟

This term in Science, we've been learning all about pH levels and how they help us understand whether substances are acidic, neutral, or alkaline. The children were fascinated to see how we can test the pH of different solutions using indicators.

We also conducted an exciting experiment: the electrolysis of water! The class observed how electricity can split water into hydrogen and oxygen gas. It was amazing to see science in action and understand more about the properties of water. The children asked brilliant questions and showed fantastic curiosity—future scientists in the making! 🚀

 

 

 

 

2023 - 2024

 

 

Orca class have been super lucky this year to have another trip to the wonderful Farm and Country Fair at Trinity park!

We got to explore all the different sites that represent our local area and agriculture! We were also lucky enough to meet some of lovely animals that help out our farmers; the gun dogs and fox hounds were very well trained, and very friendly!

It is safe to say that the children were in their element when we arrived at the food tent! Orca's were very excited to try out some locally made sausages, some wonderful fruits and their homemade crisps!

It was a wonderful and memorable day had by all! 

Design and technology this half term has had a textiles focus!

The children have learnt how to design and use different fabrics, how to use different kinds of stitches and then applied these skills to create their own monsters!

They have turned out fantastically, everyone has worked incredibly hard!

 

Orcas and Sharks got together to celebrate National Science week! We had lots of fun investigating and recreating the human digestive system! 

The children got to recreate each part of digestion and it is fair to say, we all had lots of messy fun! An experiment they will never forget!

 

As always, it has been wonderful to have our Orca adults join us in the classroom to celebrate the wonderful work the children have been up to this term!

Orca class have been learning the techniques needed to create and sketch still life.

We have been learning and practicing different pencil skills; how to hold a pencil for the best sketch; how to shade and create a gradient using a pencil; and different hatching techniques to create depth and shadow in our drawings.