Dragonfly class is taught by Miss Jones and is supported by Mrs Denman and Mrs Streetin. Other adults who work with the class are Mr Frisby (teaching music on a Wednesday) and Mr Bourne (teaching PE on a Monday).
Below you will find a gallery of all the exciting learning and activities that have taken place in Dragonfly class this year.
Commonwealth Games Day
Everyone had so much fun today competing in their houses and representing a country from the Commonwealth Games. Throughout the entire day, the children took part in a wide range of activities including Boccia, unihoc, bench ball and tag rugby. All the children took part and it was great to see them so enthusiastic about playing sport. Well done, everyone!
Rainfall Gauges
In Science today, the children made rainfall gauges to investigate how much rainfall we experience in Summer. After making their predictions, the children went outside to place our rain gauges around the school. We are very much looking forward to checking on our rain gauges and measuring the amount of rainfall throughout the week.
Fruit and Vegetable Sculptures
In DT this afternoon, the children throughly enjoyed making their own animal sculptures using fruit and vegetables.
Sculptures
In Art today, the children made their very own sculptures in the style of Eva Rothschild using cocktail sticks and mini marshmallows.
Class Bug Hunt
In Science today, the children were learning all about insects. It was only fitting therefore, to go on a class bug hunt and see what mini beasts we could find on campus. The children had so much fun using the magnifying glasses and recording their findings.
Rainbow Fish Collage
In Art this term, we have been exploring collage. For our final piece, the children created their own Rainbow Fish. They all looked amazing!
Moving Pictures
Today in D&T, we explored pivot and lever mechanisms and everyone got a chance to make their own moving picture using this technique.
Mocktails
Over the last week the children have been learning all about capacity and volume. To practise measuring volume using standard units of measurement, the children followed a recipe to create their own ‘mocktails’. They all carefully measured the exact amount of each fruit juice they needed using measuring jugs and mixed them altogether to make their perfect concoction. The children topped off their mocktails with cocktail umbrellas before quickly gulping them down.
Tennis Coaching
This morning the children were very lucky to have a tennis session with Luke from the LTA. They all thoroughly enjoyed the session and it was amazing to see them all persevere with learning new skills. Miss Jones is hoping we might have another Andy Murray or Emma Raducanu in our hands.
Geography Day
Dragonfly class had a fantastic day today learning all about South America. The children were able to identify the countries located in South America and the languages spoken. We also talked about the Amazon rainforest and the different animals that live there. The highlight of the day was making our carnival headdresses using bright and bold colours including feathers. They all looked incredible! It was only right therefore, that we practised some samba dancing before having our own little carnival. The children also had a fantastic time applying their map skills to complete the orienteering course.
D&T
In D&T we have been exploring sliding mechanisms. Today, the children made their very own moving picture using a sliding mechanism.
Victorian School Workshop
This afternoon, the children were very lucky to have a visit from Sharon from the South West Heritage Trust. She gave the children a glimpse of what school was like for Victorian children. All the children were given the opportunity to dress up as a Victorian school child; a waistcoat and cap for the boys and a dress and bonnet for the girls. The boys and girls were split up in class, just like what happened in Victorian schools and they were able to try out writing on slates. Everyone also had a go at sewing and practising handwriting. Sharon very kindly showed the children a range of Victorian artefacts. It was a really fun afternoon with the children super engaged throughout. It goes without saying that they are all very happy that school life has advanced since the Victorian times.
Art
In Art this term we have been exploring printing and mark making. For our final piece, the children used Matisse’s ‘La Gerbe’ creation as inspiration to make their own picture. They applied their printing skills using leaves found on campus and various different colours of paint. It was great to see the children so focussed and enjoying being creative.
Easter Egg Nests
In preparation for Easter, Dragonfly class got their hands sticky making their own chocolate Easter egg nests. They all looked amazing but I’m sure they tasted even better!
Animal Visit
Today, we were super lucky to have a visit from the ‘Animal Man’ and his lovely animal friends. The children were so excited to be able to learn lots of interesting things about the animals and get up close and personal with them. I was amazed by how many children wanted to hold the snake and how brave they were when doing so!
Directions and Positions
Today in Maths, the children were practising following directional instructions by navigating a map of a zoo. The children were given starting points and instructions and had to write down where the ended up after following the directions. The children managed to see lots of animals on their journeys around the zoo.
Waterproof or Absorbent?
In science this term, we have been exploring materials and their properties. Today, we conducted a test to find out which material was the most waterproof and would be best to protect us from the rain. We concluded that the best material was the tinfoil because it didn’t let any water through and it did no break.
Uniform vs Non-Uniform
In English this week, the children have been working on their debating skills. Today, the children worked in groups to formulate arguments as to whether children should or should not have to wear uniform to school. They all demonstrated fantastic team-work and collaboration and were very persuasive with their arguments when presenting their ideas to the rest of the class.
Carp Kites
In Design & Technology this term, we have been exploring a range of different kites. Over the past couple of weeks, the children designed and made their very own carp kite. On completion, the whole class went outside to test their kite (which the children were super excited about!) We couldn’t have asked for better weather either. After all the fun of kite flying, the children evaluated their kite designs based on its flying ability and attractiveness.
Superhero Day
Today, the children came into school dressed as their favourite superhero. They all looked amazing!
Art with Darrel
Today, the children were super lucky to be able to spend the entire day with Darrel making a 3D Rainbow Fish. They all absolutely loved it and it was great to see them working together so well as a team. All their hard work and patience certainly paid off as you can see with the end result.
Egg Drop Experiment
Today the children had an ‘egg’celent time conducting a test to find out which material would be best at protecting an egg from cracking when it is dropped from a height. The children had a range of materials that they could choose from and worked in pairs to blanket their eggs in their chosen material. Prior to the test, the children made their predictions. After carrying out the test, we found that cotton wool was the best material because it was the only material that stopped the egg from cracking.
Book Scavenger Hunt
As part of World Book Day, the children embarked on a book scavenger hunt. We went to the school library where the children worked in pairs to find the various books on their lists.
World Book Day
House X Country
On Thursday, the children took to the field to represent their respective houses in the inter-house X country event. The children were all very excited and raring to go. It was great to see the children cheering one another on and demonstrating amazing perseverance and determination to finish the course. Well done to everyone!
Growing Beans Experiment
As part of our plants topic, the children conducted an experiment to find out how plants grow best. Miss Jones and Mrs Streetin planted their beans in a pot where the bean was provided with all of the basic needs (water, nutrients, air, space and light). The children also did the same but had the task of changing one of those variables to test the impact of the bean not having one of their basic needs met. Before conducting the test, the children recorded their predictions. After 10 days, we checked on our beans. The children were astonished by how much the beans with all their basic needs met had grown and how poorly the beans without one of their basic needs grew. The children all concluded that for plants to grow healthily, all five of their basic needs must be met.
Gingerbread Men
After spending the week exploring the fairytale The Gingerbread Man, the children were very excited to utilise the instruction texts they created yesterday to make their own Gingerbread Men!
Music
Today, the children were busy practising their ukulele skills with Mr Frisby.
Making Equal Groups
In Maths today, the children used concrete materials to make equal groups.
Chinese New Year
To celebrate Chinese New Year, the children made their very own dragon stick puppets. They all looked amazing and everyone was very proud of their creations!
Different Types of Trees
Today in Science, the children were learning about deciduous and evergreen trees. We found out that evergreen trees keep their leaves all year round and deciduous trees lose their leaves in the Winter. After, we went on a hunt around school to see if we could identify a deciduous tree and an evergreen tree on campus.
Somerset Road Safety
This morning, we had a visit from Martin who talked to us about road safety and how we can stay safe when we are out and about. The children were taught to STOP, LOOK, LISTEN and THINK before crossing the road.
Little Red Riding Hood
This week in English, we have been exploring the fairytale Little Red Riding Hood. Today, the children retold the story through role play. The class was divided up into 6 groups and each child was able to choose the character they wanted to play. After some time practising in their groups, the children performed their role play in front of the class. They were all very engaged in the activity and it was great to them all step into their roles so brilliantly with some fantastic characterisations!
Significant Women in History Day
This afternoon the children learnt all about Queen Victoria and the significant impact she had on Britain throughout her rein. The children created fantastic collages using pictures of significant events in the Victoria era.
Sporting Achievements
Some amazing sporting achievements in Dragonfly class this week, which the children were very eager to share in celebration assembly today. Well done, everyone!
Programming
In our computing sessions, the children have enjoyed using the iPads to create their own avatars and programming them using algorithms to perform simple moves.
Nativity
As you all know, since half term the children have been practising for their long-awaited Nativity performance. It was amazing that they were finally able to showcase all their hard work in their first live Nativity. I was immensely proud of each and every one of the children for the effort and hard work they put in to blow us all away with their performance - they absolutely nailed it!
Puppets
Over the last few weeks in DT, the children have been learning all about different types of puppets. They all had a go at designing and labelling their own puppet and then put their threading skills to the test by making it. The children demonstrated amazing perseverance and patience when threading, and it was lovely to see them all working hard and helping each other.
No Pens Day
Today, it was no pens day and the children thoroughly enjoyed not having to do any writing! This morning, the class had so much fun practising their letter formation using magic finger lights. The children also got hands on in English, making jam sandwiches as part of their work on instruction texts. In Maths, the children were learning about pictograms. After watching Shrek Karaoke, they all voted for their favourite performance and we made a class pictogram to collect and represent the data.
Noodles Ice Cream
After winning a local competition, Kingfisher was very lucky to be awarded with a visit from Noodles ice cream company. The ice cream vans parked on the school playground and all the children (as well as the staff), were treated to an ice cream each. It was a lovely surprise for everyone and unsurprisingly, all the children went back to class with smiles on their faces (and some ice cream too!).
Remembrance Day
Today the children learnt about Armistice Day and took part in 2 minutes silence with the whole school to commemorate all the men and women who have served or who continue to serve in the military. The children also made their own poppies and displayed them on the front lawn.
Rainbows
In Art today the children were exploring colour. They were all tasked with creating a rainbow with paint, only using the three primary colours. It is safe to say they all had a lot of fun mixing the different colours and I am sure you will agree, the end results were beautiful.
Measurement
In Maths today, the children compared height by ordering themselves in order from tallest to shortest.
Parliament Week
As part of Parliament Week, the children have been learning all about Guy Fawkes and The Gunpowder Plot. Today, the children retold the story through role play.
Pete the Poet
We were very lucky to have a visit from Pete the Poet today. The children thoroughly enjoyed getting creative and exploring poetry through music, costumes and props (even the staff dressed up!)
Senses Investigation
Today the children put their senses to the test in our Science investigation. The children were asked to decipher what flavour they thought the Jelly Beans were, what they could feel in the box (without using their eyes), and what items they thought were inside the magic egg containers. After the children had made their predictions, we went through the answers. They all had a fantastic time and were very excited when they discovered some of their guesses were right. The investigation highlighted the importance of all our senses and what a vital role they each have in our day to day lives.
European Languages Day
To celebrate European Languages Day Dragonfly class spent the day learning Italian. The whole class came to school dressed in the colours of the Italian flag and were very lucky to have had a virtual Italian lesson with Miss Delaney who is fluent in multiple European languages. We learnt to count to 10 in Italian and even learnt the colours of the rainbow. After all their hard work, the children were treated to some iconic Italian cuisine- pizza! It was such a fun day and the children thoroughly enjoyed learning another language. A big thank you to Miss Broadribb for organising the day.
Beat Hunt
In English, we have been basing all of our work around the popular children's book 'We're going on a Bear Hunt'. After, a busy week of writing, the children were very excited to go on our very own bear hunt around the school. The children very carefully followed the bear foot prints and were very excited when they found the bear under the oak tree on the playing fields.