Blackfell Primary School

Viking Drama

Our topic for Summer term is 'The Vicious Vikings'. In Literacy, we are going to be writing our own Viking sagas, and to help us become familiar with the features and structure of a Viking saga, we carried out some drama activities. We were split into groups and were given a Viking saga to watch on the iPad. We then used a script to prepare a short drama performance of the saga we had seen. We had to think about how each character would behave and use this to perfect our expression, tone and mood. When each group came to the front to perform, the rest of the class carried out a peer assessment of certain criteria. We were scored on our performances and given constructive feedback as to what was good about our performance and what we could improve next time we do an activity such as this one. 

Computing - 2D Design & 3D Modelling

In Computing, we have been using Purple Mash to help us with our 2D design. We used the program to help us design a mode of transportation. We watched a video that explained how to move the points of a shape when designing, and then applied what we had learnt to change the shape of our vehicle. We then used our learning from a previous lesson to design the net of our vehicle. Finally, we printed out our finished 2D design, and used the net to create a 3D model. I think you'll agree, they look fantastic!

World of Work Week - Visit from Bellway

We had a visit from some members of staff at Bellway who came to talk to us about their jobs in the construction industry. First to speak to us was Andy who is a designer at Bellway. He designs the houses that the company go on to build, and explained the importance of making his designs precise and well-thought out. Next, Gemma explained about her role as a site manager and how she helps to implement Andy’s designs in order for the building sites to be successful, and the houses to be built within the necessary time frame. Finally, Josh explained to us about his role as a bricklayer, and how he is one of over 50 people who help to build the houses on the construction site.

World of Work Week - Visit from a Nissan Engineer

During World of Work Week, we had a visit from a Nissan engineer, Ian, who came to talk to us about his job. He works on the production line at Nissan in Sunderland, making sure the robots who build the cars are working efficiently. In order to demonstrate this in the classroom, Ian brought some Nissan Qashqai’s and Duke’s (footballs) and challenged us to get them from one end of the production line to the other in the fastest way possible; of course we had some rules to follow! We were then given the opportunity to adapt the way we built our cars in order to speed up the production process. It really helped us to understand Ian’s job better and we had lots of fun!

Be Fit, Be Safe, Be Healthy Week - Visit from the LAF team

To kick start our week all about healthy living, we were visited by the LAF (Lifestyle, Activity and Food) team. They told us all about the eatwell plate, and how much of each type of food we should be consuming. They also told us all about how many teaspoons of sugar are in some of our favourite foods and drinks, including Haribo which has 25 teaspoons per bag! They then talked to us about the damage too much sugar can have on our teeth, and we watched a video about a teenage boy who lost all of his teeth and had to have false teeth because he drank too much fizzy pop! Finally, we watched a video about the effects of too much fast food, and some of us were disgusted by what we saw. It has definitely made us consider the different choices we make when we eat and drink!

Be Fit, Be Safe, Be Healthy Week - Mile Run

As part of our be fit, be healthy week, Year 5 took part in a mile run event where we challenged ourselves to run a mile around the school field. Every member of our  class took part and successfully crossed the finish line. We are very proud of our sporting achievements! 

Viking Longhouses

In Design and Technology, Year 5 have been looking at Viking longhouses. We started off by investigating what a Viking longhouse looked like, and what it had on the inside. We also looked at the things it didn't include that we might have in our homes today e.g. beds and windows! We then designed our own Viking longhouses taking into account what we had learnt. Finally, we built our own 3D models of Viking longhouses using a variety of materials and tools. I think you'll agree, they look great!

Baking Biscuits!

Year 5 completed a fantastic food technology project this term. We began by researching different biscuits we would give to different consumers. To help with this, we also undertook a questionnaire across the school to find out people's favourite biscuits. Next, we completed a taste test of 6 different biscuits to decide on our favourite flavours, textures, and appearances. We were then given a specification to begin designing our own biscuit for a specific purpose. They were: an elegant afternoon tea, a child's unicorn party, a Halloween party, and a pool party. We then set about baking our biscuits following a recipe and method, before decorating them to meet our specification. Of course, our favourite part of the project was eating them - they were delicious! 

Maths - Angles

In Maths, we have been learning about angles. We have been identifying types of angles, measuring angles using a protractor and drawing angles accurately. To help us with this, we went on an angle hunt around the classroom using 'angle eaters' to help us identify the types of angles - right angles, acute and obtuse. To help us with our measuring using a protractor, Miss Henderson and Miss Postlethwaite covered the tables in tape and we had to measure the angles we could see. We then rotated around the room and checked each other's measurements, making corrections as we went. We now feel really confident using a protractor!

Maths - 2D and 3D Shape

We have been completing a lot of fun, hands on activities to support with our learning around 2D and 3D shape. We have investigated regular and irregular 2D shapes using venn diagrams; built 3D shapes using nets; investigated imposters by building given nets using Clixi to see if they created the shape they were supposed to; matched nets to their shape name; and created 'WANTED' posters to catch 3D shapes on the loose! We learnt a lot and were able to apply all of this knowledge to solve more tricky reasoning and problem solving questions. 

World of Work Week - Visit from HMRC

We had a visit from Mrs Warris who came to talk to us about her job at HMRC. She told us all about her role in teaching people how to use various Microsoft Office programs, such as Word, PowerPoint, Excel and Publisher. Her department help people gain the skills needed to become employable, or who want to develop their skills using various Microsoft programs. Mrs Warris told us how she started working for HMRC and the steps she has taken to work her way up in the business. We asked Mrs Warris lots of questions about her role and the skills needed to be successful. We learnt that you need to have good communication skills, patience, the ability to work in a team, perseverance and a good attitude to working and learning. 

World of Work Week - Visit from the community Police

We had a visit from the local community police officer who came to tell us all about her role in keeping Blackfell and the surrounding areas safe. She told us all about her day to day work; explained the different parts of her uniform and resources she uses to complete her job; skills and qualities she believes a police officer needs to be successful in the job; and we were even lucky enough to sit inside the police car and put on the blue lights and siren!

Year 5 Cricket Festival

Year 5 took part in a cricket festival where they played against other schools in the local community. We took three teams to the event and every team played fantastically well, but one of our teams were successful in winning the whole event and brought home the trophy for Blackfell. We are very proud of their fantastic sporting achievement, and look forward to the final in September.

Viking Workshop

Year 5 were visited this term by Durham University who came to talk to us all about the Vikings. Our visitor brought lots of artefacts that we were able to hold and try using, we also undertook some historical enquiry around these artefacts, trying to work out what they were, what they might have been used for, what they might have been made out of, and where they might have been found. We also learnt about the importance of Viking writing, or runes, and tried writing using these letters. It was a great day and not only did we learn a lot, we were able to show our visitor how much we know and have learnt about the Vikings!

Air Resistance

We have been learning about Forces in Science and in one of our lessons, we investigated the effects of air resistance. To do this, we created three parachutes of different sizes, and flew them in the yard to see which one would hit the ground the slowest and therefore was the safest for a skydiver to use. Most groups found the large parachute hit the ground the slowest and therefore had the most air resistance. We concluded this was down to it's area - as it was large, it was able to catch more air due to the forces (air resistance and gravity) being unbalanced.

PE - Gymnastics

In PE this half term, we have been focusing on building on our gymnastics skills. We began by recapping jumps and leaps, and then learnt two new leaps - stag and straddle. After that, we practised rolling and learnt how to roll into a pike and how to straddle roll. Then, we did some vaulting and practised our run up to the vault, landing and added one of our jumps to leave the vault. We introduced a new skill during this lesson which was to land on the vault in a squat position rather than on to our knees. Finally, we practised handstands and cartwheels, before learning how to correctly complete a round off.  

Kickstarting World of Work Week!

Year 5's theme for 'World of Work Week' is 'Building for the Future'. To kick start this, we looked at careers we would like in the future, and how we could go about achieving this. We also considered the skills and qualities we need to do these jobs, and if we have them already. To help us with this, our friends wrote skills and qualities they believe we have on a piece of paper stuck to our backs. It was really interesting to read all of the inspiring words from our friends and they helped us to decide what areas we needed to develop in order to achieve our future goals.

World of Work Week - Visit from HSBC

We had a visit from a bank manager and assistant manager at HSBC who came to tell us all about the different job roles there are in a bank. They explained to us all about how they worked their way up within the company to the roles they’re in now, and how a bank is run successfully. They quizzed us on our knowledge of different parts of a bank by giving us images to identify e.g. cash machine, money bag; challenged us to count a bag of pennies to ensure there was exactly £1 in each bag (there wasn’t!); and asked us to work out what HSBC stands for.

World of Work Week - Blackfell Bridge Builders

Year 5’s project for the week was to become ‘Blackfell Bridge Builders’, linking to our theme of construction and engineering. We spent time researching bridges around the world and what makes them interesting to look at but most of all, structurally safe. We then discussed shapes and features of bridges, and focused on triangulation. From there, we designed our own bridges taking into consideration our research. We split into groups and created one final design, before building it using only a small amount of materials (mainly art straws). We were given a specification we must meet, and the main criteria was that the bridge could stand on its own. Finally, we evaluated our finished work. 

Be Fit, Be Safe, Be Healthy Week - Sports Carousel

As part of our fitness and health week, we took part in a sports carousel. We completed activities including archery, tag rugby, HITT training, football skills, golf, and fencing. We learnt lots of new skills and tried activities we have never done before. It was a fantastic morning!

Viscosity Race!

In Science, we have been learning all about Forces. This lesson, we investigated water resistance, specifically viscosity and how it effects the force of water resistance. To test which liquids have the most and least viscosity, we had a viscosity race. We used raspberry ice cream sauce, jam, mayonnaise, ketchup, and honey and raced them down a sheet of card. Most groups found the ice cream sauce had the least viscosity as it was really runny, and mayonnaise had the most viscosity as it didn't even move!

Visiting the Theatre - Tom Gates

Year 5 joined the rest of KS2 on a visit to the Theatre Royal in Newcastle where we watched a fantastic performance of Tom Gates. There was lots of smiling, laughing, and singing. It was a great morning!