Corvus and Draco - Reflect and Review

Dear Parents, 

This week in Corvus, we have started to explore our class text - The Green Ship, by Quentin Blake. We used clues from the text to build our own illustration, before using descriptive and figurative language to describe our drawings. We then looked in detail at one of the main characters (Mrs Tredagar), compiling a list of her key physical and personality characteristics before creating a detailed character description. 

Alternatively in Draco, we innovated a setting and generated our own description inspired by the class text.  Using figurative language: similes, personification and metaphors,   the class created their own description of a setting and came up with their own unique setting.  I have thoroughly enjoyed reading the children’s descriptive writing which we will be editing and redrafting on Friday. 

In Maths, we have been continuing our study of volume and capacity, learning how to compare, add and subtract volumes. We then did a practical test, measuring the mass of various objects in the classroom and volumes of water in measuring jugs. Alternatively, Draco identified decimals on a number line and counted in tenths. 

In Computing, we used our knowledge of programming in Scratch to create functioning musical keyboards that played the correct notes when clicked. In History, we began to look at the History of transport, identifying key technological developments in transport over the years and putting them in chronological order. We then started to look at how transport has changed in Oxford over the years. 

In  Draco, we enjoyed learning about animal welfare in PSHE and thinking about how we look after the natural environment.  We made cross-curricular links in Guided Reading where we read a non-fiction text about elephants being poached for their ivory. 

As scientists, Draco dissected a plant to examine its roots.  We drew a detailed diagram to depict the function of the roots. e will be monitoring our bean sprouts and keeping a scientific journal to record our observations.

Next week

In English, Corvus will edit our descriptions of Mrs Tredagar before building towards writing about a storm, inspired by events in the book and Benjamin Britten’s Four Sea Interludes. In Maths, we will return to studying fractions, learning to add and subtract them. In History, we will continue our exploration of the history of transport, starting to focus on the history of canals, including Oxford Canal. We will also be attending St Lawrence on Thursday.  

We'd love for you to spend some time with your child looking at analogue clocks. Children across our phase are finding time a little challenging. In Year 2 the children learnt telling the time to the nearest five minutes. For some of us that feels a long time ago and we would love for you to support our practising!

Key Dates

Corvus Residential Parent Meeting, 4.30pm - Online (See message for link)

Corvus and Draco at St Lawrence Church, 30th April, 10.15am - Parents Welcome 

Corvus Residential - 5th to 6th May, Return expected around 3-3.30pm

Corvus and Draco at Ashmolean - 20th May (See message)

Draco Residential Assembly - 21st May, 9am - Parents Welcome

HSA Mufti Day - 22nd May

Term 5 Ends - 22nd May, 3.10pm

Corvus Residential Assembly - 4th June, 9am - Parents Welcome