Our first science topic this term is Healthy Lifestyles and Year 5/6 have been investigating just how we find out what different  foods and drinks do to our teeth.  We didn’t want to do the experiments with our actual teeth, so we used eggs as their shells are similar to the the materials found in the enamel of our teeth.   We decided to look at the effects of acids on our teeth.  Acids are made by plaque bacteria, which cause tooth decay and cavities.  Some foods are acidic too, like vinegar and soda.  We immersed an egg  in vinegar and… after leaving it for just a little bit, we could already see some results!  Our ‘vinegar’ egg was on the point of turning transparent and it felt more than a little soft!  Scary results indeed!

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Year 6 have been ‘exammed out’ over the last couple of weeks with both the T.C.I Middle School and the British West Indies Collegiate Year 7 entrance exams, but they still have one more set to go next week; their end of Year 6 UK National Curriculum S.A.Ts! They have worked exceptionally hard throughout and have never given up even though it has been hard-going at times.  Well done each and every one of you.

Here are their class exam tips for those sitting these exams or others in the future:

• Wear your school uniform to set yourself to school mode.
• Sleep well before your tests – go to bed a little earlier than usual.
• Eat a good breakfast.
• The earlier the tests, the sooner they are over!
• Try not to over-think it.
• Check over your work.
• Try your best.
• Read the questions carefully.
• Work harder questions worth more marks.
• Don’t spend too long on a question, go back at the end to re-try.
• Do something fun after the tests to celebrate and have something to look forward to.
• There is always a school for you out there.
• And…….. RELAX!

Click on ‘Read more…’ to read some of the children’s thoughts about their test-taking experiences.

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Once again the Year 6’s showed off their skills as budding lawyers-to be in a team against team debate. The issue was ‘ Is television a good or bad influence on children?’ Both sides presented their arguments with clear and convincing reasons backed up with data where they could. Dressed to the nines in their smartest attire and with myself as official judge and peacekeeper, it really felt as if we were in a courtroom! Two outstanding debaters were: CD, whose strength and conviction in his own argument was impressive, and MG who had clearly researched and prepared for her part in the debate exceptionally well!

Year 6 have been investigating the forces around us and learning all about Sir Isaac Newton’s laws of physics. We decided to have some fun with an investigation on elastic bands and what happens to an elastic band as the pulling force is increased and what will happen to the elastic band as weights (masses) are suspended from it? Will the elastic go back to it’s original size? All these questions needed to be answered so we donned our safety goggles and started investigating! As you can see from the photos we found that elastic bands are stronger than you would think and had some super scientific fun along the way!

Year 5 and 6 have been baking lots of different breads recently after tasting a wide variety themselves!  They looked at a range of basic bread recipes and tried some of these out before then designing their own bread in groups.  They had to consider texture, taste, who their buyer would be and how to make it appealing.  Some had chocolate chips in, some had lemon and cinnamon, all of the breads were a success and enjoyed by the children and their lucky families!  We have now evaluated our breads and what we would do to improve them next time.  The Year 5’s and 6’s are now focusing on how to package their bread to appeal to their customer. [Read more…]