Provo Primary School

Click on below to read a couple of pieces of creative writing that were inspired by this drama re-enactment in their English lesson… [Read more…]

The Grade 3’s have designed a Science experiment to see which surface material will make a plasticine ball ‘splat’ the most.  After making their predictions, they set off in pairs to see if they could set up a ‘fair test’ using the equipment they were given.  To insure that their experiment was a fair test, they knew that they must change only one factor at a time while keeping all other conditions the same.

Scientists call the changing factors in an experiment variables.  The different surface materials needed to be the only changing variable, everything else needed to stay the same.

Click on to see the children working on their experiments…

[Read more…]

In Grade 2 Science lessons this term, the children have been learning about variation of plants and animals.  They have organised them in groups according to their similarities, differences and unique characteristics.  The children have done a fantastic job in creating their own classification keys about different animals.  They answered questions about each of their animals using their keys.  The animals were made using paper art.

Have you ever heard the phrase ‘oil and water don’t mix’? Well, one of our Grade 1 students and his mum taught a Science lesson to his class this week that explored what would happen if you mixed honey, juice and oil.  The children learned that these liquids don’t  mix to make a solution.   They also explored if objects floated or sunk in the mixtures.  The experiment was great fun, especially as the children got to work in partners and carry it out themselves. Pouring the liquids into the containers was a bit tricky and they discovered that they needed to pour it in very carefully. After shaking all the containers, it was amazing to see how the liquids had separated again at the end of the day.  Click on to find out more about the science behind this phenomenon and to try out an online investigation.

[Read more…]

The Grade 3s have been testing and measuring the strength of magnets in Science.  They had to think of a way of making the tests fair by looking at the variables closely.  They decided which variables they needed to change, and which variables needed to be kept the same?  They did some individual and group recording of their experiments.  Click here to have a go at an interactive online magnet experiment.

In Numeracy they have been looking at capacity.  To practise their measuring skills they estimated what each container would hold, then they used the measuring equipment to help them to read millilitres and litres as accurately as possible. They did really well and it was lots of fun to explore this topic through practically exploration.

Grade Four’s Design and Technology project for this term has been all about ‘Pop-up’ books. They researched lots of different pop up books and then designed their own. The children wrote their own stories and then tried out different types of pop ups; flaps, steps, spirals, spinners and sliders. They enjoyed sharing them with each other and other classes and teachers.  Some of the children read their books together with Miss Sian, our principal.  She was very impressed with the quality of both the pop-up designs and the stories.  She had lots of fun the opening flaps and pulling the sliders!  Well done, Miss Helen and all the Grade 4s for all your hard work on this project.  It is a great example of how Literacy skills can be taught through a creative purposeful approach.  We are sure you’ll treasure these books for years to come.

Grade 3 looked at how they could enhance the outdoor environment by creating sculptures. After researching into different types of sculptures they worked collaboratively in groups working on their own designs. There was lots of discussion as to how they could incorporate everyone’s ideas and lots of problem solving going on. Each sculpture was very different and the ability to listen, work and co-operate with each other made each one a huge success. They were so proud of their achievements that some of the children even organised ‘sculpture tours’ so that other children in the school could experience and appreciate them to their potential. Well done Grade 3 for designing and making such wonderful interactive creations!  Click on to see more photos of the sculptures being made and the final pieces.

[Read more…]

In term 1, we used kits to build 3 types of bridge: a Roman Arch bridge from clay ‘bricks’, a truss bridge using triangular sections and a suspension bridge.
In term 2, we did ‘The Bridge-Building Challenge.’
We were given 15 x 50cm lengths of 2mm square balsa wood.
We had to build a bridge:
* measuring 40cm long and 5 cm wide
* that weighed less than 100g
* let a model car freely roll across the ‘roadway’.
* support a mass of 2kg
All of our bridges passed, so . . . we added more mass until the bridges collapsed! Our 2 best bridges supported 7.5kg!  See a slideshow of all our bridges and them being tested.

Grade 6/7 thought they’d like to join in the fun of ‘Red Nose Day’. This charity event raises money for people in need in the UK and Africa. We have sent our photo to their website.