This term, year 3 have been learning about Ancient Egypt. We were lucky enough to go on a school trip to Layer Marney in Colchester where we all took part in four different activities in order to learn more about the Egyptians. The first activity involved looking at different artefacts from this period of history. One of the oldest artefacts was 4000 years old! We looked at the fans they would have used, some of the jewellery and discussed how it was made from lapis lazuli and we talked about the significance of crocodiles in Egypt. The second activity gave us all a chance to make our own Rosetta Stone wheels as we looked at Egyptian hieroglyphics. We used the wheel to solve some Egyptian code as well as having a go at writing our names. After that, we discussed Egyptian housing and what the Egyptians would have eaten for breakfast lunch and dinner. We were even given the opportunity to try some of the foods they would have enjoyed, such as radishes, spring onions and flat breads. Our final activity of the day was all about the importance of masks. We learned that a person’s body was preserved during the process of mummification. This meant that the soul would have somewhere to return to after death. A death mask was created so that the soul would recognise its body, and return to it safely. Death masks were also believed to help to guard a dead person from evil spirits in the afterlife. The death masks we looked at and had a go at making were the Pharoah, Anubis, Ammit and Bastet. Once our death masks were made, we were then able to partake in our own funeral procession.
It was an amazing day out and we all learned lots about Ancient Egypt!

This term our topic has been ‘Out of the World’, which has involved looking at space and fairgrounds. Our science lessons have involved exploring the solar system and the class texts in English have also linked to this. In addition to this, we have looked at fairgrounds. We have planned, designed and built our own fairground rides and have really enjoyed doing this. This term we have also had brass lessons; this involved playing the trombone, trumpet and cornet. As classes we also performed a hip-hop dance with Leon and have also been on a road safety walk.

Nursery children enjoyed making ‘rainbow slime’. They worked in pairs to make yellow, pink, green, blue and purple slime. The children noticed the changes in the mixture as they added different ingredients to it. They mixed the slime until it was malleable and no longer sticking to their fingers. The children had a go at stretching the slime as far as they could across the table. They used words such as ‘slimy’, ‘slippery’ and ‘cold’ when asked how the slime felt.

Year 2 visited Braintree Museum to take part in a Victorian day. We dressed up in Victorian costumes. Many boys were 'chimney sweeps' and many girls were Victorian maids. During the visit, we became detectives and explored Victorian artefacts. We also took part in a scary Victorian lesson. In the lesson we chanted times tables, practised our handwriting on slate boards and the teacher was very, very strict.

The teacher told us all about Victorian punishments like the back straightener, the cane and dunces hat.

We all got the chance to look around the Museum and play Victorian games in the afternoon.

Year 1 took part in an exciting 3D art project where we created a castle and knights themed wall display. Many parents came in to help us. First, we made pebbles or flat plates with newspaper, then we covered our shapes with newsprint and finally we used coloured tissue & metallic papers to add to colour to our artwork. Art Solutions then put all our artwork together on an amazing display in the lower school hall. We are very proud of our work.