Family Learning at Blackfell
With Apextra
Autumn Term
2020
Week 1
What a fantastic start to our Autumn Term Family Learning course with Apextra. We all enjoyed receiving our first pack which contained lots of activities! We have begun our time capsule book. We have reflected going back to school and talked to our family members. Keep checking weekly for updates of what we have been up to in family learning.
Week 2
We had fun this week recognising 2d and 3D shapes around our homes as well as when we were outside and going for a walk. We loved making the memo boxes, we turned a 2D shape into a 3D shape. One of our families went on an outdoor shape hunt and walked all of the way to the Galleries, had a snack and then walked back, they saw lots of different and new shapes. Some of us were able to measure perimeter and area, this was really exciting being able to see how some things are really big.
Week 3
This week we all had lots of fun carrying out experiment with rockets! We loved the balloon rocket experiment and some of the children tried to see if they could alter the speed of the balloon. One exciting idea was to pour some water into the inflated balloon, mam was able to stop it before it got too messy.
Some of the children enjoyed designing their own straw rockets and had fun seeing how far they could travel. We also looked at a space rocket ready for our next session.
Week 4
This week we were finding out about space, planets and the solar system. We decided what we would take into space with us, and then started on a voyage of discovery. We also made a light box which showed us the constellations, designed a planet, made an alien, and some of us were able to complete a space activity book. We learnt lots of fact about our solar system and were able to answer a quiz and know the names of the planets. We can remember the positions of the planets by using mnemonics. We loved our treats this week as they were planet rubbers and Star Wars related items.
Week 5
This week we have been trying lots of Halloween related activities. We have made a Halloween Curry, it was healthy and yummy, so easy to make. We enjoyed trying new foods and finding out what aquafaba was (it’s the liquid that you have in a tin of chick peas, it’s used in lots of vegan recipes and we could try some). We were able to go on an outdoor scavenger hunt, join in games including trying to find and then identify items whilst blindfolded which was fun. A very different 31st October but we had lots of activities and ideas to keep us busy.
Week 6
This week we looked at flight and made loots of different aeroplanes and trying to see which could fly the furthest and why. We also had great fun making and decorating rocket mice before seeing how far they could fly. The Science Museum worksheets also let us try to make a helicopter and see how it flies. We looked at the history of fireworks and also created a fireworks picture. We also received a booklet from Cambridge Science Centre that gave us lots of information about experiments we could try using fire as well as how the fireworks are different colours. A very different November 5th but we learnt lots of new things. Lots of questions were asked too and parents had to try to find out the answers.
Week 7
This week we were looking at water. This included lots of cross curricula links including literacy, numeracy, geography, DT and environmental issues. The story was about a little girl named Fatou and she lived in the Gambia, she had to fetch water from a well for her family. We also had some great information from Northumbrian Water about what they do and how we can all help to save the planet by being more careful how we use water and what we do with our waste. One of our treats was to an ice lolly mould, we able to look at transferable states and test the final product. We also had fun with the science experiments, making a tornado in a bottle, making a rainbow, cloud in a jar and the water cycle. A very busy week!
Week 8
This week we will be looking at experiments and activities relating to light and sound, this will also include appropriate vocabulary that you might want to encourage your children to use. We have also included information Power Points looking at sound and light. Does anyone remember making shadow puppets? There’s some really interesting ones in the pack for you to try. I’m sure that you will all enjoy making a soundbox, chicken in a cup! And a spectroscope.
Week 9
This week will see you making and using invisible ink! And then being a detective and cracking codes and solving problems. This week we are really developing our problem solving skills, as well as our number and calculation skills.
Week 10
This week will see you using all of the skills and knowledge that you have developed over the last 9 weeks! We have themed it around Christmas and hope that you enjoy all of the different activities. We received lots of positive comments relating to the curry and this made us decide to add an extra recipe for you all to follow and enjoy making. The Chocolate Overload uses non standard measure and can be adapted to suit your likes and dislikes. There’s also a 2D Christmas treat box to be made into a 3D item and you will be able to use it, along with the chocolate item as a gift! (That’s if the children don’t eat it first
