Geography Fieldwork
Last week, Key Stage 2 classes at St John and St James took part in our annual Fieldwork day. The children were all immersed into their new Geography units by preparing, investigating and evaluating a local area walk. The children thought carefully about different aspects of physical and human geography that they might see whilst out and about on the streets of Hackney. Later in their unit of work, they will use these observations to make comparisons between Hackney and another key location around the world.
In Year 3, the children looked at aerial view maps of Hackney and used map symbols to identify the location of key landmarks, like Saint Church and the War Memorial. The children then conducted a land use survey on their outing to find out how the land around our school building is used. Later this term, they will use this information to make comparisons between Hackney and the Amazon!
In Year 4, the children were introduced to an ordnance survey map and began to understand and used four-figure grid reference to locate specific areas. Whilst out and about in the local area, the children sketched some of the key landmarks that they came across and also completed a land use survey. In evaluating their findings, the children produced sketches of maps, using symbols and a key to represent the different types of buildings that they identified. Year 4 will then be using the information to make comparisons between Hackney and The Americas.
In Year 5, the children continued building on their maps skills by using six-figure grid references to locate places on an ordnance survey map. During their investigation lesson, the children conducted a travel survey around the area of Hackney Central to get a better idea of how people prefer to travel in our local area. They used this information to create a pie chart to present their findings, and they also discussed the current and future initiatives that could help the residents of Hackney look after the local environment a little bit more.
Rights Respecting School
So far this term, we have celebrated Articles 31 (our right to relax and play) and Article 31 (our right to be heard) and reflected on how lucky we are to live in a country where our rights as children are respected.
Throughout the school, children enjoy their playtime in our safe, enriching playgrounds, and on Friday afternoons we relax after a busy week of learning during Green Time. Last week, Year 5 chose to spend their Green Time painting, crafting and having lots of fun!
Hackney Half Marathon
Oh how time flies… It feels like yesterday that training began and the long road to the half marathon lay ahead. Look at us now! 3 weeks and counting and despite race day nerves creeping in, training is going brilliantly and the legs are hanging on…. (just about!)
Thank you to everyone who has donated so far! You have raised a staggering £190 which we are incredibly grateful for and brings us so close to the £300 targets we have set!
We are running in aid of our chosen charities Mind (Miss Gedney) Cancer Research UK (Mr Watson.)
If you would like to make a donation, this has been assigned to your child’s ParentPay account. Please note that any donation will be split between the two charities.