Marvellous Maths!

Year 6 have been thinking about Maths - what it is and why it is important - and have written letters to Miss Golding. Here are Jack's and Patrycja's (6B) thoughts.

Dear Miss Golding,

I am writing to you to explain to you what I think Maths is. I would like to do this because it is very important for children to know why you have to learn about Maths.

Firstly, I think Maths is about multiplication tables. I think this because even though we might find it tricky it is one of the most important skills we should know. The reason that it is important is that if you were in a shop and bought six packets of crisps that cost twenty pence each you would need to find out how much they cost altogether. For example you would need to know your six times tables to work out six multiplied by twenty.

Secondly, I also think Maths is about time. I think this because it is very important to know about time and which hands are which. For example, I believe that most people will have to wake up in the morning or go somewhere at a certain time, so that they won’t be late. Therefore they will need to be able to read time.

Finally, I think Maths is about area and perimeter. I think this because it is important to know this skill especially if you were selling your house because you would need to know the area and perimeter of your garden. Or if you were making a dress you would need to know what was the area and perimeter of the dress to know the size and this means that you would need to use your knowledge of area and perimeter.

I hope you found my letter interesting and realise how important my points are.

Yours sincerely

Patrycja

 

Dear Miss Golding,

I’m writing to you today to tell you what I think Maths is about and why Maths is taught at school to children.

Firstly, I think Maths is about integers. This is because integers are used when you don’t notice for example: fractions, decimals and percentages therefore it is used a lot when you don’t realise. I think everybody should have the chance to learn the principles of integers and strategies to get the final answers. All of the children deserve to get the opportunity to know what integers really are.

Next, I think Maths is about problem solving. I think this because problem solving can be challenging, however you can use your skills to find out the answers. For example: the four operations and RUCSAC to find the answers for the problem. Problem solving is a method that you need to learn just in case you’re a shopkeeper and get a question like: A sweet is 50p and a drink £1.50. How much change is given from £5.00? Everybody should have the chance to learn about problem solving and know how to find questions like that.

I’m happy that you read my letter about Maths and what I think Maths is about. In conclusion, Maths is part of everyday life.

Yours sincerely,

Jack

Guess my number!

In Year 5, we have been playing a great Maths game called "Guess my number". It has really improved our understanding of number properties and it's good fun too! Here's how to play the game:

1. One person chooses a number
2. Another person asks a question with a yes or no answer, related to the properties of numbers
3. The first person answers yes or no
4. The other player(s) use the answer to think of another question.

We have been making this really challenging for ourselves by choosing numbers with decimals and asking questions such as "Is it a triangle number?"

Try playing the game at home!
Tip: think carefully about which questions you need to ask first to get to the answer as quickly as possible. We like to start with "Is the number an integer?", and if so, next we ask whether it is odd/whether it is even, and whether it is greater than/less than a certain number. Try to rule out as many numbers as possible in one go!

Here are some more questions you could use:
- is it a square number?
- is it a prime number?
- is the tens digit greater than the units digit?

Let us know how you get on!

100-word Challenge

Year 5 have been trying their hand at the "100-word challenge" - a piece of writing, under 100 words long, resulting from a given prompt. Our prompt was "...slowly, the sky got darker..." Here are some of the pieces of writing Year 5 came up with. Let us know what you like and what you think we could do to improve our writing!

The bats flew overhead
As I lay in my bed
Slowly, the sky grew darker.

The babies cried
As their mothers came
To see if they were in pain.
Slowly, the sky grew darker.

The foxes approached their prey
Which was hiding in the hay,
Slowly, the sky grew darker.

The police chased after a crazy criminal
Who was eating a piece of succulent simnel
Cake
Slowly, the sky grew darker.

All the shops were closed,
Full of food,
Full of clothes,
Full of stock,
Full of rats,
Full of rodents,
Full of cats.
Slowly, the sky grew darker.

Harry and Jannah, 5R

Slowly the sky got darker. The frightening bats awoke; the  witches were preparing their Halloween potion.

Suddenly, the aliens landed their colossal ship. The lime green aliens strolled out. BOOM! One of the witches threw the potion; everybody was under the Halloween spirit.

At 6:00pm everybody put their Halloween costumes on and started celebrating. Zombies came out of drains; devils came out of the forest.  Fortunately, the devils and zombies were occupied in the forest, planning their scare plan.

Three hours later, the zombies and devils came out to threaten people. Everyone heard the screams, children’s screams: “AGGGGGGGGGGGGGH!”

Owen and Matthew, 5F

Slowly, the sky got darker. A man died in a car crash. It was as dark as Batman’s black cape. From that day on he was known as the ghost of Gotham’s mansion. His beloved night was HALLOWEEN.  

He took people’s souls away; he did that every year from this night for eternity.

When he went to haunt them, he picked up books and threw them at walls. He was yearning for the apocalypse. SMASH!!! He threw tables and chairs out the windows and hit car windows.

He went back to his mansion and thought of another plan…

 

Jason and Vamsi, 5F

 

Stories from India

In Year 5, we have been learning about stories from India. After reading a short story called "The Faithful Sister", we wrote our own versions of the narrative. Here is an extract from Millie's (5G) version.

Once there was a beautiful girl, who longed for a beloved baby brother to play with.

Finally, after a long and lonely 14 years her dearest sweetest brother had set foot on earth and brought happiness to her empty heart. It was such a magical moment.

Unfortunately, when she was 15 she was destined to be married. She happily was married to her beloved husband, however she regretted one thing … leaving her beloved baby brother!

Eventually, she started her own wonderful family. She gave birth to two children who she cherished, but she never stopped missing her dearest brother.

One lovely hot summer’s day there was a knock at the door. The sister reached for the knob and quickly turned it. “Hello…sister?” The brother mumbled very confused. “Oh dearest, sweetest brother, I have missed you so “the sister cried relived that her brother had finally come. “Come in please! “The sister stated. “Yes, yes “the brother replied.  “I will make you some sweets for your journey home, why are you here?” The sister asked politely. “I have come to invite you to my wedding “he exclaimed. “Of cause I will come to your wedding!”  She exclaimed. So the sister got to work and shortly finished.

“Thank you very much for the sweets but I must be of now. “And so the brother set of on his long journey home. “Goodbye brother! “The sister shouted. The brother waved back.

Times Table Raps

On No Pens Day Wednesday, Year 5 wrote raps to help them learn their times tables. Here are 5R's. Let us know what you think! What helps you remember your times tables?

Three times table - Lucy S, Sulaiman, Alfie, Spencer and Prince (with some help from Mrs Walker!)

 
One times three is three
You can learn it with me
Two times three is six
We know our times tables tricks
Three times three is nine
Can you do it on a number line?
Four times three is twelve
Work it out for yourself
Five times three is fifteen
Practise it with me
Six times three is eighteen
We know what they mean
Seven times three is twenty-one
Learning times tables can be fun
Eight times three is twenty-four
Keep on going, there's still more!
Nine times three is twenty-seven
Is that right, Kevin?
Ten times three is thirty
Can you do it like me?
Eleven times three is thirty-three
Rapping these is helping me
Twelve times three is thirty-six
Now it's all in the mix!

 

 

Seven times table - Moonah, James, Lucy W, Isabella, Maya and Ami-Jane

One times seven is seven
It's easy as ten, eleven
Two times seven is fourteen
Keep going because you're keen
Three times seven is twenty-one
Keep going coz you're nearly done
Four times seven is twenty-eight
Keep doing the times tables, it's great!
Five times seven is thirty-five
Keep going, you'll learn the times tables jive
Six times seven is forty-two
Learn something new
Seven times seven is forty-nine
Learn your multiplication sign
Eight times seven is fifty-six
Keep on going with your multiplication tricks
Nine times seven is sixty-three
It's easy as 1,2,3
.... that's as far as we got! Can you help us finish our rap?

 

Eight times table -  Nathan, Kayden, Jannah, Elizabeth and David

One times eight is eight
Times tables are really great
Two times eight is sixteen
Are you really listening?
Three times eight is twenty-four
Come on, give me some more
Four times eight is thirty-two
Now look at what you can do!
Five times eight is forty
You don't have to be sporty
Six times eight is forty-eight
This is going to be really great!
Seven times eight is fifty-six
Times tables helper tricks
Eight times eight is sixty-four
I love times tables, give me some more!
Nine times eight is seventy-two
Times tables are good for you!
Ten times eight is eighty
Come on, work on them with me
Eighty-eight, ninety-six,
You've done your first times tables trick!

Elements poems - 5R

5R have written poems based on the four elements: water, fire, wind and earth. We have included lots of poetic features such as alliteration, rhyme, personification, onomatopoeia and similes. Can you spot any of them?

I Am Air, by Alfie

Slapping you in the face,
Winning every race,
Stopping you in your tracks
Just like that.

Munching over the land,
The thunder goes BANG!
The wind is so bad
Destroying the local band.

Spinning around like pottery,
Ripping up the winning lottery,
I'm going so fast I'm having a blast.
Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh, I am the wind
Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh, where have I not been?
Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh, I help you breathe,
Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh, I have to leave.

Watch Me, I'm Fire, by Harry

I am a match,
I slowly sway,
I am not violent.

I am a match,
I am carefully left around,
Scalding, scorching,
Smouldering...

I grow,
I am hungry,
I'm eating sofas like a ravenous lion.
POP! POP!

I am a house fire,
I'm as strong as steel,
Vicious, devastating
Hard to put out.

I am gone,
No longer there, disappearing,
Deep black smoke emerges from the rubble.
Bricks, glass,
I have caused trouble.

I am fire,
Scalding, scorching, smouldering,
Hungry, vicious, devastating,
Gone, no longer there, disappearing.

Ground Floor, by James

I crumble in your hands,
I crunch at your feet,
I help you build your house,
I take others' lives.

I am earth
You worship me

I am as slippery as a slide
I am as hard as a rock
I grip to your ear
I water your plants
I hold your house in my hand
The wind is my giant fan
I whack the giant yellow baseball
With my small wooden bat.

I am your home
I am your house
I have mud all around you
They are my minions
I come in all shapes and sizes
I am EARTH!