We've had another wonderful day with Mr Adby from Partake History - this time enriching our knowledge of the Ancient Egyptians. 

We began our day recapping some of the facts and information that we have learnt over the course of our topic, with Mr Adby adding more detail. After that we looked at some replica artefacts including statuettes, miniature canopic jars and amulets.

After break, we explored some of the spices used by the Ancient Egyptians. These included spices that we recognise today such as coriander seeds, cinnamon and cumin seeds and also older spices - frankincense and myrrh. Then Mr Adby used Olivia as a model to demonstrate what the Egyptians used for make-up. We found out something new: the make-up wasn't used for appearance but to protect their faces from the sun!

Welcome back to the final term of the academic year.

This half term our topic is Awful Egyptians. As part of this topic, we will be looking at the following questions:

• Who were the Ancient Egyptians and when did they live?
• What discovery did Howard Carter make and how did that teach us about the Ancient Egyptians?
• How did different groups contribute to the achievements of Ancient Egyptian society?
• Who were some of the most famous pharaohs in Ancient Egypt? What did we learn from them?
• How did the Ancient Egyptians prepare bodies for the afterlife?
• What did the Ancient Egyptians believe about life after death?
• How did the Ancient Egyptians contribute to our lives today?

As part of this, I have booked Partake History to do an Egyptian Day for us. They will be visiting us on Friday 14th July.  During this day the children will:

• Re-create the scents and aromas of Ancient Egypt
• Investigate and handle artefacts used in mummification
• Discover the clothing and makeup of an Egyptian princess
• Dress up and take part in a stunning and atmospheric ‘burial ceremony’ where the story unfolds through the use of costume, narration, mime, music, dance and drama

In order to contribute towards the cost of the visit, the cost to you will be £12. Please pay the £12 on Eduspot (link below) by Wednesday 12th July.

https://login.eduspot.co.uk/public/portal/parent/?app=schoolmoney&source=website&version=20190314

If your child would like to come to school dressed as an Ancient Egyptian they are more than welcome to but there is no pressure.

Important information for jigsaw after half term.

Welcome Back!

I hope you all had a restful Easter with plenty of chocolate to eat.

This term's topic is Farm, Sow and Grow and a Curriculum Map is attached to this Blog so that you can see what we are covering in more detail.

As part of this topic, we will be working in the school garden area, digging over the planting beds and planting a variety of vegetables which we are hoping to use for our DT project (to design and make our own soup).

Every week, we will also be looking at where our food comes from. To support with this could you please bring in one piece of food packaging every Monday. We will be marking this on our world map.

What is our class text for this half-term?

This half term we will be reading The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett. Feel free to purchase a copy if you are able to.

Hello!

Starting immediately after the Easter Holidays, Hawking Class will have a swimming lesson every Thursday afternoon. They will be walking to the swimming pool with Mrs Lees and Miss Groves.

To enable this to happen, we need a volunteer to go with us each week. Please contact the school office or catch me if you are able to help with this.

Guidance for swimming:

• Your child will need a swimming costume with them otherwise they cannot participate in the swimming session. For girls this must be a swimsuit (no bikinis or tankinis) and for boys, trunks (not swimming shorts).
• They will also need a towel.
• No earrings at all. If the children come with them in, staff can't take them out and they will not be able to swim. 
• Long hair must be tied up - a bun is preferable as long ponytails impede the arm movement in the water.
• Children will need to be able to get changed within 5 minutes so they can have time in the pool.  If they are not great at this, please practise with them over the holidays.
• Whilst the children are having swimming lessons in school, it would be great if you can find time during the weekend or evenings to take them as a family so that they are building their confidence. 

Please note:

Please do not send your child to school wearing their swimming costume: this makes going to the toilet during the day complicated and often results in them having no underwear to put on when they come out of the water!!