What's the Time Junior Syndicate?

This term, the whole school is about to embark on an inquiry based around time.
Tying in school wide themes, this term the juniors have to complete a technology unit.  What better time than now, to make their own clocks?  And of course, I'm sure we'll make a bit more time for some science in there too.

Starting with Year Three, the boys each had to decide on a shape that they would like their clock to be.  We had to discuss lots of things to think about during the design process eg would it be easy enough to cut out?  Will we be able to fit the numbers onto the clock face?  What shape would be interesting for each boy?  Once they had an idea in mind, they began to draft their shape.  Making sure it was the right size was tricky for some and after a number of drafts, all of the boys were ready to transfer their plan on to wood.  Then it was the fun part of using the scroll saw to cut out their shape.

Science on Wheels

My science lessons have been dubbed 'Science on Wheels.'  Earthquake strengthening in 7/8T and the old library has seen the science room converted into a classroom and so the science lessons are on the move.  With careful planning and packing, I transport equipment around the school and take lessons in all sorts of spots.

Year Two have started their science and technology sessions with some hands on sessions.  They have designed their own coat peg label.  Each boy was given a square of wood and we talked about different ways of making faces.  There were all sort of bits and pieces put out - ranging from bottle tops, screws, dowel, buttons, pipe cleaners, washers, ice block sticks etc.  Then, armed with nails, hammers, glue sticks and glue guns, the boys constructed their faces in any way that suited them. They turned out great!

The boys have also bought along to school a large plastic bottle.  Today we've started to learn about air pressure and we are making out bottles into rockets so that we can use air pressure to blast them up into the sky!

Catapult Catch Up!

Towards the end of last year, our senior Year 8 boys in 8B and 8P were given the challenge to design and construct either their own catapult or trebuchet.  Boys working in three's and were given some parameters and a few materials to get them started.  Their aim was to build one that would fire a golf ball the furthest across our school field.

Boys from 8B trials their catapults

Needless to say, the level of enthusiasm was high.  Once again it clearly showed just how much boys get out hands on, fun tasks.  Their ability to communicate their ideas within their group, to be able to listen, to problem solve, work together, construct and follow instructions determined the success of their outcome.
I provided a simple model and then they were given time to use the internet and plan what they were going to do.
At the end of term both classes had a competition to see which catapult fired the longest distance.  Even those boys who weren't so successful really enjoyed themselves and learnt so much.

A huge thank you has to go to our Wellesley Parents Association.  They very kindly bought for our technology room a whole new set of work benches, a whole set of new power drills and all sorts of other really tools.  Having good quality tools to work with made such a difference.  Things were much easier for the boys and they were able to do a better job than what they have done in the past.  I am very grateful for our parents association contributing to the classroom.