Designing and building our very own miniature playground.

Have you ever wanted to design and build your own playground? Well, that's exactly what Year 5 (Talland Class) did! We combined our creativity and teamwork skills to build a miniature playground using everyday craft materials. From slides and swings to tunnels and merry-go-rounds, we crafted our very own zoo-themed playground using lollipop sticks, matchsticks, straws, cocktail sticks, pipe cleaners, and other materials. And guess what? We even used tools like a mitre saw, scissors, and rulers to get everything just right!

1. Measuring and Marking We used rulers to measure out our pieces of materials. This was super important because it made sure that everything fit together just right. If we wanted our slide to be tall enough, we had to measure the correct length for the lollipop sticks. Using a pencil, we marked where we needed to cut and assemble the pieces. The more careful we were with our measurements, the better our playground would turn out!

2. Cutting with Tools Here’s where things got a little tricky but exciting. We used scissors for cutting some of the softer materials, like straws and pipe cleaners. However, for tougher materials like the lollipop sticks and matchsticks, we used a mitre saw (don’t worry, it’s safe for us with a teacher around!). The mitre saw helped us make sure our cuts were straight and precise, which is super important for building sturdy structures.

Finally Our themed playgrounds project was a huge success for Talland Class! Not only did we learn how to use tools like rulers, scissors, and a mitre saw, but we also developed skills in teamwork, creativity, and problem-solving. Building our own playground gave us a sense of achievement and pride, and we can’t wait for our next big project. So, if you’re ever looking to build something amazing, grab some craft materials, measure carefully, and start designing your own playground today. Who knows? You could even create a zoo or a space adventure—anything your imagination can dream up!

best wishes, Mrs Swabey, Mr Parry and Mrs Walters.

Science and Technology

Talland Class have had a wonderful week which included extra science lessons from science experts. They enjoyed learning a little about Nanotechnology. They learned that Nanotechnology is a super cool science all about tiny things — so tiny that you can't even see them with your eyes or a regular microscope. Scientists work with nanoparticles, which are a million times smaller than a grain of sand.  They use these tiny bits to build amazing things like: Super strong materials for sports gear; or building Tiny robots that might help doctors inside our bodies;  special coatings that keep clothes clean; or help windows clean themselves! It's like using invisible LEGO bricks to build the future.  Learning about nanotechnology helps children understand how science and imagination can work together to make the world a better place.

We’ve been learning all about Cornwall’s very own Space Centre – Spaceport Cornwall! Did you know that rockets can launch satellites into space right from here in the UK? That’s exactly what Spaceport Cornwall is working on at the moment. So, what does Spaceport Cornwall do?  It sends satellites into space – These tiny machines go up into orbit and help with things like weather forecasts, internet connections, and even tracking wildlife.  It uses special planes but instead of big rocket towers, it uses a jumbo jet that carries a rocket under its wing. The plane flies high into the sky, then the rocket zooms off into space. How cool is that?   Spaceport Cornwall has special events, activities, and learning spaces where children (like us!) can discover more about science, space travel, and the future of technology.  It is trying to be one of the most eco-friendly spaceports in the world. It thinks about how to help Earth while exploring space. We think it’s amazing that something as exciting as space exploration is happening right here in Cornwall. Who knows — maybe one of us will work in space one day!

best wishes, Mrs Swabey, Mr Parry and Mrs Walters.

Designing Playgrounds, Cracking Maths, and Moral Stories!

It’s been a fantastic week in Talland Class, full of creativity, problem-solving, and some exciting storytelling!


Designing Playgrounds with Strong Structures This week, our classroom turned into a hub of imaginative design as we took on the challenge of creating playgrounds based on exciting themes such as the circus and the zoo! As budding engineers and architects, we explored how to use strong structures to support our ideas—triangles, arches, and cross-bracing featured heavily in our designs. We thought carefully about materials, safety, and how to make the experience fun and interactive for children. The results were impressive, with teamwork and innovative thinking on full display!

Maths Magic – Decimals, Fractions and Percentages Talland Class also tackled their exit tests in decimals, fractions and percentages this week—and what a brilliant job they did! The children showed a strong understanding of place value, equivalence, and how to apply their knowledge in real-life contexts. Their hard work and perseverance paid off, and we’re very proud of their efforts. Great job, mathematicians!

Exploring Moral Stories – How the Camel Got Its Hump In English, we’ve started exploring stories that teach us a lesson, beginning with Rudyard Kipling’s classic tale “How the Camel Got Its Hump.” We looked at the structure and the features of a story with a moral, including repetition, alliteration, and expanded noun phrases. The children have begun experimenting with these techniques in their own writing, and we can’t wait to see the moral tales they come up with next!

Well Done, Talland Class! From structural engineering to storytelling with soul, it’s been a busy and rewarding week. We’re so proud of the enthusiasm and effort every pupil has shown. Keep it up—exciting learning adventures await!

best wishes, Mrs Swabey, Mr Parry and Mrs Walters.

Heading Out to Space

Another action packed week for Talland Class. The highlights this week were: a visit to a Cornwall based story caravan where the children heard traditional stories; a morning spent in a Space Dome where they learned about the Universe, the cycle of the moon and other amazing facts, for example, 62 miles (100 kilometers) above sea level is the altitude of the Kármán line, a conventionally used boundary between Earth's atmosphere and outer space.

Some of the children have also been honing in on their own self-development, especially using musical instruments.  It's fantastic to watch the enthusiasm, concentration and self-confidence ooze from these children. Well done, Talland Class.

best wishes, 

Mrs Swabey, Mr Parry and Mrs Walters.

An Exciting Expedition to Dartmoor Zoo

 
The highlight of the children's learning this week has been the exciting expedition to Dartmoor Zoo. The visit included seeing the animals at feeding time, from otters to lions; hearing the lion's proud roar; watching the tiger confidently patrolling his environment; a nighttime visit around the zoo and participating in workshops and discussing how we can protect and improve the natural environment for all living things. The children's confidence oozed and the questions asked by the children were well thought through: for example, how could these animals be returned to their natural environment? Despite the long day of walking and viewing the animals, the children were a credit not only to Talland Class but to their parents/guardians and Brunel Primary and Nursery Academy School. The excitement, fresh air and the abundance of activities helped them to sleep soundly ready for a Friday morning stroll around the Zoo and team building games.

Best wishes, Mrs Swabey, Mr Parry and Mrs Walters.

Emergency First Aid - The Recovery Position

The children have had so much fun learning how to place a casualty in to the recovery position. They all remembered the emergency ABC (airway, breathing and circulation) procedure prior to putting the casualty in a safe recovery position. Well done, Talland Class.


Maths
The children are becoming proficient experts in mathematical problem solving. They can confidently apply their knowledge of adding, subtracting, dividing and multiplying fractions to solve simple one step and two step problems. 


English
We have some natural poets in Talland Class who intuitively use figurative language to enhance the verses within their poems. Most children are able to competently use metaphors, personification and alliteration effectively to enhance the poems they have written. Some children were able to recognise and include rhythm to allow their poems to flow when being read. Keep up the good work, Talland Class.


Best wishes, Mrs Swabey, Mr Parry, Mrs Walters and Mrs Payne.