Nova
River
River
Module 6
The Environment Has Different Features.
Nova Class students have continued to explore the works of Richard Long. They used resources found in the classroom environment to recreate his work 'Saharan Circle' through printing.
My body is continuously developing.
Students from Milestone@DPA took part in a Kwick Cricket competition on Wednesday 10th July. They enjoyed learning new skills and playing cricket against other teams. They were all fantastic advocates for Milestone Academy and showed great sportsmanship.
The Environment Has Different Features.
Nova Class students have been exploring the works of RIchard Long. They recreated his work of the Whirlwind Circle using resources they found in the classroom.
The Wind in the Willows
The students at Milestone@DPA performed their production of The Wind in the Willows to two full audiences and did themselves proud! They remembered their lines and actions, and sang beautifully. Staff are all very proud of the students and their fantastic performances!
My body is continuously developing.
LO: I can follow recipes to create a range of different foods.
Nova students have been reading and following recipes during their Cooking lessons to create a range of different British recipes, including Jam Tarts, Cookies, Muffins and a Victoria Sponge.
The environment has different features.
LO: I can research facts about an animal from a text.
During our Power of Reading sessions, we are reading the story 'The Emperor's Egg'. Students have been discussing and exploring the lives of penguins Students used the internet to research facts about penguins, which they then made into fact files or Google slides.
My body is continuously developing.
LO: I can hit a target with improved accuracy.
This Module, we are improving the skills needed when playing cricket, including our throwing and batting accuracy.
The environment has different features.
LO: I can make calculated risks in a different environment.
This Module, students in Nova class are attending Forest School. Students are encouraged to work independently and in groups to explore the woodland area, take risks and think about our affect on the environment.
Maths: Money
LO: I can identify the range of British coins.
This Module, students in Nova class are working to improve their knowledge and use of money.
Module 5
Buildings are important to different people.
LO: I can use a library and public space appropriately.
Students in Nova class have been visiting Dartford Library each week during Module 5. This week, we celebrated our last visit to the library with a picnic in Dartford Park. Students engaged in conversation, practising their social skills and played team building games before returning to school.
Buildings are important to different people.
LO: I can understand historical religious practices.
Students in Nova class have been exploring the lives of the Ancient Egyptians, including the uses of the pyramids. This week, we have learnt that pyramids contained tombs of mummified pharaohs. We learnt about the process of mummification and then mummified some oranges in the same way!
First, we washed our 'pharaohs'. Then, we cut them open and scooped out their organs. After that, we filled them with spices and salt. Finally, we wrapped them up in bandages and left them in a safe place to dry.
My body is continuously developing.
LO: I can create a classic British recipe.
During this module's Cookery lessons, we have been exploring nutritious British dishes which fuel our bodies. This week, we made a treat; Eton Mess!
Power of Reading
LO: I can create a freeze frame of a scene from a familiar story.
We have been reading 'The Adventures of Egg Box Dragon' and this week we have created freeze frames depicting scenes from the story.
Buildings are important to different people.
LO: I can explore different places of worship.
We had a great road trip to the Siri Guru Nanak Darbar Gurdwara in Gravesend. Students from Nova class were very respectful and enjoyed looking at the intricate details of the Gurdwara. They took photographs of the building and features, then later used these images to sketch the Gurdwara.
Maths
LO: I can find possibilities for combinations.
LO: I can classify using Venn, Carroll and Tree diagrams.
LO: I can add odd and even numbers.
Nova class has been working hard on our mathematical skills this week. We have been exploring a range of different algebra and pattern skills, including finding probability, finding patterns in odd and even numbers and using diagrams for classification.
Power of Reading
LO: I can describe a character.
LO: I can write a set of instructions.
Students in Nova are reading 'The Adventures of Egg Box Dragon' during our Power of Reading lessons this module. We began our learning by designing and creating our own box dragons. We then wrote instructions for how to make them.
Module 4
Magnets and forces affect the earth.
LO: I can use magnets to explore magnetic forces.
Students in Nova have been exploring magnetic forces, identifying magnetic and non-magnetic materials.
Design and Dash!
Some of the students from Nova Class took part in a KSENT competition for Science Week, designing, making and evaluating cars. We travelled to The Orchard School in Canterbury and took part in the competition to see which materials and designs worked best. We discussed our creations and how we could make improvements and adaptations to help our cars travel further. We all showed impeccable behaviour and sportsmanship. One of our cars even won the prize for the best design!
The world is made up of countries and continents.
LO: I can find countries using a map and globe.
Students in Nova class have been using maps and globes to find different countries from around the world.
Magnets and forces affect the earth.
LO: I can use equipment to perform an investigation.
We were investigating friction during Science. We looked at which surfaces created the most friction, causing cars to travel the least distance when rolling down a slope.
Our food comes from near and far.
Students in Nova class have been looking at packaging to find out where foods are grown. They have then used these food to create healthy recipes.
As part of our PE curriculum, we have been enjoying swimming lessons this term. We have been practising skills to master the front crawl and backstroke.
The works of Dame Barbara Hepworth have inspired our Art work this term. We have sketched some of her sculptures and created sculptures of our own using a range of materials.
The focus of our Maths lessons during this module has been Fractions.
We have been using a range of resources to support our learning and understanding.
Module 3
Transdisciplinary Theme: How the World Works
Central Idea: Our environments change throughout the year
Lines of Inquiry
Our experiences change our understanding of the world.
Seasonal changes can be seen in our environment.
The environment affects the foods we eat.
Pupils in Nova class have been busy exploring the woodland during Forest School, observing seasonal changes to the environment and measuring weekly rainfall using a weather station. We made kites during Forest School on a particularly windy day. We created bird feeders to help our local wildlife survive the winter, too.
We have been looking at traditional foods from around the world, understanding that people from different countries eat different foods, depending on what grows there. Each week, we have been focusing on a different country and cuisine; locating the country on a map and learning some facts about it, before creating and trying a traditional dish. We have explored dishes from China, America, France, Italy and Mexico!
During our Drama lessons, we have been learning to play the role of different characters, speaking aloud in front of our peers and thinking about the different ways these characters would speak and move.
Jumping in a range of styles and directions has been our focus during PE this module. We have improved the height and distance of our jumps and have also practised our skipping technique, both during PE and Forest School sessions.
Our Power of Reading text this module has been 'Rapunzel'. This version is a twisted tale and differs from the original story. We have discussed how the characters are feeling throughout the story and have made predictions about what might happen next. We have made a witch's potion and used the witch's ingredients to create poems, too.
We have been practising multiplication and division during our Maths lesson this module. We have used a wide range of different resources to support our learning.
Module 2
Transdisciplinary Theme: Who are we?
Central Idea: History and Culture influences who we are
Lines of Inquiry
Human life cycles dictate the flow of the monarchy.
Different festivals are celebrated in different ways.
Health is important for our bodies and our minds.
Nova Class had a fantastic morning watching the Christmas pantomime 'Snow White' at the Woodville in Gravesend... Oh, yes we did!
The students enjoyed clapping, dancing and shouting 'BOO!' at the evil queen and were all fabulous ambassadors for our school.
We all had a great time and the Nova Class team and are very proud of our students.
Nova Class have been practising their cutting, measuring and weighing skills during Cooking lessons this term, to create a range of seasonal recipes. We have made winter coleslaw, gingerbread cookies, apple crumble and sausage rolls so far this module. We have enjoyed trying the dishes we have made too!
Nova class are visiting Dartford Library this term as part of our community participation, promoting a love of reading.
Learning Objective: Participate in discussion about books, poems and other works that are read to them and those that they can read for themselves, taking turns and listening to what others say.
Students in Nova Class are learning about monarchs past and present during this module. We have used a timeline to identify when King Henry VIII and Queen Elizabeth II reigned, and looked at differences between the two periods.
Nova Class are learning about King Henry VIII. We are creating fact files all about Henry VIII and his life.
Our Power of Reading text this module is 'Wild' by Emily Hughes. We have been looking at the characteristics of the child in the story and the features of the setting in which she lives. We have visualised what a woodland may be like and have made our own illustrations based on the book.
We have discussed whether or not we would like to live in the woods like the child in our Power of Reading book, 'Wild' and the reasons why.
Nova class have visited Shorne Woods Country Park to explore a woodland setting, similar to that described in our class text 'Wild'. We walked through the woodland, created leaf and bark rubbings, explored muddy puddles and listened to the sounds of the woods.
Visitor from The Kent Fire Museum linked to our IB curriculum topic.
Terry, from the Kent Fire Museum, came to visit us at M@DPA. We discussed the Great Fire of London and got to try on lots of fire helmets of different ages, exploring how they have changed over time.
Module 1
Transdisciplinary Theme: Who are we?
Central Idea: History and Culture influences who we are
Lines of Inquiry:
Humans can function with or without electricity
Different festivals are celebrated in different ways
Health is important for our bodies and minds
Power of Reading: The Day the Crayons Quit.
Learning Objective: I can understand and replicate the feelings of a character from a familiar text.
Power of Reading: The Day the Crayons Quit.
Learning Objective: I can link a text to my own life and opinions.
Learning Objective: I can make a connection between a character's feelings and my own.
Learning Objective: I can use adjectives to describe an illustration.
Art: Patterns in the works of Gustav Klimt
Learning Objective: I can identify and recreate colours and patterns seen in famous works of art.