Equiano Class M@L

Module 1 :

Equiano class has worked exceptionally hard this term. In maths, they've delved into the intricacies of place value, mastering concepts through the use of part whole models, flexible partitioning, and place value charts with the help of manipulatives. In English, the students have been captivated by the book "The Stone Mouse," using its narrative to enhance their spelling, grammar, and punctuation skills. The world of music has also been explored as the class has been crafting hip hop beats using an online studio program called Charanga. Furthermore, their central inquiry theme, "Exploring history deepens our understanding of our identity," has led them on a captivating journey through the impact of the Roman Empire on modern Britain. Below are some quotes from some of our students:

“My favourite thing we’ve learned about this term is maths because we have learned about tens and ones. I’m proud of myself because I have the neatest handwriting ever and I like music as well” - Tianna

“My favourite thing we’ve learned this term is music because I’ve heard some nice beats from Tom and other students. I also enjoyed doing the Zone of Regulation because it helps me explain how I feel” - Emily

“My favourite thing we’ve learned about this term is the book we are reading The Stone Mouse” - Logan

Module 2:

It's been another term filled with hard work and growth in Equiano class. Our students have been diving into the world of mathematics using manipulatives to enhance their addition and subtraction skills. These hands-on experiences have not only made learning more engaging but have also fostered a deeper understanding of fundamental mathematical concepts. For our Year 11 students, this term has been a pivotal one as they gear up for their upcoming English and Maths functional skills exams in January. Their dedication and hard work in preparing for these exams are truly commendable and the students have really taken to approaching problem solving questions with increased independence. In our unit of inquiry lessons, we've embarked on a captivating journey back in time to explore the intricacies of World War I. From delving into the geography of the war to uncovering fascinating facts and reflecting on the significant role of suffragettes, our students have gained a richer understanding of this pivotal period in history. In our English "Power of Reading" lessons, students have been engrossed in the pages of "Danny Chung Doesn't Do Maths." This book has not only captivated their imaginations but has also provided a platform for honing their spelling, punctuation, and grammar (SPAG) skills. The joy and enthusiasm during these lessons are palpable, showcasing a love for learning. Preparations are in full swing for our much-anticipated enterprise project— the Christmas Fair. Our students have been channeling their creativity to craft unique items for sale. From brainstorming ideas to sourcing materials and maximizing profits, this project has provided invaluable lessons in entrepreneurship and teamwork. 

Equiano Community Participation

For community participation, Equiano class went to Dartford and Bluewater to source items for their Christmas enterprise project. They were also fortunate enough to visit the cinema and ask the staff/ management team a list of pre-prepared questions about what it was like to work in a cinema and what skills were needed to be successful at the job. We had a tour around the screens with the manager who gave the students lots of information about the different jobs that people needed to do and how the cinema has changed over recent years. The projectionist also gave us a tour of the projection booth and showed the students all the equipment needed to show films. 

Equiano Christmas Enterprise project

Towards the end of this term, Equiano class have worked hard on their Christmas enterprise project. With a budget of £30, they have sourced different items from local shops, the internet and our trip to Bluewater. They have then turned these into different decorations and treats to sell at the Christmas market. The students have decided on their price points so that they are attractive to customers but also ensuring they make a profit.  

Module 3:

This term in Equiano class our new central ideas was "exploring nature, rules, and fairness helps us to understand the world we live in". We looked at laws and taxes and the Magna Carta. On our first lesson, after the students returned from lunch all but two had had their chairs removed. This instigated a class discussion about fairness. The two students in the class were now elected as the barons of the classroom that worked for the King (the teacher). If students wanted their seats back, they had to pay a tax. The students really enjoyed this exercise and it set us up to learn about the Magna Carta and why it was put in place later in the term.

Our year 11 students worked diligently towards preparing for their functional skills exams which they took towards the end of term. The whole team at Milestone @ Leigh were immensely proud of how much effort our students put into preparing for these and how well they conducted themselves on the days of their exams. 

In maths, we've been actively developing our number sense, particularly multiplication and division, with the valuable support of manipulatives. Our "Power of Reading" lessons have centred around the non-fiction text "Pebble in My Pocket," allowing us to explore the intricacies of paragraphs and prepositional language.

Our recent class trip to Rochester was a captivating exploration of our local history and heritage. We walked through old streets and learned about our community's history. The cathedral was very tall and showed us its importance through its amazing architecture and spiritual significance. At the museum, we discovered interesting facts about the people who influenced the town. 

Module 4:

School trip to the gurdwara

This term we visited the gurdwara in Gravesend. I am pleased to say that Equiano class exhibited remarkable sensibility and posed insightful questions during the visit. They delved into the teachings of the Sikh holy book and gained a deeper understanding of Sikh traditions. It was heartwarming to witness our students respectfully wear bandanas, remove their shoes, and wash their hands as a gesture of reverence, reflecting the Sikh belief in the equality of all individuals in the eyes of God. Moreover, many of them seized the opportunity to taste kara pashad and dahl with roti, graciously prepared by the kind folks at the gurdwara. This experience has undoubtedly broadened their cultural horizons and fostered appreciation for diversity.

Module 5:

Week 1 - Equiano class had a busy first week back! We have a new central idea for this term which is "Communities depend on effective organisation". This term we will be looking at World War 2 and how the country came together with strong leadership to help navigate challenging times. This week's Equiano class has been discussing what good/ bad leadership qualities look like and attributed these to some leaders from the past and present day. The students each then made a job description for a new Prime Minister in 1939, listing the qualities they deemed necessary for the successful candidate. 

Week 2 - This week in Equiano class, our students continued their work on World War 2, looking at the countries involved. Using their atlases, they mapped out the nations associated with the conflict, and marked these on their own maps. The students discussed and identified the Allies, the Axis powers, neutral countries, and those under Axis control. In addition to our historical exploration, some of our students also tackled their functional skills exams in English and maths. All students worked really hard preparing for these exams and exhibited exemplary behaviour on both days. Our whole team is immensely proud of them.

Week 3 - This week, we continued our study of World War II, exploring its origins and discussing the most significant factors leading to its outbreak. Additionally, in our Personal and Social Development session, we focused on assertiveness skills, contrasting them with passive and aggressive behaviors, and examining how they can enhance interpersonal relationships. 

Week 4 - This week, in maths, Equiano class has continued work on fractions, exploring their concepts and applications. Additionally, our history lessons have been particularly engaging as we've been constructing a timeline for World War II, delving deep into the significant events and their impacts. In PSPD, we've also been discussing the importance of understanding the dangers associated with our digital footprint. Our students demonstrated exceptional maturity during this discussion, truly grasping the significance of being mindful about what they share online, especially with friends. It's been a productive and enlightening week, and I'm proud of the progress and insight our students have shown.

Module 6:

Equiano class began this module by exploring the speeches of Winston Churchill, focusing on what makes an effective speech for a leader. This historical insight provided a foundation for our discussions on the current election, where we compared Churchill's rhetoric to that of today's political leaders and examined the different parties involved. This exercise has not only improved students' understanding of effective communication but also heightened their awareness of contemporary political processes.

In maths, one of our groups has been diligently working on decimals, understanding their use and significance in everyday life. Meanwhile, another group has been focusing on fractions, honing their skills in this essential area. Additionally, we have covered practical measurement topics, such as time and money, ensuring that all students develop a strong grasp of these important concepts.

Our new class text for Power of Reading has been "Leon and the Place Between". This enchanting story led to a lively debate on the representation of female magicians. The students passionately discussed the scarcity of women in magic roles beyond that of assistants. Inspired by this debate, each student crafted a thoughtful email addressed to the Magic Circle, advocating for greater inclusion of women in the magic profession. This activity not only enhanced their writing skills but also encouraged them to think critically about gender roles and representation.