Equiano Class
Waterfall Pathway
Embedded Files
Modules 5 & 6
Transdisciplinary Theme: Sharing the Planet
Central Idea: The way societies share the planet is influenced by history, stories and the search for evidence
Lines of Inquiry:
The role of stories in shaping beliefs about the world
Evidence supports or challenges different perspectives
Key Concepts:
Connection
Perspective
Responsibility
Learner Profile Attributes:
Knowledgeable
Thinker
Inquirer
Module 5
Equiano Class have had a dynamic and enriching term, filled with inquiry, exploration, and hard work across all areas of learning.
Our new central idea, “The way societies share the planet is influenced by history, stories and the search for evidence,” sparked curiosity from the outset. One of the most memorable provocation activities was analysing a fictional news report of an alien landing. This led to in-depth discussions about the reliability of sources, how news can be interpreted, and the importance of critical thinking. These skills were further developed during our inquiry into the 20th Century United States, where students examined the moon landing and investigated the conspiracy theories that surround it. They explored how to verify information using evidence from multiple sources and became more confident in evaluating the truth behind widely shared stories.
In English, we continued reading The Wild Robot, a text that generated thoughtful discussion and allowed students to draw connections between the story and wider themes such as isolation, survival, and community.
Students working toward their Functional Skills exams in English and Maths showed exceptional dedication throughout the term. They engaged in revision and tackled practice papers with maturity and focus. We are incredibly proud of the effort and determination they showed, both in preparation and on the exam days themselves.
As part of our community participation learning, we visited the Gurdwara in Gravesend. This was a valuable cultural experience where students had the opportunity to try traditional foods, observe customs, and engage respectfully by asking insightful questions.
It has been a term full of curiosity, critical thinking, and commitment. Equiano Class have demonstrated maturity and enthusiasm in every challenge they've taken on, and they should be proud of all they have achieved.
Modules 3 & 4
Transdisciplinary Theme: Where we are in place and time
Central Idea: Human experiences are shaped by time and place
Lines of Inquiry:
The impact of time on human societies.
The significance of human connection and understanding across time.
The connection between technology and humanity.
Key Concepts:
Causation
Change
Function
Learner Profile Attributes:
Risk-taker
Balanced
Principled
Module 4
Week 1:
Equiano class have had a fantastic first week back! This week, all Year 9-11 students have begun their preparations for the Functional Skills exams, which will take place in May. They have approached their studies with focus and determination, setting a great tone for the term ahead.
The students also took part in a football tournament with students from Milestone @ Wilmington. It was wonderful to see them reconnect with old friends, support one another, and demonstrate great sportsmanship throughout the event.
In maths, the students have been using manipulatives, double-sided counters, and arrays to strengthen their understanding of multiplication. Some students have been working on early multiplication concepts, while others have been exploring factors, prime numbers, and square numbers.
Week 2:
This week, Equiano class had a fantastic time celebrating World Book Day! Our focus text was Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl. The students analyzed descriptions from the book and used them as inspiration to write diary entries from the perspective of one of the lucky winners visiting the chocolate factory for the first time.
In maths, the students took on a special mission to help Willy Wonka discover the next big popular treat! They sampled a variety of sweets, including flying saucers, chocolate, jelly tots, and giant strawberries, then tallied their results to find the most popular treat. Using this data, they created bar charts to present their findings. Unsurprisingly, chocolate was the clear winner!
Building on this, the students designed their own chocolate bars, choosing ingredients, designing packaging, and—staying true to Willy Wonka’s world—creating magical effects for their treats (such as making you jump higher in basketball or fly to school!). They even got to make their own chocolate bars, melting chocolate and adding their chosen ingredients.
It has been a fun and creative week, and the students have thoroughly enjoyed bringing Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory to life!
Week 3:
This week in Equiano class, the students have been working hard in maths, focusing on multiplication and division. One group explored how arrays can help solve multiplication problems, using double-sided counters to create their own visual representations. Another group worked on factors and multiplication and division facts up to 10,000, with some students tackling numbers in the hundreds of thousands and even millions! It has been great to see them using their number sense to break down complex problems with confidence.
In English, the students have continued studying our module’s text, The Wild Robot. They have been practicing their spelling, grammar, and punctuation skills while enjoying reading through the story.
Week 4/5:
This week, some students in Equiano class have been diligently preparing for their Functional Skills exams, which will take place early next term. They have been working closely with the maths and English leads, breaking down different question types and completing practice papers. Their hard work and determination have been fantastic to see!
In PSPD, the students continued exploring the importance of a healthy diet by examining the Eat Well Guide. Using AI tools, they created a meal plan and snack list for a full week, all while sticking to a £30 budget. They then researched their food choices on supermarket websites, sparking insightful discussions about healthy eating, budgeting, and planning for independence as they prepare for life beyond school.
Module 3
Week 1/2:
Equiano class has had a fantastic start to the year! This term, we are exploring our new central idea: "Human experiences are shaped by time and place."
This week, we delved into the story of Wat Tyler and the Peasants' Revolt. The students engaged in thoughtful discussions about how equal taxation for everyone does not necessarily mean fairness. They explored the reasons behind the revolt and its impact on society. Through role-playing activities focused on taxation, the students were able to bring the historical events to life, which they thoroughly enjoyed.
Additionally, we turned our attention to understanding government budgets and their effects on young people. We also explored personal budgeting, encouraging students to think about how they could manage and improve their own spending habits. These activities have sparked engaging discussions and practical learning about the importance of financial awareness.
Week 3:
This week, Equiano class has continued to explore the fascinating story of Wat Tyler and the Peasants' Revolt. The students considered who they would have supported if they had lived during that time—King Richard II or Wat Tyler—and shared their reasoning. Many students chose to support Wat Tyler, valuing the desire for change and fairness. However, some students considered the risks and consequences faced by those who revolted, expressing that they would have supported the king to ensure their safety. It was wonderful to see the thoughtful discussions and varied perspectives on such an important historical event.
In music, the students have started learning to play the ukulele, which they humorously described as "a guitar that has been in the tumble dryer for too long!" So far, they have been practicing strumming in time with music, plucking individual notes, and even mastering their first chord, C. It’s been fantastic to see their enthusiasm and enjoyment during these lessons.
Week 4:
This week, Equiano class had a fantastic time on our community participation trip to Rochester. As we crossed Rochester Bridge and explored Rochester Castle, the students imagined what life would have been like during the time of Wat Tyler and the Peasants' Revolt. They enthusiastically reenacted scenes from history—some taking on the role of peasants charging the gates to free their fellow people, while others played the nobles, fearful of the angry crowds. The air was filled with chants of "No poll tax!" and "Fairness for all!" as the students immersed themselves in the experience.
Back in the classroom, our lesson on budgeting and investing sparked great discussions. We used the board game Monopoly to explore strategic decision-making, looking at how saving and investing in properties can help generate more money over time. The students enjoyed making financial choices and thinking critically about how to manage their resources.
Judo!
This week a few members of Equiano class were lucky enough to attend a judo course as part of their PE. The students really enjoyed themselves and came back to tell the class all about their experience.
Week 5:
This week, Equiano class had an exciting visit to the Science Museum in London as part of our line of inquiry: "The connection between technology and humanity." Ahead of the trip, the students explored a map of the museum and learned about the different exhibitions. They then selected which exhibits they were most eager to visit and explained their reasons. One student was particularly keen to see the Exploring Space exhibit to view the real piece of moon rock (pictured to the right)
During our visit, the students explored how technology has shaped humanity over time. They were fascinated by the evolution of flight, comparing the original designs from the Wright brothers to modern aircraft. Many were surprised at how basic the early planes were and expressed that they wouldn’t have felt safe flying them. Discussions also emerged around the different planes used during World War II, with the Spitfire sparking particular interest.
Beyond the museum exhibits, the trip was also a valuable opportunity for the students to learn about navigating public transport, including taking the train, the Underground, and understanding how London’s buses operate.
Overall, it was a fantastic day of learning and discovery, and the students thoroughly enjoyed the experience.
Module 1 & 2
Transdisciplinary Theme: How we express ourselves
Central Idea: Nature shapes our culture, art and identity
Lines of Inquiry:
Different cultures communicate in different ways and have different rules.
Rivers and coasts connect people to their history and culture.
People are inspired by nature.
Key Concepts:
Connection
Change
Perspective
Learner Profile Attributes:
Inquirers
Open minded
Communicator
Module 2
Week 1:
Equiano class have had a fantastic first week back! We’ve started reading The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien as our class book, and the students were fascinated to learn about hobbits—especially their many mealtimes! In maths, we’ve moved into addition and subtraction, with students working at various levels: some are using manipulatives to support flexible partitioning, others are practicing three-digit addition and subtraction, and a few are solving complex word problems using column methods. The class is also continuing their Djembe practice this term, and many students are confidently building on the rudiments learned in term 1.
Week 2:
This week, Equiano class joined the rest of Leigh Academy in showing their respects for Remembrance Day. One of our students was invited to lay a wreath during the assembly, and the class was impressed by his bravery and composure in front of the whole school. Another student had the chance to speak with veterans afterward, asking thoughtful questions about their past experiences. The entire class conducted themselves excellently, observing the two-minute silence with respect.
In PSPD lessons, we delved into the meanings of discrimination and prejudice, which sparked some reflective discussions. For our inquiry learning, we began exploring the concept of freedom in preparation for our history sessions, where we will investigate the triangular slave trade.
Week 3:
This week in Equiano class, we focused on Anti-Bullying Week 2024. The students engaged in a thoughtful discussion about the difference between teasing and bullying, exploring how actions can be perceived as bullying even if that was not the intention. They demonstrated maturity in understanding the impact of their behaviour on others.
We also welcomed a representative from Kooth, a mental health website providing free, safe, and anonymous online support and counselling for 11-25-year-olds. The students listened attentively during the session, learned about the resources available, and asked insightful questions. It was a valuable opportunity to discuss mental health and the importance of kindness and support within our community.
Week 4:
This week, Equiano class explored The Ultimate Guide to Money: Your Mission to Turn Pocket Money Into Pots of Money by Emmanuel Asuquo, a renowned financial advisor, media personality, wealth-building entrepreneur, and international speaker. After reading an extract from his book, the class engaged in lively discussions about money management, saving, finance, inflation, and investments.
On Friday afternoon, the students had the exciting opportunity to join an online session with Emmanuel, alongside other schools, where they asked the thoughtful questions they had prepared earlier in the week.
In maths, the class worked hard to solve addition and subtraction problems using manipulatives. Students tackled challenges at different levels, with some working up to 100, others up to 1,000, and some even tackling problems up to 10,000. It’s been another week of excellent learning and engagement in Equiano class!
Week 5:
This week, Equiano class delved into important and thought-provoking topics. In our IB work, the students explored the realities of life on sugar plantations for enslaved people, learning about the tiered system of slavery, the separation of families during sales, the harsh conditions they endured, and the severe punishments inflicted upon them. This sparked reflective discussions about history and human rights.
In PSPD, we tackled the issue of how women are often misrepresented in online gaming and examined the impact misogynistic comments can have on female gamers' mental health. The students were surprised to learn how many female gamers there are and engaged in a thoughtful discussion on this topic. They then designed their own female game characters, aiming to create designs that would help female gamers feel more represented. The class showed maturity and creativity during this activity, making it a meaningful and insightful week of learning.
Week 6:
This week in Equiano class, the students have been busy preparing for next week’s Christmas market. They’ve been creating a variety of items to sell, including delicious foods, festive decorations, and thoughtful gifts. Alongside this, they’ve been working on designing decorations and planning the layout for the market, ensuring it will be a welcoming and festive event.
As part of their learning within the local community, the students visited Bluewater for some hands-on market research to support their Christmas enterprise project. They observed the seasonal items being sold, noted their prices, and paid attention to how retail staff engaged with customers, including the language used to make them feel valued.
While at Bluewater, the students also visited the Giving Tree, which collects gifts and donations for local charities, including We Are Beams. Together, the class chose four names of children from the list and carefully selected thoughtful gifts for them. It was heartwarming to see the care and consideration the students put into choosing presents, truly embodying the spirit of giving this holiday season.
Week 7:
Our Christmas market was a huge success! A big thank you to all the parents who came along and supported us by purchasing the decorations, gifts, and treats the students had been preparing throughout the term. The students were thrilled with how well the event went and worked incredibly hard on the day, putting into practice everything they had learned during our enterprise project.
As a well-deserved treat for their dedication and effort this term, the students also enjoyed a trip to the local pantomime, which brought lots of laughter and festive cheer.
We hope you all have a wonderful Christmas and a Happy New Year! From all the staff in Equiano class.
Module 1
Week 1:
Equiano class has had a fantastic start to module 1! With new students and new friendships forming, the class has worked hard to engage with the central idea: "Nature shapes our culture, art, and identity." Through thought-provoking lessons, students have been encouraged to ask questions and explore how rivers and coasts connect people to their history and culture. They’ve also been learning about where rivers begin and end, a curiosity sparked by their inquiry. We’ve also examined how different cultures communicate through various forms, and explored how early humans may have used music to express emotions. Using Djembes, students took turns conveying emotions, while their classmates guessed the feelings being communicated. In maths, we've been mastering place value. It's been an exciting start to the module!
Week 2:
This week, Equiano class has continued to dive into their central idea, "Nature shapes our culture, art, and identity." We explored what defines a person’s identity and what culture means, sparking some fascinating conversations and celebrating our differences. In maths, students have been expanding their understanding of place value. They particularly enjoyed the game "Play Your Cards Right," where they worked together to create the largest and smallest numbers possible from digit cards, with one group almost reaching a billion! In our inquiry into rivers and coasts, students researched new key terms like source, mouth, meander, stream, and estuary. They even inquired about the source and mouth of the Thames and plotted our location on a map.
Week 3:
This week, Equiano class continued to explore their central idea. The students examined the key features of rivers and coasts, comparing their differences in detail. In music, they followed the journey of a river from its source to its mouth, using Djembes to create musical representations of each section. In maths, they focused on place value, working with dienes, place value charts, Gattengo charts, and place value counters. Impressively, all students completed their homework on time, and we reviewed it together in class.
Week 4:
This week, Equiano class celebrated European Day of Languages by playing games and exploring various European cultures, learning about different languages and traditions. In maths, the students continued to work on place value, enjoying the use of manipulatives to help solve problems. In literacy, they worked on Valerie Bloom's poem "The River," focusing on personification and using their knowledge to write their own stanzas about a river. The class also showcased outstanding speaking and listening skills during debates, where they presented structured arguments and thoughtfully considered their opponents' viewpoints.
Week 5:
This week, Equiano class have been learning about non-fiction explanation texts, focusing on important features such as titles, subheadings, diagrams, captions, and rivers. They used this to write introductions for a piece of work on rivers, summarising some of the knowledge they have gained so far this term. In maths, some pupils have been partitioning two-digit numbers using dienes and part-part-whole models to support their learning, while others have been working on place value with digits up to a million, plotting estimates on number lines and explaining how they arrived at their educated guesses.
Week 6:
This week in Equiano class, during our inquiry learning, we explored the River Darent. The students investigated how the river impacts our local area, learning about its history and significance. They used maps to trace its course and researched key features of the river, deepening their understanding of how rivers connect people to their history and culture. The inquiry sparked great discussions and curiosity, as the students linked their findings to our central idea, "Nature shapes our culture, art, and identity." We also had our community participation visit, where the students walked into Dartford to explore the River Darent. Armed with research questions, they worked in teams to observe wildlife, man-made objects near the river, and other interesting sights as they walked along the river and around Brooklands Lake. In the afternoon, we visited Dartford Library. Some students asked the librarian for help finding a specific book, while others searched for books with information about rivers. Each student then found a book they were excited to read.
Week 7:
The last week of module one has been fantastic! Equiano class have formed new friendships, worked diligently, and all students have completely filled their first inquiry books. In science, they dissected a heart, which sparked great interest as they got hands-on with the activity and asked thoughtful questions. The students were very mature throughout. In English, they continued practicing writing explanatory texts, showcasing all they have learned about rivers this term. In maths, some students have now progressed from place value to addition and subtraction, using both written methods and manipulatives. We wish everyone a fantastic half term from all the team at Equiano class!
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