We have some extra activities you might like to have a go at we have tried to make them as exciting and fun as possible!
Different teachers will add their own ideas on a regular basis, so do check back regularly!
27th April - PE & Sport Challenge
Can you try our brand new Get Active and Be Mindful sessions? You should have your username and passwords. Login and try a Be Mindful session this week. We are going to try Square Breathing. It’s a lovely session that will help you feel calm.
Challenge 1:
Write a book review of your favourite book, or draw a picture of your favourite character and bring it in to school when we come back. You could also take a photo of you reading at home during the next few weeks and email it in for us to display in the school library.
SCIENCE CHALLENGE IDEAS
NB This option is for children to do with a supervising adult who is responsible for keeping everyone safe in terms of the actual activity and the current government guidelines on going outside.
1 The Great Bug Hunt 2020 Competition is now open for entries! is for everybody.
Run every year by the ASE in partnership with the Royal Entomological Society, the ever popular Great Bug Hunt competition takes science learning out of the Primary classroom and brings it to life in the outdoors.
“..it’s so addictive I can guarantee once you’ve been on a bug hunt you will never, ever be bored again.”
(Nick Baker, naturalist and television presenter)
Our challenge is pretty simple - go outside, equip them with a magnifying glass if you have one and notepads, and look in the garden or if safe when walking the nearest hedges, trees, long grass, logs, stones, rocks (well, you get the picture)... and let them explore and report back what they find. Please follow government advice on keeping safe when outside at this time. As usual always wash your hands after exploring for bugs.
“The competition was really wide and gave us lots of scope to do loads of interesting studies. ”
Your entries might a wall poster, a report, a video or even a podcast or poem! Our ambition is simply to enthuse people about the potential of explore the natural world on their doorstep.
Send your entry into to school via email to science@downton-pri.wilts.sch.uk
The closing date for entries to school is 1st June 2020!
2 The RHS Secret Garden Competition is for everybody.
https://schoolgardening.rhs.org.uk/Competitions/The-Secret-Garden
3 The British Science Association offers lots of ideas online. The following link gives a few ideas that require fewer resources but also provides a link for further ideas if you have the time and resources available.
https://www.britishscienceassociation.org/blog/using-crest-at-home-during-covid-19
Crest Star activities are for children aged Hedgehogs, Dormice and Foxes.
Crest Super Star activities are for Badgers, Hawks, Kestrels, Owls and Stags.
4 www.stem.org.uk is a free website that you can join.
https://www.stem.org.uk/home-learning/primary gives a range of cross curricular home learning ideas for everyone.
https://www.stem.org.uk/resources/community/resource/258613/early-yearsreception-science-homeworks provides ideas for Squirrrels and Rabbits.
4 Other KS2 ideas to do at home can be found on:
https://www.rigb.org/families/experimental
http://www.physics.org/marvinandmilo.asp
Some of these ideas you may recognise they have been used in school or for homework. The main objectives are to be curious, observant and have fun.
Here is some advice from The Royal Institution for adults about exploring Science at home:
1. Don't worry if you don't know the science! It's not about facts and figures, it's about asking questions, investigating the world, and thinking.
2. Play, look, ask. This is a great structure to keep in mind when doing an experiment. Have fun, look closely, and question everything you see.
3. Ask the right questions. Asking lots of questions is the most important thing about doing these activities, and asking the right ones can help your child get the most out of them. Rather than simple 'yes/no' questions, try to encourage them to think for themselves. Instead of 'do you think this will happen?' Try 'what do you think will happen?' It's a subtle difference, but has a big impact.
4. Go off script! We've provided a set of instructions, but don't feel you need to stick to them. Try other things, do it your own way, and importantly, let the children try out any ideas of their own
5. Don't worry if it doesn't work! Science experiments, whether in a kitchen or a laboratory, often don't go exactly to plan. Don't worry! Use that as part of the investigation. Get the children thinking about why it didn't work. What could you change to improve it? Doing the activities isn't about getting a certain result; it's about experimenting, having fun, and looking closely at the world. Ref www.rigb.org
Below is a photo of a butterfly from my garden!
Mr Reeves’ Maths Challenge
Challenge 1 - football frenzy!
Challenge 2 - deadly darts!
Challenge 3 - Hexagons
Challenge 4 - Ice cream!