Class Learning - Middles

3D Measurement

The Middles have been exploring 3D measurement, with a particular focus on mass. Students have been learning how mass can be measured using grams (g) and kilograms (kg) and how to choose the most appropriate unit for different objects.

To put their learning into practice, students took part in hands-on investigations using a range of everyday classroom objects. Before measuring, they used hefting to compare objects and estimate their mass, considering which objects felt heavier or lighter.

Students then used scales to find the actual mass of each object and compared their results with their original estimates. This gave them the opportunity to see how close their estimates were while developing their skills in accurately measuring and recording mass.

Through these practical activities, the Middles have developed their understanding of estimating, comparing and measuring mass, while becoming more confident in deciding whether grams or kilograms are the most suitable unit to use. It was interesting to find the discrepancies between the weight advertised on food packaging and the actual weight when measured!

Vocabulary

The Middles have been building their vocabulary through our class novel, Flora & Ulysses. As we encounter interesting and unfamiliar words, students are explicitly taught their meaning, examples and non-examples, before practising using each word correctly in context. For example, we learnt that capacious means having a lot of space or room inside. Students might use it in a sentence such as, “The capacious backpack had enough room for all of my books, lunch and sports gear.”

We regularly revisit our new words through recall practice, helping students strengthen their understanding and move this vocabulary into their long-term memory. Our growing vocabulary displays also give students a visual reminder and encourage them to use these new words in their speaking and writing.