Autumn Term
Computing Systems and Networks: What Is a Computer?
This week, we began our new computing topic — Computing Systems and Networks, exploring the fundamental question: What is a computer? The children learned to distinguish between a computer and its hardware peripherals, confidently naming a variety of examples. We discussed how different hardware components allow us to input commands and communicate instructions to the computer.
Afterwards, the children logged onto their laptops and explored the creative website Sketchpad, where they designed and formatted different shapes. They quickly discovered that the laptops were not touchscreen devices and adapted well, learning to navigate and control their designs using the touchpad function. It was wonderful to see their curiosity and problem-solving skills in action!
Music - Call and Response and Animal Themes
This half term (Autumn1), we have been exploring call and response patterns through exciting animal-themed music activities. Using a range of percussion instruments, the children have experimented with dynamics (loud and soft sounds), and have explored pitch using their voices to create high and low animal sounds. They have learned how to listen carefully, mimic rhythmic patterns, and even compose their own call and response sequences, expressing the sounds and movements of different animals through music.
