Water music!

The Journey of a River.  
A musical composition by Pumpkin Base.

 We have been learning about the different parts of a river.
In groups, we each took a part of the river and selected percussion instruments to describe the varying movements and features and combined our sounds to create different textures.
We created symbols and scores so that everyone knew when and how to play.

Here is a video of our sound story.

Visit by Wessex Water Education

Today we were treated to an amazing morning of water science led by Mr Duncan Forbes.
First, we were able to join in an explanation of the water cycle and show how much we had learned already.
Then Mr Forbes explained the role of Wessex Water. The water collects in a reservoir and is directed to the water works where it has to be sieved and filtered to remove the debris. Then the exact amount of chlorine is added to make it safe. After lots of tests the clean water travels through underground pipes to our houses.

Next it was our turn to do some testing! Our job was to see if we could identify the origin of three water samples. We had to conduct a pH test, to find out if the water was acid, neutral or alkaline, a chlorine test and a hardness test to find the levels of minerals in the water.

From our evidence we deduced which sample was tap water, which was swimming pool water and which was rain water.
Mr Forbes then explained that a big problem for Wessex Water is blocked pipes. He made a horrible mixture of all the things we could think of that went down the drains from our houses!

He challenged us to think about which things could go into the sewers and which should be put in the bin instead.
Hands on time again!
We had three types of paper, water, bottles and sticks and we had to design and conduct a FAIR TEST to investigate which papers were suitable for flushing and why!

 We found that the toilet roll disintegrated in the water but the tissues and the paper towels didn't and so they should NOT be flushed!
It was an amazing morning of discovery and we would like to say a big thank you to Mr Forbes from us all!
For more information and activities from Wessex Water click HERE 

Geography. The Journey of a River.

This week we will be looking at the journey a river takes from the time it begins at its source to the time it flows into the sea at the mouth.We will explore how it grows as tributaries join together and how it increases speed and power as it travels down mountains and hills and creates waterfalls and rapids. We will look at how the features change as the land flattens and the river meanders through the flood plains and finally reaches its destination.

Science. Sorting out the mess!

In our science this week we have been we have been investigating how different materials can be sorted.

In our craft cupboard a lot of different things had got mixed up and we needed a good sort out!
What could we do?

First we decided to use a magnet to
attract the steel; this extracted all the paper clips.
Next we used a colanderwhich held the lentils but let the rice and salt through.

Finally we used a sieve which held the rice and the salt came through
on it's own!   -   SORTED!!!!!!!


 Click HERE to see a video clip about separating solids and liquids in real life situations.

Music

This week in music we will be making our own river composition.
The following activities will remind you of the skills you will need to be using and developing.eg
Recognising sounds, rhythms and moods as well as creating and following simple notation.

Click HERE to see the activity.