This week, we began our exciting new writing journey focusing on formal emails. We explored the many different ways people communicate with one another across the world and throughout history. The children shared fantastic ideas including Morse code and sign language, and we also discussed communication through:

• telephone calls

• letters and postcards

• emails and text messages

• braille

• smoke signals

• body language and facial expressions

• radio communication

The children then completed their cold task, where they independently wrote formal emails. They generated thoughtful emails to send to Mr Howles explaining what they would like to learn about in our current inquiry:

“How does weather affect where we live?”

We were so impressed with the children’s ideas, questions, and enthusiasm for learning.

Alongside this, we launched our new Passion Projects linked to our inquiry and inspired by Japan. On Jump In Day, there was an earthquake and tsunami warning in Japan, which sparked many thoughtful discussions and questions from the children. Since then, they have shown a real curiosity about Japan, particularly its extreme weather and natural disasters. Because of this, we have decided to link our passion projects to exploring:

• earthquakes

• tsunamis

• typhoons

• volcanoes

• flooding

• how people in Japan prepare for and respond to extreme weather events

In music this week, the children became composers using GarageBand to create their own pieces inspired by an extreme weather event of their choice. The children explored how music can represent different weather conditions through rhythm, tempo, dynamics, and sound effects. Some children created music inspired by:

• thunderstorms

• tornadoes

• blizzards

• hurricanes

• heavy rainstorms

• earthquakes

• volcanic eruptions

It has been a fantastic week full of creativity, curiosity, and thoughtful learning!