English and Science classes bonded together this month for an explosive theatrical experiment.
Learners from Key Stage 3 English and Key Stage 4 Science enjoyed an immersive learning experience about pyrotechnics and special effects in theatre and stage.
Maria Poyser, Site Lead Teacher, used indoor fountain fireworks as part of the session: “All the special effects were a miniature version of the larger effects that can be used on stage. I used these fireworks to demonstrate a smaller version of the large sparkle fountains used at the front of the stage for performances.”
Learners also used indoor sparklers that they could hold, a miniature bubble machine and connectable luminous bands to make large windmills and put them on clothing.
The Science lead also explained the chemical reactions taking place from the fireworks, bubbles and the luminescent liquids used to create the glow in the dark sticks.
Maria said: “The learners loved having this hands-on experience, everyone had great fun! Both classes benefited as the Science class could learn about chemistry and English could explore the different special effects and how they add to the audience’s experience.”
A local PCSO has come into R.E.A.L. to speak to learners about knife crime.
PCSO Delia presented a PowerPoint to a group at Hinckley about knife crime in Leicestershire. Delia spoke to learners in detail about local knife crime and revealed that 1 in 100 people could potentially be carrying a knife.
Dayle Silver, Teacher said: “This shocking figure is too high! The learners thought about why young people feel the need to carry a knife and came up with some ideas on how to minimise this. For example, should the government be doing more? What would deter young people from carrying?
“Most of the learners agreed that carrying a knife is out of fear and for protection, which is very sad and worrying for the young people of today.”
The learners found the workshop very informative and learned a great deal. This workshop followed a bullying and online safety session and PCSO Delia has said she will come back any time to cover other aspects of crime in the local area affecting our young people.”
We’ll go out on a limb here and say we have an interesting fact that you may not have heard before. Did you know that while it takes nine muscles to move your thumb, there are no muscles in your fingers? Your fingers are actually moved by the muscles in your forearm!
That may seem like a random fact to share, but it was discovered by learners in a STEM lesson at RIS Ilkeston after studying prosthetic limbs. Learners started by looking at how prosthetic limbs made by 3D printers can only be created for the upper body, due to the strength needed in weight bearing limbs. Finding out fingers had no muscles meant the limb of choice to make in class was a hand!
Fiona Ryan, Specialist Teaching Assistant said: “Using one of the learner’s hands as a template we cut a squared hand shape out of cardboard. Then we used plastic drinking straws and string to attach to each finger which enabled us to pick up things, like a glue stick and whiteboard pen.
“Learners Charlie, Jamie and Zac really enjoyed this task and took great joy in demonstrating their creation to staff and learners. They’ve since commented on how interesting it was to find out that we don’t have any muscles in our fingers and they also discussed how it must feel to lose a limb and showed great empathy and understanding.
“I really enjoyed teaching this session! It held a particular interest for me as my mum trained as a nurse in a hospital that pioneered the design and use of prosthetics post WW1. The best part of this lesson was being able to show our learners that people use prosthetics due to many different reasons (birth defects, accidents/trauma, disease etc.) and how the cost of a prosthetic limb is coming down in price since the invention of 3D printing.”
Learners at Hinckley went on a special visit to a Hindu temple as part of their work on Hinduism.
The learners visited the Shri Swaminarayan Hindu temple in Leicester where they listened to a guide explaining the Hindu faith and facts about the temple.
Claire Nulty, Teaching Assistant said: “The visit allowed our pupils to reflect on the importance of the temple in the Hindu community and why places of worship, in general, play a vital role in bringing communities together. It highlighted the significance of understanding and reflecting the beliefs and traditions of others.
“The children were curious and inquisitive and the guide patiently answered their questions, further enhancing their understanding of Hinduism and temple practices.”
Since then, fantastic displays on Hinduism and Christianity have been created at Hinckley to further share more religious insights.
This term at R.E.A.L., Key Stage 3 and 4 learners are delving into the theme of ‘Urban Living, Town Building Blocks’ which is being explored through a diverse range of activities and lessons – including box theatres, city planning games and pop-up books!
A learner at R.E.A.L’s City Hub created a box theatre as part of this by using a cardboard box and a torch. Maria Poyser, Site Lead Teacher said: “The learners really enjoyed this! Just this simple technique demonstrates spotlighting and how it can be used to good effect to highlight characters coming in from different points in the set.
“We’re hoping to build our own box theatre with curtains, characters and props out of cardboard, but that will hopefully be the grand finale at the end of this term’s topic.”
Learners have also been exploring the new theme by reading pop-up books of cities, which have had an incredible amount of detail. Maria said: “The pop-up books were a great way of showing how sets can be built and even some of our older learners have enjoyed the level of detail and work involved in creating the pop-up books of the city.”
Learners were also introduced to a city planning game called ‘My City’ where they’re encouraged to think strategically and use great maths skills around space, shape and measure.
Maria said: “I’ve really enjoyed the mixture of English, Design and Technology and arts and crafts in this term’s topic, as it appeals to both our academic and kinesthetic learners.”
National STEM Day is a day dedicated to celebrating science, technology, engineering and maths and we have some brilliant work to share in honour of the day that took place on 8 November.
Learners at R.E.A.L. often use LEGO Education’s resources as it integrates STEM concepts into its models and kits. One learner who works from home recently made LEGO’s ‘High-Tech Seesaw’ on National STEM Day.
Duncan Allen, STEM Co-ordinator at R.E.A.L. said: “The purpose of the session was to build a motorised seesaw, and the learner had to create a code so that the tilt sensors built into it could make it move up and down.
“The learner has worked through several years worth of curriculum now and next we’ll be moving onto a much more complicated code for a robot that can stand on two wheels. The robot also uses tilt sensors like the seesaw but it needs fast calculations to remain upright.
“If you’re intrigued by STEM, I’d recommend looking at Google’s ‘family, fun science’ page.”
Click here to visit the page, for lots of facts, mythbusters and out of this world photos.
Learners at RIS Ilkeston have been exploring geometric and organic shapes, texture and 3D modelling this term, all with the aim to develop an abstract landscape.
Over the span of six weeks, learners created their artwork which resulted in a fantastic final piece of hedgehogs in an autumnal setting.
The final hedgehogs were made out of plasticine so the learners could manipulate and change the shape of the figures as they were being made.
Gail Smyth, Tutor at R.E.A.L. said: “The learners thoroughly enjoyed the autumn theme and felt proud of what they had produced.
“This half-term we’ll be learning about different artists and will be linking our final piece to a winter theme this time.”
Key stage 3 learners across R.E.A.L. have enjoyed reading the novel ‘Gamer’, the latest chosen book of this term exploring digital and dystopian themes.
Learners have produced some brilliant work after reading ‘Gamer’ which is now on display at the City Hub, Sneinton.
Maria Poyser, Lead Teacher at R.E.A.L. said: “The learners really enjoyed reading this book. We had a dystopian film theme running last term over lunchtimes, so I think this helped to cement the learning and get discussions rolling when starting to read Gamer. Especially with the whole debate around artificial intelligence that’s been in the news too.”
Learners compared the similarities to ‘The Hunger Games’ series and the novel ‘Trash’ from the first half-term.
Maria said: “There’s been a lot of really powerful themes in the Key Stage 3 book choices since the start of this school year, which have been cross curricular too which is amazing. For example, a character in Gamer pulls out a blade during a fight, so this naturally led on to a discussion about knife crime and how if you carry a knife for ‘protection’ you’re more likely to use it. There’s been a lot to discuss and think about, and this could have easily filled a second term.”
You might remember last month we told you about the cupcake sale RIS Hinckley did as a way to raise money for World Mental Health Day.
They raised a lovely sum of £50 and donated this to a local Mind charity shop, and now Mind has sent a letter to say thank you. The letter said: “On behalf of Mind, I want to thank you most warmly for your generous donation, we are very appreciative of your kind gift. This will enable us to keep on fighting for change so that people with mental health problems continue to get a better deal in society.”
Dawn Besa, Receptionist at R.E.A.L. said: “All the staff at Hinckley were very pleased and proud to receive the acknowledgement from Mind. We are so happy to be able to help such a fantastic cause.”
Staff and learners across R.E.A.L. took time to reflect and pay their respects for Remembrance Day in November.
Learners at RIS Blidworth watched the Royal British Legion’s assembly, joined by dog Poppy. Poppy, was wearing a purple poppy to remember the animals that have also lost their lives while serving for their country.
R.E.A.L. Underwood learners visited Eastwood cenotaph and laid handmade wreaths at the Underwood church, while RIS Hinckley also visited a memorial and left poppies made from old pencils to remember the fallen.
