Brunel bridge making in the Otters class

This term, our design and technology work has involved bridge making. We have studied that Victorian engineer and his work on bridge making - to construct our very own bridges using art straws, pipe cleaners and glue.

• Firstly, why is Brunel famous?

  What Brunel did
  Isambard Kingdom Brunel was a famous engineer. He built bridges, tunnels, railways, docks and ships.
  When did he live?
  Brunel was born in 1806. He lived at the time of Britain's Industrial Revolution. Victoria became Britain's queen in 1837. Brunel died in 1859.
  Brunel's legacy
  Brunel built bridges, railways and the world's biggest ship. Brunel showed the world what engineers could do.
  Brunel's work meant that people could travel and trade in a new way.

Brunel was famous (amongst other things) for designing the Clifton suspension bridge in Bristol.

Check out our bridge designs below (they were all tested to see which ones could hold a train carrying Queen Victoria - I wonder if you can guess which bridges were successful...?)

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Workhouses

In the Victorian times the workhouse was considered to be a symbol of poverty. People dreaded having to go into the workhouse and only went in as a last resort. Life was tough and husbands and wives hated being separated from each other and from their children.

In English we have found out what workhouses were like and considered how people felt about going inside.

Here is a selection of some poems that we have written.

Some workhouse still be seen today. At Pulham Market ( next door to Cherry Lane Garden Centre) the workhouse has been converted into flats.  The building outside still looks the same as it did in Victorian times.  Look out for it when you next go to Norwich.

Angles in triangles and on a straight line

In Mr Santy's maths class we have been experimenting with angles. We have been estimating the size of angles and posing questions for each other based on the angles in a triangle and on a straight line.

Experimenting with light

In Science Mrs Playford and the 6/5 classes have been investigating light, the eyes, reflections and shadows.

First World War Theatre Group

This afternoon children in KS2 had a surprise treat.  A theatre group came into school to give a performance of life in the First Word War.

Here are some quick reviews of it.

"The play was good because they taught you how the soldiers and family reacted to the war."    Adam

"The play was absolutely fantastic.  They told me facts that I had never known.  My favourite part was when one of them had a fork and kept jabbing the other man on his bottom! It had loads of brilliant information."         Ben

"I thought the play was extremely good, although they could have had a few more people.  The funniest part was when Reece hit the puppet rat."   Abi

"It's the best play I have experienced in school.  The funniest part was when they dressed as girls and sang.  The play about the war has extended my knowledge."   Liam T.

"I liked being able to sing along to some of the songs I know."       Caitlin

" The characters changed quickly with some good costumes."      Finlay

"They actors asked for some people to go up and be soldiers.  Ben was one but he had to be a cook in the army."           Thomas

"I liked when they played different characters their voices changed every time which made it more interesting, amusing and gave us a laugh."          Poppy

"The set was good with the different boxes and the men did very well.  Overall it was a good play.

                                                                                                                    Matthew

                              

Isambard Kingdom Brunel

Click Great Western Railway and Route Planner to see if you can build Isambard's route from London to Bristol.

Good luck!

http://www.gridclub.com/subscribers/games/dt/brunels_britain_wai/start_2009.html

Autobiography homework

An autobiography is an account of a person's life written by that person.

Your homework this term is to produce your own autobiography!