This week in Year 5 we had some small, furry visitors – the chicks! The chicks had hatched under the watchful eyes of the children on the Lower Site and now it was a brief visit to everyone in KS2 before they leave us. It was wonderful to see them and fitted in well with all that we have been learning in Science: we have been comparing the differences in life cycles between amphibians, birds, mammals and insects.
Earlier this term we learnt about the life cycles of plants, and today we looked carefully at the tulip plant. This time, however, it was part of our Art lesson. We observed their shape and then learnt about the golden age of botanical watercolours in the 18th century with artists such as Ehret and Redoute. As part of a project on watercolours that stretched across the school, Year 5 flexed their painting muscles and created some wonderful art. Watercolour is all about exploring tone, as well as form, and so we started the afternoon by testing out a variety of tones in our sketch books. Both classes were amazingly focused in what was quite a tricky task – using only 2 or 3 colours to create light and shadow, as well as a variety of tones. Great work this week, Year 5, well done!
