Summer Term Provocation - Leigh Academy Dartford

Reception

The adults did two performances of Whatever Next! The first performance was really boring with the adults using quiet voices with no enthusiasm and no props in comparison to the second performance where the adults were energetic and used character voices and a box for the rocket and had a picnic on the moon!

This image depicts an outdoor educational or entertainment activity, likely at a school. A large group of young children, predominantly wearing blue tops, are sitting on the ground, facing a small raised wooden stage or platform. On the platform, two adults are present. One adult, wearing a blue t-shirt and black trousers, is standing on the left side of the platform. The other adult, also in a blue top, is standing more centrally and appears to be leading the activity, possibly interacting with the children. Behind the stage, there are two blue wooden sheds. The shed on the right has various musical instruments or sound-making objects attached to its exterior, such as pans, cymbals, and colorful tubes, suggesting it might be a "sound wall" or similar interactive display. To the far right, another adult, dressed in a blue jacket, is standing near a wall or building. The setting appears to be a school playground, with brick buildings visible in the background and trees overhead.

Year 1

The children began with History and Science by researching the way explorers travelled across the continents and how explorations can give us knowledge.

Throughout the term, they will delve further by identifying animal habitats and the impact nature has on these habitats.

This image shows a classroom setting with several children engaged in an educational activity around a table. In the foreground, a girl with blonde hair tied in pigtails and wearing glasses and a blue school uniform is seated at a wooden table. She is holding a pencil and pointing it towards a large globe that sits on the table. There are also papers or worksheets in front of her. Another student, wearing a blue uniform, is visible to the right of the globe, looking towards it. Partially visible in the bottom right corner is the head of another student. In the background, there are numerous blue storage cubbies or shelves, likely containing various learning materials, as indicated by the labels on some of the containers. The overall scene suggests a geography or social studies lesson.

This image shows two young students at a wooden table in a classroom, engaged in what appears to be a matching or sequencing game. A student on the left, wearing a blue school uniform, is reaching out towards a line of cards laid out on the table. These cards feature images of animals and their footprints. The student on the right, wearing a white shirt and glasses, is looking down at the cards with hands clasped together, seemingly observing or thinking. There are more cards scattered on the table, some of which appear to be face down or in different arrangements. The background shows a classroom wall with some papers or certificates.

Year 2

In Year 2, we began our new inquiry unit by exploring different types of cars on the playground. We observed an old car and discussed how vehicles have evolved into hybrids and electric cars. In class, we listened to different transport sounds and tried to guess what they were, then had fun role-playing as various types of transport. It was an exciting start to our learning journey, and we can’t wait to see what else we’ll discover this term!

This image shows a bright red convertible car, possibly a classic model like an MG B, parked outdoors. A group of schoolchildren, dressed in blue and white school uniforms, are gathered around the car, looking at it with interest. Some of them appear to be looking into the interior or at parts of the car. The setting appears to be a school playground or yard, with a blue painted wall in the background, some playground equipment (like wooden logs), and a fence with greenery behind it. The children's presence suggests this might be part of a school event or a special visit.

Year 3

In year 3, we recreated Howard Carter’s discovery of the tomb of Tutankhamun. The children crawled along the ‘passageway’ to find the ancient artefacts hidden at the end and returned to their teams to document them like archaeologists. This is leading into our inquiry about how people (particularly the ancient Egyptians) express their beliefs and cultures.

This image captures a playful moment in what appears to be a classroom or similar indoor space with a wooden floor. The central figure is a young girl with pigtails, wearing a white top, who is peeking out from under a table. The table is covered with a white sheet on top and a red and white polka-dotted cloth draped over the front, creating a "fort" or den. The girl has a wide, happy expression on her face. Another child, partially visible in the bottom right corner, is sitting on the floor, looking towards the girl under the table. In the background, another child's legs are visible, also suggesting a group activity. A pencil and some marks are visible on the white sheet covering the table.

Stepping into the Sandals of the Romans: Year 4 Roman Provocation Day

To kick-start our exciting new history inquiry, Year 4 students took part in a thrilling Roman provocation day, a hands-on experience designed to ignite curiosity and set the stage for our term’s big questions.

The day began with a deep dive into history as children explored a virtual Roman site using Google Explorer, bringing ancient ruins and architecture to life right from the classroom. This sparked rich discussions and wonderings about life in Roman times and set the scene for the day’s learning.

Next, we turned our library into a Roman Museum . Students examined a selection of Roman artefacts (replicas and images), asking thoughtful questions and making predictions about their purpose and meaning. This investigation encouraged critical thinking and introduced students to the skills of a historian.

The children also had the chance to make their own Roman-style pottery using clay, shaping pots and patterns inspired by ancient designs. They also constructed swords and shields using card, foil, and other resources, preparing for the dramatic highlight of the day.

The afternoon came alive with action as the children stepped into the roles of Roman soldiers and Celtic tribespeople, re-enacting a Roman invasion-style battle on the school field. Through role play and drama, they experienced the tension, strategy, and teamwork that shaped these historic conflicts.

To bring all these experiences together, students reflected on the central idea of our unit: “The past helps us understand the present.” They generated their own inquiry questions, which will guide their learning journey over the coming weeks.

It was a truly immersive and memorable day, and our young historians are now buzzing with excitement and curiosity, ready to dig deeper into the world of Ancient Rome.

This image shows a group of children gathered around a life-sized skeleton model dressed in a white robe, possibly resembling a toga, and a golden belt. A printed image of a human head is attached to the top of the skeleton, giving it the appearance of a historical figure. The children are observing and interacting with the display, suggesting a learning activity, possibly related to ancient history, anatomy, or a cultural theme. One child on the left is partially obscured, while others are closer to the display, looking at it intently. The setting is a classroom, with posters and displays on the wall in the background.

This image captures a close-up of two children engaged in what appears to be a clay or modeling activity. In the foreground, a child with braided hair is focused on working with a string of clay beads. They are holding a thin stick, possibly to shape or connect the beads. Their hands are covered in what looks like clay residue. Another child's hands are visible in the top left, also working with clay, forming small, irregular shapes. Both children are working on a flat surface, possibly a wooden board or mat. The activity seems to be a creative art or craft project.

This image shows a child, seen from behind, engaged in a creative activity at a table. The child is wearing a blue top and appears to be working with small, square-shaped pieces, possibly made of wood or mosaic tiles, on a piece of cardboard. They are creating a pattern or design. On the table, there are loose square pieces, a pink paper cup, and another finished or in-progress mosaic piece. In the background, on the wall, there's a black and white patterned print, possibly a reference or example for the activity, and electrical outlets. The scene suggests a craft or art lesson in a classroom setting.

This image displays a collection of handmade objects on a wooden surface, suggesting a classroom art or craft project. The objects include: Several items made from what appears to be clay or playdough, including rings, amorphous shapes, and possibly a small bowl or coil pot. Multiple swords crafted from cardboard. One sword on the left has "Theo" written on it. Long, thin wooden sticks, possibly skewers or dowels, placed among the objects. The overall impression is that these are creations from a school project, perhaps related to a historical theme (like ancient tools or weapons) or simply a creative art activity.

Year 5

For our Year 5 provocation this term, we designed educational board games to help players learn about the Kingdom of Benin. Our games explored how the kingdom functioned, including the important role of the Oba (king). We also highlighted how some women sought to marry the Oba in hopes of becoming the mother of the next Oba, a position that held great power and influence.

This image shows two girls, likely students, sitting at a wooden table in what appears to be a classroom. The girl on the left, with braided hair and wearing a blue school blazer over a white shirt, is holding and looking at several small cards or papers. Her attention seems to be on the items in her hands. The girl on the right, with brown hair and wearing a light-colored striped top (possibly a school dress), is looking towards the other girl and appears to be speaking or interacting with her. She also holds some small cards. In the background, part of a map can be seen on the wall, suggesting a learning environment. They seem to be engaged in a collaborative activity involving the cards.

This image shows several children in a classroom setting, likely during school. In the foreground, two boys are looking towards the camera and smiling. The boy on the left has dark curly hair and is wearing a white polo shirt. The boy on the right wears glasses and also a white polo shirt. In the background, other students are visible at a table, appearing to be engaged in an activity or conversation. One girl has her back partially to the camera, wearing a white top. Another student, possibly wearing a blue uniform, is also visible.