Year 4 were transported to the Sunshine State for an exciting Florida Hook Day as we launched our new topic. Our journey began with a flight, complete with luggage packed with three things we would take on a holiday to Florida. After landing, we discovered why Florida has earned its sunny nickname and explored its climate and famous connection with citrus fruits. We even squeezed our own fresh orange juice to enjoy, giving us a delicious taste of Florida!
Our adventure continued as we explored Florida’s geography and discovered that it is a peninsula, a word that literally means ‘almost island’. We then put our new knowledge into practice by working together to create a giant map of Florida, carefully identifying the land and the waters that surround it.
From exploring Florida’s landscape, we turned our attention to the amazing wildlife that calls the state home. We discovered some of Florida’s most famous animals, including sea turtles, the Florida panther, crocodiles and alligators. We also explored the threats facing some of these species, thinking about why they are endangered and how we can help to protect them so that they can continue to thrive in Florida for generations to come.
To round off our adventure, we became Florida travel experts. Working in pairs, we each chose a famous Florida attraction to research, from the magic of Walt Disney World to the wild landscapes of the Everglades. They then prepared persuasive presentations to convince me that their chosen attraction was one I simply had to visit!
Before we knew it, our Florida adventure had come to an end, and it was time to board our flight back to cloudy Calne. It was a fantastic day of learning and discovery, and I was incredibly impressed with the children’s enthusiasm, curiosity and teamwork throughout the day. They finished with a growing understanding of Florida and plenty of reasons to be excited about the learning still to come.
Mrs Harlock, Year 4 Class Teacher
