The Moon is about a quarter the size of the Earth. It looks small because it is far away.
Y5
Space
The Moon is a rocky and dusty place.
Y6
Space
The Moon is a sphere. Only half of it is lit up by the Sun. Sometimes the whole side that people on Earth see is lit brightly. Other times only a small part of the side we see is lit. This is because the Moon reflects light and we only see the parts that are being lit by sunlight.
Y5
Space
The gravity on the Moon is one-sixth of the Earth's gravity.
Y5
Space
They arranged watches accordingly. Each animal took it in turns to sleep in his room at night and they divided the day up between them.
Y5
Wind in the Willows
He thought his happiness was complete when, as he meandered aimlessly along, suddenly he stood by the edge of a river.
Y5
Wind in the Willows
"Look ahead, Rat!" cried the Mole suddenly.
Y5
Wind in the Willows
Earth is the planet we live on. It is the third planet from the Sun. It is the only planet known to have life on it.
Y5
Space
Because of its water, Earth is home to millions of species of plants and animals.
Y5
Space
Earth's water came from different places. Condensing water vapour, and comets and asteroids hitting Earth, made the oceans.
Y5
Space
How much of the planet is covered in water? Scientist say about seventy four percent of the surface area is water or ice.
Y5
Space
"One small step for a man. One giant leap for mankind," said Neil Armstrong as he stepped onto the lunar surface.
Y5
Space
The star we call the Sun lies at the centre of the Solar System, an array of objects of various sizes that move around it.
Y5
Space
Seven of the planets, and most of their moons, all travel roughly on the same plane. Mercury is the exception: it has a slightly tilted orbit.
Y5
Space
The Sun is a typical star, a spinning ball of hot gas made up almost entirely of hydrogen (three-quarters of its mass) and helium.
Y5
Space
One of the world's earliest civilizations grew up here, on the banks of the Huang He (Yellow River) more than 7000 years ago.
Y5
China
The third largest country in the world by area after Russia and Canada, the People's Republic of China is home to more people than any other country: about nineteen percent of the world's population.
Y5
China
Today, China is one of the world's major powers, and its economy is one of the globe's largest.
Y5
China
Before the Qin Dynasty united China, there were hundreds of small states that fought each other for hundreds of years in a war to control China.
Y5
China
Although the continuing wars made people suffer, it was at this time when many great philosophies were born, including Confucianism and Daoism.
Y5
China
Its geography mostly looked like that of modern China, except with northern and western edges that varied. It was often attacked by northern nomadic people.
Y5
China
China has a vast and diverse landscape. It ranges from the Gobi and Taklamakan Deserts in the north to subtropical forests in the south.
Y5
China
Why do Chinese people celebrate the Dragon Boat Festival? It is to remember an ancient poet Qu Yuan.
Y5
China
"To have friends come from afar is happiness, is it not?" said Confucius.
Y5
China
The Great Wall of China, one of the greatest wonders of the world, was listed as a World Heritage site by UNESCO over thirty years ago.
Y5
China
When a solid becomes a liquid, this is called melting.
Y5
Science - Matter
Liquids become solid by freezing. Like melting, this happens at different temperatures depending on the substance.
Y5
Science - Matter
Some solids, like dry ice, can turn into gas without turning liquid first. This is called sublimation.
Y5
Science - Matter
A liquid is a form of matter. It is settled between solid and gas.
Y5
Science - Matter
Liquid has an almost fixed volume, but no set shape.
Y5
Science - Matter
How do liquids change shape? They take the shape of their container.
Y5
Science - Matter
If a liquid is heated up it becomes a gas. The temperature this happens at is called the boiling point.
Y5
Science - Matter
In a gas, the molecules move freely and are independent of each other. This makes it different from a liquid, where the molecules are loosely attached.
Y5
Science - Matter
A gas is also different from a solid, where the bonds are strong and hold the molecules together.
Y5
Science - Matter
All gases can flow, like liquids. This means the molecules move about independently of each other.
Y5
Science - Matter
We're unable to directly see most gases, since they aren't coloured. However, it's possible to measure their density, volume, temperature and pressure.
Y5
Science - Matter
"The three main gases in air," said the girl, "are nitrogen, oxygen and carbon dioxide."
Y5
Science - Matter
According to Islamic tradition, there are five basic things that Muslims should do. They are called the Five Pillars of Islam.
Y5
Islam
In Islamic belief, the Quran is the holy book of Islam and contains the words of Allah.
Y5
Islam
Muslims pray in a place of worship called the mosque. A mosque is called a masjid in Arabic. Mosques are mostly recognized having at least a single dome, and some have one or more towers.
Y5
Islam
Muslims take their shoes off before entering the masjid to pray. Prayer is one of the most important things that a Muslim does.
Y5
Islam
How often do Muslims pray? The Muslim is called to prayer five times a day. This call to prayer is called Adhan.
Y5
Islam
Muslims pray on a mat, which is called a prayer mat or prayer rug in English. Common Arabic names for the prayer mat include sajjada and namazlyk.
Y5
Islam
When it is time to pray, Muslims face towards Mecca. They then roll out their prayer mat and perform their prayers to God.
Y5
Islam
What is Zakat? This is when Muslims who have money must give a percentage to help people who do not have money or need help.
Y5
Islam
Muslims fast during Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic year. They do not eat or drink from dawn till sunset for one lunar month.
Y5
Islam
Salaat is a Muslim's practice of praying five times per day, at special times of the day.
Y5
Islam
Four states of matter are observable in everyday life: solid, liquid, gas and plasma.
Y5
Science - Matter
Matter in the solid state maintains a fixed volume and shape, with component particles (atoms, molecules or ions) close together and fixed into place.
Y5
Science - Matter
A liquid's volume remains almost constant independent of pressure.
Y5
Science - Matter
The Sun is a star like many others in our Milky Way galaxy; it has existed for over four billion years.
Y5
Space
The dragon is a symbol of power, strength and good luck for people who are worthy of it in East Asian culture; the Chinese Emperor used the dragon as a symbol of his imperial strength and power.
Y5
China
The Five Pillars of Islam are five basic rules in Islam that all Muslims should follow. They are as follows: Shahadah, Salat, Sawm, Zakat and Hajj.
Y5
Islam
What was the Silk Road? It was a trade route that went across Asia to the Mediterranean Sea. This let China trade with the Middle East and Europe.
Y5
China
A new moon is when the Moon cannot be seen because we are looking at the unlit half of it. When does it happen? It occurs when the Moon is directly between the Earth and Sun.
Y5
Space
What was Galileo educated as when young? He was originally going to be a doctor but he became a tutor instead.
Y5
Space
What did the Babylonians do for science? They invented the first calendar, the 60-minute hour and the advance multiplication table.
Y5
Space
Harvest means to collect what has been planted and grown in the ground. When does it happen? It is usually completed by farmers in the late summer or early autumn.
Y5
Harvest
"It was called the Silk Road because silk was traded along it" explained the teacher. "At the time, silk was only made in China, and it was a valuable material."
Y5
China
"The Sun in the centre of our solar system is a yellow dwarf star," explained the scientist. "It gives off energy as light."
Y5
Space
"Nicolaus Copernicus was a Polish astronomer," explained the tutor. "His famous theory was that the sun is in the middle of the solar system, and the planets go around it."
Y5
Space
"An algorithm is a step by step procedure to solve logical and mathematical problems," explained the programmer.
Y5
Computing
"We should all be thankful for a good harvest," sang the children in the church.
Y5
Harvest
"Our God has blessed the earth with a wonderful harvest," wrote King David in the Psalms.
Y5
Harvest
The Silk Road not only earned China a lot of money, but all along the route cities flourished as China's wealth spread.
Y5
China
The term eclipse is most often used to describe a solar eclipse, when the Moon's shadow crosses the Earth's surface, or a lunar eclipse, when the Moon moves into the shadow of Earth.
Y5
Space
Galileo was the first person to publish his astronomical observations made through a telescope. He explained that the Milky Way is made of many stars. He also discovered the Moon's hills and found four of Jupiter's moons.
Y5
Space
Ashurbanipal's library gives modern historians information regarding people of ancient Assyria. It is a collection of thousands of clay tablets and fragments containing texts of all kinds from over two thousand years ago.
Y5
Space
The school's harvest collection was gratefully received by the homeless people's charity workers.
Y5
Harvest
The people of the Maya civilization lived in three different areas: the southern Maya highlands, the central lowlands and the northern lowlands.
Y5
Mayan Civilization
They had many different types of land, including mountains and dry plains.
Y5
Mayan Civilization
The Maya had trade routes that ran over long distances. They traded with many other Central American cultures, such as Teotihuacan, the Zapotec and other groups in central and eastern Mexico.
Y5
Mayan Civilization
The Maya people traded with other people in the Americas. Their art and buildings have many different styles. This shows they traded a lot. They made changes to their buildings to make them even better.
Y5
Mayan Civilization
The Maya people used a written language and a number system. They were good at art, building, and maths. Their priests studied the stars and planets, which helped them make calendars.
Y5
Mayan Civilization
The staple foods of the Maya diet were cultivated. What does this mean? It means they were farmers and grew their own food.
Y5
Mayan Civilization
"The Spanish Conquistadors arrived in the 15th century," explained the tour guide, "and took over Mexico and later Central America. However, the Maya people still live there today."
Y5
Mayan Civilization
Chichen Itza is an ancient Mayan city famous for a large, pyramid temple built by the Maya civilization. It is on the Yucatan Peninsula, about 120 km to the east of Merida.
Y5
Mayan Civilization
El Castillo is the largest pyramid at Chichen Itza. It's dedicated to Kukulkan, the Plumed Serpent. The autumn and spring equinoxes' sun hits the side of the pyramid at such an angle to make a light and shadow show which looks like a snake along the steps of the building.
Y5
Mayan Civilization
There are many temples and pyramids at Chichen Itza. Tourists, or visitors, were once able to climb some of the pyramids, but it was quite challenging because the steps are very steep and small. Climbing is no longer permitted.
Y5
Mayan Civilization
The Mayan's diet was mainly vegetables. Their food included maize, beans, squashes and chili peppers.
Y5
Mayan Civilization
The First Emperor's father Yiren was the grandson of Ze, the ruler of Qin. The rulers of Qin and Zhao were from the same family, but the two lands fought against one another frequently.
Y5
China
Qin Shi Huang was the founder of the Qin dynasty and was the first emperor of a unified China. He was born Ying Zheng or Zhao Zheng, a prince of the state of Qin.
Y5
China
He became the King Zheng of Qin when he was thirteen. Then he was made China's first emperor when he was 38 after the Qin had defeated all of the other Warring States and unified all of China in 221 BC.
Y5
China
Qin Shi Huang was the founder of the Qin dynasty and was the first emperor of a unified China.
Y5
China
Judaism is the world's oldest Abrahamic religion. There are about 15 million followers who are called Jews. It is the oldest monotheistic religion.
Y5
Judaism
The laws and teachings of Judaism come from the Torah, the first five books of the Hebrew Bible, and from oral traditions. Some of these were first oral traditions and later written in the Mishnah, the Talmud and other works. The Torah is the most important holy book of Judaism.
Y5
Judaism
The most important teaching of Judaism is that there is one God, who wants people to do what is just and compassionate.
Y5
Judaism
Jews who follow the religious rules called kashrut only eat some types of food that are prepared by special rules. Food that a Jew can eat is called kosher food.
Y5
Judaism
Where does the tradition of resting on Shabbat come from? According to the Torah, God created the world in six days and on the seventh day, Shabbat, He rested. Many Jews go to their temple or synagogue to pray on Shabbat.
Y5
Judaism
Bat Mitzvah is a coming of age ceremony when a girl turns 12 or 13. Bat Mitzvah means daughter of the commandments in Hebrew. At this age, she is considered a woman and is expected to follow Jewish law.
Y5
Judaism
Jews follow special rules on Shabbat, which require them not to do creative work. Why do they have these rules? This helps them focus more on appreciating God, their family and the rest of creation.
Y5
Judaism
Shabbat reminds people that God is the creator and ruler of the world; no matter how great a person's creative power is, it cannot compare with God's creation of the universe and everything in it.
Y5
Judaism
When was the Great Wall built? Construction on the earliest pieces of the wall began in the 7th century BC and additional pieces were constructed and connected in later centuries.
Y5
China
The Romans, who invaded Britain, improved the country by building roads and fortifying towns.
Y5
Romans
It is estimated that 30% of the population of Rome were slaves.
Y5
Romans
Rowing had been one of Toad's fads. Now he was moving on to more adventurous pastimes.
Y5
Wind in the Willows
There are four main processes which cause coastal erosion. These are abrasion, hydraulic action, attrition and corrosion.
Y5
Coasts
A computer is an electronic device that can complete a set of instructions, known as a programme. It has the ability to store, retrieve, and process data. You may already know that you can use a computer to type documents, send emails, play games or browse the Web. You can also use it to edit or create spreadsheets, presentations and even videos.
Y5
Computing
An input device is a piece of equipment used to enter data and control signals to a computer. Examples of input devices include a keyboard, mouse, scanner, digital camera, joystick or microphone.
Y5
Computing
Robert Louis Stevenson was a Scottish novelist and poet, most noted for Treasure Island and a Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde. Born and educated in Edinburgh, Stevenson suffered from serious bronchial trouble for much of his life, but continued to write prolifically and travel widely in defiance of his poor health. He died, whilst staying in Samoa, in 1894.
Y6
Biography
Yom Kippur means Day of Atonement. It is the most sacred and solemn day in the Jewish calendar. Yom Kippur is a day to reflect on the past year and ask forgiveness for any sins. Jews do not work or go to school on this day.
Y6
Judaism
Working most of his later life in the United States of America, Albert Einstein, who was born in Germany, is famous for his theory of relativity.
Y6
Biography
The staff at the school were amazing at punctuation; they had practised regularly.
Y6
School
Alexander Fleming was a doctor and bacteriologist who, in 1928, through research and experimentation, discovered a bacteria-destroying mold which he would call penicillin. His ground breaking work paved the way for the use of antibiotics in modern healthcare, saving many lives.
Y6
Biography
Elizabeth Blackwell was a British physician and the first woman to receive a medical degree in the United States. Having moved to America, she first worked as a teacher. Then, despite widespread opposition, she attended medical college, graduating first in her class. In later life, she founded a medical school for women and returned to work in the UK.
Y6
Biography
The Moon is a rocky and dusty place.
Y3
Space
My school is located in London. The children wear blue and yellow uniforms.
Y3
School
What is the best thing about school? It must be the chance to play with my friends.
Y4
School
The young child, feeling confused and alone, sat down on the cold, hard steps. He watched the workers hurry by, clearly with too much to do. Occasionally, someone would barge past pushing a barrow of vegetables, cursing at anyone in their way. He felt invisible and lost.
Y6
Historical Fiction
Yesterday we went to London Bridge and found ourselves in Billingsgate Market - a dirty, evil-smelling precinct, thronged with people carrying fish on their heads. The footwalk was narrow, as was the whole street, and filthy to travel upon; we had to elbow our way among rough men and slatternly women, guarding our heads from contact with fish-trays.
Y6
Historical Fiction
The Japanese wear two types of clothing. The first is western clothing which is like the style you might see people wearing in many countries. The second is Japanese clothing, such as the kimono, which is a traditional Japanese garment.
Y6
Japan
The word Kimono comes from two characters: ki meaning to wear and mono meaning object or thing.
Y6
Japan
Kimonos are made from silk and generally have long sleeves. They are often worn for important festivals. Young women wear kimonos with even longer sleeves, which shows that they are not married.
Y6
Japan
Japan is a democracy; however, for many years, it was ruled by an emperor. From 794 to 1868, the Emperor lived in Heian-kyō, which is now known as Kyoto.
Y6
Japan
After 1868, the Government of Japan and the Emperor moved to Tokyo, the current capital city of Japan on the island of Honshu.
Y6
Japan
The NHS (National Health Service) refers to the government-funded health care service that everyone in the UK can use without being asked to pay the full cost of their treatment. As such, any UK resident can, for example, visit a hospital or see a doctor without having to pay during or after the visit.
Y6
Health
Made from steel with a non-stick coating, this frying pan is the best on the market. It is one of the largest pans available, so it has plenty of room to cook a range of foods at the same time.
Y6
Persuasive Text
Who do you think gets more accomplished in an average day? The person who is optimistic, happy, and driven or the person who spends her energy complaining, and venting about how her life isn’t fair? Happy people, in general, are more productive and are more likely to accomplish their goals than unhappy people.
Y6
Persuasive Text
The girls were easily able to decipher the simplest codes - shift and substitution ciphers. They were even able to use spreadsheets to help decrypt messages.
Y6
Code Breaking
The Blitz was a bombing campaign by the German air force during 1940 and 1941, targeted mainly London and other British cities.
Y6
World War II
Many Londoners had to sleep in underground stations to stay safe from the bombing.
Y6
World War II
The bombings damaged or destroyed many famous landmarks, including Buckingham Palace and St. Paul's Cathedral.
Y6
World War II
Londoners had to follow strict blackout rules to avoid making it easy for the German bombers to see the city at night.
Y6
World War II
Many children were evacuated from London to the countryside to keep them safe from the bombings.
Y6
World War II
Despite the bombings, Londoners remained determined and continued to work and live their lives as best they could.
Y6
World War II
As well as public shelters, the London Underground was used as a place of refuge from the bombings for many people during the Blitz.
Y6
World War II
Famous British Prime minister Winston Churchill, who led Great Britain during the war, made many speeches in London to boost the morale of the people during the Blitz.
Y6
World War II
Londoners displayed great resilience and spirit during the war, refusing to give up despite the destruction and hardships they faced.
Y6
World War II
During World War II, many goods were in short supply because they were needed for the war effort or because of difficulties in importing them.
Y6
World War II
To make sure that everyone had enough to eat and wear, the government introduced a system of rationing.
Y6
World War II
Rationing meant that people were only allowed to buy a certain amount of a certain item, such as food or clothing, each week. This was done using ration books, which had coupons that could be exchanged for goods.
Y6
World War II
Rationing applied to many items, including sugar, butter, meat, cheese, and eggs. People also had to make do with less of other things, such as soap, rubber and petrol.
Y6
World War II
Rationing helped to ensure that everyone had enough to eat, but it also meant that people had to be very careful with their food and clothes.
Y6
World War II
How did people cope? They had to learn to make do with less and to make their clothes and other items last longer.
Y6
World War II
People also had to learn to cook with different ingredients and to make their own clothes. They came up with creative ways to stretch their rations and make meals from limited ingredients.
Y6
World War II
Rationing continued long after the war ended, as it helped to control inflation and to rebuild the economy. Despite the challenges, rationing helped to bring people together as they shared and supported each other during difficult times.
Y6
World War II
Children were often given special allowances of certain items, such as sweets, to make sure they didn't miss out.
Y6
World War II
"Turn off your lights and draw your curtains," explained the ARP warden, "to ensure that no light can be seen from the air."
Y6
World War II
During the Battle of Britain, the German air force, known as the Luftwaffe, tried to gain control of the skies over Britain in order to prepare for a land invasion. The British air force, known as the Royal Air Force (RAF), fought to protect the country.
Y6
World War II
The British pilots were brave and determined; they were able to defend their country from the German air attacks.
Y6
World War II
Many pilots from different countries, including Poland, Canada, and Czechoslovakia, fought with the RAF.
Y6
World War II
The RAF managed to destroy many of Germany's planes and prevent a land invasion; this was a crucial victory for the Allies.
Y6
World War II
The bravery and sacrifice of the pilots, ground crew, and others during the Battle of Britain helped to keep Britain free from invasion.
Y6
World War II
Posters featuring families, soldiers, and other citizens, with captions like "We're all in this together" were meant to unify the country, and remind the citizens that they are not alone in the fight.
Y6
World War II
The government's posters urged citizens to "Do their part" in the war effort by enlisting in the military or working in war-related industries.
Y6
World War II
Rationing posters reminded people to "Make do and mend" their clothes to conserve resources for the war.
Y6
World War II
Rosie the Riveter on propoganda posters encouraged women to work in factories and other traditionally male-dominated fields. Women's roles changed considerably after the war.
Y6
World War II
Despite all the difficulties, peoples' willingness to make sacrifices for the war effort helped to ensure victory.
Y6
World War II
Having already expanded into Czechoslovakia, Hitler's army invaded Poland, marking the beginning of war in Europe.
Y6
World War II
The soldiers' families waited anxiously for news of their loved ones during the war. Messages from the battlefield were infrequent, but highly treasured.
Y6
World War II
On defeating the German airforce, Winston Churchill spoke these words in the House of Commons: "Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few."
Y6
World War II
