Author: Mr Catherall

Experimenting with different media – art

On Monday, we had the chance to experiment with using watercolour paint and watercolour pencils (Learning: To be able to use different media). We had a go with each and decided which one we’ll use to add detail to our illustrations – some people decided they’d use both! Our illustrations will be of ourselves but in the style of Oliver Jeffers, the author and illustrator of ‘The Incredible Book Eating Boy’.

Here’s a few images of us showing off our best concentration faces:

And, a few good examples from our sketch books:

08 September 2017

This week, children have been given a list of words to learn in preparation for a test on Friday 15 September. Children should evidence some of their practice in their homework books.

‘ough’ letter string

We have been focusing on learning how to spell words containing the ‘ough’ letter string.

The ‘ough’ grapheme can be tricky as it can be pronounced in different ways. We have discussed this in class and children should be aware of the pronunciation of each of these words.

Children should learn how to spell these words in preparation for a test on Friday 15 September.    
sought
enough
thought
although
plough
bough
thorough
drought
dough
throughout

08 September 2017

This week’s homework is Creative: I can show how to make my class a good place to learn. 

This piece is due in on Thursday 14 September.

Children should respond in a creative manner and show how they can make our place a good place to learn. This could be done in many ways but here’s a few ideas we came up with as a class:

  • create a poster of dos and don’ts
  • create a mini version of the perfect classroom using a cardboard box
  • create a video explaining what the perfect learner would look like
  • create a video in which you play the ‘perfect’ learner
  • make a puppet show using a cardboard box and string

If you have any problems, please see me at the earliest opportunity.

The Incredible Book Eating Boy art

This week, we’ve been reading a picture book: The Incredible Book Eating Boy. So far, we’ve used the book as a stimulus to learn how to justify our inferences during our reading lessons and in our writing lessons we’ve been focussing on the grammar skills needed to write a high-quality recount (next week we’ll be writing a recount as if we are Henry – The Incredible Book Eating Boy).

Today, we studied the illustrations in the book and compared them to other illustrations by Oliver Jeffers. We discovered that he has quite a specific style and then practised drawing ourselves in the style of Oliver Jeffers in our sketch books.

Here’s a few action shots:

Wow! What a year!

I’ve had a fantastic year and it has been great to see each child mature and make amazing progress. Each and every parent should be super proud!

Here’s a little note to each child:

Abdullah – You’ve really matured this year and this has been reflected in the super progress you have made. Keep it up!

Aleena – You know how to have fun yet you still work hard and make good choices – what a great mix!

Archie – You’ve become more confident as the year has progressed and your relentless effort is a really good example to your friends.

Brandon – What a lovely young man!. You are the most thoughtful, kind-hearted and genuinely nice person in the world!

Daanyaal – Mr Laidback became Mr Motivated. Well done, Dan!

Edward – You’ve made me laugh on many occasions this year. And, you’ve made me smile with the awesome progress you’ve made!

Elias– Being a maths genius is just one aspect of your amazing personality. You’ve had a great year – well done!

Enya – What can I say? You’ve helped, you’ve made me howl with laughter, you can be relied upon to finish the words to any pop song and you’ve absolutely smashed Year 5!

Grace – Disgrace: a very ironic nickname. You should be so proud of the immense effort you’ve put in this year. You are a great example to your peers and never fail to put a smile on our faces.

Harry – You are a very polite young man with an amazing ability to talk everyone round to your way of thinking – this is a rare skill!

Hibba – aka ‘The Sponge’! You have absorbed every bit of learning this year and have done extremely, extremely well as a result – I’m impressed!

Isobel – Not many 9 year olds are as confident in their own skin as you (not many adults in fact). You should be really proud of your non-stop effort!

Matteo – You have tried so hard in every aspect of your learning this year and have done incredibly well as a result. I am 100% confident you will smash Year 6 (and every year for that matter).

Matthew – I’ve really enjoyed getting to know you this year. I wish I could make you as confident in yourself as we all are in you!

Megan – You are a delight to teach. Your energy and enthusiasm infects every room you go in. Keep trying hard and being a bit silly!

Neive – ‘The Diva’. It’s been a pleasure to watch you mature over the year and you’ve made huge progress as a result.

Nico – A maths genius with creative flair. What a blend! Keep working hard and I’m sure you’ll do great.

Nishaan – You’ve improved your listening skills and have smashed the year as a result – well done!

Noah – Giddy, cheeky, sometimes silly – all of these things make you a pleasure to teach. Keep working hard as well (in all subjects!).

Oliver – A super hardworking young man. Keep making positive choices at all times and I know you’ll smash Year 6!

Owen – My fellow rugby nut. Keep transferring your skills from the pitch in to the classroom and you’ll enjoy a great year in Year 6.

Pavan – You’ve really come out of your shell and it’s been a pleasure to see you contribute more and more in lessons. Keep it up!

Pippa – You’ve had a superb year and have dazzled me with your maths and writing skills. Keep it up!

Pohnum – Your wonderful smile has made our class a great place to be! Keep up the hard work.

Saleem – You’re a very polite, helpful young man. Keep it up and I know you’ll have a great time in Year 6.

Sam – It’s been a pleasure to get to know you this year and you’ve amazed us all with your art.

Stan – aka ‘The Man’. I can always rely on you to make good choices and you are a great role model to your peers.

Umaimah – You’re sparky and bright. Use these attributes in the right way and I know you’ll go far.

Zack –  It’s been a pleasure to teach you this year and I’ve seen you mature into a fine young man. Keep up the hard work!

Zeewa – You’ve channelled your creative flair this year and it’s been a pleasure to read your wonderful writing. Keep it up in Year 6!

Have a great summer holidays and come back refreshed and ready to smash Year 6 like you have Year 5!

Mr C

14 July 2017

This week, as it’s the final week of the year, children have been given one piece of homework to do. This is due on Thursday 20 July.

The homework is Creative: I can reflect on my time in Year 5 and look ahead to next year. 

We have discussed lots of ways that children could respond to this:

  • you could write a letter to Mr Catherall and Miss Rushbrooke
  • you could make a poster about the different topics we’ve covered this year
  • you could make a Year 5 themed board game
  • you could create a timeline of the year
  • you could do a video diary of the year
  • you could make a Year 5 themed comic
  • you could write a newspaper report about Year 5
  • you could create a collage of your favourite pieces of homework
  • you could create poster of highlights
  • you could create a vlog about a typical day in Year 5
  • you could make a movie trailer of the year we’ve had
  • you could use Scratch to reflect on the year

Obviously, there are many more ways, too.

07 July 2017

Top Tips Poster

This week, children should create a poster explaining the best ways they have learnt their spellings whilst in Year 5. These posters may then be displayed so that the next class of Year 5’s can ‘magpie’ some top tips.

30 June 2017

Just like last week, this week, children have been given a copy of the statutory word list for Years 5 and 6. They should revise spelling these words, and any other words they have learnt this year, in preparation for their end of year spelling test.

They should evidence their revision using one whole page of their homework book.

30 June 2017

This week, as always, children have been given two pieces of homework.

The first is Practice Makes Perfect: I can learn my lines or know my role in the performance. 

Children should ensure they know all their lines for the performance (and the lines before and after their own). If a child doesn’t have many lines to learn, they should make sure they are fully aware of their role within the production. Similarly, if children are still unsure of the songs, they should practise these at home, too.

The second piece is a little different this week: I am aware of my own health. 

Children have been given a ‘My Health, My School’ diary to complete. They should do this for seven days – starting on Saturday 01 July and finishing on Friday 07 July. The completed diary should be returned to school on Monday  10 July. The diary will be used by the children to help them complete the ‘My Health, My School’ survey during school time. Therefore, it’s important that children complete the diary as honestly and accurately as they can.