Author: Mrs Taylor

Nothing (or little Toby)

Year 1 had another visitor this week.  It was Nothing.

Nothing is the main character in the book we have been looking at in our SEAL lessons.  When his family move house and leave him in the attic, Nothing becomes lonely and afraid.  Helped by big Toby, Nothing is reunited with the rest of his family at their new house.  We have used the story to think about how Nothing might have felt and how the children might feel if they were in similar situations, developing empathy skills.  The children can certainly recognise a wide range of emotions.

‘He might have felt uncomfortable,’ suggested Pia.

‘When he was reunited Nothing would have felt brave,’ Ethan thought.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We invited Nothing to visit our class and this week the children were so excited to meet him.  Making sure Nothing felt safe and welcome in the class, we introduced ourselves.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As part of the project the children will be taking Nothing home overnight and we will continue to look at how to look after Nothing – what might he want but more importantly what are his basic needs.

Word journey to word island

To launch our Seaside topic, Year 1 took part in ‘Word journey to word island’, an outdoor activity day focusing on language and literacy skills.  Led by Annie Berrington of Get out more, we took an imaginery journey to discover a new island.  The children responded brilliantly and really got into their roles as crew on Captain Annie’s ship.  They produced some fantastic writing including poetry using adjectives and similes.  Here are a few images from the day.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Research study

Leeds Metropolitan University would like your views on packed lunches.

Leeds Metropolitan University’s department of Nutrition & Dietetics is conducting a research study exploring parents’ attitudes and perceptions to packed lunches, and the factors that influence parents’ decision to send their child to primary school with a packed lunch.

As part of this study, they have designed an online survey that is open to all parents with children in primary schools (both having school dinners and packed lunches).

If you are able to spare the time, Leeds Metropolitan University would appreciate the information.

Upcoming sporting events

Tour de Roundhay and the Sport and active lifestyles fair are local events happening next month.

Sports & Active Lifestyles Fair

Find out what sports clubs and physical activity opportunities are available in our area for all children, young people and adults.  This is a great opportunity to come as a family or with friends and take part in sport / activity taster sessions and watch sports demonstrations from local clubs.

  • When: Thursday 5th June 2014
  • Time: 5:30pm – 7:30pm
  • Where: Roundhay School

Roundhay Park Family Fun Run (1K & 5K)

  • When: Saturday 7th June 2014
  • Time: 10:00am
  • Where: Roundhay Park

Tour de Roundhay

REAP and Roundhay Live are starting the celebrations of Le Grand Depart early with this community event, full of family fun, music, food and cycling.

  • When: Sunday 22nd June 2014
  • Time: 12:00pm-5:00pm
  • Where: Roundhay School

For further information about any of these events please ask at the school office.

Art and maths

This week, Year 1 have been using a piece of artwork, on loan from Leeds Art Gallery, to inspire our literacy and maths.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In maths, we looked at the different lines on the drawing, in particular parallel lines.  After looking at examples of parallel lines in real life such as train tracks, running tracks and flags, we had a look for some ourselves.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We then got to work creating our own examples of parallel lines.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Some of the final versions will be displayed in the hall, very soon.

 

 

Future goal keepers?

In PE this half term Year 1 are taking part in the Leeds United Foundation Take it to the kids coaching scheme.  Ian, our coach, along with some footballing apprentices began our lessons by developing goal-keeping skills.  We focussed on sending, receiving and manoevering the ball with partners.  Next week, we hope the weather will improve and we can be outside so please ensure your child has their outdoor PE kit for this lesson.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Do you use the vampire technique?

As part of our focus on manners this week, Year 1 have been mastering the ‘vampire method’.  I cover my mouth (when I cough, sneeze or yawn) is our weekly statement so we looked at why this method can help to prevent germs spreading.  By coughing or sneezing into our elbow, germs are not spread into the air or on our hands which may contaminate other things.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Don’t forget to ‘use your sleeve to cough and sneeze’.

 

Our new SEAL theme for this half-term is…

‘Relationships’. We starting with a focus on manners. Do you do the ‘vampire’ cough and sneeze?

…’Relationships’.

We begin the half term with a focus on manners: I cover my mouth (when I cough, sneeze or yawn) is our statement for this week.  Children, and adults, will be taught the ‘vampire method’ for coughs and sneezes in order to prevent the spread of germs – ‘use your sleeve to cough and sneeze’.

Following this, the Relationships theme explores feelings within the context of our important relationships including family and friends.

It aims to develop knowledge, understanding and skills in three key social and emotional aspects of learning: self-awareness, managing feelings and empathy.

There is a focus throughout the theme on helping children understand the feelings associated with an experience that we all need to cope with at some time: that of loss – whether of a favourite possession, a friend, a family home, or a loved one. Although relatively few children are bereaved, most will experience losses of other kinds during their childhood; losing a home, losing friends because of moving house or changing schools, or losing a pet are examples.

We would therefore ask for parents / carers to alert us to any experiences your child has had that might make this area particularly difficult for them – for example, a bereavement.

Health heroes

This weekend, 15 and 16 March, at Eureka, there is a very topical health heroes Dragon’s Den event…

Meet some of the most important health heroes of the past at our humorous, playful and interactive Dragon’s Den style sessions.

  • Why Florence Nightingale was the original ‘forces sweetheart’?
  • Did Alexander Fleming discovered penicillin by accident?
  • Why should we thank Louis Pasteur for healthy milk on our cereal?

Who’ll win your backing? You decide!