Living and Learning: Out in the community

As part of our My Community themed week, Year 2 enjoyed a trip to Donisthorpe Hall to their weekly residents’ concert to help us learn more about some of the people that make up our community.

It was an absolute delight to see the young and the old dancing together. Our residents had a really lovely afternoon. We would love any of the pupils to come back any time. 
Donisthorpe Hall
What a fantastic afternoon which the older residents at Donisthorpe clearly enjoyed. Their joy at seeing and meeting the year 2 children was lovely and the children fully engaged with them. The residents and children had a lovely time. Thank you for organising such a worthwhile community activity.
Parent helper

Living and Learning: Who are we?

Even though we are all different and unique, there are still many connections between us. In this learning, Year 2 produced a ‘spiders’ web’ to show how we are connected.

If one of the connections was cut, how would that person feel if they were excluded from the web of connections?

The key message is that communities that include everyone are stronger.

 

Living and Learning: My Community week so far

This week, we are enjoying our ‘My Community’ themed week based around these themes.

  • Who am I? (identity)
  • Who are we? (diversity)
  • Where do I live? (community)
  • How do we all live together? (equality)

There have been lots of events, visits and visitors so far.

  • School community coffee morning and Wake Up Shake Up on Monday
  • Bulb planting with Friends of Moortown Park
  • Visiting Allerton Grange drama department for a community themed drama session led by Year 12 pupils
  • A visit from Linda Gledhill from the deaf and hearing impairment team
  • A visit from the RNIB to raise awareness of visually impaired members of our community
  • JustDifferent disability workshops
  • Litter picking in the local area
  • Hate Crime workshops led by West Yorkshire Police
  • Visiting Donisthorpe Hall
  • A visit from Moortown fire service
  • A visit from our PCSOs
  • Learning carousels across different classes

Still to come is a visit to a group run by Moor Allerton Elderly Care; Greek language sessions led by a parent; a visit to St Gemma’s Hospice and choosing our new school charity.

The week will culminate with Identity Day on Friday 29 November.

Children are invited to dress in clothing that represents part of their identity, for example uniform from a club they attend, a team they are part of or support or traditional dress to represent their heritage.  We invite a donation for the PTA Christmas fair.

Thank you for all the entries we have received for the active travel in the community competition.

We encourage families to get out in the community in an active way on the way to and from school. Email (moortownoffice@spherefederation.org) a picture of your active travel, maybe by a landmark on the route to school, for the chance to win one of five £10 vouchers. The winners will be drawn in the assembly tomorrow afternoon so please ensure your entries are sent by 12 o’clock tomorrow.

Thank you for supporting the themed week and please discuss the week with your child to reinforce this important learning.

Outdoor PE

This half term, we welcome Leeds Beckett Sports Coaching students who are beginning their placements delivering PE to the class.

We aim to be outside for PE, when we can, so please ensure your child has their outdoor PE kit at school.

item Description additional notes
t-shirt indoor: plain white t-shirt (long or short sleeved)

outdoor: as above, plus fleece / warm top

– this should be a round-necked top, not a collared polo-shirt (must not be same shirt as that worn in class)

– t-shirts with school logo are available

shorts black shorts / PE skirt  
tracksuit bottoms black tracksuit bottoms / leggings ideal for outdoor use
footwear indoor: pumps / trainers

outdoor: trainers

– trainers could be the same as those worn to school

Great Lexia learning

Lexia, a computer based program to build reading skills, is a valuable learning tool that we access in school. It is also beneficial for your child to access Lexia outside of school, too.

Each child is progressing at a different rate – one that is specifically tailored to your child’s needs.

For your information, by the end of Year 2 your child should be aiming to achieve Level 9. This will ensure the Year 2 learning has been covered.

We have been particularly impressed with the children’s positive attitude to Lexia with 15 Lexia certificates awarded so far this month. Well done, Year 2.

If you are not set up already please see below for information in helping to set up:

For use on a computer, go to www.lexiacore5.com for Lexia Reading® Core5® or http://www.lexiastrategies.com/ for Lexia Strategies™

If you’re experiencing some difficulties with setting Lexia Core 5 up on your tablet or device, use the following email address when prompted:

y2@moortown.leeds.sch.uk

Your child can then log in using the student username and password. This is the same username and password used at school (these details can be found inside their reading record book).

A typical home session may last from 10-15 minutes.

It is important your child works without any help while using the program. All of the work your child does at home is recorded and reported to school. This means we can see when help is needed and provide additional instruction at school.

Thank you for your support with this learning at home and please come and see us if you have any questions about using Lexia.

Living and Learning: Themed week

My Community themed week

As part of our themed week, next week, we would like the children to bring in something that relates to their identity. It might be a special object, toy, a photo of special people or a place or a memory from their life. If your child would like to take part, they should bring their item ready to show on the following days.

Monday 25 November Arctic Ocean

Tuesday 26 November Atlantic Ocean

Wednesday 27 November Indian Ocean

Thursday 28 November Pacific Ocean

Friday 29 November Southern Ocean

Thank you for your support.

Christmas themed menu

Catering Agency, our school meal provider, will be running a special themed menu on Thursday 12 December. Please contact the office, before 28 November, if your child would like a school dinner on this day (no action needed if your child normally has a school meal on this day).