We are computer programmers!

In computing, we have been learning about sequencing, repetition and decomposition.

Sequencing is where we have to arrange instructions in a particular order for program to run successfully.

Repetition is where we repeat the execution of certain instructions to make our algorithm simpler.

Decomposition is the process of breaking a task down into manageable chunks in order to be successful.

Today, Year 4 applied all their learning and created their own ‘Crossy Road’ games on Scratch Jr.

Help at home by encouraging your child to go on Scratch Jr and show you what they have learnt this half term!

Computer programmers

This half term, Year 2 have enjoyed being computer programmers.

Throughout the computing topic, we have been using the following vocabulary.

First of all, our learning was based offline. We used lots of directional vocabulary to create algorithms to move a sprite.

Then, we looked at some algorithms that didn’t work. Debugging is the term for finding and fixing bugs in an algorithm.

After that, we moved onto online programming using the Beebot robots. The Beebots need precise commands to work.

Finally, we created our own games using the Beebots and we tested out our programs. The children worked well in their groups especially when some debugging was needed.

Thank you to the parents who came into class recently for our topic review. We hoped you enjoyed seeing this learning in action.

Help at home: we have also thought about lots of different algorithms in real life. Discuss the need for clear instructions when you are doing things at home.

Skipping festival 2024

Year 4 had a great morning out at the skipping festival last week!

The whole class worked so well as a team showing great support for everyone.

We won lots of awards including a few gold medals!

Well done to the whole of Year 4 for representing Moortown so well!

Moortown Netballers

Some of the netballers from our after-school club took part in the Leeds Well School Partnership Bee Netball competition at Allerton High this week.

This was their first team event and we were very proud of their performance and team work.  Thank you to parents for supporting and for helping with transport.

The Tuesday after-school netball club will be restarting in the summer term for those children who would like to come and join.

Netball activities are also available over Easter from Leeds Rhinos Netball.

Big Walk and Wheel final position

After the two week Sustrans Big Walk and Wheel walking, scooting and cycling challenge, we now have the final results.

In our category of small primary schools, we finished in 20th place out of 459 schools with an average of 89.81% active journeys to school. We achieved the highest national (20th) and Northern England (3rd) ranking out of those schools in Leeds taking part.

With a total of 1655 active journeys across the two weeks, this is a great achievement and we want to thank families for supporting this challenge.

Help at home: By walking, cycling and scooting to school, you are helping us make a positive change to the school run. With less cars close to the school gates, this is a safer and healthier way to start the day.

Living and Learning: seeing change positively

This week, our Living and Learning lesson focused on coping with change.

We talked about different changes someone may face in their life and focused on one story in particular of ‘The New Kid’.

Help at home by analysing feelings on a deeper level. The boy in the video wasn’t just ‘sad’. He felt lonely, isolated, scared and alone. Sometimes it can help to have a more accurate description of how you’re feeling so you can even better work out how to make it better and cope.

We also discussed how feelings change depending on our environment and the things happening to us. Importantly, we also decided what could be done about these feelings.

Remember – change is a positive thing! It means you’re growing and developing as a person. When you’ve the right strategies, change can be a powerful and exciting thing.

Finally, we gave strategies and advice for anyone coping with – or struggling with – change.

Food technology: Egg-cellent Omelette

On Friday, Year 5 made eggs-quisite omelettes.

We worked in small groups to prepare the ingredients and then cook them. We made sure that we washed our hands and wore our aprons for hygiene reasons.

We used the bridge cutting method and the claw cutting method to cut up our tomatoes. These methods are the safest way to cut food as they help us from hurting ourselves! We also grated cheese and whisked our eggs.

The recipe for the absolutely cracking omelette was sent home with your child on Friday, if they wish to make it at home too.

Living and Learning: I can give and receive compliments.

This week, Year 5 discussed what is right and wrong and how right and wrong might look different in a variety of situations. They then talked about how people’s actions can affect others. The children were able to share positive actions that they had done and how it impacted the people around them.

Here are a few examples:

• holding a door open for someone
• buying a blanket for someone in need
• sharing a smile
• saying Happy Birthday to someone
• letting someone play with you
• buying food for someone in need

Year 5 then wrote down anonymous compliments to their peers. We were able to read out a few at the end of the day and we will continue to hear them this next week.

Help at home: Discuss how receiving a compliment can make you feel.

Guided Reading Week 5

Here are the target pages for this week’s guided reading. These need to be read by Thursday 28th March:

Divine Freaks: end of book.

Street Child: end of book.

How To Train Your Dragon: end of book.

The Considine Curse: end of book.

Extra Time: end of book.

The London Mystery Eye: end of book.

All guided reading books should be brought back in before the end of term. If you would like to keep your book over the holidays to finish it off, please speak to an adult in Year 5.

We are game designers!

We have had a tremendous week in Year 1! On Tuesday we became game designers! We used post-it notes to create obstacles and a finishing point before we placed them on our game grid. After we had explained the game to the rest of our team they had to play it using the Beebot. One person was the writer (they had to write down the algorithm) and the other was the programmer (they had to input the algorithm into the Beebot). We all had a turn at the different roles. It was brilliant fun.

Help at home by talking to your child about their game and how they used the Beebot to play it.

Thanks as well for all the kind words and support over the past week. It has meant a lot to all the staff in school.