Living and Learning: Health and prevention (sleep)
Our recent Living and Learning lesson was all about the importance of sleep.
Our learning explored why sleep is so important in our lives, how it can sometimes be difficult to fall asleep or stay asleep, and how to manage this. We also considered what the children can do to help themselves have good habits that can help them to fall asleep.
Firstly, we heard a story about a girl called Mia. We had to identify the things that were STOPPING her from getting to sleep.
As a class, we had a great discussion about what can HELP Mia (and us) to get to sleep and what might STOP us from getting to sleep.
Here are some of the ideas generated.
Hopefully the children have been sharing this knowledge to help with their own bedtime routines.
For further sleep support, here are some resources you might want to look at.
• NHS sleep specific website for younger children
• Childline – for general advice about concerns
• Specific NHS advice on sleep is available here
• Sleep Charity – for sleep tips and links to other organisations
It’s Spring!
Last week we visited Moortown Park to look for signs of Spring. After a walk around the park we enjoyed some time on the playground. Back in the classroom, the children drew maps of our journey.
Literacy
Our focus book this week is ‘Jack and the Beanstalk’. The children will retell the story and learn about traditional tales.
We will be planting beans and sunflowers and tidying up our outside area.
Maths
This week the children will be learning to recognise and talk about doubles within 10.
We will be using the stem sentence, ‘4 is made of 2 and 2. Double 2 is 4.’
Phonics
We are continuing to learn to read words with digraphs (two letters making one sound). This week our words will include the digraphs ai, ee and the trigraph igh.
Science!
Over the last two weeks we have been learning all about microbes in our science lessons! We have learnt that there are three main types of microbe: virus, bacteria and fungi. Last week, we made our own microbe out of playdough and gave it a name. We had some wonderful models! Well done everyone!
This week, we conducted an experiment to show us how important it is to wash out hands with soap! We first dipped a cocktail stick in water and then in water with black pepper in it. The pepper stuck to the cocktail stick just like microbes stick to our skin. Finally we dipped the cocktail stick in the soapy water and all the pepper washed away! It was great fun.
Living and Learning: Sleep
In today’s Living and Learning session, we talked all about the importance of sleep and ways to help us get a better nights sleep.
One of these is getting in a good night time routine.
“It is difficult to get to sleep when I watch TV before bed. A solution to this is to read instead,” said Jensen.
“It is difficult to get to sleep when there is too much light. A solution to this is to turn lights down on devices such as iPads,” added Ava.
“It is difficult to get to sleep when I don’t do exercise that day. A solution to this is to do some running, jumping and skipping,” commented Hidayah, happily.
“One thing I will do differently at bed time now is read a book for fifteen minutes!” stated Will.
As a class, we decided that plenty of sleep gives us these benefits:
- you’ll feel happier/less grumpy
- you’ll be more alert
- you’ll feel fresher
- it is vital for growth and development
- you’ll be more organised
Good work, Y3!
NSPCC Speak out Stay safe
During our recent Staying Safe themed week, all pupils took part in the NSPCC Speak out Stay safe learning featuring Ant and Dec and Buddy.
We are proud to receive our certificate to recognise this.
Living & Learning – I know the importance of personal hygiene.
What does being healthy mean?
Lots of us also said about the important balance of mental and physical health.
How might you know if you are ill?
More importantly, if you are ill you could:
– go to the doctors
– test yourself
– take medicine (ask a trusted adult first)
– go to the chemist or pharmacy
– rest, get enough sleep, fresh air, keep drinking water
Why is personal hygiene important?
“Otherwise, we’ll spread germs, viruses and bacteria to others around you,” said Leah.
“It keeps you clean and if you don’t you might get sick,” explained Christina.
“It keeps yourself and others safe,” said Billy.
What should you do if someone is having an allergic reaction?
“If it’s serious, call 999 or 112 and ask if they have an injection that might help. If they do, read the instructions for how to use it. See if they’re doing well. Help them to sit in a position to help them breathe. If it’s still getting worse, get ready to perform CPR,” explained Khadija.
What is a vaccine and how does it work?
Aadil says, “A person named Edward Jenner wanted to be a doctor. He practised in his home town where there was a serious virus called smallpox. There was another mild one called cowpox. The people of the town said if you got cowpox it’s very unlikely you get smallpox. He went to the gardener’s son and gave a bit of the cowpox pus to the boy. He recovered quickly. Then, he also gave the smallpox pus to the boy and amazingly he did not get infected. The name vaccine comes from the Latin word for cow which is vacca which you’d say ‘wacca’!”
Reception Mathematicians
Last week the children demonstrated a fantastic understanding of number through a range of activities. They used the language more, less and fewer to compare numbers and sets of objects.
This week the focus will be consolidating their understanding of the composition of numbers. Composing and de-composing numbers involves the children investigating part–part–whole relations, e.g. seeing that 7 can be made of 5 and 2. The children will deepen their understanding of a whole being made up of smaller parts through games and practical experiences.
Writing
It has been wonderful to see the children enjoy writing and having the confidence to ‘have a go’.
Reading
The children are really enjoying their reading practise sessions. I hope you are impressed with their fluency and confidence when reading their e book.
Please let us know if you are having any problems logging in or accessing these books.
Topic- computing
Our topic this half term is all about computing.
We’ve starting with ‘offline computing’ – learning all about algorithms.
We are going to be playing, and making, lots of online and offline games. As this is a computing topic, we’ll be using a range of technology including Blue-Bots and iPads.
Here is a lost of some of the vocabulary that will be taught in the coming weeks.
Big Walk and Wheel
Get set… we’re taking part in Sustrans Big Walk and Wheel 2022 (the new name for Big Pedal), the UK’s largest inter-school cycling, walking, wheeling and scooting challenge. The challenge runs from 21 March to 1 April. It’s free and we would love everyone to be involved.
What do you need to do?
Encourage your child(ren) to walk, scoot or cycle to school on as many days as possible during the event. Park and stride (parking your car further away from school, for example, Marks and Spencer car park and walking, scooting or biking the final part of the journey) also counts.
Why we are taking part
As a happy and healthy school, Sustrans Big Walk and Wheel is a great way to build physical activity in children’s daily routine which is important for their physical health and mental wellbeing.
Active school runs also help to reduce congestion and air pollution outside the school gate. A 2021 YouGov study showed nearly half of UK children worry about air pollution near their school. Children thought active travel was the best away to bring down these pollution levels.
Plus there are some great prizes to be won every day if we get enough children taking part!
Useful resources
To help you prepare, Sustrans has developed a handy free guide packed with advice, games and challenges to help you have hassle-free cycle, walk or scoot to school.
Download your free family guide here.
We are gymnasts!
Last Friday, Year 5 completed a series of gymnastic challenges in the hall.
Check out the pictures below to see some graceful gymnasts!
