Bossy verbs in PE
Year 2 have been busy looking at some instructional texts. Today, in our writing lesson, was to learn about imperative verbs. Often, these words are referred to as bossy verbs. Following a quick recap on what a verb is ( a doing word) the children were introduced to the term imperative verb.
An imperative verb tells someone to do something, so that the sentence it is in becomes an order or command. For example in this sentence (a command, outlining an action that must be done):
Fold your clothes up!
The imperative verb is ‘fold’.
We carried this learning on into our PE lesson. The children were given different commands to follow.
To finish off our lesson,we played some parachute games.
Y5/YR Reading
Every Friday, Year Five and Reception meet with their reading partners at the start of the afternoon.
This is one of their favourite times of the week!
It is an opportunity that has resulted in new friendships, too!
Let there be light!
Today, Year 3 built simple circuits to light a lamp. Here’s some pictures of their learning. 
Investigating circuits
Year 4 are learning all about electricity in their science lessons this half term. We started off our topic finding out about the difference between mains and battery operated appliances and how we can use them safely around the home and school.
Now, we’re investigating circuits. We found out how to make a circuit to light a bulb and are now using this knowledge to test our own scientific questions.
In this lesson, we had to use some key scientific vocabulary. Test us at home to see how much we’ve remembered: circuit, cell, bulb, components
Skipping rope sales
Year 4 have recently worked with Jodi from Skipping School in preparation for their upcoming Year 4 Skipping Festival. To encourage the children to practise at home, we can offer Skipping School ropes for sale at a subsidised price of £2. If your child would like to purchase a rope, they should bring the exact money to purchase their rope in class.
Animals Adapt
In our Science lesson this week, we investigated how animals with blubber are more adapted to a cold environment than animals without. Challenge your child to fill in the gaps with the words below – the ones from our Science vocabulary list for the half term are in bold.
- inherit
- evolved
- survive
- thin
- adapted
- environment
Computing
Big topic: Computing 
Throughout this topic the children will learn how to create a clear, precise algorithm. Algorithms are described as something very simple but important. They are explained as instructions that are split into little steps so that a computer can solve a problem or get something done. The children will discover how to de-bug a simple algorithm when it goes wrong!
Debugging is when you find an issue in the program that you have written and repair it. When writing a program it is very easy to make mistakes in your code.
We began with a lesson to help us understand that a computer follows precise commands and will respond to those commands consistently. Next, we will plan and predict the behaviour of simple programs and work with a
friend to plan a route for Beebot.
We always begin a new topic by introducing relevant vocabulary that will be referenced throughout our lessons. The intention is for the children to learn the words and feel confident to use them in context.
These are the words/phrases the children will be using;
- algorithm
- debug
- appropriate
- computer
- technology
- password
- personal information
- devices
- trusted adult
During the topic we will also be looking closely at how we stay safe online. Age restrictions, digital content, passwords, privacy, personal information and online vs. offline behaviours are all on our agenda.
Learning at home
It’s great to see the children have started the new year by carrying on their learning at home.
Congratulations to Betsy and Theo for earning the first Lexia certificates of the year.
Each week, on Spelling Shed, a new spelling list will be posted with the weekly spelling words for the children to practise.
The children’s logins are inside their reading record books but if you have any problems with accessing Lexia or Spelling Shed at home please let us know.
Learning about the number 6
This week we have been learning about the number six. The children used Numicon, cubes and 10 frames to investigate.
Living and learning: d:side visits
This half term, our Living and Learning focus includes staying safe. We have arranged for visitors to come into school to help to deliver this key aspect of education.
We have been working with d:side for many years and they will be visiting school to deliver sessions based around drug education and e-safey sessions to coincide with Safer Internet Day (11 February).
d:side is a comprehensive drug & alcohol education programme that encourages children to make positive & healthy life-choices whilst promoting a pro-active attitude to life. They focus on developing the children’s knowledge, skills & attitude, whilst equipping them with the appropriate life skills to successfully manage sensitive situations with peers & encourage a positive approach to life.
As part of these visits, there are two specific parent/carer information sessions.
Tuesday 21 January 3.05-3.30pm d:side drug education informal information session (open to all parents)
A d:side representative will be available to provide information about your child’s drug education learning with d:side and answer any other related enquiries.
Tuesday 04 February 2:50-3.30pm d:side e-safety informal information session (open to all parents)
A d:side representative will be available to provide information about your child’s e-safety learning with d:side and answer any other related enquiries.
Please contact school if you would like to attend.