Pupil voice: School Council investing their library budget
- The Usborne Book of Fariytales and You Choose in Space by Nick Sharratt and Pippa Goodhart (suggested by Reception)
- Meg & Mog Collection by Helen Nicoll and Jan Pienkowski and Geronimo by David Walliams (Y1)
- Lego Star Wars Movie Collection (Y2)
- Dr Who Collection and Six Animal Adventures by Michael Morpurgo (Y3)
- Tracey Beaker Trilogy by Jacqueline Wilson and Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Meltdown by Jeff Kinney (Y4)
- The Parent Agency by David Baddiel and The Bolds Series by Julian Clary (Y5)
- Tin Tin by Herge and Secret Nightingale Series by Lucy Strange (Y6)
Gymnastics in the sun
Y5 have started a new unit in PE – gymnastics! It was made even better by being able to have our lesson outside in the glorious sunshine.
We practised travelling and jumping in different ways …
… like this brilliant tuck jump …
… and practised balancing individually and in a group …
… making sure we were always safely in control of our movements.
We performed a simple routine to the rest of the class and gave each other feedback about what was good and what could be improved.
Living and Learning: Mindful hearing
As part of our Living and Learning session today, the class enjoyed a mindful hearing exercise.
In this exercise, children were guided through an experience of paying attention to sounds. Why not try it with your child at home?
Living and Learning: Remembering Stephen Lawrence
Today, we remembered Stephen Lawrence.
Following a whole school assembly, Year 2 talked about the life of Stephen Lawrence and what they can do to help to prevent racism and discrimination.
‘Stephen Lawrence was kind.’ Noah F
‘He was murdered in 1994 and he was eighteen years old.’ Gabriel H
‘Stephen was murdered at the bus stop because he had brown skin. The people who murdered him had white skin.’ Sophia
‘Stephen wasn’t doing anything wrong when he was murdered.’ Harry
‘We can look after other people’s feelings by being a good friend.’ Shasmeen
‘We can start telling other people to stop being racist.’ Zain
‘We can make new friends and be kind to others who have different coloured skin.’ Bridget
‘It doesn’t matter if you have anything different to other people.’ Rizwan
‘Be kind to other people.’ Eleanor
Space
Y5 kicked off their learning about Space with all things technological!
First, we analysed five websites to help us answer:
“Why do we have night and day?”
We discussed each web page’s ease of use, age appropriate level of information, and whether it had any features that made us trust it. Challenge your child to explain what these features were. Finally, we ranked each page.
Next up, it was time to find out for ourselves! We combined a couple of clips from (trusted) BBC Bitesize and our own research to create a short film using iMovie to explain our original question.
We had to write a script…
… work well as a team …
… speak loudly for the camera …
… direct each other …
… and edit our videos …
… before finally watching our efforts on the big screen!
Ask your child to explain why we have night and day, how shadows move and lengthen and where the sun rises and sets.
Living and Learning: Table Manners
Every half term, our Living and Learning statements begin with a manners focus and this time we are looking at table manners.
Year 4 discussed different scenarios and how we would show good table manners. Following this we read a poem related to our focus.
The Goops
by Gillette Burgess
The Goops they lick their fingers
And the Goops they lick their knives:
They spill their broth on the tablecloth
Oh, they lead disgusting lives!
The Goops they talk while eating,
And loud and fast they chew;
And that is why I’m glad that I
Am not a Goop, are you?
We discussed the language in the poem and compared ‘old fashioned‘ manners to (what are considered to be) ‘good table manners’ today.
The children completed a RIC activity about the poem.
Reading with R.I.C
R – Retrieve (Example: Find 3 different ways the Goops demonstrated bad table manners.)
I – Interpret (Example: What could ‘broth‘ be?)
C – Choice (Example: Why did the author choose to end the poem with a question?)
If you would like to know more about RIC reading, see the link below.
http://www.mrspteach.com/2015/08/ric-reading-lesson-starters.html
Open wide!
Earlier in the week, Year 4 started their new topic all about teeth.
For the next 3 weeks the children will learn that humans have 2 sets of teeth, and that teeth can be classified into different groups. We will study the locations and various functions of the incisors, canines and molars.
To begin with, we discussed what our bodies need to stay healthy. The children looked closely at ‘The Eatwell Plate‘ and we compared the sizes of the different sections.
Following this, Year 4 were given mirrors to examine their own teeth.
My teeth are all different sizes.
Why are some teeth pointy?
How do your teeth stay strong?
I think my teeth look very healthy.
Next, using an angled dental mirror, the class examined each others teeth. This was carried out hygienically by cleaning the mirrors and not using the same one on more than one person.
Wow! I can see right to the back.
The back teeth are a different shape to the front ones.
Do different teeth have different jobs?
What does our tongue do?
Finally, to finish off our examinations, we enjoyed a little role play.
Easter!
This week the children had fun decorating their own Easter eggs, using different materials.
Why not ask your child what they used to decorate their egg?
Living and Learning: I use good table manners
Every half term, our Living and Learning statements begin with a manners focus and this time we are looking at table manners.
Year 2 discussed different scenarios and how we would show good table manners. Children are encouraged to use these manners at school, when they have their school dinner or packed lunch, and we hope you see them at home too. We had a great discussion.
Reading at home
Daily reading at home is important to develop your child’s fluency and understanding of different texts.
This half term, we are starting a reading challenge where the children will move along the reading chart every time they read at home. Once they reach the end, they will receive a reward.
Please ensure there is a brief note/signature from an adult in your child’s reading record book to show they have read.