Computing with Kodu
LO: I can create and debug algorithms.
“Today we did coding with Kodu where we had different characters. We changed the heights of them and the settings of them by left-clicking and right-clicking.” – Sami
“First we clicked Kodu and pressed program. Then we had to click When… keyboard. We clicked the little add and used WASD. We went on the Do which was move and we kept it on move.” – Yusayrah
Not only did we have a go at programming our Kodus to move using algorithms, we found a bug in a pre-written piece of code and said how to fix the problem – this is called debugging.
“First we looked at them both and saw that both were arrows. We needed to change one of them to WASD because if we had both as arrows, it would control both of them.” – Albie
“I found the most challenging part was to control the Kodu because you might have pressed the wrong button and it went into the Rover.” – Phoebe
“I found moving the land the hardest because you could move it into the wrong place and do the wrong things. Remember to press F4 to put it back to the middle.” – Jasraj
“My favourite part was getting the Kodu and the Rover. They are really cute and you can change their colours.” – Jemima
“My favourite bit was moving Rover because sometimes when Safiya-Mishal was helping other people I tried to do 360’s around our other Kodu.” – Noah
Next week, we’ll design other sequences of instructions to achieve a goal. The aim for the end of the unit is to create our very own games!
Vocab – Words of the Week
This week, in Year 5, we’re focussing on a few words that might improve our vocabulary (both in speech and in our writing).
Our focus words are:
- uncouth (adjective)
- to inspire (verb)
- optimism (abstract noun)
We’ve been trying to use these words throughout the day in class and in our writing where possible. Today, Kai and Lewis managed to use the word inspire in an answer during our reading lesson. We used this article about Helen Sharman to help us improve our retrieval, interpreting and author’s choice skills. When asked what the purpose was, Lewis wrote: “To inspire and influence young people who may be interested in a career in science or space!” – great answer!
See if your child can use these words at home and help out by asking what they mean.
Shapes in the sun
Last week, we took full advantage of the lovely weather and took our maths lesson outside.
End of year 4 expectations for geometry and shape are that children can:
- compare and classify geometric shapes, including quadrilaterals and triangles, based on their properties and sizes
- identify acute and obtuse angles and compare and order angles up to two right angles by size
- identify lines of symmetry in 2-D shapes presented in different orientations
- complete a simple symmetric figure with respect to a specific line of symmetry
We focused on comparing and classifying 2D shapes. After discussing all the properties of various shapes, the children set to work on grouping them. It was great to see the class remember various ways of sorting from our previous topic
.
PE
During PE, the children have been focusing on throwing and catching skills. They have used beanbags, hoops and various sizes of balls.
Today, we used balloons. Using the parachute, we worked as a team to control the balloons whilst creating different movements. 
The children had various challenges they had to complete with their balloon. We had lots of fun and all the class worked very hard.
School dinner consultation
Thank you to all parents and carers who provided feedback on the recent school dinner consultation of meal choices for the September menu.
Catering Leeds, our school meal provider, can offer an alternate jacket potato and sandwich option alongside the meat and vegetarian daily option and we welcomed your feedback on whether this would work for you and your child(ren).
There were a number of parents/carers who were interested to try this option but the majority of responses expressed an interest to keep the options as they currently are. The main feedback was for children to have a hot meal for their school meal rather than a sandwich.
As a result of this, we will continue with the existing daily meat, vegetarian and jacket potato option.
The September menu is currently in the planning stages and we have liaised with Catering Leeds to ensure the menu is tailored to our children’s preferences, while still meeting the national school food criteria. Once finalised, this new menu will be made available to parents/carers at the end of the summer term.
Our current menu can be viewed in the Health section and is displayed around school.
Thank you once again for your feedback on our school meals.
Themed menu
Catering Agency, our school meal provider, will be running a special themed menu on Tuesday 15 May.
Please contact the office, by Friday 04 May, if your child would like a school dinner on this day.
Measuring length and height
This week, we’ve started a new block of maths learning all about measuring, starting with length and height. So far, we’ve been learning how to use a ruler to measure items and also to draw lines of certain lengths (to the nearest cm). If you’ve a ruler at home, find some things to measure. We’ve investigated when to use centimetres (cm) or metres (m) as the units for measuring length and height.
Taken from the Year 2 age related expectations, here are the related objectives we will be learning.
24. choose and use appropriate standard units to estimate and measure length/height in any direction (m/cm); mass (kg/g); temperature (°C); capacity (litres/ml) to the nearest appropriate unit, using rulers, scales, thermometers and measuring vessels
25. compare and order lengths, mass, volume/capacity and record the results using >, < and =
Here are some example questions of how this learning might appear in a maths reasoning SAT paper.
Supermovers have a great video to show when to use different units for measuring, cm and m in Year 2, and for keeping active, too. The children love to join in with these in class.
Also, take a look at Mathletics as new activities have been assigned for the children to follow up this learning at home.
We’re looking forward to seeing all the measuring related homework this week, too.
Stay and play session
Don’t forget our stay and play session tomorrow. Come along in the morning for some creative fun! There will be no relax and read this week.
See you there!
Living and learning – Mental health
Today, we began our mental health topic in Living and learning.
We started by reading this book which introduced the concept of mental health in a child friendly way.
Today’s learning was to consider the importance of special people in our lives and why they are important to us.
- ‘My dad is special because he lets us go to fun places.’
- ‘My family are special because they keep me safe.’
- ‘Henry is special because he is my best brother.’
- ‘My grandad is special to me because he died and I will never forget him.’
- ‘My friend is very kind and special to me.’
- ‘My baby sister is special to me because she is my first sibling.’
Big Pedal day 2
We’ve had a great increase in the number of journeys to school by bike and scooter with 24% of pupils travelling in this way today. Thank you for your support to promote this sustainable travel.
Reception continue to be the class with the highest number of pupils biking or scooting with Year 2 in second place today.
Remember, if you have to come by car to school, park further away so your child can scoot or bike the rest of the way.