Odd Socks Day
Today, Y6 had a day all about Anti-Bullying.
We wore odd socks to show how we’re all unique and differences should be celebrated!
We’ve also had lessons about how to stay safe and respectful online, how to solve disagreements respectfully and the impacts that disrespectful behaviour can have.
Help at home by asking your child to explain the two definitions of the acronym STOP.
Anti-Bullying Day!
This week is Anti-Bullying Week and at Moortown, we are celebrating it with Anti-Bullying Day today.
It is a special week and day to encourage everyone to take a stand against bullying all year round.
We’ve been wearing odd socks to celebrate diversity, acceptance and including everyone! We want to respect everyone, regardless of their differences. Respect means to treat others how we would like to be treated; with kindness.
Our definition of bullying is…
Bullying can be verbal, physical, emotional or online (cyber-bullying).
We have lots of things we can do to help ourselves or others if we notice bullying:
- Talk to a trusted adult.
- Share with friends.
- Call Childline on 0800 1111.
- Write a worry in the worry box.
- Email stayingsafe@spherefederation.org
We took part in a live lesson on CBBC that taught us how deal with disagreements, falling outs and bullying.
Michael Rosen Day
Today, Y6 had a virtual event with the one and only Michael Rosen!
He told us some fantastic tips about writing poems and invited us to join in while he told some very funny ones.
Help at home by writing a poem! Michael gave us some topic ideas to get us started: family, school, food or even jokes that rhyme like the one below!
Down behind the dustbin
I met a dog called Ted.
‘Leave me alone,’ he says,
‘I’m just going to bed.’Down behind the dustbin
I met a dog called Roger.
‘Do you own this bin?’ I said.
‘No. I’m only a lodger.’Down behind the dustbin
I met a dog called Sue.
‘What are you doing here?’ I said.
‘I’ve got nothing else to do.’Down behind the dustbin
I met a dog called Jim.
He didn’t know me
And I didn’t know him.
“Michael Rosen’s poems are very funny and inspirational,” said Rayhan.
“I really enjoyed it because I’m very good at imagining things. The word hyperbole reminds me of Herbology in Harry Potter,” shared Inayah.
“I’ve seen Michael Rosen before and I like his poems. They’re very interesting. Meeting the real man is a real honour because I’ve read loads of his poems. He gave us loads of advice which was like a dream come true!” beamed Joseph.
“He said his iconic nice!” added Harjas.
Aryan stated: “It was interesting and fun to watch because it brings me joy to see the actual Michael Rosen.”
Spelling – ough
This week, we’ve looked at spellings containing the ough letter string.
We discussed lots of ough words, their definitions and how they sound totally different to each other!
Help at home by practising sentences at home containing the ough letter string.
Reminder: stay and learn sessions
Number 1 – 13.11.24 9-9:30am
Year 2 cheer dance
Today, some of the year 2 children took part in a cheer dance event led by DAZL (Dance Action Zone Leeds). The children followed a warm up and learnt some cheer dance techniques to put together in a routine using pom poms. The children were very brave to perform the routine to the other schools there. Finally, all the children made a circle and encouraged each other to perform their own dance move in the middle. It was great to see the children’s confidence to do this.
We loved our Moortown PE tops too! 
DAZL run our Thursday after-school dance club and there are a few spaces available if your child would like to join.
I liked the pom poms because I’ve been wishing to do cheerleading.
I liked cheerleading because it is a type of dance and I like to dance.
I liked it because I learnt a new dance.
I liked the circle time because we could show everyone our own dance move.
It was amazing!
Saturday cross country runners
Well done to all our KS2 pupils who took part in the second Leeds Schools Sports Association cross country race at Cardinal Heenan on Saturday morning.
All the children ran brilliantly and improved their race positions from last time.
Thank you to parents who supported at the event.
There are two more races this season and information will be sent about these nearer the time. Please note there is a new registration system this year with all children being registered prior to their first race to take part.
Me and my community week!
This week has been all about me and my community!
We have been learning about what a community is and what communities we are a part of.
A community is a group of people who have things in common. This might be similar interests, neighbourhoods or religions. Communities help us to make new friends, learn new things and share ideas.
We’ve had some visitors to help us learn about different communities.
The Visually Impaired community talked about how people with visual impairments experience life and what we can do to help them.
Grandad’s Wheels came in to talk to us about a community that have spinal injuries or who need wheelchairs. He has written books about him and his grandson to help raise money for those who need it. We designed him a new, out of this world wheelchair! Have a look at what we did…
We also learnt how to support people who are deaf and how we can use British Sign Language to communicate.
We’ve also learnt about identities and what makes up our identity. This can include our interests and families. Everyone’s family and identity is different and that makes us special!
We finished of the week with ‘Identity Day’ where we dressed up in clothes that represent us or part of our identity. This could be a club we go to, a religion or a culture.
We linked our identities to our British Values and Protected Characteristics. To ensure that everyone is feeling happy and healthy, we must be respectful and kind to others.
Help at home by listing how many communities you and your family are a part of. What do you have in common with the people in your communities? How are you different to others in your communities?
Autumn 2: Week 1
We have had lots of fantastic guests during community week including the author of Grandad’s Wheels.
We also had a visitor who shared with us how it feels to be blind and some of the obstacles he has to overcome. The children got the opportunity to feel some braille and ask him questions.
The children have enjoyed discussing what a community is and what communities they belong to.
Help at home: by talking further about different communities and celebrations.
We have been talking about different festivals this week including Diwali and Bonfire night.
The children have even created lights as part of their challenge time this week.
The children have also enjoyed completing other challenges around the classroom.
Maths
This week, we have been looking at different representations of 5. The children have enjoyed making 5 lots of different ways.
In our outdoor area, we have enjoyed lots of role play including making cars to travel to different places and magical kingdoms.
Reminder: Tuesday 12th October we are wearing odd socks to school to celebrate our differences.
Reminder: next week is World Nursery rhyme week . We will be celebrating in class.
Help at home: by sharing nursery rhymes with your child.
Me & My Communities Week
This week, it’s been our ‘Me and My Communities‘ themed week and it’s been jam packed with lots of great experiences. We’ve loved it! Here are some highlights of our week in Year 4:
On Monday, we were lucky enough to go and visit the Marjorie and Arnold Ziff Community Centre to see all the brilliant work they do. We learnt about everything they provide for our community and even got to join in on a game of bingo!
On Tuesday, we talked about the importance of happy and healthy relationships – particularly with our friends and families. The children came up with lots of great examples of what makes a positive, healthy friendship and how these friendships make you feel.
Your children then engaged brilliantly with our lesson on families. There are many different types of family structures which we discussed. Then, the children had the chance to draw their own family and write what makes it special. It was lovely to read all of their thoughtful responses to this activity.
We’ve been really lucky to have had some amazing visitors in to see us this week. Fay and Sid (and Jay the guide dog) from the Royal National Institute of Blind People delivered an insightful assembly on what it is like to live with a visual impairment and how we can support these people. The children even had the chance to feel a braille book and map!
You can find out more about the RNIB at: https://www.rnib.org.uk/
Your children loved our visit from Grandad Wheels who taught us all about life in a wheelchair. He read one of his silly stories which was a particular highlight!
You can find out more about Grandad Wheels at: https://www.grandadwheels.com/
Our final highlight was when Pat, from Friends of Moortown Park, kindly showed us around the park. He told us all about how he supports our local community and how your children can help too. It was great to hear all the amazing work being done right on our doorstep!
Help at home: ask your child what communities they’re part of and how they can support these.