We are artists!
This term in topic, we are artists.
Our two featured artists for this half term are Martha McDonald Napaltjarri and Wassily Kandinsky.
During our first lesson of this topic, we used an atlas to find where both of these artists were born.
Living and Learning: new school charity
Every year, we vote for a new school charity to support and this week is the start of the selection process.
Our new charity will replace our current school charity St Gemma’s Hospice. An amazing £1500 has been raised for this great, local cause.
Whole school homework this week is to consider the following shortlist of charities.
The Children’s Heart Surgery Fund
The main objective of the charity is to enhance the quality of care and support available to babies, young children and adult congenital cardiac patients, who are treated at the Leeds Congenital Heart Unit, based at Leeds General Infirmary. https://www.chsf.org.uk
Zarach
We receive referrals through our network of schools. We deliver a bed bundle for every child in the household that requires it; this includes a brand-new Bed, Mattress, Duvet, Pillow, Bed Sheets, Pyjamas and Hygiene Kit. We work with local partners to include Food Parcels and, if needed, a school uniform. We can also mediate between families and their support services, as well as making referrals. https://zarach.org/
Leeds Hospitals Charity
To further any charitable purpose or purposes relating to the general or any specific purposes of Leeds Teaching Hospital Trust or the purposes of the National Health Service. https://www.leedshospitalscharity.org.uk
Simon on the Streets
Objectives are to: 1) prevent and relieve hardship and need and distress amongst those who are homeless and rootless by the provision of practical and emotional support, in particular but not exclusively to those who are sleeping rough or who are unwilling or unable to accept existing provision; 2) educate the public concerning the problems of social isolation and homelessness. https://simononthestreets.co.uk/
Trussell Trust
The Trussell Trust supports a nationwide network of food banks and together we provide emergency food and support to people locked in poverty, and campaign for change to end the need for food banks in the UK. www.trusselltrust.org
Mind (The National Association for Mental Health)
We provide information and support, campaign to improve policy and attitudes and, in partnership with independent local Minds, develop and provide local services. https://www.mind.org.uk/
The charities will be reviewed in class on Thursday 23 November. Each class will vote for one charity which will be brought to the Junior Leadership Team who will have the final vote on Friday 24 November.
We went to the Yorkshire Sculpture Park!
What an action-packed day we had on Tuesday!
Y5 and Y6 went on an amazing trip to the Yorkshire Sculpture Park to support our Art learning for this half term.
Before we went, we had a look at the website and previewed the art which made it very exciting when we actually saw them up close!
We took our Arty Ideas books and did a lot of amazing sketches.
It was great to see both abstract and figurative sculptures – just like we’ve been learning about in school.
Spot the difference: Moortown vs Network by Thomas J Price edition.
Zodiac Heads was definitely a fan favourite.
The texture and scale of the sculptures was sometimes mind boggling!
We did a lot of walking – luckily, the scenery was stunning. Can you spot Henry Moore’s Reclining Figure: Arch Leg in the distance?
In the afternoon, we took part in a workshop with a real artist!
We investigated patterns, colours and shape in Three Stones for Three Trees by David Nash.
And did some artwork without looking at the page – it was quite spiritual in a way.
Another great moment was seeing Barbara Hepworth’s Family of Man in real life! We had a tour of the sculptures and learnt all about the story of what they represent.
Lastly, inspired by the sculptures we’d seen, we made our own out of clay, just like Henry Moore would have done. He used a maquette made out of plaster.
Help at home by asking your child about their review of the trip which we’re doing in writing!
Author visit – James Mayhew
Today we were very lucky to have a zoom call with James Mayhew. He is author and illustrator of the Katie books, where Katie goes on magical adventures through art galleries. He spoke passionately about he love of drawing, art and writing and explained to us how he became an author. It all started with a trip to the museums in London!
He then told us all about the process of creating a book and how much time, effort and editing goes into the process. He also told us some stories whilst drawing and colouring the pictures, it was very impressive and the children were enthralled.
We got the chance James some questions and learn more about his favourite artists, favourite books and how long it takes to complete a book!
Help at home by talking to your child about the visit and looking out for any books by James Mayhew in the library or at home!
Living and Learning: anti-bullying day
This week, we had learnt a lot about anti-bullying!
We celebrated Odd Socks Day! We’re all unique but we’re still on the same team.
We defined respectful online behaviour…
… and discussed the dangers of careless posting online.
Help at home by setting boundaries for or just talking about what your child posts online (including messages on apps).
There are consequences to bad online behaviour. Lots of them!
We made a list of things we can do if come across some negative behaviour online, including just stepping away.
We also had loads of fantastic ideas for what makes a healthy friendship…
… and made some really key distinctions between bullying and just falling out. Bullying happens Several Times On Purpose so you should:
- Start
- Telling
- Other
- People
Bullying needs to STOP – we’re a happy, healthy and safe school.
Design and technology food: banana sandwich
This week, Year 2 have been using their food preparation skills to create their latest product, a banana sandwich.
This forms part of our Design and Technology food learning which involves following a recipe to create a product each term.
Here are some of the skills we used.
Peeling
Bridge hold (for cutting)
Claw grip (for cutting)
Spreading
Arranging toppings
Sprinkling
The comments from the children when they got to eat their product were very positive!
I can’t stop eating it!
I’ve never had this before but I like it.
It’s the best sandwich I’ve ever had.
I’m going to make this at home for all my family.
It was unbelievable!
I didn’t think I’d like the cream cheese but it’s amazing.
The cinnamon gave it a little bit of a spicy taste.
We always evaluated our product afterwards to see how it could be changed it next time.
Well done to all the children who worked safely and sensibly with Ms Canning. Next week, we will be using this learning to help with instruction writing.
Help at home: your child has taken this recipe home. Can they demonstrate some of their food preparation skills by making this again at home.
Abstract vs figurative art
We’ve continued our history of art journey by analysing whether art is figurative or abstract.
I’ve been really impressed with Y6’s ability to discuss art this half term. Well done, everyone!
Help at home by asking your child to define these terms!
We showed off our artistic knowledge by explaining how we knew which art belonged where.
Living and Learning: anti-bullying day and odd socks day
We kicked off anti-bullying day with our odd socks to celebrate that we are all unique and different.
First of all, we explored our school definition of bullying, created by our junior leaders, by looking at what some of the words meant.
What are the different types of bullying?
Our school definition helped us understand the different types of bullying – physical (hurting our body), emotional (hurting our feelings) or cyber bullying (online).
The story #Goldilocks looks at how we should treat everyone with respect whether it is in person or online.
How can you STOP bullying?
We used our weekly circle time to think about the role we all have to STOP bullying. Year 2 had some excellent suggestions.
Our main message is Start Telling Other People and to continue to do that until you are heard.
You can stop bullying by…
saying STOP to the bullies and if they don’t stop, tell an adult.
telling the bully to stop if you are a bystander.
being kind to people and not hurting them.
help the person being bullied and take them to an adult.
looking out for people and helping people solve problems.
telling an adult at home if it was online.
being resilient and saying STOP.
ignoring the bully, walk away and don’t say anything back to them.
What is the impact of bullying?
We used drama techniques to think about how someone being bullied might feel. By thought tracking the victim, we explored their different emotions. We also considered the role of bystanders and what they should do.
How can you get help?
Seeking help can be done in a number of different ways.
Who could you tell? (taken from our child friendly anti-bullying policy)
- Safeguarding team – Mrs Weekes, Mr Wilks and Mrs Russell
- Any other members of staff
- A trusted adult
- Someone in your family
- Friends
- Childline (0800 1111)
- Write a worry slip and put it in your Living and Learning box or the whole school worry box (outside the school office)
- Email stayingsafe@spherefederation.org
The children thought about who they would tell if they needed to Start Telling Other People.
Help at home: discuss our school definition of bullying with your child. Do they know the difference between falling out and bullying, and between a one-off situation and something that’s happened more than once?
Living and Learning: Anti-bullying day
Yesterday, we had anti-bullying day at school. We all came in odd socks to show that everyone is different and unique.
We spoke about what bullying means and looked at the JLT’s definition of bullying and what we can do to stop it.
We made a kindness heart and talked about kindness.
What is kindness?
Xara-Mae – You are kind to people.
Rowan – You play with friends.
Zara – If you give someone a hug.
Dawud – Not bullying people.
Bryher – You scooter together.
Harry – You’re kind to everyone.
Teddy – Sharing toys.
Laila – Saying sorry.
Living and learning: Me and my money
Last week, Year 4 took part in our first themed week of the year – me and my money.
Over the course of the week, we had a variety of sessions where we learnt a lot about money, spending, prices and saving. We also had some visitors in to help us with our learning. Here’s what we got up to:
A teacher from Allerton Grange spoke to us about the different career paths we could take when we are older. We had fun using different props to think of as many potential jobs to do with that item as we could!
On Wednesday, we had a visitor from Natwest who needed our help solving a fraud case! We needed to think like detectives and unpick a range of sources to crack the case. We are now experts in how to keep our personal information and money safe and what scams to look out for!
On Friday, the whole school ventured into the playground to complete our penny trail. We had so many 1 and 2ps that we ended up doubling and tripling up our coins!
Year 4 personally raised £7.04 which is an amazing effort. Thank you to everyone who contributed!
Help at home by thinking of different items that you would like and and decide: Is it a need or a want?