Learning about the brain
Year One have enjoyed a week of exciting activities. These activities helped them to understand and learn about their amazing brains. This is what they said:
- “Our brains help us think!”
- “My brain needs water.”
- “My brain has 3 parts.”
Water Aid Assembly
We’ve a sponsored walk on Friday – Gary from Water Aid tells the school about what happens with our donations.
Our amazing brains – Brain Box week!
This week is dedicated to developing an awareness of learning and how the brain works.
The importance of exercise, healthy food, sleep, hydration and emotional health, for a healthy brain, will be covered throughout the week alongside a main focus for each day:
Monday
Understanding your brain, brain cells and how to help your brain to learn.
Tuesday
How your brain learns best and learning styles.
Key Stage 2 classes will also have a visit from d:Side. As part of our drug education in school, representatives from d:Side, a drug and health programme, will be looking, in particular, at the effects of various drugs on the brain.
Staff from d:Side will be available after school, in the dining room, for parents / carers to ask any questions about these sessions.
Wednesday
Developing the understanding of multiple intelligences and that everyone has gifts and talents.
Dr Dave Lewis, Senior Lecturer of Neuroscience, from the University of Leeds will be visiting Key Stage 2 classes.
Thursday
Thinking about thinking and problem solving.
Friday
A day to remember – exploring a range of memory strategies.
The whole school Water Aid sponsored walk will take place during Friday.
Please check the website for further information and links to websites throughout the week.
Mini-topic
For the first few weeks of term we have learnt about ‘Ourselves’. We’ve looked at our bodies, families and the five senses. These photographs are of us learning about faces.
We had great fun making faces on biscuits.
SEAL statement 07 September
This week we begin our new SEAL theme, New Beginnings, and the weekly statement is ‘I can make someone feel welcome.‘
Over this half term, as the children are experiencing new beginnings, each class will be looking at how they can all contribute to establishing a welcoming and safe environment for learning.
A new school year
Welcome to Year 1!
We’ve had a great first week and I’m pleased with the efforts and behaviour of all of the children.
Just a few notes about the term ahead:
PE – this will take place on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Children should bring their PE kits to school and leave in school until half term. If they get dirty they will be sent home for washing.
Reading – we aim to hear your child read on a weekly basis within school, once by a teacher and once by the teaching assistant. Please make time to read with your child and encourage them to discuss the text. It would be helpful if you make a comment of any reading done in your child’s reading record book.
Homework – children in Year 1 will receive homework on a Friday and it’s due back on Wednesday the following week. See the front of the homework book for more details.
Spelling – this will be set home on a Monday and a spelling test will take place on the Friday.
Class bear – Year 1 is home to Ralph Bear! A child will be rewarded each week by bringing Ralph home for the weekend. He will bring with him his suitcase and diary. Please encourage your child to write in his diary about his weekend. Photos are also welcome.
A warm welcome to Abigail, who has joined our class. She has fitted in beautifully and I am sure she will be very happy at Moortown Primary.
If you have any questions about the term ahead, please do not hesitate to ask.
Goodbye Year 1!
Where has this year gone? It has been an amazing year and each and every child has flourished, matured and made our year a very successful one. There have been many highlights including Emre coming to school as Bob Dylan and Malique thinking that I was alive in 1935! The class has many characters, all with different strengths, but they are one of the most co-operative classes that Mrs Maver or I have ever taught.
There have been so many successes I could sit here all night listing them; here are a few:
- Sarah has become so independent
- Mia has become a whizz at maths and is so much more confident
- Dominic has matured and has made amazing progress in his writing
- Haider is much more sure of himself
- Luke has shown brilliant positive behaviour
A big thank you to Mrs Strange and Mrs Maqbool who have supported the children all year in their learning and a big thank you to you, the parents / carers, for your ongoing support – it makes our lives much easier.
We look forward to seeing all the children in Year 2. They can’t get away from us as we will be popping in next door to make sure they are showing Miss Hewson their best! Well done Year 1 – have a great summer!
Messy Modroc!
We finished our Seaside topic in style with a very messy week and lots of fun. The children have become experts in using modroc so if you ever break a bone they may be able to help you (watch out, Frankie’s mum and dad, as it was a bit soggy!). The shapes of the sea creatures were made with newspaper and masking tape; these were then covered with modroc and water which then set very quickly. A few days later the models were painted and now we have some very interesting sea creatures.
Hello from Mumbai
One of our Year 1 friends a little while ago. We’re all delighted to read this email he has sent us…
Dear Mrs Maver, Mrs Weekes and all my Year 1 friends,
Hello everyone! Hope you are having fantastic time at Moortown Primary. I am doing great in Mumbai. I love my new school R.N. Podar, but at the same time I miss Moortown.
I study in Grade 1. There are 25 students in 1 division and there are 3 divisions. Going to school by school bus is very exciting. I have made many new friends. One of my classmates comes from France. My school time is from 1 pm to 5.30 pm.
We have themed weeks same as Moortown . Last week was Hygiene Week. This week we are preparing for the musical – Little Red Riding Hood – which is tomorrow.
Hope all of you enjoy your summer holidays and keep in touch.
Regards to Mr Roundtree, Mrs O’Malley, Mrs Russell, Mrs Maqbool, Mrs Smithells and everyone at Moortown.
Love,
Adwait
Health questionnaire
There will be no further homework this term. However, please support your child to complete the health questionnaire sent home today in order to find out their views on some of our key health issues at school.
Emotional health and obesity are the two targets we are working on in school to further our healthy schools status and the questions, devised last year by the school council, are linked to these areas. These include:
- Are you happy at school?
- What do you enjoy most about playtimes and lunchtimes?
Completed questionnaires to be returned by Monday 16 July.
