Hanging about…
Making a promotion come alive using our new iPads
This afternoon, we’ve turned the promotions we’ve been writing all week into a presentation using the Keynote app on our new iPads.
Thank you…
…for coming to the first class assembly of 2012-13.
Like you, I enjoyed it immensely. The clear highlight for me was seeing how happy and comfortable the children were, working so well as a team. Your highlights (as noted on the comments sheet) included the singing, the representation of the water cycle and the sense of fun throughout: “Very good as always” was one comment that summed it up.
Sponsored Walk
Last Friday, Year 3 and Year 4 completed their sponsored walk. We managed to do two laps around Highmoor Crescent. Here are some pictures:
PE links with Allerton Grange
We work closely with Allerton Grange to arrange PE activities for each class.
Throughout the year, Year 1 to Year 6 will be taking part in sessions led by the Sports and Dance leaders at Allerton Grange.
The visits take place during the school day and teachers will inform their class nearer to the time.
Did you watch Nina and the Neurons?
Over the weekend there was a very topical subject explained on the cbeebies programme, Nina and the Neurons. It was all about why people need sleep and that when people sleep the brain sorts out all the information taken in by your senses throughout the day.
If you missed it why not watch it on BBC iPlayer: http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/cbeebies/episode/b01554dc/Nina_and_the_Neurons_Nina_and_the_Neurons_Brilliant_Bodies_Sleep/
There is also another episode you could watch about memory.
Hopefully it should help to reinforce your learning from Brain Box week.
Breakfast, lunch and water to fuel your brain
This week we’ve found out how a healthy, balanced diet and good hydration provides us with the energy our brain needs to function throughout the day.
Nutritionists believe that breakfast is the most important meal of the day but what children eat can be just as crucial. Breakfast cereals and foods rich in whole grains, fibre and protein and low in added sugar may boost attention span, concentration and memory and prevent children having a mid morning energy drop. http://kidshealth.org/parent/nutrition_center/healthy_eating/breakfast.html
Fruit at playtime, provided free for Reception and Key Stage 1 and the only snack allowed at Key Stage 2 playtime, can provide an energy boost for the rest of the morning. Remember the weekly fruit tuckshop on Tuesdays is available to Key Stage 2 costing 20p per item.
A healthy, balanced lunch is also crucial to refuel the brain for the afternoon’s learning and this week children, who bring a packed lunch to school, have been given a copy of our Guide for Healthy Packed Lunches (https://www.moortown.leeds.sch.uk/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/packed-lunch-guidance.pdf). The guide was launched in September 2010 but may not have been seen by children new to the school or children who may have previously had school dinners.
The importance of hydration for the brain, to maximise learning, has been another focus of our Brain Box week. Children need to have a water bottle to keep in their classroom to allow regular water breaks throughout the day. This should be taken home weekly to be cleaned. Water is also provided at lunchtime for packed lunches and school dinners.
As well as regular exercise and opportunities for relaxation these factors all contribute to a healthy brain!
Better brains with more sleep
‘Your brain needs lots of sleep to repair itself and to organise and sort everything you have learnt’… One of the messages in the Good-night guide for children, published by The Sleep Council, sent home today, at the end of Brain Box week.
Research carried out by The Sleep Council revealed that lack of sleep among primary school children was having a devastating effect in schools with nine out of 10 teachers (92%) complaining that pupils were so tired they were unable to pay attention in class. More than a third (38%) said lack of sleep among youngsters is a daily problem for them.
This week, classes have been looking at The Sleep Council’s Better Brains with More Sleep initiative where children are encouraged to learn tips on getting their full sleep quota and the factors that can affect it.
Our Big Topics begin…
We’ve had a busy few weeks with mini-topics and our themed week but our Big Topics will begin next week!
Our topics for this school year are:
Year 1 and 2
- Roll up! Roll up! Learning about the origins of the circus and how they have changed over time
- Treasure A new topic for 2012-2013, ‘Treasure’ will include lots of map-reading and adventure
- Ee Ie Ee Ie O! Learning about different types of farms and animals
Year 3 and 4
- All aboard! Learning about transport through the ages
- To infinity and beyond! A popular topic delving deep into space
- Food, glorious food! Another new topic for 2012-2013, ‘Food, glorious food’ will look at popular food in different cultures
Year 5 and 6
- Rich and poor Thinking about differences in lifestyle between rich and poor over time
- Theme parks Another new topic for this school year, ‘Theme parks’ is a roller-coaster ride which links all the key literacy learning the children have done in the past, from reports to recounts
- Chocolate A popular topic looking at aspects such as fair trade and how chocolate is made
Class Assembly
It is our class assembly on Thursday 4 October. It will start at 2:40.
See you there!