Foooooooore!
Year 4 have a visitor today from Cookridge Hall Golf Club. We’re trying some golf swings. Thankfully, all the balls are made out of sponge so we won’t be smashing any windows!
“It’s great fun and it also helps our coordination.” (Harris, Year 4)
“It’s harder than it looks!” (Abigail, Year 4)
Paul, who led the session, commented: “Out of the hundred schools I’ve been to, this one is the most well-behaved.”
Well done, Year 4!
Big Topic
What has your child learnt about their Big Topic so far?
Thanks…
…to all friends and family who came along to the Class Assembly for Year 4.
This week, our SEAL (Social and Emotional Aspects of Learning) is I can make a fresh start, which is part of the SEAL theme New Beginnings.
A highlight for me was seeing how powerful this SEAL statement is in different contexts: learning, friendships, behaviour…
Here are some of your comments:
- “Impressed with the children’s confidence and their obvious enjoyment.”
- “Loud and clear message done really well. Great performance (as always!). Loved it.”
- “Great acting and good messages.”
- “Excellent entertaining assembly. Loving the ‘X Factor’ style singing.”
Observational drawing
Year 4 are drawing different types of transport through the ages.
Transport Timeline
Year 4 dramatise some historical events which shaped modern transport. Can you guess what event this freeze-frame represents?
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.