Maths and English
Maths
This week in maths, we’ve been looking at mental methods of subtraction. We started the week by looking at a method called “forcing bonds”. Let’s have a look at this in practice…
To make this calculation easier, we can start by subtracting down to the previous ten. This would mean we would subtract four to get to thirty.
Having subtracted four, how much more would we need to subtract the full eight?
We would then subtract the remaining four which gives us an answer of twenty six.
We’ve also looked at the “add and adjust” method of subtraction which we usually use when subtracting nine.
To start, we add one to our nine which gives us ten. As a class we agreed that finding ten less is much easier than subtracting nine.
We would then use a blank number line to clearly record our methodology.
We then have to “adjust” our answer because we want to subtract nine not ten. To do this we add one back on.
English
In English, we’ve been looking at how to punctuate direct speech. Here is an example of correctly punctuated direct speech.
We use inverted commas (speech marks) before and after speech in a sentence. Ask your child how their “speech hands” can help them punctuate speech.
Direct speech is always finished with punctuation – usually a comma. Can your child think of any other punctuation that could be used at the end of direct speech? Since this punctuation is part of the speech it must come before the closing inverted commas.
After speech we often see the word said or a synonym of said. We’ve been exploring said synonyms in class.
To make our speech sentences more interesting, we’ve also looked at adding in adverbs. Adverbs describe a verb and in this sentence the verb is said.
Library
I hope your child has enjoyed having a book from our library. Please could you make sure they bring their library books back to school next week as we are having a rotation of stock.
The run up to Christmas
There are two weeks left before we all disappear for the festive season. It’ll be busy, as usual, in Y5. What will we be up to?
Topic – We’re starting to round off the learning we’ve enjoyed about space through Tim Peake’s mission to the ISS (International Space Station). To celebrate what a fantastic topic this has been, we’ll be collating all of our knowledge to take on a D&T/Science project to create our own rocket for launch. We’re still using Makewaves to showcase our learning.
English – Our noses are in newspapers at the moment. We’ve explored reports of the moon landings from 1969 and we’ll be coming back to the present next week to report on Tim’s upcoming mission. For the final week, we’ll get our creative juices flowing again and see if we can write for a given audience. The aim will be to create a Christmas story book to be read to the children in Reception and Year 1.
Maths – Dig out your protractors next week as we start learning how to measure angles. We’ll recap the names of different angles before learning how to measure them and then explore angles in shapes.
04 December 2015
For Practice Makes Perfect, we’re returning to Mathletics. All of the children have been assigned three tasks related to time.
- What time will it be?
- Elapsed time.
- Using timetables.
This homework is due on Wednesday 09 December. If there is any reason that this homework cannot be completed at home, please let me know on Monday (before the homework is due).
04 December 2015
This week’s homework is Talk Time and will be discussed on Wednesday 09 December.
To reflect on our topic, ‘Mission to Space’.
As Tim Peake’s launch draws closer, the end of ‘Mission to Space’ does, too. Over dinner, in the car, on your way to and from school, have discussions about the topic.
- Have you enjoyed it? Why?
- What new things have you learnt?
- Is there anything you’d still like to find out?
- What’s been the best thing about it?
- How could it have been improved?
Remember to write yourself some short notes to help with our discussion in class.
I can make healthy choices
We had lots of brilliant, interactive pieces of homework this week. During our homework review, it was great fun not only looking at what we had all done, but playing the different games and challenges that had been set.
There were all sorts of different challenges: word searches, pairs game, top trumps, voting slips and much more.
Healthy drinks update – day 4
These pictures were taken on Monday. So far, the children have been most shocked by the Fruit Shoot and the Monster. We had to throw the milk away as it had started to smell bad!
Healthy drinks update – day 2
Health highlights
Our health themed week has been filled with visitors and learning, providing a variety of experiences for the whole school.
- ‘It was really educational and fun.’
- ‘I enjoyed health week as there were so many activities.’
- ‘I learnt a lot about sugar in foods. I learnt about drugs: good or bad.’
- ‘One of my highlights was judo. We learnt different skills and it has now inspired me to take classes out of school.’
- ‘I did learn a lot and now I am even healthier than before.’
- ‘I learnt how to cope with emotional health.’
- ‘I learnt how to make sure I have my 5 a day.’
- ‘I learnt how to choose the right food.’
We would like to thank the following for their support with our themed week:
- Heart Research UK
- d:side (drug education)
- Tsukuru Judo Academy
- Tom Bosworth, Team GB race walker
- Claire Sparrow, pilates instructor
- Catering Leeds food nutritionists
- Leeds Force basketball
- Leeds City Council road safety team
- Leeds University dental students
- Leeds anti-social behaviour team
- Rachel Frazer, yoga teacher
- Dr Natwar Tibrewal, Corner House dental surgery
- Fabian Hamilton, MP for Leeds North East
- Public health resource centre for the loan of resources and providing health related leaflets
Finally, thank you to all staff and pupils who have fully engaged with all the learning throughout the week. Take a look at the Class News sections of the website to find out what each class have been doing. We have enjoyed a fun-filled week.
For further information about keeping healthy have a look at change4life, KidsHealth, NHS choices, Leeds Let’s Change and Leeds Let’s Get Active (for advice on more local health issues).
And an extra note from Mr Roundtree: Thanks, once again, to Mrs Taylor for organising such a wonderful themed week.
Preparing a healthy wrap
Year 2 are continuing to develop their food technology skills, this time by creating a healthy wrap as an option for packed lunches. Spreading, chopping and grating were some of the techniques used in this simple recipe that I’m sure will be recreated at home.
Learning new skills and respect
In Health week, Reception enjoyed a session with Rob from Tsukuru Judo Academy. As well as the physical skills, Rob taught us about the importance of respecting each other in the discipline of judo.
There were some brave volunteers!
Tsukuru Judo Academy will be starting judo sessions locally at Carr Manor in December.
