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Spectacular science

Yesterday, we enjoyed a mind-blowing science lesson in which we practised our observation skills (LO: To be able to use observations to verify predictions).

We started off by moulding some ‘Soapy Foam’ (other brands available) into a sphere.

We knew we were going to leave the soap (untouched) all day. We each made a prediction about what we thought would happen:

• ‘I think it will shrink because the water in the soap will evaporate.’
• ‘I think it will expand because of the pressure from the air.’
• ‘I think it will turn into a puddle because it will melt.’

Then, as a group, we ordered our predictions from least likely to most likely.

We observed the soap throughout the day. This is called an ‘observation over time’. Ask your child what happened and encourage them to explain why they think this occurred.

In the next part of the lesson, we filled a small glass with water. We filled the glass to its absolute full capacity – ask your child what we noticed about the top of the glass. On the table, we had a range of items (cotton wool, counters, paper clip, Base 10 rod, Multilink cube) and predicted what would happen if we put them in the glass. Obviously, the water would be displaced and overflow, right? Well, we all decided that the cotton wool had the best chance of fitting in the glass without any water spilling over the slides so we investigated. We put the cotton wool in the water and observed what happened…

You’ll never believe it but the cotton wool went into the glass without a single drop of water being spilled! Ask your child if they can explain to you why this strange phenomena occurred (hint: think about particles and the three states of matter).

Everyone’s mind was blown. Especially this person…

15 September 2017

This week’s spellings are all words which need you to drop the ‘y’ for an ‘i’. Then, you add either ed or es to make the past tense or a plural noun. If you’re not sure what any of them mean, find out. We may ask children to spell similar words that follow the same pattern:

Learn this pattern in preparation for the test on Friday 22 September.

Hotseating

On Thursday, we wrote a diary entry as Henry from ‘The Incredible Book Eating Boy’. In order to get into character, we thought about what questions we’d like to ask Henry if he were real and then some of us took on his character, fabulously.

Goodbye, Year 6

A final hello to you all as Y6’s time at Moortown draws to a close. I’ve had the most wonderful two years working with this class. They’re funny, work hard and just a nice bunch of kids. I shall say my farewells in verse as has become a tradition of mine and, although I’ve worked hard on the rhyming, every word is true!

The time has come to say goodbye,

But don’t you girls worry and don’t you boys cry.

Addam through school you’ve worked so very hard,

Aleena you’ve strived for every inch, every yard.

Adwait you’ll go to infinity and beyond,

Ava, of you, I am very fond.

Ben, so lively and so full of spark,

And Dom, with you, I’ve had such a lark.

Ebs just lovely, always does the right thing,

I know, to Emre, success life will bring.

Franks always true to just who you are,

And Grace (my little bookworm) a bright, shining star.

Haider quite honestly, the jewel in my crown,

Indi will always turn my frown upside down.

Izzy – two things – great girl, great writer,

And Jack makes the days that little bit brighter.

Jorja whose smile can light up the school,

Kieron so modest but also so cool.

Manya so calm but with friends she’s quite crazed,

By Mia’s creations you’ll all be amazed.

Malique, master of cheek, but does make me smile,

And Riya, oh so lovely, all of the while.

Kostas knows what is right, what is wrong,

Moses, great actor, loves to belt out a song.

Talha – so laid back – it’s been a blast,

Nats there to help me, right to the last.

Naran now grown into a fine young man,

And Owen, well, I’m his biggest fan.

Raj is a dark horse, so quick and so witty,

Subhaan, my little gent, he just loves Man City.

Sarah so kind with a great big heart,

Zaiyad, from whom, I don’t wish to part.

So Y6, I’ve had a great time and hope you all have too,

Be good. Enjoy life. Miss R will miss you.

School Games Mark

At the end of each year, schools are invited to apply for their School Games Mark. The School Games Mark rewards schools for their commitment to and development of competition, school sport and physical education.

We are very proud to announce that our application has been verified and we have been awarded Gold award for the third year running.

In an attempt to engage as many children as possible in physical activity, we track children’s participation over the year.

68 children in KS2 and 52 children in KS1 and Reception have taken part in at least one after-school club since September. This is 57% of the total number of pupils.

81 children (68%) in KS2 have represented the school in a competition or participation event.

Children tell us they enjoy taking part in a variety of activitie:

• ‘In scooter club, I had fun on my scooter.’
• ‘I enjoyed Wake Up Shake Up club because I got to spend time with my friends and DANCE!’
• ‘I liked basketball.  We learnt how to play the game, basketball skills and working as a team.’
• ‘I enjoyed cricket because it helped me with my skills of bowling and batting.’
• ‘I enjoyed the aqua festival.  Everyone took part and nobody was left out.  Everybody tried their best.’
• ‘The Brownlee Triathlon was fun and got people involved who don’t especially like sport but they did it. It wasn’t competitive.’
• ‘I enjoyed the Sportshall athletics competition because there were lots of events to choose from and do.’

Thank you to staff who have accompanied children to these events or run after-school clubs this year. Thank you also to Mrs Russell who provides excellent administration of our clubs and sporting events and competitions.

Thank you as well to all parents/carers who have helped with transport and supported at our events this year. Finally, thank you to all pupils who have tried out a new physical activity either at an after-school club or as part of a competition or participation event and to those children who have represented our school so well this year.

Lighthouse Art

As part of our seeing mini-topic, today Year 3 followed a set of instructions to sketch a lighthouse. They then decided how they would collage it using different materials. The children used watercolours to create a sea and sky background. Have a look at their wonderful masterpieces!

The art was displayed in the hall so that the children could review each others work.

Sports Day Decisions

Year 6 are taking charge of their sports day teams today and deciding who will do what race. It’s proving difficult in a different way to usual – we’ve got 11 children out at their high school so, rather than lots of people wanting to do one race, there aren’t enough people volunteering!

It has, however, been resolved peacefully and all races are sorted.

New school meal menu

The new school dinner menu, from our school meals provider, Catering Leeds, will be introduced in September and continues until February half term.

As well as on our website, the three week cyclical menu is also displayed on our dining room window for you to discuss with your child. Have a look for the weeks ahead to make your child aware of what the daily meals are.  If you would like a printed copy, please ask at the office.

School meals continue to be free for Reception, Year 1 and Year 2. If your child is in Key Stage 2, please check for eligibility for free school meals. (It’s important to check for eligibility for younger children, too, because school receives additional funding for each child who is eligible for a free meal, even when they’re free in Reception and Year 1 and Year 2!)

If your child would like to start having school dinners, please inform the office. A combination of packed lunches and school dinners is also available.

Children are consulted on school meals through our regular School Council meetings.  Feedback may also be given by speaking to an adult in school or completing a suggestions/comments slip and posting it in their class SEAL box.

Thank you to parents who also raise questions and give feedback.  We can then ensure this is passed on to the kitchen staff.

Key Stage 2 tuck shop preview

You may have heard about the requests from Year 2 to go to the Key Stage 2 tuck shop.

As part of our writing, the children wrote persuasive letters including many reasons why this should happen.

• It would allow them to try different fruits in addition to the free fruit that Key Stage 1 currently have daily.
• It would help them to get their 5 a day.
• They are very polite and sensible and would be good customers.
• It would make our school even happier and healthier.

After considering their request, we decided the children had used enough persuasion skills to allow them to try it out for themselves.

Therefore, for the next two Tuesdays, Year 2 will be customers at the tuck shop to support their transition to Year 3.

Next year, in Year 3, children have the option to prepay for the weekly tuck shop (20p per portion) or pay on the day but no payment is needed for these two visits.

The children were excited to hear their persuasion had worked and are looking forward to choosing their healthy fruit snack.

23 June 2017

As we end our mini topic on food, our homework this week is creative and is due in on Thursday 29 June.

I know the importance of eating the right amount of different types of food.

The Eat Well Guide (below) shows how much of what you eat overall should come from each food group to achieve a balanced diet. Copies were recently sent home and children should use this to support them with this homework.

Children might choose to do one of the following creative ideas:

• A story
• A poem
• Instructions
• A comic strip
• An advert
• An interview
• A game
• Scenarios

…or any other creative ideas!