06 January 2016

06 January 2017

This week, as normal, we have two pieces of homework. Both are due in on Thursday 12 January 2017.

The first piece is Creative:

I can see science all around me.

Science is everywhere. We see loads of examples of science in action without even realising; we take it for granted when we drop something and it falls to the floor.

Our Creative homeworks are always great and I know that the children will have some great ideas. However, if they are struggling for inspiration, here’s a few ideas:

• take pictures of everyday things and explain the science behind them. For example, why does a ball roll down a hill?
• create a video diary of all the examples of science you can see in your home.
• conduct a scientific investigation about a common event.
• prepare a practical demonstration of ‘everyday’ science.

We also discussed others in class.

The second piece of homework this week is Practice Makes Perfect:

I can proof-read for spelling mistakes. 

Children have been given a passage of text with numerous spelling mistakes. Children should read the text and correct any spelling mistakes they can find (many of which are common in our writing).

As usual, if there any problems, please do not hesitate to contact me. Early in the week is best as it allows us time to find a solution that is best for your child.

What’s the matter?

We have started our new mini-topic: What’s the matter? In this chemistry based topic we will focus on materials and their properties. We’ll also ask ‘What’s the matter?‘ as part of our current SEAL theme: Good to be me.

Today, we revised some prior learning about the states of matter (ask your child what these are) and learnt about some examples of reversible changes (ask your child to give you an example of a reversible change). We focused on water as it can be a liquid at room temperature, a solid and a gas (ask your child how water becomes a gas).

Later in the week, we’ll focus on irreversible changes like burning – safety goggles at the ready!

Happy New Year!

Welcome back and a Happy New Year!

All the children made a great start to their time at Moortown last term and we are looking forward to seeing their enjoyment and progress this term.

Our next big topic will be ‘Life in the snow’.

Good to be me!

Our SEAL (Social and Emotional Aspects of Learning) learning this half term is all about Good to be me and as part of this learning we would like the children to bring something in that they are proud of – something that reflects the theme ‘Good to be me’.

This may be from a sporting achievement, a learning achievement or something to show their unique skill or talent.

Don’t forget, it is also Moortown’s Got Talent this half term.

Happy New Year!

We hope you all enjoyed the holidays and are ready for a new term of learning.

We are looking forward to starting the year with a science mini topic, What’s the matter? before we go back in time with our history themed Time Travel big topic.

Don’t forget this half term it is our second class assembly of the year on Wednesday 11 January at 2:40pm.

Parents’ evenings are also later in the half term (Monday 06 February and Tuesday 07 February) but if there is anything you would like to ask or clarify, please do come and see us before then.

New SEAL theme…Good to be me

Our new SEAL (Social and Emotional Aspects of Learning) theme for this half-term, Good to be me, focuses on three main areas of learning:

• Self-awareness: feeling good about yourself, taking risks.
• Managing feelings: understanding feelings, and why and how they lead us to behave the way we do – particularly the feelings of being excited, proud, surprised, hopeful, disappointed, worried and anxious and standing up for yourself.
• Empathy

This theme explores feelings in the context of the child as an individual, developing self-awareness and helping the child to realise that it really is ‘Good to be me’. The theme is about understanding our feelings as well as considering our strengths and weaknesses as learners.

As part of our current science mini topic, What’s the matter?, children will also ask ‘What’s the matter?’ from a social and emotional point of view, understanding feelings and thinking about how they can solve problems.

The theme also links with Moortown’s Got Talent, our upcoming annual talent show.

The key ideas and concepts behind the theme of Good to be me are:

Building emotional resilience

Children need to become resilient if they are to be healthy and effective life-long learners.

Coping with anxiety and worrying

Worry and anxiety are major features in many children’s lives. Many children have good reasons to be anxious. Exploring worries is important.

Calming down

Although getting stressed, anxious or angry are important and useful emotions, sometimes these feelings can be overwhelming.

Assertiveness

The theme encourages children to become assertive – that is, able to recognise and stand up for their rights while recognising and respecting the rights of others.

Understanding feelings and how they influence behaviour

The theme explores the relationship between ‘thinking’ and ‘feeling’ and the way each impacts on our behaviour. It looks at Flight or Fight rapid response to situations of threat and our responses to feeling threatened / under stress.

‘I respond to difficult situations in a positive way’ is the first SEAL statement for this theme.

End of term

The end of term is almost upon us and what a busy one it has been!

Mr Owen and I have been very impressed with the learning,the behaviour and the mature attitudes shown from all the children. This last week, we have enjoyed a super trip to the theatre, card making, puppet making, parties and our own little secret Santa surprise. You’ll have to wait until Christmas to enjoy that one!

Here a just a couple of quotes from the children about the autumn term:

• “I really enjoyed our big topic, especially making our picture frames.”
• “Going to Allerton Grange for STEM week was awesome!”
• “The STEM fair was very exciting. I enjoyed seeing all the different projects.”
• “Writing the character descriptions of Grandma was fun.”
• “Our SEAL sessions have really helped us to manage our feelings and cope with any difficulties.”

Finally, we would like to wish you all a very happy holiday and look forward to seeing you all in the new year.

Merry Christmas

Just a quick message to say Merry Christmas and enjoy the holidays. Have a well-earned rest but keep up some reading over the break.

We love reading!

Our Creative homework was to convince someone that they should love reading and we had some very persuasive pieces of homework:

• stories to read
• PowerPoint slides telling us about the benefits of reading
• sequels to existing books
• videos

Here are some for you to enjoy.