Author: Mr Roundtree

24 June 2020: Home Learning

Hello Year 3/4 children!

The weather has certainly warmed up so make sure you are safe in the sun. Sun Safe Poster: "Bee Safe in the Sun" | Sun safety activities ...

Library books: Please could you return school library books to school, where possible. Check inside for the label, or for the Leeds Library Service sticker. There will be a box outside school for returned books. Thank you!

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Here is your learning for today:

Maths

Y3 Keep working on your speedy recall of x3, x4, x8 tables – worksheet. You can find more worksheets on the Calculations page of our school website.

Y3 – Calculating non-unit fractions: Video Lesson

Y3 Non-unit fractions of amounts task

Y4 – Line graphs: Video lesson 

Reading 

Video Lesson

Task and answers

Topic – Art

Making paper flowers – video lesson
Have fun with this easy arty activity by making your own paper flowers. Watch the video, which takes you through each step. Here is the link to the website if you’d like to see the instructions written down.
Please email us a picture of your flowers. Enjoy being creative!

Story – read by Mr Gathercole

Goosebumps – part 3

Our daily message (23 June 2020)

In our message today, we’ve a response to some government announcements made last week, and a reminder about the annual reports we recently emailed to parents.

Annual reports

By now, you should all have received a copy of your child’s annual report.

Because of the coronavirus outbreak, teachers wrote the report based on the learning up to Friday 20 March, the date that schools closed. All the information, including the attainment bands and progress, refer to the period from September to March.

We want you to know as much as you want about your child’s learning. If you want to discuss the report, please do contact your child’s class teacher or the Head of School.

Free school meals over the summer holiday

You’ll be aware of the success of Marcus Rashford in persuading the government to provide free school meals over the summer – the government had previously said the scheme would end at the end of the term.

In last Tuesday’s post (16.06.20), we encouraged caution when hearing about government plans. This is a case in point, because at the moment the information about this is that this is for a voucher scheme only. This is different to how we’ve provided free school meals over Easter, when we worked with our regular caterers who provided food hampers. It’s worth knowing so you can perhaps start to find out more about the vouchers and how they work.

If you’ve had a recent change in circumstances – a loss of job or a reduction in earnings, for example – your child might now be entitled to free school meals. Find out if you’re now entitled.

Summer catch-up programme

We ended last Tuesday’s post with reference to the summer catch-up scheme that the Prime Minister has pledged. Some of you have been asking us about this, but – as we said last week – caution is needed. In this case, it seems that the catch-up scheme is no longer part of the government’s strategy. This apparent shift might be due to the government working more closely with school leaders; in an email to members (19.06.20), the NAHT‘s general secretary wrote:

Importantly, previous headlines suggesting a ‘summer of catch-up classes’ appear to have been replaced with a more sensible, long-term plan… Our conversations with the government have not always been easy over the last few months, but I am pleased to be able to tell you that I sensed a real desire to engage with us over this particular issue and to listen to many of our concerns… My initial reaction is that, compared to where we were a week ago, this is a positive step forward for pupils and the profession.

We’re including this here so you’re aware that school won’t be open to operate any sort of summer programme of activity or learning.

 

As always, thanks very much for your support. Whether emailed, or mentioned to staff in passing, your supportive comments have really helped us.

23 June 2020: Home Learning

Hi everyone! I hope you’re all feeling happy and healthy today. The way we think and speak can have a positive influence on how we feel and act, so this week, if you feel yourself lacking in motivation, try saying ‘I CAN do it’.

I know it can be difficult to stay motivated at times, but I KNOW that you can do it, so try your best to keep working hard and think positively – YOU CAN DO IT!

To keep your dance moves going, why not try some DISCO! Follow the iMoves video for some ideas. We’d love to see some of your routines

Here is your learning:

Maths

Y3 -Fractions of amounts: Video Lesson

Y3 – fractions of amounts worksheet and Answers

Y4 – Bar charts: Video lesson 

Reading

Video lesson

Task  and answers  and video answers

Story – read by Mr Gathercole

Goosebumps – part 2

Topic – plants

Parts of a plant part 2 (Ready for a song and dance?)

In the last lesson, we mentioned photosynthesis.

Here is a YouTube video explaining more about photosynthesis.

Task 1: Answer these questions from the video

  1. What does the stomata absorb?
  2. Why are plants important?

Task 2: Join in with this song!

Here is a YouTube song to help you learn about photosynthesis. The song words are just underneath, so you can have a go at joining in. If you like dancing, you could have a go at copying the moves, or make up some of your own!

Photosynthesis (song words) 

Plants don’t have a mouth like you and me

But they have to eat

so they spread their leaves so green

To capture sunlight’s energy

Plants don’t have a nose like you and me

But they have to breathe, did you know their leaves so green can take in air and make it clean

That’s photosynthesis, photosynthesis ….

 

Plants can’t hold a cup like you and me

But they have to drink

So they push their roots deep down

To soak up water from the ground.

Plants don’t wear green hats or shirts or jeans

So why are they green

It’s because all plants are filled

With green stuff we call chlorophyll. Chlorophyll?

Chlorophyll is a green pigment or colour found in plants. It helps them trap light and without it there’d be no …… photosynthesis, photosynthesis, photosynthesis

Plants can make their own food from sunlight water and air so cool

That’s because all plants are filled with green stuff we call chlorophyll

That’s photosynthesis, photosynthesis, photosynthesis, photosynthesis

That’s photosynthesis, photosynthesis, photosynthesis, photosynthesis

Our daily message (22 June 2020)

In our post today, we have our regular Monday Living and Learning during lockdown update…

As you’ll know by now, Living and Learning is the name for all the teaching and learning we do around Personal, Social, Health and Economic Education (PSHE). This half term, our theme is relationships. Each week in school, we have a Living and Learning statement. I tell the truth and say sorry if I need to… is our statement this week.

One of the Sphere Federation Health Leaders writes:

A classic story to support this theme is The boy who cried ‘wolf!’. Listen to the fable here and discuss the moral message with your child.

You may want to consider why people might not tell the truth. It could be:

  • to cover something up
  • to gain attention
  • to manipulate a situation
  • to impress others

Telling the truth might seem difficult, but it’s the best way to solve problems and move on.

Apologising or saying sorry in a caring way can make you feel good because you are trying to make things right again and help your relationship (and the other person will probably feel better, too). It shows the other person you have thought about your actions. When you empathise with them, you begin to feel sorry for your behaviour.

What might an apology look like? It might simply be saying, ‘I’m sorry’, writing them a note or doing something for the person you have upset,
You might also want to look at this article about saying you’re sorry – it could be a good read for an older child, and interesting for you to read, too.

Tomorrow’s message includes a response to some recent government announcements.

22 June 2020: Home Learning

Hello children and welcome to Week 4 of Summer Term 2.

This week and next week, our topic will be ‘Plants’. Have you got green fingers? (This doesn’t really mean are your fingers green, but do you enjoy gardening, or are interested in flowers and plants?).

Spelling 

This week, we are using apostrophes for contraction. Learn these words and write them in sentences correctly.

don’t
didn’t
shouldn’t
wouldn’t
couldn’t
won’t

can’t
shan’t
haven’t
isn’t
it’s/its
isn’t

Maths

Y3 Times tables challenge x3,x4, x8 tables.

Y3: Fractions: Video Lesson 1 and further challenge Video lesson 2

Y3- For further practice, complete the following task (the answers are also attached) Fractions on a number line worksheet. You many also like to try the online game Fractions on a number line game. 

Y4 Video Lesson – pictograms

Reading

Video Lesson and task

Topic-Plants 

Read through the Plants PowerPoint. Follow the task sheet and link.

Task 1: Either print off or draw the flower on the worksheet and label each part, explaining what each part is for (if you have already done this, go to task 2).

Task 2: Have a look around your local environment around where you live. Can you find examples of a stem, a leaf, a flower, a seed or a pollinator?

You could:

  • Take pictures and send them in
  • Draw them in your home learning book
  • Describe them in your home learning book
  • Extra bonus points if you manage to identify what kind of tree or flower it is!

Story – read by Mr Gathercole

Goosebumps part 1

Our daily message (19 June 2020)

Our final message of the week is an important one for those of you who still have a child at home…J. Lyons & Co.

Before lockdown, what did ‘Zoom’ mean to you? A classic ice lolly from Lyons Maid? A timeless tune from the ’80s classic by Fat Larry’s Band? Now, of course, it’s synonymous with online video conferencing. (We know other video conferencing products exist, but here, we’ll refer to Zoom, which has taken off massively during lockdown.)

Before the end of the school year, teachers will host some Zoom meetings for children who remain at home.

Some background

The meetings will be with groups of children from the class. They’ll be a one-off chance for children to re-connect with the teacher, classmates and with learning. We think this is important for our friends still at home during lockdown, especially since we now know they won’t be returning until September, all being well.

One or two of you have been asking for teachers to deliver lessons by Zoom since the start of lockdown. We didn’t pursue this for two main reasons: safeguarding and effective teaching. (We have other reservations about Zoom to teach, too, but these are the main ones.)

We’re still not convinced Zoom (or any online video conferencing service) is an effective way to teach large groups of younger children online. It might work well for older children, but the important two-way dialogue that we have in school would be hard to re-create and sustain in a Zoom meeting.

There were some unpleasant stories at the start of lockdown that highlighted safeguarding concerns. However, Zoom has introduced improved security features. We’ve researched how best to secure the Zoom meetings; we’ve consulted colleagues who have begun to use it; and we’ve trialled it amongst ourselves. We’re now confident that Zoom can be used securely.

Next steps

The next steps are simple…

If your child is still learning at home, and you’d like your child to be part of a Zoom call with their teacher and some of their classmates, email your child’s teacher. By now, most of you will already have emailed – the teacher’s address is something like joebloggs@spherefederation.org (first name, last name and then @spherefederation).

When you email, you’ll need to provide the name that will appear in the Zoom call – the teacher won’t allow anyone into the meeting if they’re not expecting them. Ideally, the name would be the child’s first and last name, but it can be your name. (And please make sure the name is appropriate.)

The teacher will decide a date and time for this to happen – it’ll happen before the end of term. They’ll send an invitation with the log-in details back to you. We’re sorry – there can’t be much flexibility about the date and time.

How to prepare

For younger children, your child’s teacher will have a chat and read a story. For older children (Y3-Y6), the teacher will ask a couple of questions which will include questions related to home learning:

  • What home learning have you felt most proud of?
  • What learning have you made most progress with at home?
  • What sort of learning routine are you in?

It would be great if your child has thought about these so they’re able to answer a question like that.

Some more details

  • Meetings will be with groups of children from the class: no more than 10-12 children.
  • The meetings are only for those who are home learning.
  • Teachers will have a list of pupils and appropriate Zoom name in advance to allow people to enter.
  • Two members of staff will be present throughout the Zoom.
  • A parent / carer should be present at home, although you don’t need to be on screen throughout the meeting.
  • Teachers will continue to make occasional phone calls home, too, but you might not get a call during the week teachers do their Zoom.
  • The meeting will last about 15-30 minutes, depending on the size of the group.
  • Some Zoom features will be disabled: the chat function, the record function, and the ‘re-name’ function will all be disabled.
  • Participants will all be ‘mute’ on entry; teachers will manage the Zoom meeting by ‘unmuting’ children one at a time.
  • Our school rules will still apply (including We respect everyone).
  • Your child can be part of the Zoom but choose not to talk – no pressure!
  • Teachers are aware of actions to take if a child doesn’t follow ground rules, school rules, instructions: this could include disabling video of anyone who is not following rules, for example.

19 June 2020: Home Learning

Happy Friday boys and girls!

Well done for completing another week’s home learning. Thank you to everyone who has emailed their teachers so far this week – please continue to do so.

Here are our email addresses as a reminder:

carlgathercole@spherefederation.org

nicolawadsworth@spherefederation.org

emmamccormick@spherefederation.org

Here are your tasks for today:

Maths 

Y3 8x tables test video

Y3 and Y4- football maths: data handling 

Reading

Video lesson

RIC task

Answers

Topic

I know that so many of you have enjoyed the Spanish lessons so here is the next one from Oak Academy! Today, you will learn how to say your birthday in Spanish.

Story – read by Mr Gathercole 

Eco-Wolf and the three pigs part 1 and part 2 

Our daily message (18 June 2020)

Our message today focuses on two simple things: eating and sleeping…

Eating

Have you had a change in circumstances – a loss of job or a reduction in earnings? If so, your child might now be entitled to free school meals. Find out if you’re now entitled.

If you’re finding it difficult to access food because of money problems, self-isolation, or whatever the reason, you might be able to access emergency food support. Check out Leeds Food Aid Network and Leeds Money Information Centre.

Don’t feel awkward – ask us and we’ll try to help you access the help you need right now.

Sleeping

Has your child (or you) experienced sleep problems during lockdown?

Perhaps with your child, read The Good-Night Guide for Children – full of facts about sleep and its importance to us all. Did you know, for example, that when we sleep, we go through sleep cycles that last about 90 minutes and after each cycle, we come to a point of partial awakening? (And it’s at that point that we’re likely to wake up.)

Millpond Sleep Clinic is a specialist in children’s sleep. Millpond’s top tips to help your child sleep well are below. The NHS have some similar healthy sleep tips for children.

Get your routine right 
30 to 40 minutes before your child goes to bed, carry out the same series of steps every night – make this routine your bedtime ritual. Having a regular routine at about the same time every night means your child’s body will start to prepare for sleep as soon as you start this process.

The lead up to bedtime
About an hour before your child goes to sleep, have quiet time. Tidy away the toys and turn off the TV. Research has shown light from computers, iPads and other devices can interfere with the production of the sleep hormone melatonin.

Food for sleep
If your child is hungry at this time, avoid sugary foods and drinks. Instead, offer foods that contain the amino acid tryptophan that causes sleepiness. The best snacks should contain carbohydrates and protein and are found in foods such as chicken or turkey with brown bread, peanut butter on whole grain cereal or low sugar cereal and milk.

Warm bath
Have a warm, quiet and relaxing bath lasting no longer than ten minutes. Keeping the bath to a maximum of ten minutes means bath time doesn’t become a stimulating play time. The added bonus is coming out of the warm water allows the body to cool quickly triggering the sleep hormone melatonin.

Straight to bed
Then go straight into your child’s bedroom; going back into the living area at this time will lose the focus and magic of the routine and make your child think it’s time to play again.

Lighting
Pre-dim the lights in the bedroom. Dim light is another trigger for melatonin production.

Dress for bed
Have their night clothes ready for your return from the bathroom so they can quickly get dressed and climb into bed.

Story time
Read a story and have a cuddle and kiss goodnight then tuck them in with their favourite soft toy so they are warm and cosy.

Now that they’re drowsy, leave the bedroom so that they learn to fall asleep independently.

(You might also want to check out a night time meditation.)

18 June 2020: Home Learning

Today’s Thursday message comes in the form of a friendly reminder: it’s Father’s Day on Sunday! (Dads, if you are reading this – pass the phone/tablet/laptop to someone else!)

I’m sure your dads would love it if you made them a Father’s Day card! I have attached some colouring templates that you can colour in if you have easy access to a printer, or if you love drawing (like I know a lot of you do!), you could design your own card – perhaps draw a picture of you and your family or make a list of all the things you love about your dad.  If you would like to try something a bit more adventurous or have a bit more time to spare, why don’t you try making an origami card? This video explains the instructions step by step, and all you need is paper and colouring pens/pencils!  Easy origami shirts I have tried the video and had to try a few different sizes of paper before I was happy – I found that A5 worked best (half the size of an A4 piece of paper).

Here is your learning for today:

Maths

Y3 Video Lesson and task

x8 tables worksheet

Y4 Video Lesson

Reading

Video Lesson

Task

Topic

I’ve seen some lovely ‘parts of a flower’ drawings and we are looking forward to seeing any more you send. Here is Alfie’s work:

Here is part three of our plants learning.

Science – parts and function of a flower

Story – read by Mrs McCormick

Esio Trot by Roald Dahl

Part 1 and Part 2 

 

Our daily message (17 June 2020)

We continue our messages this week with another message that supports our home learners in terms of Living and Learning.

Last week, our Living and Learning statement was ‘I see things from other people’s point of view’. This statement linked with the British value of mutual respect and tolerance. It promotes empathy and understanding.

We got some great feedback from some parents and carers about the ideas and resources we presented, including this, in reference to the Sesame Street clip (we’ve edited the comment to make sure it’s anonymous):

‘[My child] has had a few negative comments about her skin (this was addressed). But she says every day she wants to look like all her friends – she wants white skin and straight hair. We explain about skin colour etc and how lucky [she is]. But she still wants to have white skin. This video clicked with her. She understood that everyone is the same even though they may look different.’

Whilst really encouraging, the comment made us sad to note the negative comments had been made in the first place. Imagine the impact if we all took on board the simple message of the Sesame Street clip: ‘we’re different, we’re the same’.

If you didn’t find time to think about last week’s Living and Learning theme with your child, please do.

As well as he three book list recommendations from last week, we’ve one extra book list that you might want to check out, from Seven Stories: The National Centre for Children’s Books: