We love reading!
All year 1 and 2 classes visited the library this week. It was great being able to choose a book each to add to our book corners in our classrooms. I chose one about hedgehogs because 1,2V’s class mascot is Spike the hedgehog!
Help at home by being a great role model and reading regularly to, and with, your child. Show them that you love reading!
Letter formation guide
When teaching the children a new sound, we sing a ditty to support their letter formation. You can use the Letter Formation guide for support when writing with your child at home. This guide is also useful for supporting your child to write their name.
For example:
- s – slither down the snake.
- a – around the apple and down the leaf.
- t – down the tower, across the tower.
Scholes Library Visit
Yesterday, we visited Scholes library. The children chose a book each which is due back after half term. Look out for a message from us to remind you.
We would like to say a tremendous (our word of the week) thank you to the parents and grandparents that helped us walk to the library.
Living & Learning – Remembering
As part of our weekly Living & Learning session, we focused on our final R of the 8Rs for learning: remembering.
To help us improve our memory skills, we were shown 12 items. After we had been shown all 12, we had to write down as many as we could. It was really tricky but some of us managed to remember all 12.
Once we’d revealed the answers, we discussed our methods for remembering the items. Some of us turned them into a song, others turned them into a silly story, a few of us just tried saying them over and over again (though we agreed this was probably the least effective method). Then, we discussed the Loci system for remembering information.
We spent time creating our route (that was familiar to us) and had another go at a similar memory test. It was interesting that most of improved our scores by 2 or 3 items.
Short-term memory is super important for us as learners and, luckily, it is something we can improve. Help at home by completing similar activities with your child – maybe on a rainy day!
Hobgoblin Theatre Group – The History of Britain
Today, we had a fantastic treat from the theatre company, Hobgoblin, who performed an hour-long show, ‘The History of Britain’. Both children and staff were thoroughly entertained and learned lots about key events in British history. Here are some pictures from the show.
From the Ice Age…
the vikings and Romans …
and William the Conqueror …
the Black Death …
a pantomime sketch of Robin Hood and Sheriff of Nottingham …
and much, much more.
We followed the show with an afternoon drama workshop, which was just as engaging and fun. Thank you, Hobgoblin!
History of Britain theatre show
We thoroughly enjoyed the show today and learnt lots about key events in British history and what makes us British. Ask your child what they can remember and what they enjoyed about the show.
‘I like the Stone Age people.’
‘Henry VIII had 6 wives and he was funny in the show.’
‘We had to join in and it was really funny.’
Reading – Refugee by Brian Bilston
This week, Year 5 have been focusing on poetry during our reading sessions. We have been using the poem ‘Refugee‘ by Brian Bilston as our stimulus.
The poem is super interesting as you can read it forwards and backwards – this is called a palindrome poem.
First, we read it forwards and recorded our feelings. We were outraged by what we had read:
“We should let people into our country if theirs isn’t safe!” Emme
“I don’t like it because it’s offensive!” Molly
“It is offensive. It is rude. And, that’s not how people should be!” Spencer
“The poet obviously hasn’t read the poem No Problem by Benjamin Zephaniah [a poem we have also learnt about this year]!” Kieran
Then, we read it backwards and noticed that our views on the poem had completely changed.
In the next lesson, we compared this video of the poem against this video of the poem being performed. We picked out what we liked and created our own version.
Ask your child how reading the poem forwards and backwards was different.
The History of Britain
As part of our time travel topic, Hobgoblin theatre company performed a play (The History of Britain) and held a workshop.
Children enjoyed watching the play and learning about how British life has changed.
During the workshop, children acted out their favourite parts from the play. Can you guess the moment in history from each freeze frame?
Village Library Visit!
Today we visited the village library. We spent time looking at the books before we made our choices. We can’t wait to share them with our friends in class.
Library visit
Year 5/6 took a trip to Scholes Library today. Children chose their own book. They are encouraged to take these home and enjoy them until the start of next half term (November).
We’ve included the library opening times as you may wish to make another visit before November.
