Roman Chariots!
It’s been DT week.
We started by putting our measuring skills to practical use.
Learning new skills such as sawing was very exciting.
Everyone followed our safety rules to saw the wood into the pieces. Then constructed the jinx frames. We added an axle, wheels and the card built chariot on top.
The end results are great. Everyone has fulfilled the design brief and created a Roman Chariot. Well done children, they’re fantastic! 
When was the last time you learned and used a new skill? Try something new this holiday. What can you create?
Living and Learning- Democracy
As part of our ongoing work on British values, we have been focusing on democracy. We set up a polling station in the hall and children voted for their new School Councillors. All children had the opportunity to be a candidate. It was an inspiring time, listening to the speeches that children had prepared as part of their homework. Well done to the newly voted Councillors. We are looking forward to the pupils’ voice being put into action.
Colour mixing Tudor Rose
As part of our time travel topic, children have been learning about the Tudors. We decided to design roses to represent our own ‘houses’. First, we practised our colour mixing using only primary colours. After this, we had to draw the reflection of half the rose. To create definition, we used oil pastels. Finally, we painted the roses.
Continue the learning journey at home: You could create your own rose to represent your family; use collage techniques by cutting up magazines or use available textiles.
Adjective Day 14 November
After the success of the KS1 Adjective Day last year, we’re doing it again.
We’re learning more about the functions of words. Hopefully your child has been talking about nouns already!
On Wednesday 14 November, we’re going to have an ‘Adjective Day’. The children will be asked to come in to school dressed as an adjective. The adjective can be as simple or as adventurous as you like. Please ensure that your child is aware of the word meaning and feels confident in sharing this with the class. We have attached some pictures to inspire you, or there are lots of ideas if you search ‘adjective dress up day’ on the internet. There is also a template with the letter your child brought home to write their word and word definition on. Please complete, cut off and bring on the day.
Please don’t go to the expense of buying anything new. Have fun creating your adjective outfit!
Why were some words in the previous paragraph in bold italics?
Living and Learning: I can take part in democratic decisions.
This week, our Living and Learning has been the British value of democracy.
We began with our homework, set last Friday. The children were all asked to consider if they would like to stand for election for our new School Council. Two representatives from each class, chosen democratically by their peers, will join the new School Council.
On Wednesday, we listened to the prepared speeches. It was quite nerve-racking for some children! Well done to everyone who stood up and gave their speech. It shows great courage! We were all very impressed.
Thursday was voting day! We lined up, gave our names, then received the ballot papers. The children used the ballot booths to vote in secret. It was very exciting!
Now, we await the results! Log in later to find out who will represent our classes in the new School Council!
Is there room on the broom?
There were some unusual footprints on the floor in Nursery on Monday morning!
Following on from the children’s interest in footprints last week, we looked closely at the shapes and sizes of the mysterious visitors’ prints. Children suggested different animals that they might belong to. The dog was the easiest to guess; many children recognised it because it looked like their pet dog’s muddy footprints. The frog, bird and ‘dragon/monster’ prints caused a bit of confusion.
In group time, we read ‘Room on the Broom’ and children joined in with the repeated refrains in the story. They’ve enjoyed using the story props to re-tell the story in the small world area.
Outside, we created a dragon’s cave and then decided that it would be a good idea to make our own dragon. We looked at some pictures of dragons and talked about the different colours and body parts. Next, we worked together to paint our dragon and added different materials to create scales and spikes.
Whilst reading ‘Room on the Broom’, children enjoyed the part of the story where the witch makes a magic potion in her cauldron. We made our own fizzing potions…
Iggity, ziggity, zaggety, ZOOOOOOOM!
If you’d like to try it at home, there’s one way to do it here. We just used bicarbonate of soda, white vinegar and food colouring in Nursery but there are many different versions. Not only is it fun, but it’s a good talking point and provides lots of opportunities to extend children’s vocabulary. We used pipettes in Nursery, which are a good way of helping to strengthen and develop children’s finger muscles.
We’ve made slime and investigated its properties: stretchy, slimy, sticky, runny…
On Monday, it was very windy so we went onto the KS1 playground with ribbon sticks to watch them dance in the wind.
It’s been a busy week so far and there are still two more days to go before half term.
3/4F trying something new!
This morning, in the school hall, 3/4F tried something new! JUDO! ‘New’ is always exciting! What will you try that’s new and exciting this week?
Judo Taster Session at Scholes!
At Scholes (Elmet) Primary School, our children certainly have an opportunity to experience a broad range of sports and activities.
Today’s 30-minute taster session, led by Destination Judo, was full of energy, movement and fun. Judo sessions are always enjoyable as the children learn how to throw, hold and pin their partners to the ground, with an element of rules, discipline and respect.
If your child would like to attend a further free taster session at a local HUB location, then contact Destination Judo, Leeds for information.
Look out for flyers in bags being sent home this week.
Nouns means names
We have been learning a song to help us remember what a noun is (sung to the tune of the Heinz Meanz Beanz advert).
Nouns
Every person, place or thing
Needs a name and so we sing
Nouns means names
Help at home by talking about nouns and how they are all around us! Don’t forget proper nouns (Monday, Christmas), abstract nouns (happiness, excitement) and pronouns, which replace a noun in a sentence (I, we, she).
Let’s talk numbers!
It’s been great to talk to some of you about your child’s progress during parents’ evening. A few parents have been asking about how to support their child at home with numbers.
In Foundation 2, we focus on numbers to twenty throughout the year to get a depth of understanding of what the numbers really mean. For example:
During the past couple of weeks we have been focusing on the number 3.
Finding 3
The children have been finding 3 by looking at their environment and at pictures. For example: 3 pigs, 3 houses, 3 noses, 3 hats…
Number stories
Once the children had looked for three around them, they have begun to tell number stories. We use the language first, then and now to tell the stories and have developed some actions to support us.
First there was one flower in the garden. Then two more flowers grew in the garden. Now there are three flowers altogether.
First there were three ice-creams. Then I ate one. Now there are two ice-creams left.
These number stories support your child’s understanding of number in real-life experiences. Looking at numbers in the environment and number stories support your child in developing a deep understanding of what ‘3’ really means.
Can your child tell you a number story that makes 3? Can your child find 3 in the environment? Please let us know what your child has done using a wow sheet – we can then celebrate their learning at school.