Maps and Maths
Map Skills
Not only are we learning to recognise OS map symbols, but children practised an extra maths skill by measuring the distance between two places on a map.
We studied a map of our local area and identified places of interest: our school, the nearest petrol station, picnic areas and parks. The children found particular place names quite amusing, such as Bog Lane and Flying Horse Farm!
To support our learning of our local area, we used a fantastic website called Digimaps for School.
Gold Star and postcard competition winners
Well done to our most recent golden star and our two winners in the postcard competition!
We love reading!
Today, Y5 and 6 enjoyed our weekly love of reading session. Some of us brought a book in from home and loved immersing ourselves in it. Others read a book from school or the First News newspaper. Whatever we were reading, we made sure to discuss it with the people around us and some of us even recommended a book to a friend.
In our reading groups, we had a ‘book club’ with our teachers where we discussed the book we’re all currently reading. We were given a target page that we need to read to before Friday next week – has your child told you what their page is?
Reading is really important to children’s development as a learner – some research even suggests that improvements in reading leads to improvements in other areas of the curriculum such as maths.
You can help at home by encouraging your child to read more often. If you’re struggling to think of books that would be good to read, check out this list of 100 books to read in Year 5 and 6. Also, try talking about reading to foster a love of reading. Here is a few ideas that might get the conversation started…
- Are you enjoying the book you’re reading at the moment? Why?
- Would you recommend your current book to someone else?
- Why did you choose to read what you are reading at the moment?
- What’s the best/worst./funniest/saddest book you’ve ever read?
- Summarise what you’ve read in 20, 10, 5 or 1 word.
- Would you like to be friends with the main character in your book?
- Stop, start, stay – What types of things will you stoop reading, start reading and stay reading?
- Where’s the craziest place you’d like to read a book?
Finally, our library session takes place every Wednesday. Please ensure your child has their library book in school on this day.
Living and Learning – Taking safe risks and responsibility for learning
Our Living and Learning this week has revolved around taking safe risks and taking responsibility for our own learning.
We went on a walk around Scholes which involved some element of risk: crossing roads and walking down muddy tracks. Instead of just telling children to ‘be careful’, encourage them to think about risks and consequences and ‘risk assess’ for themselves.
We’ve also talked about how we are responsible for our own learning, including being organised in class and using learning time effectively.
Junk modelling request
The children love to make models out of recyclable materials. It’s a great opportunity for them to be creative and use their imagination.
Please can you collect and bring in any recyclable materials for our junk modelling area.
Walk around Scholes – our first trip out
We thoroughly enjoyed our first trip of the year today. Ninety children, thirty adults and three class mascots (Cupcake, Spike and Nutkin) invaded Scholes and walked over three miles around the village. We looked for good places to hide our rocks that we had painted in school as part of the ‘Barwick and Scholes Rocks’ game. As well as exploring our local environment, we had some lovely conversations with the grown ups who volunteered their time to accompany us. Thank you!
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The best part was stopping for our snack.
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I liked walking down into the woods.
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My legs were really tired!
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We found loads of conkers.
1,2V Join-in Monday
Thank you to all the parents and carers who came into school for 1,2V’s Join-in Monday. We designed and painted rocks to hide as part of the ‘Barwick and Scholes Rocks’ game. We also went on a 3 mile walk later in the week and hid them along the way!
Library and PE
Today, we went to the school library for the first time. We’ll be visiting the library every Wednesday. Your child will be issued with a book which needs to be returned every week. If your child wishes to keep the book for longer, that’s fine, but please note that a new book will not be issued without the return of the old one. If your child loses their school library book, we’ll ask for a donation towards replacing this book.
We’ve also had our first PE lesson. This half term your child will not be getting changed for PE. They’ll be talking their socks/tights and shoes off for PE in the hall. To help your child with this please practise at home.
Making friends and exploring Nursery
We’ve had a great start to the week in Nursery; most children have now had their first session and we’ve been really proud of how well they’ve all settled in. Children are beginning to make friends and it’s been lovely to see them playing alongside each other and starting to become involved in role play together. The home corner has been a hive of activity with children enjoying making cups of tea and some breakfast for Mrs Long.
In our Nursery garden, we’ve been collecting lots of apples from the trees. Miss Backhouse, and a group of little helpers, used them to bake some delicious apple buns. The children helped to count out the apples, weigh the ingredients and mix them together. We enjoyed eating the apples and buns at snack time. Yum yum!
In the Early Years Foundation Stage, physical development is one of the important Prime Areas. Children should be able to move freely with pleasure and confidence in a range of different ways such as slithering, shuffling, rolling, crawling, walking, running, jumping, skipping, sliding
and hopping.
As you can see, we’ve been busy developing our climbing and balancing skills already this week.
A fantastic start to school!
We have had an exciting few days welcoming everyone on their first few days of school!
We are very proud of how the Foundation 2 children have settled in and adapted to all the changes in their lives. They have been learning how to listen in larger groups, take turns and have formed new friendships and relationships with adults. Their independence and confidence is increasing on a daily basis!
They have been exploring all the new areas, activities, toys and resources in Foundation 2. We are following the children’s interests and adapting our provision accordingly. This has included pirates, dolls, cars and dinosaurs so far. Please let us know if your children have any particular interests that we can share at school too.
You can add to ‘our interests’ board any interests your child may have. We will use this information to plan for your child’s classroom environment. We love to read their favourite stories, so if they would like to bring in a book to share, they are more than welcome.
