A lovely day for a game of cricket!
The sun was shining down on our PE lesson today as we got to work improving our cricket skills. Over the past few weeks, we’ve been working on our batting skills – accurately holding the bat and hitting with accuracy. Today, we were improving our bowling skills using the hit and point technique. The children worked in small groups and created a game with a scoring system depending on whether they managed to hit the wicket or some cones when bowling. The children then developed this further to include batting. All the children ended the session with a game of Kwik cricket.
Help at home: Can your child explain some of the bowling and batting techniques they’ve been working on over this half term?
Transport
We continued our interest in transport this week using the ramps inside. The children used ramps and tubes to see how far their cars could go. We used a number track to check which car went the furthest, first to 5 and then to 10.
We learnt how to fold paper to create our own paper aeroplanes. It was quite difficult but we kept trying and were really pleased that we did. Outside we tested out our planes from various places. We wondered if they would go further if we set them off from the top of the slide?
Outside this week we practised our throwing, we aimed for some number on a target with the bean bags. We recorded our scores with tally marks on paper.
We used team work skills and our fiddly fingers to create some bridges, balancing the lolly sticks on the paper cups. We then tried to balance small figures on top. It was really tricky but we got better at it each time we tried.
Help at home
This weeks maths focus has been talking about our daily activities and using words to describe when things happen such day, night, morning or afternoon. We looked at our daily routines and tried to sequence the events. Try to use some of this language at home, too. What happens in your house in the morning? What do you do as part of your bedtime routine? What comes first, next, last? What day is it today? Do you go to Nursery tomorrow?
Reminders
- Our Nursery registration closes at 9.10am. Please ensure that you arrive to Nursery between 9-9.10am to allow us to begin our learning activities on time. Thank you.
- Please send your child with a rain coat to Nursery everyday; the weather is very changeable at the moment.
- We have lots of water bottles that don’t have children’s names on – remember to check that your child’s hasn’t worn off. You may also want to check cardigans and jumpers, too.
- Please ensure that your child’s sun cream is in their group basket if you would like it applying at lunchtime.
Living and learning : relationships
We have be learning about healthy relationships and boundaries in our Living and Learning sessions over the last few weeks.
We read a story called ‘More than one friend’. It made us think about leaving people out, having more than one best friend and being ourselves in friendships.
Friendships should make us feel happy and safe. If children have worries about friends, we encourage them to Start Telling Other People. Talking to an adult they trust – at home, outside the family, or at school.
Seaside Poems
This week, we’ve explored differences and similarities between cities and the seaside.
Literacy
We’ve been reading Seaside Poems– collected by Jill Bennett. We used the poems to explore features of coastal environments- the seaside.
Later in the week, we were introduced to our word of the week: city.
We sorted pictures of cities and the seaside.
We revisited the name of the city we live in and some features that Leeds has, that makes it a city.
In our writing, we also compared the environments of the city and seaside. We wrote about what we would see in each.
Maths
We have deepened our understanding of numbers up to ten by engaging in various activities:
- Combining two parts to form a whole number
- Dividing numbers into two equal groups
- Exploring doubles and non-doubles to understand odd and even numbers
Phonics
This week, we’ve continued to focus on phase 4 words with long vowel sounds.
In provision, we’ve been reading words on boats and matching them to the correct picture.
Art; Watercolour landscapes
We’ve been painting coastal landscapes, using famous existing paintings as our inspiration!
Poetry Picnic
Each week we will be learning a new poem. We will recite this poem each day. By saying the poem out loud, we can focus on the sounds and rhythm of each word or line. We talk to the children about how this can help us become better readers. This week’s poem is called Thunderstorm.
Science
We tested whether foil boats float by constructing them and setting them gently on water. Then we loaded them with counters or toy cars to see how much weight they could support before sinking.
Check out our other learning…
Reminders and Dates
Monday 16 June, 6.00-6.30pm- Zoom: Reception to Year 1 information meeting. This remote meeting is an opportunity for you to meet the Year 1 teachers and to find out a little more about Key Stage 1.
Wednesday 18 June- Class photos.
Wednesday 2 July, 10.00-11.30am- Meet your new teacher. Your child will visit their new teacher this morning.
Thursday 3 July- Class trip to Nell Bank.
Friday 4 July, 3.15-4.15pm- Rec/KS1 FOSP summer disco.
Tues 8/ Thurs 10 July, 8.35am or 3.15pm- Learning journey drop-in.
Friday 11 July, 9.15-10.30am- Sports Day.
Swimming
Rainbow- 25 June, 9 July
Sunshine- 18 June, 2 July
Year 3,4 Class News
Today, we have had a drop-down morning where we spent time learning all about Buddhism. The children learned where and when Buddhism began and the core beliefs of Buddhism. We spent time learning about the festival of Wesak and how Buddhists celebrate.
Help at home by asking your child to recall some of the knowledge they have learned.
Design and Technology – stable structures
This half term, KS1 are taking part in some Design and Technology.
First, we looked at the design process.
PLAN – MAKE – EVALUATE
This week, we have been looking at what makes a stable structure.
A stable structure is strong, has as flat base and is free-standing.
We moulded playdough into different 3D shapes and made predictions about which would be the most stable and why.
In our classes, we placed each structure on a flat surface (a whiteboard) and tipped it. We measured how high we could lift the board until the structure started to roll off.
In 1A and 1/2B, the pyramid was the most stable. In 2C, the cuboid won!
After this, we made some structures using paper and masking tape. We balanced books on each structure to see which was the strongest and most stable.
The cylinder was the strongest because it does not have any corners or weak points. This meant the weight of the books was distributed more equally.
Year 3/4 Reading
This week in Year 3/4, we explored the poem “I Opened a Book” by Julia Donaldson. The children loved diving into the imaginative world the poem describes. We turned our classroom into a retrieval treasure hunt and searched for hidden questions around the room to test our understanding of the poem. To finish, everyone had a go at performing the poem to the class with great expression and enthusiasm. A fantastic week of reading and creativity!
Help at home: Read the poem aloud and try to use intonation, tone and actions.
I Opened a Book
by Julia Donaldson
I opened a book and in I strode
Now nobody can find me.
I’ve left my chair, my house, my road,
My town and my world behind me.
I’m wearing the cloak, I’ve slipped on the ring,
I’ve swallowed the magic potion.
I’ve fought with a dragon, dined with a king
And dived in a bottomless ocean.
I opened a book and made some friends.
I shared their tears and laughter
And followed their road with its bumps and bends
To the happily ever after.
I finished my book and out I came.
The cloak can no longer hide me.
My chair and my house are just the same,
But I have a book inside me.
What a Knight!
This week, children in Year 6 have started rehearsals for this year’s production – What a Knight! Thank you parents for helping your child learn their lines. It makes a big difference.
Our chorus, Year 5, have started rehearsals for the songs. Mr Welch assures me that they sound great!
Help at home: Continue to support your child in learning their lines.
Reading
This week in reading, the children have been exploring a non-fiction text linked to our current Design and Technology topic, with a focus on Women in Design. The text introduced them to several pioneering female designers, including Charlotte Perriand, Ray Eames, and Nanna Ditzel, who helped shape the world of modern design despite facing many challenges and barriers. The children really enjoyed learning about their achievements and the impact they’ve had on everyday objects we often take for granted!
Alongside developing their understanding of the content, we focused on key reading skills such as retrieving information, inference and thinking about the author’s language choices. The children were also encouraged to consider why the writer included particular details and how they should be critical users of online material. It was fantastic to see such thoughtful discussions and engaged reading throughout the week – well done, everyone!
English – Michael Recycle
We have been reading Michael Recycle by Ellie Bethel. It is teaching us all about recycling and looking after our planet.
We have also used it to spot rhyming words and write rhyming sentences.
The sky and the river are smelly and brown.
Soon fifty-foot bugs will take over over your town.
Help at home by involving your child in recycling your household rubbish.