DT – super structures (strength in numbers)
Our Construction (Design Technology) topic is going down a treat. We are learning how to make freestanding structures using cardboard. We made cylinders which we then joined together to make a super structure. In 1,2B, a super structure with 6 cylinders could hold 20 books. When we added 29 cylinders, it could hold a box full of books and even a whole child. It was so exciting!
Help at home by looking at the 3D shapes that make some of the objects in your home. For example, are your chair legs cylinders or cuboids?
DT: construction
We were very excited this morning to get to the point where we could begin to make our cars in design technology. Our aim is to create a safe car for ‘Eggy’ to travel in. The children generated design criteria such as safety, robust and mobile. They spent last week creating annotated diagrams that labelled the materials they need and the quantities and measurements – the dimensions. The children spent the lesson building the base for their vehicles using wooden dowel. They used hand saws to cut the wood after they’d measured it and then glued it together using cardboard to reinforce their structure. The children worked brilliantly in their teams and used the tools well and safely.
Sharing a Shell
We’ve continued our learning on coastal habitats this week, by taking a closer look at rockpools and some of the sea creatures you may find in them.
Sharing a Shell
We’ve been reading Sharing a Shell by Julia Donaldson.
We looked at the characters, events and settings and matched them with real images and text in a non-fiction book.
In our writing, we retold parts or all of the story in our own words.
The book also had some great messages about sharing and how to treat others. Linked to this, our word of the week was thoughtful.
Holidays in the past
We’ve been looking at the way people enjoyed a seaside holiday in the past, specifically in Victorian times. We’ve been looking at similarities and differences with seaside holidays in present day.
Ask your child what they can remember about seaside holidays in the past.
Making a rockpool
Maths; comparison and doubles
This week, we’ve re-visited comparing quantities and identifying when there is more, fewer or an equal amount. We’ve also revisited how to find doubles and reciting them using the maths stem sentence, eg.
“4 is made from 2 plus 2; double 2 is 4”
In provision, we’ve been using Numicon to compose numbers. This encouraged us to use a range of skills: shape matching (Numicon frame), subitising (Numicon) and addition.
Froglets!
Our tadpoles have turned into froglets (or metamorphs to give them their posh, scientific name!) Some with just their back legs so far, some with all legs and still with their long tail. They’ve had to move into a taller home as they’re getting very adventurous!
Phonics
Summer 2 week 3 has focused on:
Phase 4 words ending –s /s/
Phase 4 words ending –s /z/
Phase 4 words ending –es
longer words
Please continue to use the Little Wandle sheets, sent home with your child each week.
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 the traditional rhyming song- The Big Ship Sails
Click below to watch Reception recite this week’s poem!
Help at home; packaging and pollution
As part of our continued art project, please send your child into school next week with one or two items of packaging. We would ask for these to still be solid, in their original 3d shape.
Our recycled art project links closely to our literacy focus text next week and to pollution. You could help prepare your child by having a quick chat about what the word ‘pollution’ means and about the ways we might help to keep our planet clean and healthy.
Outdoor learning come rain or shine!
More of our learning this week…
Reminders and Dates
Transition Morning- Thurs 6 July Drop off and collect your child from their usual Reception classroom on this day. We will send a slip home with your child on this day, confirming which class they will be in from September.
Learning journey drop-ins- Week commencing 10 July
An opportunity to “drop into” school and share your child’s learning journal with them. We would like to welcome you into the classroom on one of the following sessions:
9.00 – 9.30 Monday 10 July
9.00 – 9.30 Tuesday 11 July
3.30 – 4.00 Thursday 13 July
Swimming
Rainbow- 5 July, 19 July
Sunshine- 28 June, 12 July
We like to move it, move it!
We’re always looking for ways to keep active and to keep fit in Nursery. This week, we enjoyed a bit of singing and dancing in the rain!
Children danced to the music, and had to freeze when it stopped. Each time we stopped, we tried a different balance.
In music lessons, we’ve been learning to name some instruments and to play them in time with the beat.
Over the next few weeks, we’re going to be learning about the seaside. If you’ve visited the coast recently, please email us a photograph and we’ll use them to help children to talk about some of the things that we might see or do when we visit the seaside. Scholesnursery@spherefederation.org
Living and Learning
This week in our Living and Learning topic, KS1 have been learning about different types of families.
Our statement this week has been ‘I understand there are different types of families.’
We started off by discussing words that we associate with families. A few that the children came up with were: care, love and sharing.
We also discussed who might be in our families and that not every family looks the same.
We read ‘The Great Big Big Book of Families’ by Mary Hoffman and Ros Asquith – which celebrates the diversity of families and illustrates that families come in all shapes and sizes.
All our families are very different but the important thing is that people in families care about each other.
Reading : fiction or non-fiction
Year 2 have been looking at fiction and non-fiction books, finding similarities and differences.
We found that a title, introduction, sub-headings, real photos or diagrams, a contents page and an index page were all common in non-fiction (information) books.
Help at home by comparing or pointing our whether you are reading a fiction or non-fiction book at story time.
Year 1 – Phonics
Last week, the year 1 children completed their phonics screen assessment. This is where the children are asked to read a variety of real and fake words in order to check their phonic knowledge.
We know that we are nearing the end of the last half term, however we want to continue to highlight the importance of regularly reading both to and with your child at home. We feel strongly that this regular reading practise should continue to be a high priority at home both throughout this half term and over the summer holidays. We would like the children to start year 2 being fluent readers of books at their phonic level.
If you are unsure of their ebook login please ask your child’s teacher.
Help at home: read with your child and to your child regularly every week.
Maths – partitioning
During the last few weeks, we have been looking at partitioning two digit numbers.
The year one children have been looking at partitioning numbers greater than 50 into tens and ones, representing this in a variety of ways.
The year two children have been parttioning numbers in other ways.
Help at home: Choose a two digit number and support your child with partitioning it.
Design and Technology
Children in year 5/6 have been designing their own cart to hold an egg. They have used tinkercad to to draw a computer aided design. After discussing the term dimensions, they considered what size their group’s cart should be. Also, they suggested other household items that might be good to use as an air bag or crumple zone.
At home, discuss which household items could be used to include safety features on the cart.
Design Technology – stability and strength
We have be learning about freestanding objects and how they are made stable and strong.
We found that shapes with a wide, flat base and a low height were the most stable. We also found that a cylinder was the strongest shape.
Help at home by having a go at these tests and looking and what shapes are used to make strong, stable objects in your home.
