We hope you had a restful, restorative weekend. Today’s message is based around a variety of ways to support home learning…
First up, we have a recorded assembly for your child to watch at some point in the week (to replicate school, assemblies are usually at around 2.30pm):
- the Moortown Primary assembly is led by Mrs Weekes
- Miss Hague leads the Scholes (Elmet) Primary assembly
- the St James’ CE Primary collective worship is led by Mrs Rowley
The theme for all three is democracy, which ties in with this week’s Living and Learning theme: I can take part in democratic decisions. This was planned to tie in with our elections for a new Junior Leadership Team (our new name for the School Council) – these elections are postponed. To support younger children, talk about how even at home you sometimes make democratic decisions (even if it’s just a vote on what takeaway on a Friday evening). To support older children, you might want to talk about the scenes we saw in Washington DC last week (was that democracy – a rule by the people – or an attempt to undermine democracy?).
On Friday, we begun our series of seven daily lessons – find them listed on the Home Learning page along with our Home Learning guide. You might find it helpful to combine the lessons – or some of them – with some external elements:
- the BBC begins its three hours worth of educational programmes this week (primary school programmes are on CBBC) – check week one’s schedules and have a think about how you could combine the recorded lessons we’re providing with one or two from the BBC (Art Ninja at 11.05am might be a good reward – a relaxing programme to watch after one after doing two or three of our lessons maybe)
- Joe Wicks kicked off his new round of live PE with Joe lessons this morning – it’s a good way to start the day, but they can be watched later, too, if that works better for your home learning schedule (this time round, he’s doing these on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays)
- The Guardian had a feature recently that provided a few other ideas, such as Doctors Chris van Tulleken and Dr Xand van Tulleken offering daily videos, starting with an exploration of bones, at 2:30pm on their YouTube channel
Last time round, we provided a list of ideas that seemed to grow and grow. This time, we won’t overwhelm you with too much – our own seven lessons supplemented with one or two other activities like the ones here should be enough (and hopefully, if we’re all following the restrictions, this lockdown won’t be as long).
Thanks to the parents and children who let us know how the first week went, with lots of positive comments about the seven Sphere lessons.