The children worked really hard last week, but we can sense that Christmas is coming! We will be starting to prepare our Carol Service this week, but will continue will full curriculum up until the end of next week.
Slippers!
Many thanks to the parents who have already sent materials in to make slippers, but there is still time to send more! The children have created some great designs (some are VERY adventurous!) and are really eager to actually make them. Your child should be able to tell you the materials they need, including foam, rubber, padding and material. We are using a hot glue gun in school, but some children have chosen to bring in upholstery bonding spray, which has been really successful. It would be helpful if this can be in school for Tuesday, as we will be making them during the latter half of the week.
Numeracy
Well, you are learning your tables aren't you!!?? We have been amazed at the speed with which some of you are able to use your tables. Not only can you do this, some children can even do the corresponding division facts!! This is fantastic and has really had an impact on their ability to handle other mathematical problems.
One site which has had a real impact is http://www.wmnet.org.uk/resources/gordon/Hit%20the%20button%20v9.swf
This has had everyone getting very competitive indeed and they have even had me taking part in the competition! The current of 58 in one minute is the current score to beat! Use the times tables section and then use the same division facts ie if you choose x7 for the tables, choose divide by 7 and see which you are better at.
http://www.figurethis.org/challenges/challenge_index.htm
I also came across this site, which really got my brain working (and did create some frustration and discussion in my house!) It is a site for families based on maths challenges. There are about 80 challenges, which are designed to create mathematical discussion at home. There are suggestions for how to work it out and the answers. Try not to go to the answers too soon though, as it does provoke lots of discussion! If you fancy an extra challenge, you can even view the site in Spanish!!
Science
We will be concluding our topic on Forces this week, so there are lots of sites which could help with teh revision of this.
http://www.doscience.com/act_archive/index.html
http://www.madsci.org/labs/MAD_labs.html extension science work
http://www.ase.org.uk/sen/investigations/s-passport.htm science passport for year 6/7
http://www.primaryschoolscience.com/samples.php downloadable activities
http://www.channel4.com/apps26/learning/microsites/E/essentials/science/index.shtml
http://www.channel4.com/apps26/learning/microsites/E/essentials/science/physical/forcesaction_bi.jsp forces in action. Can you answer the quiz questions?
http://users.pipeline.com.au/~jpearce/gyro_complete.swf making a paper helicopter
Writing
The children produced some brilliant non-chronological reports last week, and have got lots of enthusiasm for writing, so I have found some websites, which could act as 'firelighters' for producing some independent work.
http://www.channel4.com/learning/microsites/B/bookbox/writerstoolkit/home.htm writer’s toolkit - how to write the beginnings, middles and endings of stories
http://www.childwriters.co.uk/ write stories and see them published on the web!
http://www.creativewriting4kids.com/
http://www.spelling.hemscott.net/ help with spelling, including worksheets which you can download
http://www.lazybeescripts.co.uk/YouthTheatre/The_Scottish_Play.htm This week we are looking at 'The Scottish Play!' This is a great site, which shows a script for children, explaining Shakepeare's play in child-friendly language.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/cbeebies/storycircle/fairystories/dream/ I know this is on Cbeebies (far too cool for Year 6!) but it is a really good animated version of A Midsummer night's dream.
Phase Team Mass
Father Richard will be joining us in school this Thursday, to celebrate Mass with the 5/6 children and staff. It is a time for preparation and reflection as we prepare for Christmas.
Advent Challenge
Last week, I set the children the challenge of finding what the different coloured candles on the Advent wreath meant. A few children managed to get the right answer, but I thought that I would let everyone know this week:
An advent wreath traditionally contains four candles-three purple and one rose. Purple dyes were one so rare and costly that they were associated with royalty; the Church has long used this colour around Christmas and Easter to honour Jesus. The three purple candles in the Advent wreath symbolise hope, peace, and love. These candles are lit on the first, second, and fourth Sundays of Advent. The rose candle, which symbolizes joy, is usually lit on the third Sunday.
Sometimes a fifth candle is placed inside the Advent wreath. This candle is lit on Christmas Day. It is white, the color associated with angels and the birth of Jesus.
NOTICES
You should still be receiving the weekly newsletter every Friday, but here are just a few snippets, just in case that letter hasn't actually made it to you yet...
- please send any outstanding photograph monies into school this week as the photographer will be back in school to collect monies or unwanted photographs
- pantomine - we will be having early registration that day at 8.15 am. We will be leaving school at 8.30 and walked up by the local police to the Methodist Church car park. The children will be returning to school for a late lunch that day.
Keep an eye out in your child's diary for any further information during the week! Good luck to Key Stage 1 and Foundation, who are performing their play 'The Christmas Rose'. You will be fantastic!
Year 5/6 team
