29th January 2007

Week Beginning 29th January 2007

Well, what a week we had last week! The year 6 children had superb experiences at the Peace Centre, St. Gregory’s and the Pyramid Centre. We have had some fantastic feedback from everyone about their performances and there are certainly some budding thespians in our school! One comment which was particularly encouraging, was how smart the children looked in their uniforms – thank you to you all. I am sure you were all as proud as we were!

The year 5 children were fantastic in school and we have made great headway on our Reconciliation preparations and the children have made some very thoughtful and mature suggestions and thoughts. Many thanks to all the parents who have responded to our invitation to be group facilitators for the Reconciliation meeting. If you need any further information about your role, please call in to see Mrs Worrall in school – you won’t need to answer any difficult questions – honest!!

After last week’s assessments, we are continuing with our curriculum, which has been tailored to take into account some of fantastic progress which many of the children have made since September.

Literacy

This week, we are beginning our work on Formal Writing, with a particular focus on Formal letters.

By the end of the week, the children:

Year 5

Must: use a developing range of adjectives, adverbs, powerful verbs and nouns in a range of texts to try and engage the reader

Should: use a range of adjectives, adverbs, powerful verbs and phrases selectively in a variety of texts in order to amuse, entertain, persuade, inform.

Could: use precise vocabulary and sentence variation to help me write effectively.

Year 6

Must: use a range of adjectives, adverbs, powerful verbs and phrases selectively in a variety of texts in order to amuse, entertain, persuade, inform

Should: use precise vocabulary and sentence variation to contribute to the effectiveness of the writing. I can use of figurative language effectively.

Could: use varied vocabulary to create effects, appropriate to form and purpose of the writing and to create specific effects, e.g. alliteration/patterning; maintain a formal style throughout the letter

When writing a formal letter, the children will be encouraged to check they have included the following criteria:

In my formal letter, addresses, date, greeting and sign-off are correctly placed
The first paragraph tells who the writer is and explains the reason for writing
The middle paragraphs deliver the necessary message
The letter states clearly what I would like the recipient to do
I used standard English
I used the appropriate greeting and sign-off
I have left a line to show that I want to begin a new paragraph
I used a formal tone throughout my letter

Maybe you have some formal letters that you can share with your child at home – bank and insurance correspondence is particularly good at showing the children how they use formal language.

http://www.athena.bham.org.uk/letterwriting1.htm This is an example of the layout and content of a formal letter. Just click on the ‘next’ button at the bottom right of the page to navigate through the site.

http://www.schooltrain.info/english/letters/letters_features.htm A really simple, yet effective site, showing examples of the differences between the different styles of formal writing.

http://www.athena.bham.org.uk/formalletter1.htm Can you re-write this letter to make sure it makes sense? Do you think that you would get a replacement toy? Try changing some of the vocabulary to make it more adventurous – go on – impress us with those BIG words!!! Try using a thesaurus to use different words to the ones that you use all the time!

Numeracy

This week, the children in Year 6 will be focussing on co-ordinates in all four quadrants and also investigating 2D and 3D shapes.

By the end of week, they:

MUST Describe and visualise 3-D shapes, including tetrahedron and polyhedron.

SHOULD Describe and visualise 3-D shapes, including octahedron. Classify according to properties such as shapes of faces; numbers of edges, faces, vertices; whether or not any face is right-angled etc.

COULD Describe and visualise 3-D shapes, including dodecahedron. Describe properties such as parallel or perpendicular faces or edges.

In Year 5, will be covering some of the issues which came up last week during the assessments. Some of these include calculating area, perimeter and time.

By the end of the week, they:

Must be able to find the area of a given shape by counting squares and know that area is measured in cm²

Should be able to calculate the area of a shape when given the length and breadth measurements and know that area is measured in cm²

Could be able to calculate either the length or the breadth of a regular shape when given the area and know that area is measured in cm²

The children must also know the difference between area and perimeter.

One way in which you could help out at home, is to check whether or not your child knows all the names for the regular 2D shapes.

http://www.echalk.co.uk/Maths/polygonTool/PolygonToolWeb.swf
This is an evaluation version, but see how many different polygons you can make.

http://www.ngfl-cymru.org.uk/vtc/ngfl/maths/maerdy_2d/e_index.html
Quite a simple site, but maybe this will give you some ideas of the vocabulary that is needed when describing 2D shapes.

http://www.bgfl.org/bgfl/custom/resources_ftp/client_ftp/ks3/maths/coordinate_game/index.htm
This is a fantastic resources for co-ordinates – see which of the games you can work your way up to! This is actually a Key Stage 3 resource!!

http://www.tre.ngfl.gov.uk/server.php?request=cmVzb3VyY2UuZnVsbHZpZXc=&resourceId=11959
Just click on the ‘Materials’ box on the right hand side of the screen to download a Powerpoint on what ‘co-ordinates in all four quadrants’ means.

http://www.shodor.org/interactivate/activities/MazeGame/
Can you avoid the mines using your knowledge of the co-ordinates and quadrants?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/skillswise/numbers/measuring/perimeterareaandvolume/arearectangle/

http://argyll.epsb.ca/jreed/math9/strand3/area_rectangles.htm

http://www.shodor.org/interactivate/activities/AreaExplorer/
Work out the shapes area by counting the squares. Can you make your own compound shapes? How would you calculate the area and perimeter of compound shapes?

http://www.bgfl.org/bgfl/custom/resources_ftp/client_ftp/ks2/maths/perimeter_and_area/index.html
Just a review of what the vocabulary means!!

For those who would like some extra maths homework, why not visit http://www2.bgfl.org/bgfl2/custom/resources_ftp/client_ftp/ks1/maths/cup_maths/questions.cfm If you go back to the same site next week, they post the answers there for you.

Science

We are continuing with our topic on Light this week. The children will be asked to investigate the question – How can we change the size of the shadow? We will have lots of materials for the children to use and investigate with. It would be helpful, if they were able to bring some more torches in order to test some of their shadow makers!!

There are lots of links for this topic. Just scroll down through previous blogs to help you.

BOOK WEEK

This week is our school book week. It is a great opportunity to stock up on those home libraries. I had to buy some extra storage boxes last year to accommodate the books I bought! Not only can you treat yourselves, but we also receive 100% commission for this bookfair, so for every £1 spent at the fair, the school receives the same amount in books.

On Friday, the children will be able to dress up as a book character. Should the children not want to dress up, then they will have to wear school uniform.

We will hopefully have some great photos to share with you next week!

Take care and have a good week!!

Year 5/6 team.

22nd January 2007

Week Beginning 22nd January 2007

What a busy week we have ahead of us! There is so much happening for our children in Year 6 this week, even we aren’t sure that we will get through everything, so here goes with the plan…

On Monday morning, the Year 6 children, will be going to the Peace Centre, to take part in the Young Citizen programme. The Year 5’s will remain in school with myself to continue work on some of the fantastic poetry which was started last week. You will have already read some of the great examples from each of the classes in last week’s newsletter, and this week, we shall be compiling our own poetry, using some of the key phrases learned last week. We have given details of a national poetry competition called ‘Young Laureate’ and these poems certainly stand a superb chance of being shortlisted for a prize.

We used a ‘formula’ last week to help the children write poetry – maybe you could have a go at using this to write your own poems at home.

Write a NOUN (with article)
Write a fact about the noun
Write three adjectives to describe the noun
Write a simile to describe the noun
Write another simile
Write how you feel about it
Write a simile about how you feel
Repeat the noun
Express an important idea that the noun makes you think of

In order for us to set further targets to develop your child’s writing, we shall be assessing their writing on Monday afternoon. Why not ask them to talk about some of the strategies which they tried before Christmas, when we did our ‘Peat week’ activities?

2A sentences
OI sentences – a chance to use brackets (level 5)
Show NOT tell
Similes – remember to add a WHERE and a WHEN statement; also a chance to use semi-colons (an example of Level 5 punctuation)


On Tuesday, the Year 5 children, will be assessed in Numeracy. General Targets from this will be communicated to you through this blog and homework for Year 5’s will be tailored according to these targets. Year 6’s will be going through the practice SATs paper which they did last week. This will help them to create an effective and appropriate revision programme for numeracy, with guidance from staff.

We have had some lovely comments this week about the usefulness of this blog and you have told us, that the websites we provide for numeracy have been particularly useful. Thank you!

On Wednesday morning, the Year 6’s will be visiting St. Gregory’s for their production of ‘Oliver’. This is always an enjoyable visit, as they get to see lots of their classmates from last year, who are now a very mature Year 7!!

Again, the Year 5’s will remain in school. Don’t worry – we have something fantastic planned as a real treat for them next week. I can’t wait!!

On Thursday, Mrs Millington has her AST outreach day, and so her class will, as always, be taken by Mr McGreal. The children will be assessed on their reading, by a practice SAT paper. Please encourage the children not to panic about levels at this stage, as we still have time to make improvements. Your support and encouragement at home, will make a world of difference to them, and they really do appreciate you asking them about their learning – even at this age, they are keen to talk about what is going on in school!

Friday, see the Year 6’s going to the Pyramid Centre to perform their drama for Holocaust Memorial Day. They quality of their work is remarkable. Mrs Robinson from St. Gregory’s has been extremely complimentary about the standard of the children’s work and the thought and respect with which they perform the drama. She is very eager to have them as Year 7’s at the high school! They will be leaving school at approx. 10.15 and returning at 3.30pm. Please ensure that the relevant permission slips have been returned to school; many thanks.

The Year 5’s will be beginning their Reconciliation preparation programme with gusto this week, as they will be together as a year group for the vast majority of this week. Details of Parent’s meetings will be published in the next couple of weeks. The actual Sacrament, will be received during an ‘Away Day’. This was incredibly successful last year and I am sure that the children will get a lot out of it again this year.

The websites from last week will still be useful for this week’s learning, particularly the ‘Delicious Maths site’ and the sites suggested for Revision.

Revision programme

A number of parents have asked about the Year 6 Revision programme for this year. The children should have already received the CGP revision text books before Christmas, and these are being used in school each morning, as something called ‘Morning Activities’. The children are given a key question, which they have to find the answer to, either through their own knowledge, or locating the answer in the text books.

We have also purchased revision text books in school, which are differentiated according to ability. The children complete these ‘exercises’ in school and are monitored and marked by staff in school on a daily basis.

As mentioned in the Induction meeting at the start of the year, we have produced a ‘guide revision programme’ for the children, which will be sent home at the end of January, as a paper booklet. It contains all the objectives which the children are expected to know by the end of the year. This is also available to download on the school website, in the documents section, should you feel that your child would like to begin the programme earlier.

The children will be shown how to do ‘effective’ revision next week and also will be shown how to use the booklet. Should you require any further information on this, please do not hesitate to contact any member of the 5/6 team.

Finally, we thought that we would share our poetry with you again on the blog, as they are an example of the outstanding work, of which your children are capable!!

I Have A Dream…
That one day, the cruel acts of racism will be no more separating all God’s people through hatred.
Disturbing! Destructive! Diabolical!
Like a huge volcano, erupting with poisonous lava.
It makes me feel useless; like a heart without love.
The cruel acts of racism.
It reminds me of a world without colour.

I have a Dream..
That one day we will be free from the pollution, contaminating our lives with suffocation.
Vile! Vicious! Venomous!
Like smoke strangling with Earth.
Like fire burning our souls.
It makes me feel breathless.
Like running; fighting for air.
We will be free from pollution.
Reminding us of a selfish world.


I have a dream…
To feed the countless children,
Living (no exisiting!) in third world countries.
Hungry! Desperate! Dying!
Like living skeletons, walking hot earth.
Lives like despairing, living nightmares.
It makes me feel so helpless,
Like a tiny, insignificant ant.
The countless starving children need feeding now!

I have a dream…
To travel every corner of the world.
The mighty Sphinx, the elusive Loch Ness Monster.
Colossal! Inspiring! Everlasting!
Like a box of chocolates, each unique in flavour.
Like an orbiting marble of green and blue swirls.
I feel like I’m drowning in a sea of anticipation;
Like a spectator sitting silently in awe.
Every corner of this wonderful world,
Needs exploring now!

The Bully

The Bully
The aggressor versus the targeted one.
Fierce; vicious; unrelenting.
Like a pit-bull clamped firmly to its prize;
Like a blinkered racehorse, ready to charge.
I make myself stand tall and proud (inside I am churning around!)
Bully!
Need to Tell!

The Bully
The pressure button-pusher.
Thoughtless; cruel; hurtful.
Like a tornado, twisting and turning its way through the unsuspecting town;
Like an impending vaccination.
The victim’s face – expressionless; (inside they feel like an expectant volcanic eruption.)
Bully.
Need to talk!

Have a good week!

15th January 2006

Week beginning 15th January 2007

The children are certainly trying really hard to follow the Golden Rules in school and one thing we have noticed particularly, is how smart they are when they are in and around school. Thank you to all parents who are supporting us with our Uniform policy.

The builders have made a flying start to our new classroom and the children have all been superb at managing with their reduced playground area. Foundation Stage and Key Stage 1 children have all had to move too, so a big thank you to all of them for coping!! The builders have also commented on how well the children are managing, particularly at avoiding the fence with the footballs!! We will keep you posted with all the building developments over the next few weeks.

A few queries have come into school about the recommended size for school bags. We are having some samples made for us, with the school logo on, so hopefully within a couple of weeks, we will be able to make these available for you. We do have limited space in school to store the over-sized bags and a large number of them together in one class, does cause health and safety issues. Thank you for your understanding with this.

Literacy

We had a really successful week last week, looking at balanced arguments. The children really enjoyed this (I wonder why!) and produced some great writing.

This week, we will be looking at poetry, beginning with reading the work of some famous poets.

By the end of the week, hopefully, we will be able to emulate some of their work. I am sure we have some budding Wordsworths out there!!

The children:

Must be able to begin to identify and explain how a poem communicates the writer's thoughts and feelings to the reader.

Should be able to write an interesting and engaging short poem that effectively communicates the writer's thoughts and feelings about an issue.

Could be able to express personal opinions about their own and others' poetry; work collaboratively to perform and share their own and others' poems.

Some websites to help support our work on this are as follows:

http://teacher.scholastic.com/writewit/poetry/index.htm
The authors recommendations are particularly helpful when asking children to create their own poems

http://www.nwlg.org/pages/resources/caterpillar/caterpillar.html
Drag and drop some of the phrases on the left, onto the piece of yellow paper to make your own ‘Tired Caterpillar’ poem.

http://www.lancsngfl.ac.uk/curriculum/literacy/lit_site/html/fiction/narrative/index.htm
Some examples of Narrative poems, written by famous poets. These are ones which we use in class with years 5 and 6.

http://www.lancsngfl.ac.uk/curriculum/literacy/lit_site/html/fiction/nouns_001/index.htm
You can download this activity as a Word document to compete off-line.

http://www.amblesideprimary.com/ambleweb/year4/limerick.htm
This one is just for a bit of fun. Some of the limericks that can be produced from the drop-down menus will make you giggle!

Numeracy

By the end of the week, the children will be expected to:

Read and plot coordinates in the first quadrant
Recognise where a shape will be after a translation

Rehearse the names and properties of common 2D shapes

Rehearse regular and irregular polygons
Know the meaning of ‘diagonal’ of a polygon

For co-ordinates, the children:

MUST be able to make patterns by repeatedly translating a shape.

SHOULD be able to translate a simple shape on a co-ordinate grid either vertically OR horizontally

COULD be able to translate a simple shape on a co-ordinate grid horizontally THEN vertically or vice versa

For shape, the children:

MUST be able to name, classify & describe all common shapes and their properties plus equilateral, isosceles and right-angles triangles

SHOULD be able to name, classify and describe all common shapes and their properties plus scalene triangle, kite, trapezium

COULD be able to name, classify and describe all common shapes and their properties plus rhombus, parallelogram

The children should also be familiar with the following vocabulary:

Right angled, greater angle, smaller angle, vertex, vertices, layer, diagram, horizontal, vertical, Radius, diameter, net, open net, closed net, base, square-based, regular, irregular, concave, convex, Congruent, bisect, axis of symmetry, reflective symmetry, parallel, and perpendicular.

Knowing the vocabulary associated with any mathematical concept, is half the way to understanding how to solve the problem!!

http://www.innovationslearning.co.uk/subjects/maths/information/shape_facts/shape_facts.htm
Information about the properties of 2D and 3D shapes.

http://www.lgfl.net/dbmaterial/web/learning%20objects/ls/Year%205%20Numeracy%20Co-ordinates%20QCA%201957/home/?verb=view

http://www.counton.org/games/virtualmathfest/dinosaur.html

http://www.athena.bham.org.uk/coordinates1.htm

http://www.mathsonline.co.uk/nonmembers/gamesroom/transform/rotation.html

http://www.mathsonline.co.uk/nonmembers/gamesroom/transform/golftrans.html

http://www.shodor.org/interactivate/activities/Transmographer/
This is a real challenge! Click on the LEARNER tag at the top of the page to read an explanation of the activity, and then select the ACTIVITY tab to practice the skills.

Science

We are continuing with our Light topic this week, and the children we be investigating how light from an object can be reflected by a mirror. They will also be finding out how the reflected light enters our eyes and we see the object that we are looking at. When drawing these diagrams, the children will need to know that the direction of a beam or ray of light travelling from a light source can be indicated by a straight line with an arrow.

The challenge for this week, is to investigate how the direction of the beam of light changes, when it hits another object before reaching our eyes. Will they be able to draw this as a diagram, with the arrows pointing in the right direction ?

http://www.seekscience.org/interact/
Click on the LIGHT section for an interactive activity for how light travels in straight lines.

http://www.mystery-productions.info/hyper/Hypermedia_2003/Roby/index.html
A simple, yet effective site, which take you through information about light in easy steps.

SEAL

The children will be asked to set themselves a goal this week – something for them to aim for. They should each think of someone famous who they admire. They should use the following questions to share what they know about the person they admire.

• What has the person achieved?
• Why do you respect the person for this?
• What obstacles were in his or her way?
• How did he or she overcome them?
• Who helped the person achieve their goal?
• What do you think the person said/did when they felt like giving up?
• Is there anything that the person has done in achieving their goals that you
think they should not have done?

All of the goals will be displayed in class, and we will ask the children at the end of this half term, whether or not they feel they have achieved them.

Here I Am

We begin the RELATE section of our Books topic this week. The children will be looking at different versions of the Bible and finding some stories and parables in it, using Bible references to help locate them.

You could help at home, by reinforcing how to read a bible reference. For example,

When people want you to read a special part of the Bible, they give you a reference, for example, 1 Kings 10:23-25. 1 Kings means that you will find it in the first book of Kings. 10 is the number of the chapter in that book. 23-25 refers to the verses of that chapter. These are the small numbers included in the text.

• Look up 1 Kings 10:23-25. Can the children tell you what it is about ?

We will be looking at how the Bible is written in two halves – the Old Testament and the New Testament. The children will also find out, how the Bible had to be translated in order that we may be able to read it today. (The Old Testament was originally written in Hebrew and the New Testament was written in Greek.) The children will need to decide if the stories were translated accurately, or whether some changes had to made because of the language.

http://world.altavista.com/
If you type a piece of text into the translator, you will get the text back in another language. However, when you translate it back to English again, it isn’t quite the same!!

REVISION WEBSITES

http://www.bgfl.org/bgfl/custom/resources_ftp/client_ftp/ks2/maths/booster04/index.htm
This is a really fun site to help with the revision for numeracy. Click on the area that you wish to revise on the brown boxes at the bottom and then click on play when prompted. Although it is aimed at year 6, it could provide a real challenge for some Year 5 children. Go on…have a go!!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/revisewise/gigaflat/rw_chmaths/default.shtml?pool=all8
BBC Revisewise Maths Challenge

http://icteachers.co.uk/children/children_sats.htm
Questions from past SATS papers for Maths, Science and English

http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/revisewise/maths/
Choose whether to practice an aspect of numeracy, or to take the test.

http://www.saintambrosebarlow.wigan.sch.uk/upperjuniorspelling.htm
spelling quizzes, which are divided into term by term activities

http://www.saintambrosebarlow.wigan.sch.uk/upperjuniors.htm
choose from one of the stories for upper juniors and then select the correct spelling to complete the sentence.

http://www.innovationslearning.co.uk/subjects/english/activities/statements_opinions/state_opin_home.htm
click on the sentence which is either a statement or an opinion. This will help with our work on balanced arguments.

http://www.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/revision/Science/puzzle.html
colour investigation for light

http://www.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/revision/Science/light.html
light and shadows quiz

http://www.engineeringinteract.org/resources/alienattack/alienattacklink.htm
click on the link with the spinning logo

http://www.engineeringinteract.org/resources/alienattack/flash/concepts/sourcesandrays.htm
light sources and light rays

http://www.engineeringinteract.org/resources/alienattack/flash/concepts/reflectionseeingobjects.htm
reflection

http://www.engineeringinteract.org/resources/alienattack/flash/concepts/shadows.htm
shadows

http://www.engineeringinteract.org/resources/alienattack/flash/concepts/reflectionmirrors.htm
reflection – mirrors

http://www.supporting-ict.co.uk/documents/argument.ppt
You will need Powerpoint to view this document. It contains a framework to help with how to write an argument.

DIARY

PE is now on Wednesdays for Mrs Millington’s class, and on Thursdays for Miss Wilson’s and Mrs Worrall’s classes. Please ensure that your child has their OUTDOOR and INDOOR PE kit on these days. The children are also expected to wear pumps rather than trainers inside. Again, this is a health and safety issue as the soles on pumps are more appropriate when using apparatus in the hall.

On Friday afternoon, the Year 6’s will be having their last rehearsal for the Holocaust Memorial day commemorations. Next week, they will be performing their drama at the Pyramid Centre, with members of St Gregory’s and in front of the Mayor.

And finally…

Thank you to the parents who consistently make comments in their child’s diaries each week. The staff make comments about your child’s successes and achievements in them and use them to communicate with you on an individual basis. Please read and sign them each week, as it really does make a difference to your child.

Have a good week !!

Year 5/6 team

8th January 2007

Week beginning 8th January 2007


This week, we will be commencing our full curriculum for all children. We know you are all raring to go and are keen to get back into the full swing of things, so here's what's on the menu...

Science – How we see things

In this topic, children learn that mirrors and shiny surfaces alter the direction in which light travels and that when they see objects, light enters the eye. Children will also contrast reflection and shadow formation.

When we are doing experiments and investigations in this topic, the children will need to focus on the following areas:

· planning and carrying out a fair test
· making observations and measurements
· recognising when to repeat measurements
· presenting results in line graphs
· identifying patterns in data.

You can help at home, by asking questions about where a particular shadow is coming from; naming light sources etc. One important fact to remember and reinforce, is that the moon is NOT a light source - its light is reflected from the sun. This very often catches children out!

For this topic, the children will need to know and be able to use the following vocabulary:
· words and phrases related to shadow formation and reflection eg opaque, reflect, reflection, light beam, mirror, light travelling
· expressions making generalisations about patterns in results ; descriptions and explanations involving a sequence of ideas.

Being able to describe their ideas and findings using scientific vocabulary, is an important feature of the work this term.

When we are assessing how the children have done in this area, we will be using the Must, Should and Could criteria for them. The Could areas, provide a real challenge for them, and it really does give them all a real focus of what they should be aiming for.

MUST recognise that when light is blocked, a shadow is formed, and that reflections can be seen in shiny surfaces; make measurements and present these in a table

SHOULD recognise that light travels from a source, that when it is blocked, a shadow is formed and when it hits a shiny surface, it is reflected; that light sources are seen when light from them enters the eyes; make careful measurements of shadows and represent these in a line graph

COULD explain the difference between shadow formation and reflection in terms of the path of light

As this is the beginning of the topic, we will start with a review of children’s understanding of light and shadows by asking them to draw and annotate a diagram to show how a shadow is formed. You could help at home, by suggesting children use terms eg light source, opaque, travel, block.

The websites from last week, provide a great starting point for this topic. The most important aspect to reinforce is that light travels in straight lines and always comes from a light source.

Numeracy

This week in numeracy, we will be reviewing our work on place value. We will be assessing the knowledge which the children have retained from last term and seeing whether they can apply their knowledge to new situations.

We shall be assessing the children, using the Must, Should and Could criteria, with the COULD element providing the challenge for some children. All children are made aware of these expectations and you would be amazed at just how many strive to achieve the COULD target…Fantastic!

In Year 5, the children :

MUST - Know what each digit in a four digit number represents and can partition into thousands, hundreds, tens and ones.

SHOULD - Know the value of each digit in a six digit number and a number with up to two decimal places.

COULD - Know what each digit represents in a number with up to three decimal places.

In Year 6, the children :

MUST Know the value of each digit in a six digit number and a number with up to two decimal places.

SHOULD Know what each digit represents in a number with up to three decimal places.

COULD Give a decimal fraction lying between to others e.g. between 3.4 and 3.5

The children will review the following objectives:

· Use the vocabulary of comparing and ordering numbers, including symbols such as <, >, ≤, ≥ and =.
· Order a set of integers (numbers) less than 1 million.
· Order a given set of positive and negative integers (e.g. on a number line, on a thermometer).
· Solve a problem by representing and interpreting data in tables, charts and diagrams.
· Develop calculator skills and use a calculator effectively.

They will also need to be familiar with certain vocabulary to help support them with this work. This is a particular area which seems to create a stumbling block for some children; it can appear that they are having difficulties in understanding a particular mathematical concept, when it may simply be an issue with misunderstanding the vocabulary.

Vocabulary for this unit includes –

greater than
less than
greater than or equal to
less than or equal to
minus
degrees Celsius
integer
positive
negative

Should you wish to support your child, there are a number of sites below to facilitate this.

http://www.wmnet.org.uk/wmnet/custom/files_uploaded/uploaded_resources/853/PVcardsdecimalv2.swf This is an on-line version of the place value cards that we use in class. If you match up the points on the cards, you can see the value of each of the numbers both before and after the decimal point.

http://www.sums.co.uk/playground/c4a/playground.htm Just click on continue on the pop up screen to enjoy this activity. It uses partitioning skills to help multiply the darts. A real fun activity!

http://www.toonuniversity.com/flash.asp?err=503&engine=15 start with level 1 and then see if you can work your way up to level 3 by Friday!

http://www.emaonline.org.uk/ema/client_files/resources_ftp/netmedia/digitwize/english/index.htm Select ‘three decimal places’ for the number type and then click on ‘Start.’ You need to select numbers, which when added together, will total the target number. Remember to click on ‘check’ to see if your answer is correct or not!

An important point to reinforce with the children, is that they need to include the ‘0's’ after the decimal point when there is no number in the column. (the place value cards will help with this.)

Literacy

As well as continuing with our topic work in Literacy, we will be commencing our Revision programme with the Year 6 children. One area that we will be focussing on is our Word level work – spellings and word patterns.
You can help support this important area at home by reinforcing the work that is going on in school on a daily basis. Little, often and repetitive is the key to develop good spelling techniques.

We have included the objectives we will be covering for all of this half term to give you a head start :

The children will need to…

identify mis-spelt words in own writing; to keep individual lists (e.g. spelling logs); to learn to spell them;

use known spellings as a basis for spelling other words with similar patterns or related meanings;

use independent spelling strategies, including:
· building up spellings by syllabic parts, using known prefixes, suffixes and common letter strings;
· applying knowledge of spelling rules and exceptions;
· building words from other known words, and from awareness of the meaning or derivations of words;
· using dictionaries;
· using visual skills, e.g. recognising common letter strings and checking critical features (i.e. does it look right, shape, length, etc.)

When checking your child’s homework, have a look at how they have done with their spellings and handwriting. Have they made any errors in copying spellings which have been given to them? Have they remembered the simple things, such as capital letters and full stops? Have they underlined the date and title of their homework? They may seem like ‘little things’, but they really do make a difference, and will help them to ‘raise their game’ significantly…try it and see!

Comprehension homework and spelling homework will re-commence this week and your child should bring home their blue folder on Monday evening. It needs to be handed in on THURSDAY MORNING, so that it can be marked with your child and handed back for next week. Spelling tests will take place, as always on Fridays in all classes. If there are any difficulties in completing homework on time, please do see a member of the 5/6 team as soon as possible.

ICT

In this area of the curriculum, children learn how to control simple devices, such as buzzers, small motors and lights, using basic control boxes. They learn how to control devices by turning them on and off according to a set of instructions. This will be developed so that children understand how to sequence a set of instructions to get a desired outcome.

By the end of this topic, the children…

MUST design and create a simple advertising display which produces a limited number of events; need help to write simple procedures and design the display

SHOULD design and create a simple advertising display which produces a combination of events; write simple procedures and be able to link output devices together; amend their procedures to get a desired outcome

COULD design and create an imaginative advertising display which produces a combination of events; write, correct and improve procedures to link output devices together; realise the limitations of the system

How many things are controlled automatically? Car park barriers; ticket machines; pelican crossings and traffic lights… Think about what would happen if other things were automated…Robot Teachers…!!!! Maybe they could make a costume or a ‘jacket’ for our resident Roamers??
Here I Am

We will beginning the first of our three Spring term topics this week which is based on Books. You will have also received a Parents Information Leaflet, to help you place this topic into context. Please let one of the team know if you haven’t received your copy.

By the end of this topic, the children will be assessed according to the following criteria:

MUST be able to identify different books they use and why. They will know that the Bible is made up of different kinds of books and be able to find some references.

SHOULD be able to explain why the Bible was written and why it contains different kinds of writings. They will demonstrate their ability to look up references.

COULD be able to describe the different types of books that make up the Bible and how they help Christians in different ways.

During the first week of a new topic, we focus on three areas – Recognise, Reflect and Respect. For the topic of books, the children will :

RECOGNISE : that different books have different purposes.

REFLECT: on the many books they use.

RESPECT: Appreciate the variety of books they use for a variety of reasons.

This week, the children will be asked to share one of their favourite books from home and will be expected to say why it is so important to them. If they could bring this into school on Tuesday, it would be a great help.

Here's to a great week!

Best Wishes,
Year 5/6 team

Welcome Back !!

Happy New Year 2007 !!

Welcome back to the start of the Spring Term. We have lots to get through this term, which takes us right up until Easter. There will be lots of information coming home in the next few weeks, so please do keep an eye out in your child's diary and on this blog. The targets which your child will receive, have been produced based on assessments of your child at the end of last term, and are designed to help your child move forward. By supporting your child at home with these, you are helping them to move forward quickly and attain success.

Curriculum

We have a packed curriculum for the children this term and we will be covering all of the National Curriculum subjects. Please bear in mind though, that the following list is the topics that we will be covering for the WHOLE of this half term and NOT just this week - even we can't fit it all into 2 days!! Details of literacy and Numeracy to be covered will appear in the weekly blogs.

Design & Technology

Controllable vehicles - the children will have to design and make a vehicle out of materials of their choice, and make it move...Meccano anyone?

http://www.inventivekids.com/indexFlash.html

http://www.edheads.org/activities/simple-machines/index.htm
click on start, then on the house section and then click on the car

http://ngfl.northumberland.gov.uk/dt/workshop/projects/project3/P3vehicle-intro.htm

http://ngfl.northumberland.gov.uk/dt/workshop/projects/project3/assets3/veh-pdf.pdf downloadable pdf file with instructions to build a steerable vehicle

Music
Journey into space – exploring sound sources

http://www.artsalive.ca/en/mus/greatcomposers/ information about lots of classical composers
http://www.creatingmusic.com/ sketch your own music and listen to it played back on the computer, using the instruments you have chosen

http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio3/makingtracks/makeatune.shtml click on any of the activities to compose your own tune. Remember not send the e-mail as a file to your friends, as it can be quite large.

Science

How we see things

http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/scienceclips/ages/10_11/see_things.shtml

http://www.bootslearningstore.com/ks2/eyesight.htm

http://www.seekscience.org/interact/ select the ‘Light’ topic. This is a really good site for science revision in general, but it does take at least 30 minutes for each activity, although it doesn’t feel like it – I spent an hour on this site before I realised the time!

http://www.ngfl-cymru.org.uk/vtc/Phase2delivery/Wales/WalesSynd_20030219/Science/Keystage2/Physicalprocess/Shadows/Introduction/default.htm an introduction to shadows

Changing circuits

http://www.cleo.net.uk/resources/displayframe.php?src=207/consultants_resources%2Fscience%2FcircuitWorld%2Findex.html+ Design your own circuit online

http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/scienceclips/ages/10_11/changing_circuits.shtml BBC science clips website – online experiments including how to hypothesise.

http://www.ngfl-cymru.org.uk/vtc/Phase3delivery/Wales/Science/Keystage1/Physicalprocess/Electricalcircu/Introduction/default.htm Review of how to construct a simple circuit

http://www.edfenergy.com/powerup/keystage2/index.html A brilliant site, following the adventures of Celldric the Wizard around his home (notice the pun on his name??) Solve the puzzles using your knowledge of electrical circuits.

http://www.learningcircuits.co.uk/ This keeps track of your score throughout the activities. You can play on your own or against a friend. A really great site, which we will using in class.

http://www.teachingandlearningresources.co.uk/battlestarcircuits.html A superb way to revise – A space mission! Answer as many questions about circuits as you can in order to save the hostages! Remember to click on ‘Load a question’ on the left hand side and then select one of the spaceships for your answer.

http://www.andythelwell.com/blobz/ exploring electrical circuits

http://www.powerdiscoveryzone.com/home.html

http://www.powerdiscoveryzone.com/experiments.html online experiments to make electrical objects. You will need to collect a variety of junk materials for this one, but some of the finished products are fantastic.

http://www.bgfl.org/bgfl/custom/resources_ftp/client_ftp/ks2/science/electricity_book1/index.htm


Here I Am

In our Religious Education lessons this term the key question is “Who Am I?” The focus of the term’s work is to begin to understand the answer to this question. Jesus, the Son of God, who became fully human shows each of us how to be fully human too. The topics to be studied are: Books, Memories and Death and New Life.
We also investigate the topics through the theme of Community and the Local Church.

BOOKS
(8th January – 2nd February )

In this topic, the children explore their experience of the books which are special to different communities and when and why they are used. They hear about the Bible, the book which is special for the Christian family, and when and why it is used.

Suggestions for home activities

Share some of the readings from the bible with your child. Parables are a really good place to start, particularly with younger children.

MEMORIES
(5th February – 2nd March)

The middle topic is Memories. In this topic, the children explore their outstanding memories and those of their families and investigate why they are so special. They learn about the Eucharist remembering and celebrating Jesus - his life, death and resurrection.
Ash Wednesday (21st February) marks the beginning of the Lenten Season, the time in which we prepare to celebrate Easter.

Suggestions for home activities

Make a scrap book with photographs from your family. Maybe the children could help by writing captions underneath them and putting them in chronological order.
You could contribute towards Family Fast Day during Lent and donate some money to CAFOD for the poor and hungry of the world.
Maybe you could all do something extra during Lent as well as giving something up.

DEATH AND NEW LIFE

(5th March to end of term)
In this topic, the children explore their experience of loss and sadness.
They learn about the death of Jesus leading to new life at Easter.


Lent is a time for us to reflect on how we need to change from our selfish ways and become more like Jesus.

Suggestions for home activities

· This can be a very sensitive topic, particularly for those children who have lost close family members. They will ask lots of questions and as adults, we should allow them to express their thoughts and feelings freely.
· For younger children, a good starting point is to talk about how the flowers in the garden wither and die and are then ‘re-born’ in the Spring.
· Have a special family prayer when everyone can say sorry to each other and to God for the times when hurt and upset has been caused in the family.

Please also remember in your prayers, the Year 5 children who will be receiving the Sacrament of Reconciliation for the first time this term. Our Year 6 children will also be taking part in a retreat day at St. Joseph's Parish Centre in March, for a day of prayer and reflection.

A busy term all round, but one which is sure to be very successful...let's reach for the stars!!

Best Wishes,

Year 5/6 team