30th April 2007

Well, we only have two weeks before the SATs and we are on our final revision push. We are SO pleased with all the time, dedication and effort that you have out into your revision, and it will show when you get the fantastic results you deserve! Remember, they may be called 'tests', but they are really a chance to show off how much you know!

This week's blog, is a guide to how you can make the most of those last few pages in the SAT Attack books and how to tackle the planning and questions in the tests. Remember, you can come and have a chat with any member of staff in school, who believe it or not, have felt exactly the same way as you do right now ( and yes we DO remember that long ago!!)

Literacy


http://www.tea.state.tx.us/student.assessment/resources/online/2005/read/level3/level3reading.htm level 3 reading comprehension
http://www.tea.state.tx.us/student.assessment/resources/online/2005/read/level4/level4reading.htm level 4
http://www.tea.state.tx.us/student.assessment/resources/online/2005/read/level5/level5reading.htm level 5

http://web2.uvcs.uvic.ca/elc/studyzone/330/reading/index.htm simple comprehension exercises that could be used for speed practice in completing questions in a set time
http://www.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/revision/engindex.html scroll down for lots of reading exercises
http://home.freeuk.net/elloughton13/setting.htm choose a picture of a setting as a writing stimulus
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/ks2bitesize/english/activities/planning.shtml planning a story. This is also a fabulous site for all Bitesize revision topic areas.

We are also focussing on different types of reports in Literacy this week, as part of our revision programme. As our History topic is the Tudors, I came across a great website which links the two areas together:
http://www.headlinehistory.co.uk/#

Just click on 'Start' and then select the Tudors. We will be looking at Tudor Exploration, so the New Land Found paper is a great one to start with. You can even interview witnesses such as Sir Walter Raleigh!

http://www.ngfl-cymru.org.uk/vtc/big_news/eng/Introduct/default.htm This is really good site at explaining about the key features of a newspaper.

Science

http://www.coxhoe.durham.sch.uk/Curriculum/Science.htm The one-stop shop for lots of science links, Just scroll down past all the 'blurb' and select an area that you want to revise.

http://www.sciencenetlinks.com/interactives/systems.html when you stop giggling at the voice on this site, can you put all of his organs in the right place?

http://www.secondary-zone.com/demosz/sample1/ks3_trial_schoolzone_menu.html go on! Have a challenge!! This is really for Key Stage 3, but some of you could make a really good go at this!

http://www.kidshealth.org/kid/closet/movies/how_the_body_works_interim.html turn the sound down if the voice over annoys you too much!

http://www.topicbox.org.uk/browse.php?subject=Science click on the links for whatever section you feel you need more practice in.

The links from previous weeks and from http://del.icio.us/amworrall still stand and are really useful. Remember to scroll back to the very first page for the 'big' list of numeracy sites which show you which area of numeracy to revise.

Newsletter

Dates for your diary - 14th-18th May is SATs week for Year 6. Year 5 will also be doing their optional tests this week too.

Cake Sale - The Friends of St Vincent's are holding a cake sale on 3rd May at 3.00pm in the school hall.

International School Award - Our school has been awarded an International Schools Award by the British Council and the Department for Education and Skills. This has been awarded to us because of all the work we have been doing in languages and across the curriculum. They were really pleased with how we have linked with our partner school in Malaga and are looking forward to when we can work with all the teachers and pupils.

Think that's all for now!

5/6 team x

Happy St.George's Day!

The start of our week begins with St.George's Day, patron saint of England. It's a chance for us to get out the flags, showing the St.George's cross, and find out some information about our own culture. This site has some really good information, which is easy to read and understand.

http://www.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/customs/stgeorge.html

The homework challenge for the Year 5's this week, will be to write an information sheet about our Patron Saint. You can handwrite it, type it on the computer, draw pictures, cut them out from magazines, find them from other websites and any other ideas you can think of. It MUST be written IN YOUR OWN WORDS and not just copied from a website or book. The sky's the limit!!

Science

Well, has your child been washing their hands a bit more frequently recently? Well they should be! We started investigating how micro-organisms can be spread and we looked at what they look like under a microscope – ‘disgusting’ – ‘urgh’ –‘yuk’ were just a few of the reactions we had!

The sites from last week are really useful, especially http://www.buginvestigators.co.uk/ . If you click on the on-line games, there are some fantastic experiments that you can try with the guide ‘Andy Biotic’ (I know, I thought it was terrible too!)

http://www.childrensuniversity.manchester.ac.uk/interactives/science/microorganisms/
Click on the ‘What are micro-organisms?’ section on the left hand side of the screen for interactive animations of where you might find micro-organisms in and around your house. You’ll even start to help out with the cleaning when you read this one!
http://enjoy.underwired.com/portfolio/sites/thebugstopshere/index.shtml this site explains how to rid your house of those germs. It is sponsored by a well-known bleach manufacturer, but once you get over that bias, it is a really good site to use!

Do you know the best conditions for growing mould are? Why not have a go at growing some of your own at home? I suggest putting whatever you are testing into a plastic bag, so that you don’t cause too many smells and germs to spread!

Numeracy

This week in numeracy, Year 6’s will continue to work on their revision, using the SAT Attack books which you will have seen at home in the last few weeks. The links on delicious and over the last few weeks will still work really well, and provide a fun way of revising.

The year 5’s will be covering two areas in particular – measuring of capacity and angles. There are many sites which can help to support this, but probably the best way of learning about capacity, is to ‘play’ about with cups and a variety of containers in the bath! (Even though they are 9 and 10, they still secretly love playing with the water!!)

Measuring Angles

http://www.sums.co.uk/playground/ss6/playground.htm this helps you to practice using a protractor to measure angles. Remember to put the ‘cross’ in the centre of the protractor, exactly on the point of the angle. This will help to make your measurement as accurate as possible.
http://www.hittingthetarget.com/hittingthetarget.php I love this! Learning angles through sports is a great interactive site which helps you to see the real life problems which you need to know angles for. It might even help to coach some budding Beckhams out there!
http://www.subtangent.com/maths/measures1.php click on measuring angles
http://www.primaryresources.co.uk/online/angle.swf guess the random angle
http://www.echalk.co.uk/Maths/angleEstimator/EstimatingAngles.swf this works best if you work in pairs. Make sure you click on HIDE the angle first, then reveal it to find out how accurate your measurement was.
http://www.amblesideprimary.com/ambleweb/mentalmaths/protractor.html one that we have used before on the interactive whiteboard in class.

Solving Problems using angles

http://www.echalk.co.uk/Maths/PrimaryNationalStrategy_Yr6/DfES-MathsActivitiesforyear6/sailing.html once you figure out the setting options, this is actually quite a good game to practice using your angles
http://www.bbc.co.uk/keyskills/flash/kfa/kfa.shtml This made me laugh, even though it was ‘a bit hard!! Make sure you have the volume turned up for this one!!
http://www.innovationslearning.co.uk/subjects/maths/activities/year6/angles/game.asp Brilliant!
http://www.hqprimary.co.uk/gorilla/ if you can do this, you are fantastic! See what the lowest number of attempts that you can make is.
http://www.sums.co.uk/playground/ss4/playground.htm a little bit easier, measuring the angles of turns up to 90 degrees.
http://www.lgfl.net/lgfl/leas/haringey/web/teachers%20section/KS2/ICT/Links%20&%20Resources/documents/clowns.swf burst the balloons by selecting the correct angle to turn.
http://www.oswego.org/ocsd-web/games/bananahunt/bhunt.html how many bananas can you find?
All of these maths games can be found by clicking either on the actual links, or by going to http://www.mathszone.co.uk/ where you can find lots of other examples for number work.

Year 5 Key Objectives for Numeracy
We will be assessing how many of the ‘Key Objectives’ the children have achieved in numeracy so far, and I came across some sites which may help to practice some of them.

http://www.freewebtown.com/weddell/mw/x10x100/x10x100.swf to be able to multiply and divide a number by 10 and 100
http://www.primaryresources.co.uk/online/negnumorder.swf to order a set of positive and negative integers (numbers)
http://www.freewebtown.com/weddell/mw/decimals/tenths-hundredths.swf to use decimal notation for tenths and hundredths
http://www.freewebtown.com/weddell/mw/rounding/nearest1.swf to round a decimal number to the nearest whole integer
http://www.amblesideprimary.com/ambleweb/mentalmaths/fracto.html to relate fractions to division and the nearest equivalent fractions
http://www.freewebtown.com/weddell/mw/add_sub/sub%20large%20nos.swf to calculate the difference between two large numbers
http://www.freewebtown.com/weddell/mw/short_multiplication/3x1contents.swf to carry out short multiplication
http://www.freewebtown.com/weddell/mw/division/3x1%20division.swf to carry out short division
http://www.freewebtown.com/weddell/mw/shape/area/area.swf to understand that area is measured in square centimetres. (cm2)

Revision

With just 3 weeks before the SATS to go, we are having the last push on those basics. One area that we have noticed in particular, is how many children are struggling to finish with the time given. We will be looking at ‘technique’ this week, and how we can maybe speed up what we are actually writing down. On Tuesday and Wednesday this week, the Year 6 children will be having a practice run in the hall, under test conditions, just so they are used to the format for May. This may seem very formal, but all schools across the country, have to follow these strict guidelines, to ensure that everyone has the same chance.

Maybe, you could help out at home, by having at look at some past papers and seeing just how much the children actually have to get through in the time given. You can download the papers from http://www.st-josephs-pickering.n-yorks.sch.uk/past_test_papers.htm

I have also updated the Bookmark site, and it you click on http://del.icio.us/amworrall/sats there are a few more sites which can help with your revision at home.

Here I Am

This week, we move on to the RELATE section of our Energy topic. We will learn about the wonder
and power of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost; the friends of Jesus being enabled to use their energy for their own good, and for the good of others.

The Pentecost story continues in the Church. The changing and transforming power of the Spirit is at work. Each year, Christians remember and celebrate the coming of the Holy Spirit on the first
Pentecost day. They ask for the gifts of the Spirit and pray that they will be changed and transformed by the energy and power that the Holy Spirit gives so that they may bring peace, joy, love and forgiveness to the world.

Maybe you could have a look to see what information you can find out about Confirmation.

Reminders

Could we remind all parents that as the weather is now much better, that all children must have correct PE kit (white t-shirt, blue shorts and black pumps) for all lessons. We still have a large number of winter outdoor kits in school, so any encouragement to take those home would be appreciated!
There may be lots of pieces of information that we need to pass to you over the next couple of week, so it is important that you check and sign your child’s diaries each week. Many thanks to the parents who already do this every week!

That’s all for this week!
5/6 team.

Welcome to the Summer !!!

Welcome back to the final term of this year. As always, we have lots to pack into a busy term, including the SATS. It is important that you are in school for all lessons as much as possible this term, so ask your parents try to make any doctors or dental appointments after school if at all possible. Also, we know that the lure of the light nights and football are a very tempting distraction, but do try to have some early nights over the next couple of weeks, just so you are tip-top shape when you come to show off everything that you know in the SATS!!

I also love this term, as we get to show off our acting, singing and dancing skills in our end of year production. We are mulling over lots of ideas at the moment for our production, but rest assured, it will rival any West End production. (We know that Andrew Lloyd Webber got the idea for the Joseph Saturday night show after hearing about our production last year!!)

This week’s blog, is to let you know what topics we will be covering over the term, so that if you want to get a head start on your research you can! Remember, you can put comments on this blog as well as the main school website.

History – Tudors

One of my favourite History topics...I can feel a Tudor dressing up day coming on, complete with Tudor banquet!!

In this topic, we will learn about the reasons for, and results of, exploration of the world by people in the sixteenth century and its impact on sailors, settlers and indigenous peoples. We will investigate in depth one of the explorers and the problems associated with settlement. The framework can also be used to investigate other explorers and their attempts at settlement and trade.

By the end of the topic, you:

MUST recognise some of the reasons for exploration and be aware of the achievements of named individuals; extract information from a small number of sources; recognise some of the similarities between exploration in Tudor times and today

SHOULD know and understand the reasons for, and events of, exploration in the Tudor period; use a range of sources to reconstruct aspects of the life of sailors and settlers; compare and contrast aspects of exploration in the Tudor period with today

COULD describe reasons for, and outcomes of, particular voyages of exploration and attempts at settlement; use their knowledge and understanding of Tudor exploration and settlement to make connections with other societies and periods; select and combine information from a range of sources to undertake enquiries and reach supported conclusions about the motivations and results of Tudor exploration.

There are so many web-based resources out there, I have only listed a few of them. Why not have a go at creating your very own webquest to give to other children? We could even post some of them on the website.

http://www.brims.co.uk/tudors/index.html

http://www.learningcurve.gov.uk/tudorhackney/virtualreality/tudh1.asp

http://www.tudorbritain.org/joust/

http://www.tudorbritain.org/

http://www.channel4.com/apps26/learning/microsites/E/essentials/history/units/tudorexpl_bi.shtml

http://www.channel4.com/apps26/learning/microsites/E/essentials/history/units/tudor_bi.shtml

http://www.channel4.com/apps26/learning/microsites/E/essentials/history/units/henry_bi.shtml

http://www.historyforkids.org/

http://www.historyonthenet.com/

http://www.pastexplorers.org.uk./fun

http://www.schoolhistory.co.uk/primarylinks/Tudortimes.html

http://www.snaithprimary.eril.net/tudors.htm

http://www.schoolhistory.co.uk/storyboards/olivercromwell.shtml

http://www.tudorhistory.org/

http://www.btinternet.com/~tony.poulter/links/tudors.htm

http://www.btinternet.com/~tony.poulter/cyberhunts/tudorhunt.htm

MUSIC

This topic develops children’s ability to sing and play music in two (or more) parts. They explore the effect of two or more pitched notes sounding together – harmony. They experiment with clusters of pitched notes and discover which combinations are ‘comfortable’ (concords), and which ‘clash’ (discords). They sing rounds and experiment with melodic ostinati to provide accompaniments. They play drones (think bagpipes!) and single note accom­paniments.
This will be fantastic to use these skills when we are learning the songs for our production. (Can you tell what I am looking forward to?!)

MUST hold their part in a two-part round with support; sustain a simple drone to accompany the singing

SHOULD hold their part in a two-part round with confidence, and appreciate the effect of the harmonies produced; sustain a drone or melodic ostinato to accompany the singing

COULD hold their part in a two-part round, singing solo and in a small group; appreciate the harmonies produced and work out drones and melodic ostinati and use them to accompany the singing

http://www.artsalive.ca/en/mus/index.asp

http://www.creatingmusic.com/

http://www.freeplaymusic.com/

http://www.shockwave.com/gamelanding/grooveblender.jsp

http://www.bbc.co.uk/northernireland/schools/4_11/music/mm/index.shtml

http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/communities/onionstreet/music/index.shtml


Science

Through this unit you will learn that there are many very small organisms called micro-organisms which feed, grow and reproduce and which may be harmful or beneficial.
Experimental and investigative work focuses on:
· making observations
· drawing conclusions
· suggesting explanations for conclusions, using scientific knowledge and understanding.
Work in this unit also offers you the opportunity to use scientific ideas to explain some causes of illness and decay, to relate micro-organisms to food production and to relate science to their personal health.

MUST recognise that very small living things can cause illness

SHOULD recognise that there are many very small organisms which can cause illness or decay or which can be used in food production and that these micro-organisms feed, grow and reproduce like other organisms

COULD describe evidence that yeast is living; explain how micro-organisms can move from one food source to another and how this can cause food poisoning

http://www.60secondscience.org/

http://www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/

http://www.exploratorium.edu/

http://www.exploratorium.edu/science_explorer/index.html

http://www.ehc.com/vbody.asp

http://www.nwnet.org.uk/pages/ict_curric/science/downloads/science_unit6b.ppt

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

http://www.buginvestigators.co.uk/

http://archive.food.gov.uk/hea/711/english/part1.html

http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/sustainable/slidesets/kidscompost/kid1.html

http://www.coxhoe.durham.sch.uk/Curriculum/Temp/Science.htm

Design and Technology

In this unit, you will learn about structures. You will learn that structures can fail when loaded, and the use of techniques for reinforcing and strengthening structures. They are shown the strength of tubes as a construction material and textiles as a suitable cover for a framework. The main outcome of this unit will be the design and construction of a framework-type shelter for an identified purpose. This can be a model or full-size structure. Maybe, we could even get involved in some of the playground remodelling with the current builders!

MUST have investigated at least one example of a shelter; have made a simple model shelter incorporating framework and a textiles cover

SHOULD have investigated several shelters; have made, used and recognised the use of tubes as a material from which to make a framework; have reinforced and strengthened frameworks using triangulation and carried out a fair test; have included in their designs drawings showing several alternative shelter ideas; have chosen to make an appropriate scale or full-size shelter for a specific purpose; have incorporated a framework and a textiles cover

COULD have investigated several framework structures including shelters and others showing a thorough understanding of materials used and methods of construction; have set out a step-by-step approach to how their shelter will be made and listed tools and materials to be used; have made their shelter using a wider range of materials and techniques; have been able to identify what is and what is not working well with their chosen shelter designs and modified their shelter as they went along

PE

Now that we have some fine weather, (I am looking out of the window at a lawn in desperate need of some TLC as I type this!) we are able to make more use of the field for our PE sessions.
We will be focussing on Striking and Fielding games. In this unit children learn how to hit or strike the ball into spaces, so that they can score runs in different ways. When fielding, they learn how to work together to keep the batters’ scores down.
In all games activities, children have to think about how they use skills, strategies and tactics to outwit the opposition. In striking and fielding games, players achieve this by striking a ball and trying to deceive or avoid fielders, so that they can run between wickets or around bases to score runs. When fielding, they try to prevent runs or points being scored.

MUST use a few skills with control and reasonable accuracy; hit a stationary ball and retrieve and throw it when fielding; use a small range of skills and tactics in games; come up with sensible solutions, given time to think about their actions; follow warm ups; recognise what happens to their bodies as they work; carry out practices to improve their work and understand why they are useful

SHOULD use a range of skills, eg throwing, striking, intercepting and stopping a ball, with some control and accuracy; choose and vary skills and tactics to suit the situation in a game; carry out tactics successfully; set up small games; know rules and use them fairly to keep games going; explain what they need to do to get ready to play games; carry out warm ups with care and an awareness of what is happening to their bodies; describe what they and others do that is successful; suggest what needs practising

COULD play games with speed and precision; hit a bowled ball with intent and force; collect, stop and intercept a ball with increasing efficiency; throw a ball well from a distance; play games well using a variety of skills and equipment; choose and vary a range of tactics; make good tactical decisions quickly, while remaining aware of what is going on around them; explain what happens to their bodies as they work, and how this varies from game to game; identify and describe successful play; identify parts of play that could be improved.

Favourites

Whilst these topics are really exciting, you still need to make sure to keep focussing on the essentials. I have included a few of our favourite websites, but do remember to keep scrolling down and looking in the archives for all of the links that have been provided over the year to help you.

http://del.icio.us/amworrall/numeracy You will have seen these links lots of times before in our class numeracy sessions. Remember to click on the links on the right hand side of the page, depending on which area of numeracy you want to investigate.
I am trying to use a site called ‘Delicious’ to sort out all the links we use in class, so they will be easier for you to navigate your way around. It works a bit like a huge bookmark and I can add sites to them as I come across them when I am planning your work. Hopefully, it should get pretty full by the time we get to the end of the year.

The links for this is http://del.icio.us/amworrall . Please let me have any websites you have come across which you think it may be good to share.

There will be lots of things going on this term, but please remember to ask your parents to keep checking and signing your diaries every week. This is particularly important for those of you who are in Year 6, as it will be good practice for you using the Journals from St,.Gregory’s next year.

Have a good week.

5/6 team.