27th November 2006

Firstly...

A big thank you to everyone who is putting a comment in their child's diaries. We are getting really close to our 100% target for comments, so let's have a real push to help us reach our Goal! The reading booklets which have come home, seem to have given you all some great ideas for sharing your child's reading. If you have any success stories, please do let us know so that we can share your ideas with others!

Diary

Yes, we really will let you your child wear their own clothes this Friday, in exchange for something for our Christmas Fayre. The school council are also organising a Bring and Buy sale, of old toys and games. All we ask, is that they are in relatively good condition and intact. Imagine finishing a jigsaw and there is just one piece missing... It's also a good opportunity to have that clear out before Christmas!

Mrs Worrall's class will be joined by Miss Hamill on Wednesdays between now and April. She joined us for her first visit last Wednesday and commented on how welcoming all the children and staff were and that she felt as if she had been here for ever! What a lovely comment to make!

Curriculum

The last few weeks blog contain all the themes for what we are covering this half term. So, in response to a number of requests, this week's blog, contains lots of links to help support the children's learning at home.

Please remember that whilst these links are VERY useful, there really is no substitute for visiting the local library and using good old pencil and paper methods!

Numeracy

http://www.emaths.co.uk/KS2SAT.htm Year 6 SATS maths papers online
http://www.st-josephs-pickering.n-yorks.sch.uk/past_test_papers.htm all past sats papers for English, Maths and Science
http://del.icio.us/mathslinks lots of links, primarily for maths, but lots of others ideas too
http://schoolcentral.com/Willoughby5/default.htm use multiplication facts to find the gold
http://www.wmnet.org.uk/resources/gordon/Hit%20the%20button%20v9.swf We use this on the interactive whiteboard for number bonds etc.
http://www.wmnet.org.uk/resources/gordon/Hit%20the%20button%20v9.swf more times tables practice. This time, you can choose to hit the answer, or the question
http://www.sgfl.org.uk/games/games/maths/multiplicationstation multiplication practice - choose two numbers that when multiplied together make the answer
http://www.ngfl-cymru.org.uk/vtc/3_num_multiply/eng/Introduction/default.htm multiplication practice for 7 and 8 times tables – online lessons. This is also brilliant for showing you how we teach ‘long multiplication’ in school. Just click on the main activity to help with this.
http://www.wmnet.org.uk/wmnet/custom/files_uploaded/uploaded_resources/504/multiplicationpuzzle.swf multiplication puzzle. This is a bit like Sudoku for tables! Do perseverve with it, as it does require a lot of concentration, but the ‘Well done@ song at the end, is well worth a giggle!


Music

http://ngfl.northumberland.gov.uk/music/orchestra/default.htm virtual orchestra
http://www.dsokids.com/2001/rooms/games.html online music games
http://www.dsokids.com/2001/rooms/musicroom.asp you can explore all the instruments of the orchestra using this site from Dallas Symphony Orchestra
http://www.angliacampus.co.uk/learn/pri/music/explomoo/page01.htm this is a brilliant site for helping to set the scene with music, Try using it when you are writing the opening for a story. Listen to how the music changes the mood of the scene.

Art

http://www.bgfl.org/bgfl/custom/resources_ftp/client_ftp/ks1/art/perspective/index.htm exploring how artists use perspective in drawing, to really bring a picture to life
http://www.sanford-artedventures.com/play/leonardo/index.html adventure based on the work of Leonardo Da Vinci

RE

http://www.coxhoe.durham.sch.uk/Curriculum/RE.htm lots of links for you to explore to add to our current Here I Am topic of ‘Gifts.’
This week, we are looking at the ‘Relate’ section of the topic, where we will be reading bible passages from both the Old and the New testaments.

PSHE

http://www2.bgfl.org/bgfl2/custom/resources_ftp/client_ftp/ks2/pshe/moral_mazes_lower/index.htm This is a really good way of approaching a number of ‘choice issues’which your child may come across. The cartoon characters are particularly helpful in bringing the situation to life,

ICT

http://www.bbc.co.uk/gardening/design/virtualgarden_index.shtml We will be asking the children to use ICT to design our very own ‘Peace Garden’. We really want the children to get involved in this, as the winning design, will actually be built! We would like to thank Mr. Nencini and Mrs Pickavant for all their help with this project so far.

Drama Production

Our Year 6 children are currently working on a very moving play about the Holocaust. This is being led by Mrs Robinson from St. Gregory's, and she has commented on how much the children really respect each other's work and thoughts. The play will form part of the Holocaust Memorial Day reflections at the Pyramid Centre in January. We will let you know more details when we get them.

Christmas Preparations

The other phase team's preparations for their productions are well underway and some of our children seem to be itching to get their 'Equity' cards out too! Because of the demands placed on the hall at this time of year, it would be really difficult to do three Christmas Productions, and so Year 5/6 lead the Carol Service on the last day of term. They will also be doing a fabulous production at the end of the year, which will be worthy of any West End production! Remember Joseph last year?? A big thanks to all the children who are being so patient!

As you can see, there will be lots going on this week, and we appreciate all the support you give to your child and us, from home.

Have a great week,

Year 5/6 team.

20th November 2006

First of all, a big thank you to all the children who behaved superby last week when our Ofsted visitors were in school. They commented on how well the children looked after each other and cared about our school. We are very proud of our school and the children made some lovely comments to them. Also, many thanks to you as parents for the questionnaires that you returned so promptly to school. It is encouraging to know that we are supported by yourselves as co-educators of your children.

This week...

Literacy

We will be starting a new topic this week of Report Writing. You could help at home by reading lots of different types of newspapers. A particularly good paper, is called 'First News'. It is written with children particularly in mind, and is based on current affairs, written in child-frienly language. There is also a website to accompany this:

http://www.firstnews.co.uk/

Other sites which are useful are:

http://www.headlinehistory.co.uk/swf/main_launcher.htm This is a brillant site, as it links report writing with a history topic. The spoken instructions are particularly easy to follow for this site.
http://www.schooltrain.info/powerpoint/elephant_report.ppt

Spelling Websites

http://www.saintambrosebarlow.wigan.sch.uk/upperjuniorspelling.htm

http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/spellits/home_y6flash.shtml

http://www.lgfl.net/dbmaterial/web/learning%20objects/ls/Year%206%20Literacy%20Mnemonics/home/?verb=view

The children wrote some amazing stories on Friday and we have seen the 'PEAT WEEK' ideas really have an impact, particularly on how the children are opening their stories. Keep up the good work!

Numeracy

The three numeracy groups will be continuing the topics from last week, so the links from last week's blog still stand.

We are seeing a real improvement in children's knowledge of the times tables, so thank you for persevering with it! We just need to get a bit quicker on the recall of them now and we will have cracked it! Even the children have to admit, it is making their overall numeracy understanding better. Just think of how good it will be when they get even quicker!!

Have a look back over the last couple of week's blogs for some great websites to use. You can also help by testing them when they least expect it...in the car on the way to school; walking around Tesco...just say six sevens? Hopefully, over time, they should be able to respond even quicker!

Science

For the rest of this term, we will continue with our topic on Forces all around us. A particular feature, is the children's ability to differentiate between air resistance and upthrust. Ask your child when they are out and about, if they can tell you the difference between the forces which they observe. Again, previous websites will help support this.

Christmas Preparations

Due to our visitors last week, the preparations for the Christmas productions have been shortened considerably for Foundation, Key Stage One and Years 3/4. So, our PE sessions will be held outside this week. PLEASE ensure that your child has warm, outdoor kit to wear.

Year 5/6 prepare the Carol Service on the last day of term and our 'big' production takes place at the end of the year. We are currently mulling over a couple of ideas, but it will be fantastic - we have some real actors and performers on Year 6 this year!

and finally...

The children have put in a request that I put the recipe on this blog, for the Barfi sweets which they made on Wednesday. Most children loved them! They are a traditional Indian sweet, made for the Hindu festival of Divali, but if you covered them in chocolate, and then put them in the fridge, they taste just like home-made Snickers bars! If you can't find the rose water, just use a herbal tea - we found it works just as well. Enjoy!

Barfi is a popular Indian sweet, which is always made for Hindu Festivals. It is usually made by boiling sugar and milk together. This recipe is much easier to make and it is just as delicious!

Preparation time: 20 minutes
Makes: 20 pieces

Ingredients: 120g honey
120g peanut butter
80g dates, finely chopped
85g milk powder
130g dessicated coconut
70ml rose water

Equipment: large mixing bowl
Small mixing bowl
Greaseproof paper
Cutting knife
Sweet tin

Mix the honey, peanut butter, dates and milk powder in a bowl using your hands. Make the sticky mixture into a non-sticky dough by kneading it.
Roll the dough into a log about 50cm long. Now wash you hands and dry them as well.
Into the small mixing bowl, mix the coconut and the rose water.
Spread out the coconut and the rose water mixture onto the greaseproof paper.
Cur the log in half and roll each half in the coconut so that it covers the log.
Cut each log into 10 pieces and store in the sweet tin. It will keep for a week in the fridge. It tastes best if you take it out of the fridge about an hour before eating it.

Have a good week!

Year 5/6 team.

13th November 2006

Phew! What a busy week we had last week, but an enjoyable one. The children worked really hard and are ready for some fantastic activities this week. So, here's what's on the menu...

Literacy

After the fabulous writing the children came up with last week, we are beginning our new theme of Narrative with the children. Put simply, this week will be about writing stories. The children learned how to write some great openers last week and we are looking forward to seeing some of those being applied to alonger piece of writing.

The children will be looking at writing a fairy story, but with a difference. We have a great text to share with the children on MOnday, just to give them a few pointers. You could help at home, by discussing some of the stories that you read with your child when they were younger.

Do they know the 'ingredients' of a fairy story? Where are they usually set? Who are the characters you would expect to meet?

We will be using the story mountain planning frame, so when you hear you child read at home this week, see if they are able to plot that story onto the right section of the mountain.

A couple of websites that may help you support you child at home with this are :

http://teacher.scholastic.com/writewit/mff/fractured_fairy.htm fractured fairy tales

http://www.mythfolklore.net/3043mythfolklore/reading/jacobsenglish/pages/01.htm a number of fairy tales that cane be read in 5 minutes each, with comprehension questions included.

http://www.innovationslearning.co.uk/subjects/english/activities/literature_comp/lit_comp_home.htm literacy comprehension based on excerpts from children’s novels


Numeracy

This week in numeracy, each group is working on some very practical aspects of maths. In Mrs Millington's group, they will focussing on angles; Miss Wilson's group will be looking at shape and area/perimeter and Mrs Worrall's group will be continuing their theme of measurement, but with a focus on time, particularly the 24 hour clock.

Some practical ways of helping at home this week -

Ask your child to find the area of your living room. Tell them that you would like a new carpet fitted for Christmas and that you need them to calculate the area and then work out how much it is likely to cost.

For time, you could use the newspaper, teletext, Freeview/Sky listing, and ask your child to work out what time 'Corrie' starts using the 24 hour clock.

As usual, please keep plugging away at the time tables. We are certainly starting to see a difference in the children, as their confidence seems to be increasing as they can recall the facts much quicker.Keep Going...it IS working!!

http://www.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/maths/measures.htm#Time time games

http://www.shodor.org/interactivate/activities/PerimeterExplorer/?version=1.5.0_06&browser=MSIE&vendor=Sun_Microsystems_Inc. perimeter explorer

http://pbskids.org/cyberchase/games/perimeterarea/perimeterarea.html build your own spaceship – shows the links between area and perimeter – whilst the area changes, the perimeter stays the same

http://www.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/maths/shape.htm#Angles angles games

http://www.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/maths/shape.htm#Shapes

http://www.sums.co.uk/playground/hd6a/playground.htm graphs including line graphs

This is a great one - we will be using this at the beginning of our maths lessons this week, and it even has the Coutndown music!

http://www.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/maths/countdown/index.htm countdown for maths

Science

In practical science this week, we will be giving the children a question to answer about dissolving. They will also have to predict how they can make the substances dissolve faster, or slow the process down.

In our science topic of Forces, the children will also have some investiagtion work to do, but we don't want to give too much away! All we can say, is that it involves lots of paper and a bucket of paper clips!! All we be revealed next week!

Remember on Monday, that we will be having our parachute competetion, to see which one falls to the ground the slowest and the quickest. We can't wait to see some of the designs.

I have out quite a few links on the blog over the last few weeks, but here are a couple more:

http://www.e4s.org.uk/director/dissolve.htm dissolving salt water

http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/revisewise/science/physical/

Here I Am

As a Catholic School, we follow an RE scheme called Here I Am. Each term, we devote one week to another world faith. This week, we are looking at Hinduism. There are some lovely stories to read for this topic, and they tie in really well with our work on Fairy Tales/Legends.

On Friday, the Year 3/4 children will be showing us a dance that they did during their week on India. We will also have the opportunity to taste some Indian food on Friday, so please inform us if your child has any food allergies.

http://www.ngfl-cymru.org.uk/vtc/ngfl/re/b-dag/ngfl-container/re-unit3-en.html diwali information

http://pof.reonline.org.uk/hindu.php Hinduism information

http://www.lgfl.net/lgfl/leas/hackney/accounts/staff/religionslt/web/places/hindu/index/ explanation about what a mandir is

ICT

We will be looking at the advantages and disadvantages of using ICT this week. The children will be looking at manipulating graphics in an objects based package and comparing it with pencil and paper methods.

Have a look at these sites, which explain things in a bit more detail.

http://www.train.stockton.gov.uk/pages/viewpage.asp?uniqid=1848

http://ngfl.northumberland.gov.uk/ict/qca/ks2/unit5A/graphicalmodelling/index.html

Geography

We love this week! The children blend their art, RE, Geography, music and we even do some cooking! The children will use a map of the world to locate where different foods come from. They have to use their knowledge from last week about where the different mountain ranges are, to be able to locate the countries and continents. Whilst doing all this, the children will be listening a variety of Indian music, to link in with their topic on Hinduism. The children will also be making some coconut barfi. These are Indian sweets, which the children will be eating at our Indian party on Friday.

We will be using some brilliant on-line resources too, but please do be patient. They do take quite a long time to download, but they are worth the wait...particularly the talking alien!

http://www.channel4.com/apps26/learning/microsites/E/essentials/geography/units/mount_bi.shtml

http://www.oxfam.org.uk/coolplanet/mappingourworld/mapping_our_world/l/lesson1/index.htm

http://mapzone.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/pagesHomeworkHelp/resources/ download the maps and plot where the mountains should go on the world maps

http://mapzone.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/pagesHomeworkHelp/maptivity/ map games – look likes a playstation game where you have to load dvds

Primary Spanish

Last year, as you are aware, the children in 5/6 began to learn some French as a modern foreign language. We still use the Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes brain break! This year, the children will have the opportunity of learning Spanish. We have forged some really strong links with schools in Spain and we hope to begin video-conferncing with them in the near future.

We will be starting some of the language basics this week, so I have included a few websites for you to brush up on that holiday vocabulary! Don't worry, there are videos there to help with pronunciation!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/languages/spanish/lj/itinerary.shtml

http://www.espanol-extra.co.uk/

http://www.oxfam.org.uk/coolplanet/ontheline/explore/journey/spain/spindex.htm cultural information about Spain

http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/primaryspanish/

http://ngfl.northumberland.gov.uk/languages/Goldilocks/Spanish/Rubiales2.html
Can you spot the words that mean the same as mum, dad, porridge, big and small?

Just a final note. Thank you to all the parents who have made sure that their child has thier PE kit in school. We still have a few children who haven't brought in the outdoor kit, so let's aim for 100% next week!

Have a good week.

5/6 team

6th November 2006

Literacy

This week, we have lots of activities to get through, and the children should really get into the swing of writing, through a variety of exciting lessons. We had some fantastic INSET training from an inspirational trainer called Alan Peat last week. The teachers are all really keen to use some of these ideas with the children and so all three classes will be using some of the ideas this week during our literacy lessons.

Just to give you a couple of pointers as to how you can help improve your child's writing, here are a few ideas for you to try...

2A sentences - Have they added 2 adjectives BEFORE the noun and 2 adjectives AFTER the noun? It was a house with a garden - becomes - It was an old, creaky house, with an overgrown weedy garden.

Similes - Her eyes shone like diamonds. These can be improved, by adding a WHERE and WHEN phrase after the simile.
Her eyes shone like diamonds, sparkling in the jeweller's shop window on a cold, crisp December evening.

Try to see if your child can find any of these in their reading books, which they could use in their own writing. Please ask them to record any that they find, in their reading diaries. It will help to provide them with a bank of ideas, that they can use for any writing that they are asked to do at home.

Science

We are continuing our topic of Forces this week. The children will be asked to name the different forces acting on a object, both in and out of water. They should be able to explain that the force pushing upwards on an object in water is called 'upthrust'. The force pushing upwards on an object in air, is called 'air resistance'.
The children will be expected to choose their own method of presenting their results, but also be able to tell a friend about what they have learned.

We will also be investigating whether or not all metals are magnetic. The children will be given the resources and the investigation question, but they will have to work out the best way of finding out the answer for themselves!

Geography

The children will be finding out about different mountain ranges across the world. By the end of the week, they will be expected to be able to name them, locate them on a map of the world and be able to name the country and continent that they are found in.

It would be a big help, if you were able to look at an atlas with your child. Some of the picture atlases can be quite basic at this level, but they are a good starting point for the initial location of the mountain ranges. It is also a good idea, to compare the more simple atlases with the more complicated ones, that show the variety of types of maps for each country.

Linked to this work, we will be asking the children to listen to music from around the world and suggest where it may have come from. They will also have the opportunity to have a go at recreating some of the music themselves, using percussion instruments and the keyboard! We can't wait to hear some of the finished compositions!

Just a few items for the diary for you this week:
Mrs Worrall will be on a course on Tuesday afternoon.
Miss Wilson will be following a Spanish course on Wednesday.
Mrs Millington has her AST outreach day on Wednesday.

On Tuesday, the Year 5 children will have week 5 of their dance course. In the afternoon, Year 6 will be taking part in the drama workshops by Mrs Robinson from St Gregory's.

Since the weather seems to have changed this week, it would be great if you were able to send in the children's outdoor PE kits. This can be any jogging pants and a sweatshirt. At this time of year, there are lots of demands on the hall, due to Christmas production rehearsals etc., and so it is important that the children are given as many possibilities to have their PE sessions. We will be going outside UNLESS it is raining. Thank you for your support with this.

Finally, we have a plea! For a number of weeks, we have had a dwindling number of children bringing their homework into school. As a reminder, Literacy and Numeracy homework is given on a Monday and Science is given on a Wednesday. In Year 5/6, we encourage the children to be as independent as possible, and so if they don't receive a homework sheet on Mondays, they MUST come and ask one of the staff for a copy the following day. This is an important part of their preparation for High School. If there any difficulties in completing the homework, or handing it in on time, then please do write a note in your child's diary, so we know that you are aware of it. Thank you to the parents who take the time to write notes to us about the homework in the diaries. It really does encourage us to know that the work we are going in school, is supported at home.

Have a good week!

Year 5/6 team