3rd April 2006

This week we will be looking at the writing of Myths and Legends in literacy for Year 5 and spelling work will include prefixes and suffixes. In numeracy, we will be looking at different methods of multiplication. It would be helpful, if you could review the 'times tables' with your child. At this stage, they should be familiar with most of the tables and be able to recall them quickly. The maths zone on Woodlands School website, has some fantastic links to online games, which we use in school. http://www.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/maths/index.html
At this stage in the year for Year 6 children, we are working on revision and test technique. They will be doing practice papers in the hall on Wednesday and we will review the papers together on Friday. Parents of children in Year 6, will be given a pack on parents evening, which gives lots of useful information about the actual tests for this year. Meanwhile, we are encouraging the children to complete a piece of writing for revision homework between now and May. They are given a title on Monday's and it needs to be brought into school on Fridays so that it may be marked and returned. http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/revisewise/ has been a very useful tool which the children can access both at home and at school.
If you haven't received a time for parents evening, please call in to see your child's teacher.

19th March 2006

This week is science week for the whole school, and we will be looking at the themes of colour, light and sound. The children will be doing a variety of activities and making lots of artwork. The week will end, with an assembly on Friday, at 1.45pm, to which you are invited.
Many thanks to those of you who have made such complimentary comments about the usefulness of this 'blogspot'. It has inspired us to maintain it on a weekly basis!!

13th March 2006

This is a very busy week for our children, as our year 5's will be making their Reconciliation on Thursday. They will also be continuing with their rugby training on Monday afternoon. Literacy homework each week, will now consist of writing 10 sentences, which include their weekly spellings. This has been decided to raise the profile of writing and also to help develop the children's vocabulary and grammar. In literacy, we are investigating traditional tales and fables. We shall also be writing some of our own versions. In numeracy, we are looking at the probability of events and calculating amounts of money that are needed and the change that they should receive.
Science involves investigating forces and the effects of gravity on objects.
Thank you to those parents who are continuing to sign the children's reading diaries. It really does make a difference to your child when they know you are making comments in the diaries. It also helps staff a great deal and any questions which you may have, can be dealt with as soon as we receive them. Many thanks.

6th March 2006

This week we are looking at fables in literacy and investigating the morals behind them. We will also be assessing the spellings that we have learned so far this year. If you would like to make a comment regarding reading in our school, then we would be grateful if you could complete the comment sheet, and return to school as soon as possible. In numeracy, we are making and reading line graphs, and also investigating probability.
http://nces.ed.gov/nceskids/graphing/ is a great way of learning about the different types of graphs that children could be asked to draw. Maybe you could complete one of them, and print if off to bring into school next week!
Just a reminder that Year6 have their retreat day with St Gregs on Wednesday at Lowe House in St Helens. Please return any permission slips as soon as possible. Year 5 have rugby coaching on Monday afternoon and they will also be having a road safety talk at 9am on Tuesday morning.

27th February 2006

Welcome back after the half term break. This will be a busy half term, with lots going on for both year groups.
Just a quick reminder of a few dates for your diary:
28th Feb - Reconciliation parents meeting in school @6.00pm
8th March - Retreat Day for Year 6 at Lowe House, St. Helens (all day)
16th March - Reconciliation Day for children in Year 5 (Parents service at approx. 2.30pm)
Please remember to check and sign your child's reading diary, as this will be a valuable source of contact, particularly this term. Many Thanks.

13th February 2006

The children had a great time with making their animations last week. Annabelle Unsworth, who worked with each of the three classes, was extremely complimentary and was amazed at how the children worked in their co-operative learning teams.
This week, we are looking at how to write an effective explanation in literacy. In numeracy, we are measuring objects and reading from scales accurately. You could help at home, by asking your child to read the bathroom scales, or reading the kitchen scales when measuring out ingredients. In science, we are investigating the solubility of a variety of materials and reviewing work on forces and magnetism.
After the half term, we are making musical instruments as part of our design and technology curriculum. Please start to save any boxes, tubes or any materials which would be useful when building these.
Also, a reminder that Year 6 children will be going up to St. Gregs on Tuesday afternoon for the drama performance. Please return any permission slips by tomorrow.

6th February 2006

This week, the children will be working with Annabelle Unsworth, to develop their ICT skills. They are going to create a computer animated 'short', which tells a story or recounts an event from history. They will be using Digiblu video cameras and developing the techniques involved in stop-frame animation. We hope to show some of the 'Wallace and Gromit' style animations in the near future!!