2nd May 2006

This is our last week of revision before starting the SATS next week. In literacy, we will be looking at persuasive writing; numeracy will consist of working through past papers and looking at the styles of questions which may come up. We will conclude the week, by taking part in a fun science quiz. The children will also be listening to some of the songs from 'Joseph' which they are looking to doing after the tests.
We wish all the children the very best of luck and all of the staff would like to thank them, for the tremendous effort which they have put in over the last few months. GOOD LUCK!!

24th April 2006

Welcome back after the Easter break! We will be very busy preparing for the SATs tests over the next two weeks, so it is really important that your child is in school every day from now until the end of the tests. We will be doing lots of practice papers, so that they get used to the timing of each paper and the types of questions that they may be asked.
The children have all worked extremely hard during this year, and I am sure you will encourage them to do their best and shine!
If there are any queries or concerns that you may have, please do not hestitate to contact any member of the 5/6 team.
The children have enjoyed playing a number of revision games, which are available on the internet. Some of the links are listed below, and may provide some well deserved 'breaks' from writing!
http://www.coxhoe.durham.sch.uk/Curriculum/Curriculum.htm
http://www.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/revision/index.html
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/revisewise/

9th April 2006

This is the last week before the Easter holidays, and we have a very busy week in school. On Monday morning, the children in the juniors will be displaying their Easter gardens in the hall. There will be prizes for each year group of an Easter egg, with smaller goodies for the runners up. Monday afternoon sees the infant egg-rolling competition, again in the hall. On Tuesday afternoon, the children in years 5 and 6 will be organising a fundraising afternoon, to raise money for this year's Good Shepherd collection. We would be grateful for donations of any toys, games or books for some of the stalls. Also, we are encouraging the younger children to bring in any loose change, to spend during the afternoon and develop their money skills!
Wednesday is our last day in school, and our Year 3/4 children will be leading the Easter Service this year. The afternoon, sees the Easter Bonnet Parade our Key Stage 1 children and we are really looking forward to seeing some of the very creative entries!
May we wish you a very happy and holy Easter and look forward to a hardworking summer term. Children may wear their summer uniform when they return after the holidays.
Useful websites for over the holidays:
www.mathszone.co.uk
http://www.coxhoe.durham.sch.uk/

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.