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

30th October

Welcome back! I hope you all had a relaxing half term break and managed to recharge those batteries. Hopefully the extra hour on Sunday will have helped too!

We have a really busy half term ahead of us, and every day will be full of exciting, but challenging activities for us to do. In Year 5/6, we don't perform a Christmas production, but we do prepare the Christmas Carol Service on the last day of term before Christmas. You will be more than welcome to attend this and we will send details out nearer the time. Years 5/6 will be performing something fantastic and memorable at the end of the year...we are still humming the tunes from 'Joseph' from last summer!

Literacy

This half term, begins with an introduction to Classical poetry. We will be looking at the work of some established authors and attempting to emulate their styles in our own poetry.
They will also be investigating some writing effects such as personification and the correct use of similes.

The children will be encouraged to work in their teams to discuss the literature and suggest some possible improvements. Some of the vocabulary which they will come across, will be very challenging, so please don't worry if they tell you that their work is 'hard' at the moment - that is the case for everyone and this unit will run for a couple of weeks. By the end of it, as is our experience, the children will be looking for their own examples of classical poetry to 'translate' !

http://www.poemhunter.com/classics/
This site will be really useful when the children discover some of the favourite authors. It is also great as a resource to help practice their handwriting at speed.

http://www.manythings.org/proverbs/
http://dictionary.cambridge.org/reference/house.htm
http://teacher.scholastic.com/writewit/poetry/index.htm This is an American site, but the activities are still well worth a look.
http://www.lancsngfl.ac.uk/curriculum/literacy/lit_site/html/fiction/my_monster/index.htm This is just for fun poetry!
http://www.nwlg.org/pages/resources/caterpillar/caterpillar.html Can you put this poem back in the right order? Just drap and drop the sentences onto the notepaper
http://www.rhymezone.com/ this is really useful when trying to think of a word that rhymes with...? It also is a really useful tool when looking for similes, homophones and phrases to use in a poem. We will be using this is school this week!

Numeracy

There's no getting away from it...we all need to know our times tables, inside out, back to front. upside down and standing on our heads!! Virtually everything that we do in years 5 and 6 needs the knowledge of times tables. If the children have these facts to hand, then lots of other things in numeracy will suddenly become so much clearer.
So, we are having a really big push on learning them once again. Even if your child USED TO KNOW them, if they are not used on a regular basis, they will very quickly lose that knowledge. Some of the children in my maths group actually test ME, so I have to practice too!!

I have put lots of links on this blog over the last few months, but here are just a few more to keep those skills sharp...(and just in case your children start to test you too!!)

http://www.amblesideprimary.com/ambleweb/mentalmaths/testtest.html
http://www.bbc.co.uk/skillswise/numbers/wholenumbers/multiplication/mental/flash2.shtml
http://www.bbc.co.uk/skillswise/numbers/wholenumbers/multiplication/mental/flash4.shtml
http://www.deltamicro.co.uk/primary_online/tablechant.html Remember to add in the tables that you want to practice. The changes are really quick, so if you can keep up, then you are well on your way to knowing them reliably!
http://www.crick.northants.sch.uk/assets/Flash%20Studio/cfsmaths/Toolkit/Toolkit.htm
http://www.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/maths/timestable/index.html There are lots of ideas for times tables on this site. Start with the tables that your child already knows in order to help them build their confidence. Then move on to just one table per week. That way, in 12 weeks, they will know them all!
http://www.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/maths/timestable/interactive.htm These are the games that we play on the interactive whiteboard as warm-ups to our numeracy lessons. Expect some giggles, especially with 'Moon Maths'!

Science

We will be investigating forces this half term. The children will be expected to know about the gravitational pull of the Earth on objects and be able to tell which forces are balanced and unbalanced. They will be using a piece of equipment called a 'forcemeter' or it is sometimes known as a 'newtonmeter'. They should also be able to tell you that a force is measured in Newtons.

http://www.engineeringinteract.org/resources/parkworldplot/flash/concepts/balancedandun.htm This is a brilliant game for children, which test all aspects of this unit. Beware though - it does take around 30 minutes to complete the whole game!
http://www.engineeringinteract.org/resources/parkworldplot/flash/concepts/friction.htm Again, the same as the last link, but this is based on the topic of friction.
http://www.engineeringinteract.org/resources/parkworldplot/flash/concepts/allaboutforces.htm We will be using this in school on Monday, so if you think your child might benefit from a head start, then have fun!
http://www.edheads.org/activities/odd_machine/index.htm
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/scienceclips/ages/10_11/forces_action_fs.shtml

Geography

We are beginning our topic about Mountain environments. It would be great if you could collect some photographs or pictures showing different mountain ranges from across the world.

http://www.globaleye.org.uk/primary/focuson/index.html
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/kids/
http://www.lgfl.net/lgfl/leas/haringey/web/teachers%20section/KS2/Geography/Staffroom/Unit%2015%20The%20mountain%20environment/

Technology

This term, the children will have to design and make their own slippers. This is always a fun activity for the children and many choose to wear them in school! In order to help us with this, the children will need to 'take apart' an exisiting pair of slippers to see how they are manufactured. If you are able to provide an OLD pair of slippers, then that would be fantastic.

As you can see, we have a very busy week ahead of us. On top of all this, the children will be starting gymnastics for their PE lessons. The Year 5 children, will be continuing their dance sessions on Tuesdays and the Year 6 children will be carrying on with the drama sessions from St. Greg's next Tuesday.

There have been a number of children who haven't had a PE kit in school for a number of weeks and have had to 'borrow' kit from other children. Although PE sessions normally happen on Tuesdays, we also have sessions on Wednesday, so please ensure that your child is prepared with their kit EVERY day.

Have a great week!

5/6 team.

Half Term

First of all, a big thank you to everyone who attended parent's evening last week. We hope that you found the target sheets and handouts useful. We always welcome any feedback from parents about anything which you feel would help you to support your child's learning, so if you have any suggestions about the things which you would like to see, please let us know and we will do our utmost to address them.

A few recurring queries came up during the parent/teacher interviews, so we have tried to address them in this week's blog. If the answer you are looking for isn't here, please do contact any of the 5/6 team, who will be able to help.

• weekly reading targets are given in your child's diary. This is their focus for the reading for that week. Any questions which you ask them about the text, should be focussed mainly on this target
• high frequency words are checked by the teacher on a regular basis. If you see 'TW's' in the diary, this mean 'target words' or the words which your child is working on that week. Your child's teacher will tick off the words on the sheets at the front of the diary, when the have spelt the world correctly on three separate occasions.
• we love to read YOUR comments in your child's diary and we will always reply to them on the day they are received. If there is something particularly urgent, then please encourage your child to actually hand it to the teacher, or telephone school if you are unable to call in.
• the diary can be used for ANY communication, not just reading. If your child would benefit from some extra work in numeracy for example, this will be recorded in there.
• we hope to organise a number of workshops over the coming months for numeracy. You will need to bring your pencil cases, as they will be very interactive and you will all have the opportunity to 'have a go'!!

There are lots of websites on previous blogs for you to refer to, in order to support your child's learning, so please do have a look back to see which ones you can use over the holidays. Just to give you a little advance notice, the children will be doing lots of practical work next half term, so they will need an old shirt for any 'creative' work we may be doing.

The children will also need an old pair of slippers in school for the next half term. They will have to cut them up at some point, so the older the better! There will also be a pyjama day, where we test out the best materials for comfort and practicality - we are looking forward to that day!!!

Look out for the details for the first week of the new half term next weekend. Have a happy and safe holiday. We return to school on Monday 30th October at 8.45am.

16th October

Well, can you believe it? We have reached the end of the first half term and we have managed to get through so much! We are very proud of all the children for the effort and dedication they have put in over the last 7 weeks, and know that they will continue for the rest of the year.

Parent's evening

You should have received a letter this week informing you of your time slot for parent's evenings on either Wednesday or Thursday evening this week. If not, please see your child's classteacher on Monday. Each slot is 5 minutes, since there are 30 children in each class. Should you require a longer appointment, then we will be happy to arrange another appointment at a later date, Many thanks for your co-operation with this.
As a point to note, the 5/6 team will be arranging a workshop for parents about what you can do to support your child during the SATs preparation in the near future. This will include lots of information about the actual tests and will be very interactive! Be prepared to have a go at some questions yourself!

Literacy

This week, we will be finishing our autobiography and biography genre. The children have been 'hotseating' a book character, where they are in role as that character, and have to answer questions AS that character. They have thoroughly enjoyed this and have produced some fantastic interviews. This week, the children will be using their ICT skills to produced their own autobiography. They will be asked to take a photograph of each other and use the image to make a front cover of their autobiography. They will also use their word-processing skills to type the first chapter of the book.

Numeracy

The week before every half term, will be an assessment week for numeracy. We will be checking how much the children are able to recall from the work over the last half term. Please let us know whether you have found the numeracy newsletter from Mrs Worrall's maths group useful to support your child's learning. We hope to role this out over all the groups in year 5/6 after the half term.
We are having a real push on the children knowing their times tables, with the focus being on one table per week. Children who already know their tables, have a distinct advantage, as many areas of numeracy rely on this knowledge to move them forward.
By the end of this week, you will also receive a 'bubble' sheet for numeracy. These contain all the mental maths objectives that your child will need to knoow by the end of the year.

Science

We will be finishing our topic on reversible and irreversible change this week. The children will be expected to complete some SATs style questions on the subject. Ask them if they can explain the following words to you at home:

evaporation; condensation; filtering; solution; sieving; dissolving

Problem solving

The children will be given a problem to solve about the Aztecs this week and they will have to come up with their own solution. It will be based on something which actually happened, but we want to see how the children would solve the problem themselves, if they had actually been in that situation. At the end of the week, we will let the children see what actually happened, and they will be able to compare their own solution with reality. Of course, we know that their's will be much better!!

Diaries

A big thank you to all parents who are checking and signing the diaries on a regular basis. There is lots of information in there, which is specific to your child, including their individual reading target, high-frequency word checks and help with numeracy etc. It is checked regularly and any comments which you make are always followed up by your child's teacher. Although we appreciate it is difficult to get your child to read out loud in years 5/6, you can ask them to predict what may happen next, or to recount to you what happened in the last chapter. Try reading the last few pages of their reading book when they have gone to bed, and asking them a few questions about it in the morning over cornflakes!
We love to read ANY comments from you and would love to read more!

Have a good week and a great half term! We return to school on Monday 30th October at 8.45am.