Just another little reminder to encourage your child to read weekly at home. Your child can complete reading activities in their reading records. Please sign to say that they have been heard read. It would be great to have 100% of children reading at home and completing activities.
Recently, some children have written a letter to their favourite author – a really creative way to display their understanding of what they have read.
This week, we have been finding factors of a number. A factor is a number that divides another equally, with no remainders.
For example:
Factors of 12 – 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 12
Factors of 15 – 1, 3, 5, 15
We have been also identifying common factors.
So, common factors of 12 and 15 are 1 and 3.
In addition to this, we have learnt what makes a prime number. A prime number is a number that is only divided by itself and 1.
Help at home – What are the factors of 45/36/9? Can you list all the prime numbers up to 20? List all the prime number between 30 and 40. What is a common factor?
We had a visit from the Mindmate team this morning and we had a focus on developing our self-esteem and our positive thinking.
We spoke about negative thoughts and how we can turn these into a positive. We learnt about the ‘Power of Yet’. Ask your child what this means. Can they give examples?
We drew our ‘Brain Bully’ and what we can say to defeat it.
Social media can also cause negative self-esteem. The Mindmate team gave us some top tips when using social media.
We simply love PE in Year 5 and 6. Every lesson is positive, and the children have enjoyed developing their hockey skills.
Due to the recent poor weather, we have taken our lessons inside and have focussed on building our fitness for hockey. We have completed circuits of press ups, sit ups, plank, shuttles, star jumps and the dreaded burpees!
We have again impressed Mr Kilner with our attitude and perseverance even when we have felt tired from our exercise.
Help at home – How do you keep fit and healthy at home? Ask your child what their favourite exercise was. Can they teach you it? Are there other ways to stay fit and healthy apart from exercise?
We enjoy celebrating the natural world in Year 5 and 6. Yesterday morning, children couldn’t wait to tell me about the beautiful spider webs that were just outside our classroom door.
We also had a classroom visitor, which caused a mixed reaction.
Help at home – what makes you stand back in awe and wonder at home?
In Year 5/6 this week, we have been writing a recount about discovering a secret parcel linked to our class novel, ‘Secrets of a Sun King.’
The quality of writing has blown me away and the children have really enjoyed adding tension to their work. They have all been keen to share some of their writing and have chosen sentences/extracts to share:
This was the opportunity as everyone was asleep. I was ready to open it and as soon as I did, I became unconscious – James
As dark as an abyss, I had to grab the flashlight from the truck. Wrapped in dazzling vermillion thread – Aubree
The goosebumps on my body rose as I got to the stairs. The adrenaline levels, in my body, shot up – Evie
Shivering, I felt scared. I was not sure if it was midnight or not – Madeleine
It was locked in a safe, but it only took a kick to open it. The parcel was wrapped in gold with a red ribbon – Liam
Without hesitation, I pushed open my bedroom door trying not to make a sound. I edged towards the bathroom. My heart sank, knowing full-well the only door that could make the ear-twitching sound was my grandparents – Noah
I observed the mystifying parcel wrapped in a beautiful white satin bow. My hands were juddering – Kamile
She entered with an inconspicuous lunchbox. It was in my grasp – Lilly C
I suddenly woke up, now was my chance to get the parcel. I was in trouble, but I couldn’t help myself – Honey
Returning the parcel, I had the biggest smile on my face –Leo S
Something deep inside me told me I knew what it was. It was antique with golden swirls in the corner – Valerie
The box was wrapped in camo and smeared with mud. It was very inconspicuous. I stared at it for a second, it seemed to be burnt slightly – Christian
I was almost certain it was time to go. I opened the parcel to reveal… – Freddie
The full moon was out, it was like a torch shining on me. Inside was a perfectly round crystal ball, it has purple smoke inside – Lily W
I walked as quiet as a mouse, trying hard to not make a sound – Charlina
I cut my hand in the process. Now I was scared – Willow
Without hesitation, I stealthily dashed passed the trees – Umar
We all hurried like hungry mice. At lunch, my friends and I crept cautiously like three spies into the Year 5/6 classroom – Murielle
Stealthily, I tip toed out of my room – Tommy
Slowly, I edged towards the door. The parcel was grey with a beautiful lilac silk bow – Summer
Just shy of dawn… As shy as a fox… Now I start my descent – Ralph
Help at home – Ask your child about some of the various ways they can begin a sentence. Can they write a short passage recounting something they have done? How can they keep the reader intrigued?
Just a reminder to please encourage your child to read at home.
10 minutes, three times a week would really help your child’s fluency and understanding. Once they have read, please sign reading records to say that they have been heard. Child should also complete an activity per week in their reading records.
Any queries, please don’t hesitate to ask.
Thank you for your support, Mr Kilner.
I respect others
Respecting others is something we have been focussing on this week in Year 5 and 6, and of course it is one of our school rules – We’re respectful.
We have discussed discrimination and stereotyping and what this may look like and how the Equality Act 2010 aims to ensure that people should never suffer from these things. We have learnt a lot about our protected characteristics and children were fantastic at remembering what each one was and what it stood for.
We read about and discussed different scenarios where discrimination or stereotyping was being shown and what could be done to help others and ensure everyone is treated fairly.
Help at home – Can your child the protected characteristics?
Our RE topic this term is Creation or Science: Conflicting or Complimentary. We began our learning by listening to The Beginning from Genesis 1. The children drew how they interpreted the reading and wrote down 7 words to summarise their thoughts. Words included prosper, separate, love, light, rest, creation, green up.
Help at home – Ask your child what they remember about The Beginning story. What happened on the third day? What did God do on Day 7? What music do you think would complement the story? Where in the Bible can you find Genesis 1?
Year 5 and 6 have had exceptional punctuality and attendance so far this year. As a result, they earned themselves some forest school time out of class. We explored, built, played and worked together. It was a lovely morning out in the sunshine and the children have continued to ‘wow’ us with their positive teamwork and communication.
