World Book Day
What a wowzer World Book Day we’ve had: such FANTASTIC costumes and thoughtful choices of favourite books that really got the children talking and sharing in the pleasure of reading.
Thank you to those parents who started the day with us in our Relax and Read session and especially for sharing reading with not only your own children but their friends too. It was a very special time that the children really enjoyed.
Thank you to year 5/6, who came down later in the school day to share books with Foundation. You were great role models!
We were also very busy today, working on our Whatever Next #decorateyourdoor competition items; writing, paintings and collages. The competition was judged this afternoon by our local librarian from Wetherby Library, who liked our ‘3d aspect’ and decided that Foundation were the winners! We’re so proud of the children’s hard work. Watch this space for details of our exciting prize!
Shrove Tuesday
It’s Pancake Day! Children across school have been making their own pancakes; measuring ingredients, mixing, designing pictures of their favourite flavours and adding toppings. Then we ate them-Yum!
Before we made our pancakes, Foundation discussed the meaning of Shrove Tuesday and the important time of Lent for Christians.
Ask your child what they can remember about Shrove Tuesday and the tradition of eating pancakes on this day!
Snack time in Foundation
If you didn’t already know – Foundation is all about space!
Take a peak in our classroom to check out what your child will be learning about in the coming weeks.
During snack time, we had space fruit (OK – fruit wrapped in tinfoil). Unwrapping our fruit is a great way to improve our fine motor skills and the children were adamant that space fruit tastes different to normal fruit!
We also spent time watching how astronauts aboard the ISS do daily tasks like brushing their teeth. The children were fascinated by the effect of no gravity.
Be sure to chat to your child about what they’re getting up to!
Foundation goes to… Space!
At the end of last half term, the children expressed an interest in learning about space. 
So to kick off our space theme, we’ll be reading Nick Sherratt and Pippa Goodhart’s You Choose in Space. The You Choose books are great – the choices the children will make will create a different story each time.
You Choose in Space will promote good speaking and listening skills when deciding where we will go, what we will wear, what will make etc. Our maths learning will also be considered when choosing the most popular or least popular options.
Be sure to ask your child about this week’s book. I wonder if they could make their own at home…
Home learning link
We hope you are all having a lovely half term.
Just a little reminder that our new topic will be SPACE! Our home-learning link is to make a rocket from bottles, boxes and other used packaging. Adding labels would be even better!
Be sure to send any photos of this, or other activities and outings to:
stjameseyfs@spherefederation.org
Thank you.
Outdoor Phonics
After a chilly and frosty morning yesterday, we were blessed with glorious sunshine all afternoon 🙂 We took our phonics session outside and had some fun in the sun…
A special mention this time for L and R! Check out L’s fantastic jolly phonics action and how well R is emphasising his sound…
We moved on to chalk writing, practising how to form our letters correctly. Look at our fantastic concentration!…
What a lovely last day- Well done Foundation!
Staying Safe: Wetherby Fire Station
It was 2 pm on a regular Friday afternoon in Foundation, when what should we see slowly making its way past the school fence on Hallfield Lane but a big, red, shiny…. “Fire engine!” (shouted the children)
We were so excited to explore it! The children were able to climb into the cab and look at the special protective clothing, the camera that can see through smoke, the breathing equipment and more.
Around the back of the engine, the children were fascinated by the large hoses, axes and other tools that help the firefighters do their job.
When we got back into the classroom, we were super impressed with all of the facts that Foundation could remember.
Ask your child if they can tell you about one piece of equipment they saw on the fire engine.
The children described the experience today as “Amazing” and “Awesome”.
Staying Safe: PCSOs visit and D:Side Workshop
PCSO visit
Yesterday, Foundation were visited by two local PCSOs who spoke to them about the dangers of strangers and how to respond should a stranger approach them. They also spoke to the children about what they should do if they became lost. Ask your child the important facts that they can remember from the visit.
After the talk, the children were excited to try on mini police uniforms!
D:Side
Today, the children had another important workshop led by D:Side. The workshop covered staying safe around medicines (and who is safe to give them) understanding our emotions ; how we respond to our feelings and hygiene practises. They also spoke about the importance or getting a good night’s sleep, to keep our bodies fit and healthy.
Staying Safe: Dog’s Trust
This afternoon, a visit from the Dog’s Trust meant that we learned loads about how to stay safe around dogs.
We talked about what we should do if there was a dog we wanted to stroke. It’s important to always ask the owner permission to stroke their dog and to stroke the dog gently – we practised this with Peg the dog. Thankfully, Peg was only a cuddly toy – Mrs Valentine is super scared of dogs!
In addition, we were told what to do if a dog came up to us who was over-excited. We had to stand with our arms across our chest, looking up to the sky – this makes us really boring and the over excited dog will soon get bored of us!
Be sure to ask your child about how we can stay safe around dogs!
Lilly, Tia and Ralph showed superb listening skills during our talk with The Dog’s Trust – nice one!
Staying Safe: Road Safety
This morning, the road safety team from Leeds City Council came to visit us to tell us all about crossing roads safely and how important it is to always wear a seat belt.
It was great to see that so many of the children already knew lots of ways to stay safe on the roads – nice one, Foundation and Y1 & 2!
