Topic – Maps
This week in Geography, we’ve been learning all about maps.
We discovered that a map is a drawing that helps us find where we are or where we’re going. We learned that maps are usually drawn from an aerial view – as if we’re looking down from above.
We explored how maps use symbols to show places like parks, shops and churches, and how a key helps us understand what each symbol means. The children enjoyed using simple maps to find places of interest and talk about what they could see.
Later in the week, we created our own maps, adding human and physical features using symbols and creating a matching key.
Staying Safe
We also talked about what to do if you ever get lost – stay where you are so an adult can find you.
Help at home
- Go on a walk and look for things you might find marked on a map (shops, parks, post boxes).
- Try drawing a simple map of your journey to school or a favourite park.
- Look at a map or atlas and find places you’ve visited.
Science – forces
This week we made parachutes, of different sizes, and tested them to see if the various surface areas had an impact on air resistance.
We tested each parachute six times and recorded an average drop time. With these results, we produced a bar chart to display our results.
The children really enjoy planning, carrying out and recording results during this science experiment. Well done everyone!
Help at home – Ask your child what our results were. Why did we get the results we did? What is air resistance and how do we reduce/increase it? Can they talk about any other forces? Find your own ways to demonstrate the impact of air resistance.
The Number Line 0-100
This week in Year 2 we have been learning all about the number line up to 100. The children practised estimating where numbers belong and explained their thinking clearly.
We drew 100cm number lines and carefully added the numbers from 0 to 100. Using what we know about halfway, we placed important numbers such as 50, 25 and 90.
Here are some of the things the children said:
George – “I know 50 goes in the middle because it is halfway between 0 and 100.”
Austin – “25 is halfway between 0 and 50, so I put it at the quarter mark.”
Luna – “I put 90 near the end because it is close to 100.”
Gracie – “I checked my number by thinking about counting in tens along the line.”
Help at Home
Have a go at practising together at home with this interactive number line: https://mathsbot.com/tools/numberLine
Maths – Part-part-whole models
In maths, we’ve been learning about part-part-whole models.
A part–part–whole model shows how a number (the whole) can be split into two or more parts.
For example:
If we have 5 apples, we could show that as 3 and 2.
3 is a part.
2 is a part.
5 is the whole.
Why are part-whole models useful?
-
They help children see number relationships clearly.
-
They build understanding of addition and subtraction.
-
They encourage children to talk about numbers.
“There are 5 altogether. 3 needs 2 to make 5.”
We’ve been using real objects, pictures and numerals to show different ways to make the whole.
The children have practised describing what they see, helping them to understand that the whole number stays the same, even when split into parts.
Help at home by using everyday items to make different groups and talk about how they combine to make the whole.
PE
Hello
My name is Mrs Freeman and I teach Nursery and Reception every Monday afternoon. This is when the children will have their weekly PE lesson.
I was amazed to see how well the class did during their first session. We discussed how to stay safe and the importance of listening to instructions.
Please see the photos below.
This half term, our sessions will focus on football. The children will be working on developing fundamental movement skills like running, jumping, throwing and catching through some playful activities. We will incorporate simple games that build gross motor skills such as kicking, controlling, and passing, while also fostering social development through teamwork and understanding simple rules.
We have also started some activities using the big parachute – so much fun!
Help at home
Share these photos with your child.
Can your child tell you about their PE lesson?
What did they enjoy?
How did they stay safe?
Reading – Hermelin
This week in Year 1, we’ve been reading Hermelin: The Mouse Detective by Mini Grey. We began by looking closely at the front cover and reading the blurb, then made some fantastic predictions about what the story might be about. After reading, we shared what we liked and disliked. The children loved Hermelin’s clever detective work and the way he helped everyone in the street!
The children had some brilliant discussions and used lots of great vocabulary to explain their ideas.
Help at home
-
Ask your child to retell the story of Hermelin in their own words.
-
Encourage them to look for clues in pictures or text when reading other stories, just like a detective!
-
Visit your local library and see if you can find other books by Mini Grey.
Writing- The Gorm
To help us get ready for our independent character description, we took part in a paired write. Working with a partner gave us the chance to share ideas, improve our sentences, and challenge each other’s thinking.
Our focus was on using expanded noun phrases to add detail and bring our writing to life. Together we looked closely at ‘The Gorm’, a character from Podium: One Ear. We practised choosing precise adjectives and descriptive details to create clear pictures in the reader’s mind.
The children really enjoyed working collaboratively and are now feeling confident and excited to apply these skills in their own independent writing. We can’t wait to see the amazing character descriptions they create!
Performance Poetry!
As part of National Poetry Week, Year 3 have been exploring the power of performance poetry. Our chosen poem was ‘Let No One Steal Your Dreams’ by Paul Cookson , an inspiring piece all about following your ambitions and believing in yourself.
We focused on bringing the words to life by:
- Projecting our voices so that every line could be heard clearly.
- Using prosody, changing the tone, pace and volume of our voices to show meaning and emotion.
- Adding actions to emphasise key lines and help the audience connect with the message of the poem.
The children worked brilliantly together, building confidence and performing with energy and expression. It was a fantastic way to celebrate poetry and to show how spoken word can inspire and encourage others.
Help at home: Practise using voice projection duing home reading
Living and Learning
I respect others
In our Living and Learning session this week, we have explored an important and powerful topic – discrimination.
Discrimination is treating someone less favourably, or applying a rule that unfairly disadvantages them, because of a “protected characteristic” such as age, disability, race, religion, or sex.
We spent time revisiting the Equality Act 2010. This is in place to help protect people from discrimination and ensures that protected characteristics are always respected. The protected characteristics are:
- Disability
- Race
- Sex
- Gender reassignment
- Religion or beliefs
- Age
- Marriage or civil partnership
- Pregnancy and maternity
- Sexual orientation
Help at Home: Ask your child to name the protected characteristics and describe what each one means. Ask them who is responsible for ensuring they are respected and followed. Can they think of any examples where protected characteristics have/have not been upheld?
The Three Little Pigs
We’ve had a busy week using our focus book The Three Little Pigs.
We read the story and made our own houses for the pigs to live in. We enjoyed talking about the story.
‘I have this story, but the wolf runs away at the end.’
‘I would make my house with the bricks, it is strong.’
‘I’ve got no puff left in my mouth.’
Have a happy and healthy weekend
Mrs. Kendrew, Mrs. Rippon, Miss. Feldman, Mrs Linton, Mrs Cairnes and Mrs Small