Computing
In Year 6, we’ve really enjoyed the first week of our new computing topic. As part of this week, we’ve learnt about how search engines work. We found this video useful:
We were happy to discover that school filtering blocks content deemed inappropriate: this is done to keep us safe online whilst at school.
We have also been learning about logical reasoning.
Logical reasoning means thinking step by step to figure something out. Computers use logical reasoning by following instructions to make decisions and solve problems.
The children then used logical reasoning to solve sudokus. They were able to look carefully at the clues, eliminate what cannot be correct, and choose the only answer that makes sense. We knew this was NOT a guessing game. We were able to prove why each number belongs in a particular place.
Help at home – try solving sudokus together at home. Can your child explain why a number should go in a certain place?
Fun in the Mud at Forest School
This week, the children enjoyed a wonderfully muddy first Forest School session! They explored the space with great curiosity, searching for signs of spring and noticing changes in the natural environment. The children also took part in games, working together and building confidence. These experiences encouraged them to slow down and develop a sense of awe, wonder, and respect for the world around them.
Writing
Over the next few weeks, we will be writing a narrative using the video ‘Francis’ as its stimulus.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l9xX6lQ_gdY&t=35s
This film is perfect at building tension: the narrator uses pauses and varies the speed at which he speaks to build the suspense. As well as speech used to create tension, the music also plays a key part in creating suspense.
Help at home: Watch the video with your child with and without music. How does this alter the tension created?
Living and Learning – Helpful or Harmful?
This week in Living and Learning, we’ve been thinking about the different things that can go into our bodies and onto our skin, and whether they’re helpful, harmful or sometimes a bit of both!
We started by sharing our ideas about:
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What might go into our mouth
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What might go into our nose or ears
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What might go onto our skin
The children had some brilliant ideas! We talked about things like:
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Food and water
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Medicines
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Fresh air and smoke
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Creams and sun cream
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Plasters
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Fizzy drinks and sweets
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Insect bites
We discussed how these things can change how someone looks or feels. For example:
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Fresh air and water help us feel good.
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Too many sweets can make us feel poorly.
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Sun cream protects our skin.
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Smoke and exhaust fumes can harm our bodies.
The children were fantastic at recognising that some things can be both helpful and harmful. It often depends on:
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How much we have
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How we use it
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Whether we’ve asked a trusted adult
We talked about how we know if something might be harmful. The children suggested:
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Looking for warning labels or hazard symbols
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Listening to what a trusted adult says
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Not touching things we don’t recognise
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Telling an adult if something feels wrong
We finished by thinking about who can help us in different situations. The children know it’s important to always tell a trusted adult if:
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They feel unwell
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Something gets in their eyes
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They spill something they shouldn’t touch
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They hurt themselves
We reminded everyone that we should never put something into our body or onto our skin if we don’t know what it is or if we don’t have permission.
Help at home by:
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Looking at labels together on food, medicines or cleaning products.
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Talking about whether the item is helpful, harmful or could be both.
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Reminding your child who they should tell if they’re unsure about something.
Living & Learning – I know what a drug is
In Living & Learning this term, we’re learning about drugs, alcohol and tobacco.
This week we have defined a drug as:
A substance that changes the way the body or mind works.
We considered a range of medicines and household products and spoke about their benefits.
- Medicine – helps us to get better when we’re ill
- Soap – helps us to keep good hand hygiene to protect us from germs and keep us healthy
- Bleach – helps us to keep our homes clean and free from germs which helps to keep us healthy
We discussed the importance of staying safe when using these products. We identified the risks and how we can reduce these risks.
Help at home – discuss which medicines and household products you have at home and how you use them safely. Challenge your child to think about how they could check if it is safe to use these products (such as checking labels and asking an adult) and to explain what they would need to do to use them safely.
This Green Moon
Today was a very special day for our Reception class as we went on our very first school trip to This Green Moon! As soon as we opened the door this morning, the children were buzzing with excitement.
When we arrived at Green Moon, we were warmly greeted by the two leaders, Paul and Matt, who took us on the most amazing adventure.
From the moment we stepped onto the coach to the minute we arrived back at school, the children were exceptional – what a credit they were to our school! Their behaviour, listening skills and enthusiasm were wonderful to see.
We thoroughly enjoyed spending the day outdoors, exploring the natural world around us. The children took part in so many exciting activities: making a fire, creating sculptures using potatoes, designing bracelets with pieces of coloured wool we found in the forest, and even working together to create a giant piece of artwork. It was fantastic to see their creativity and curiosity shining through.
What a fantastic day full of learning, laughter and adventure. Well done, Reception – we’re so proud of you all!
Living and Learning; I know what a drug is
This week, we have been learning about what a drug is.
We learned the definition:
A drug is a substance that changes the way the body or mind works.
We discussed how some substances at home are drugs, such as medicines, because they change the way the body works. We also talked about other household substances, like cleaning products. Although cleaning products are not drugs, they are still important to learn about because they can be harmful if used incorrectly. We discussed why we use these substances. For example, medicines help us feel better when we are ill and cleaning products help keep our homes clean and safe.
We also discussed the risks. Some drugs can be harmful if they are used in the wrong way, taken in the wrong amount or touched without permission. That is why it is very important that children only take medicine given to them by a trusted adult.
We looked carefully at a medicine packet and discussed the important information on it:
We learned that this information is there to help keep us safe.
The children showed great maturity during this discussion and asked thoughtful questions about staying safe at home.
You can support your child by:
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Talking about what medicines are used for in your home.
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Reminding children that medicines should only be taken with a trusted adult.
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Looking at labels together and discussing why instructions and warnings are important.
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Explaining that cleaning products are not for children to use and should always be kept safely stored.
Thank you for supporting our learning about staying safe.
Let’s grow
Superhero me
Lunar New Year
We had a great final week of half term; we loved reading The Magic Paintbrush by Julia Donaldson and we watched some short video clips to find out how people prepare for the Lunar New Year festival and celebrate with their families.
As an early years unit we made a Chinese Dragon and went on our own dragon parade around school, we used musical instruments to help us celebrate.
On Tuesday 10th February it was Safer Internet Day in school. We talked about how important it is to keep safe online. We spoke about always only using a tablet or iPad when a grown up is with you.
Here is a useful website for advice and tips for keeping your child safe on line.
Keeping your under 5 safe online
Learning after half term:
We’ll be reading The Train Ride and beginning our ‘Let’s Go’ theme. If you have a copy of the book at home, please read it together to help familiarise your child with the story. We’ll be going on our first school trip on Wednesday so we have a very exciting first week back.