Phonics and early reading – eBooks
We hope you all received your usernames and passwords for Collins eBooks (some year 2s do not need them).
These match the phonics books we are reading in school three times a week. We use our phonics skills while reading books.
There is more information on the Little Wandle website about these reading practice sessions.
Reading an eBook at home is a change for children but most people are embracing it and continuing to enjoy the physical ‘sharing book’ which is to be read together and enjoyed.
If you have any problems accessing them, please contact your child’s class teacher.
Topic learning – History
History is the focus of our topic learning this half term. During this topic, we will be ordering significant events in our lives. We’ll be discussing them using historical vocabulary.
As the half term progresses, the children will discuss how significant things have changed over time: the food that we eat, the shops that we visit and the toys that we play with.
Science learning – Seasonal Changes
This half term, we’re being biologists in our science lessons. We’ll be learning about Seasonal Changes. What an exciting opportunity to learn more about a range of things, including why we’ve had some whacky weather lately!
This week’s bible story
‘Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonour others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil, but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.’ (1 Corinthians 13.4-8)
In February, we celebrate Valentines Day. This was originally the day for the Church to celebrate or remember St Valentine, but over time, it has developed into a day to send cards, buy presents or flowers and celebrate love. What do you think love means?
Watch this video of Anna and Hans from Frozen. Anna and Hans have apparently fallen head over heels in love: love at first sight! Ask the children what love looks like to Anna and Hans. There is so much more to love than this. Love is something that we all experience, and in different ways: the love of parents or carers, of grandparents, siblings, friends . . . these are all different types of love, but they all give us a glimpse of what love is.
Reflection:
There is a passage in the Bible that tells us more about what love is like. It is a passage that is often read at weddings.
‘Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonour others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil, but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.’ (1 Corinthians 13.4-8)
This definition sets the bar pretty high! In truth, as human beings, we do boast and we aren’t always patient and kind. However, when we feel love, we get to experience the qualities in this definition, such as patience and kindness.
Christians believe that love is God’s gift to earth, so when Jesus came to earth and died on the cross, he did it to demonstrate this love.
How we can show this love to others. How can we be the people to demonstrate love in the world around us?
Prayer:
Dear God,
Thank you for your gift of love.
Please help us to show this love to other people.
Amen.
Christmas party
Yesterday, we had our class Christmas party. The children enjoyed playing some party games and eating some party food. We also enjoyed our Christmas dinner together.
Christmas Dinner
What an amazing Christmas dinner we have all had together. The kitchen staff have been beavering away so that we could enjoy our traditional turkey dinner with all the trimmings (plus vegetarian option!) 
We all enjoyed sharing a joke or fact from our Christmas crackers.
It was great to celebrate as a whole school family.
Some of our nursery children joined us too!
Key Stage 2 all made party hats to dazzle us with. You may even spot a few sporting a moustache.
So thank you to our amazing staff!
BIG thought – a class debate
Today, in RE year 1 and 2 had a fantastic debate. Before we started we talked about respecting other peoples opinions and that it is okay to disagree with others.
I then gave the children the big thought for the day.
“Only Christians can celebrate Christmas”
The children had some fantastic opinions for and against this statement! We are very proud of how each child respected their friends opinions whilst discussing the ‘big talk’. Some children even changed their mind after listening to their friends views and opinions!
Below are some of the children’s fantastic opinions.
“Only Christians can celebrate Christmas because they go to church on Christmas day.”
“Anybody can go to church, even if they believe something else. My friend is a Muslim and she came to church with me.”
“Other religions can celebrate it too. They can learn about how Jesus was born.”
“Anyone can celebrate Christmas. We need to include everyone otherwise it’s not fair.”
“You can celebrate Christmas because it’s for Jesus’ birthday – anyone can celebrate a birthday.”
“I agree because it’s Christians celebrating Jesus’ birthday.”
“It’s about everyone and celebrating with friends and family – it’s not just about presents.”
“I’ve changed my mind a little bit. Other people can celebrate because that’s kind and including other people.”
This week’s bible story
Perseverance despite circumstances: Daniel 6:1-28 (omit verse 24)
Read the story of Daniel (omit verse 24 for younger or sensitive children)
Daniel was captured, along with many more of God’s people, and taken to live in a foreign country. In this country, they had different traditions and customs and it was not acceptable to worship God. But Daniel chose to continue serving God. Even though it meant that he was risking death, Daniel knelt down and honoured God by praying three times a day.
When the king discovered that Daniel was breaking the law by praying to God, he had Daniel thrown into a den of hungry lions. God stood by Daniel and rewarded his unwavering commitment to righteousness by protecting him from being eaten by the lions.
Reflection:
Do you think Daniel was lazy, or a hard worker?
When Daniel found out that he would be thrown into a lion’s den if he continued to pray, what did he do?
Why do you think Daniel continued to kneel down to pray instead of praying quietly in his head so that others could not see that he was praying?
How did God reward Daniel’s perseverance?
Prayer:
Dear God,
We can often end up in situations when life feels hard or difficult or when we feel we are out on a limb compared to everyone else.
Help us to persevere when times are tough.
Amen
Christmas Play
Thank you for providing all of the wonderful costumes for our Christmas play.
The narrators
Mary and Joseph
The stars
The servants
The kings
Humph the camel
The camels
Christingle
This week, the children enjoyed making their own Christingle. We spoke about the meaning of it.
We walked to church on Thursday for the Christingle Service. Some of the children read The Christmas Giving by Iris W Bray and then we all held our Christingle as they were lit. We spoke about how we had to be very careful while doing this.
