Upper School Games
The Air Dome at Sparrows Lane has been repaired and all Upper School children will resume their games lessons from Monday at Sparrows Lane. As a reminder, please can you ensure that your child has a water bottle. Also, as the children walk there and, unless collected at Sparrows Lane, walk back to school (13 minutes each way), please can you also ensure that they have their waterproof coats in case of rain. If the forecast is terrible, we will make alternative arrangements.
French
This term again, Language Lab club is running every Thursday lunchtime for Year 3 and Year 4 pupils. Equipped with headphones and iPads, they are able to log into a whole range of language apps and revise the vocabulary studied in class, practise their listening skills and develop their reading and writing skills. A progress chart keeps track of the lessons covered by each pupil and mark their progress through the scheme (this work can also be done at home according to each child’s rhythm and interest - passwords and logins are in the children's homework diary). This week, in assembly, we have celebrated two new pupils who have completed the first unit in Linguascope Beginner: well done Karthik and Sofia!
Year 6
This week Year 6 became script writers, actors and editors in English. After starting our new text ‘The Last Wild’ the children were set the challenge to write a script based on part of the book. We were both blown away with how funny and creative they all were. The children worked hard to learn their lines and thought carefully about their positioning on stage. On Thursday, the children were met with a green screen set up in the Year 6 classes for them to film their own scenes and then in computing, they then began editing their clips.
In our science lessons, we began to research different dinosaurs in order to compare their characteristics. We also discussed how sea creatures may have evolved to become land creatures and the children drew their own sketches to illustrate this. In maths, we have been learning about place value and linking this to our understanding of decimals and fractions. In our RE lesson this week we have continued our enquiry into the question, ‘What is the best way for a Muslim to show commitment to God?’ as we thought about what commitment actually means and considered the ways that a Muslim may show commitment by praying five times a day.
Year 5
Year 5 were very lucky this week to be able to take our learning outside of the classroom and have a trip to the Royal Observatory, Greenwich. Our IPC topic this half term is Space Explorers and even though we have only had 2 weeks so far, the children were already able to share their knowledge during the workshop on the Sun, Earth and Moon. The Astronomer who led this workshop was very impressed and even offered them the chance to have a go at a GCSE paper! We then went to the Planetarium to have a look at the Universe on our doorstep; the amount of detail was amazing when we zoomed into Mars and Saturn! After lunch we were able to have a look around the Weller Astronomy Galleries where the children could experiment with different wavelengths of light, explore the stars or help launch an expedition. We then continued this learning back in the classroom the following day with creating craters. We have even managed to draw the different phases of the moon using chalk. In English, we are focusing on vocabulary by looking at words such as cacophony, ethereal and extricate, finding their definitions and trying to find synonyms and antonyms and put them into sentences - see if your child can use them in conversations at home. In maths, we are looking at efficient methods for multiplying and dividing.
Year 4
We greatly enjoyed watching the National Theatre’s production of ‘Treasure Island’, which was streamed directly to the classrooms. The children are now studying this classic novel and are learning about playscripts so that they can write their own version to act out.
In maths we are learning to multiply bigger numbers using written methods. The foundation of this, of course, is fluent recall of all the times-tables so a quick daily practice you with your child would be very helpful.
In Temples, Tombs and Treasures, the children have been uncovering different treasures and looking at clues to find out more about this fascinating topic.
Year 3
This week 3S performed their assembly for parents based on their IPC topic...TURN IT UP! As no official photographs were taken during the show, here are the happy children basking in their success later in the day. Miss Holloway took time to praise the children for their splendid performance. Well done everybody!
Later in the week we were very fortunate to hear a ‘cello masterclass’ from one of our visiting Eltham College students. James is a virtuoso cellist and was happy to play for the children and answer their many questions.
It has also been another busy week of scientific discovery as we planned and carried out a fair test in relation to our IPC topic. This time we were investigating what happens to the sound if the level of water in a bottle changes. We had to listen very carefully! Ask your ‘young scientist’ to explain the science behind it!
This week also saw us start our new Power of Reading text ‘Mouse, Bird, Snake, Wolf’ by David Almond. We are intrigued by this strange and unfinished world and improvised being the self important Gods, congratulating ourselves and each other on our wonderful creations, before writing in role as one of the Gods.
If any parents would like to join us on our trip to Kew Gardens we have managed to secure two additional tickets. If you are available and would like to come, please email the office. If more apply than the number of places available then names will be drawn at random. Thank you!
Year 2
This week the children have enjoyed learning about the great explorer, Christopher Columbus. The children were pleased to learn that he discovered potatoes, pineapples and turkey on his voyages, without which they would not have enjoyed so many dinner times at home and at school! The children have made iMovies in class highlighting the adventures of Columbus. We will email these to you soon so that you can enjoy the work of our budding Steven Spielburgs!
In English, we have drawn story maps for Claude in the City, our Power of Reading text for this half term. From these, the children were able to write about Claude's adventure so far. They are looking forward to finding out whether Claude bought every single beret in ‘Betty’s Boutique’ and whether he returned to the cafe with Sir Bobblysock for more hot chocolate with marshmallows on top! In maths this week, the children have been rounding numbers to the nearest 10 and using their knowledge of number bonds to find quick answers to a range of sums.
This weekend, we are asking the children to go on an expedition of their own and to find out what Edmund Hillary did back in 1953. We look forward to sharing the children’s research in class on Monday. Please encourage your children to colour their work and to use their best handwriting. Have a great weekend!
Year 1
This week the children have started their new Power of Reading text ‘Out and about’ by Shirley Hughes. We read the first poem to the children and they had to listen carefully to the words and then draw a picture of what they imagined in their minds. The children learnt about rhyme in poetry and how the poem made them feel. In history, Year 1 looked at timelines and used language to sequence events in their own lives. They also became history detectives working together to order different time periods from the time of the dinosaurs to current day. We all had a very interesting discussion about the current Royal family and the succession to the throne. The children were taught how to use historical sources such as paintings and photographs to look closely for clues and how these can teach us about the past. 1Mc have begun preparing for their class assembly, the children are excited to showcase their learning from last term.
Reception
This week Reception have been finding out about different Australian birds, including emus and cockatoos. The children in RC are developing their knowledge of fractions by cutting up cupcake cases into halves and quarters to make cockatoo feathers. Meanwhile children playing in the vets practice were being allocated roles by their peers. Zachary is telling Keira that she has to be the customer!
The children in RSJ have made didgeridoos, painting on their own aboriginal art designs. We listened to sounds made using didgeridoos and had a go at making our own music.
Our writing focus this week was writing a recipe for Australian Anzac biscuits. Stay tuned next week to see how they turn out when we make them, using our own instructions!
Reception have been learning about time and used watches and clock faces around the school to spot o’clock and half past. The children learnt a rhyme to help them remember the hands on the clock face.
Nursery
In Nursery this week, the children have been learning all about this lovely book by Bill Martin Jr and Eric Carle. They listened carefully to all the different animal sounds heard at the zoo and made beautiful masks depicting the various characters.
They have been busy acting out the story, trying hard to remember the sequence and reproduce the animal sounds. They have had great fun performing the story to each other, videoing it and watching themselves back!
This week the children also went on a sound walk to Southwood Park to see what they could hear. They heard so many different noises including birds singing, ambulance sirens wailing, dogs barking and Wellington boots squelching in mud. Back at school they made a map to show all the various noises they heard.
Other
A huge thank you to the Year 3 and Year 4 children who carol sang in Passey Place, Eltham High Street in December. The organisers have been in touch and an amazing £1784.21 was raised. We are very proud to have been part of this. Thank you to you all and the parents, friends and families who supported us.
Coding Club: In coding club we have been practising coding using bee bots. Last week the children worked in pairs to code the bee bots on mats and this week they used bee bot apps on the iPads to write their names.
