History – toys
We are continuing to learn about the history of toys and how toys have changed over time. Today, we looked at how some toys have survived the test of time but that have still evolved in some way. Examples are dolls, teddy bears and toy cars. The children looked at pictures of these toys from the early 1900s – present day and ordered them using their historical knowledge.
Then, we looked at a painting entitled ‘Children’s Games’ which was painted by Pieter Bruegel in 1560. It shows over 80 games being played in a town square, some of which children still play today. The class really enjoyed searching for all the games being played using magnifying glasses.
Perhaps you could create the opportunity for your child to ask grandparents or older relatives about toys which they played with when they were young.
English – instructions
We are learning all about instructions. We have already learnt about the importance of instructions being in the correct order and being clear (just ask your child about what happened when we tried to make a jam sandwich with unclear instructions)!
Now we are beginning to think about writing our own instructions. Today, we looked at imperative verbs, or ‘bossy’ verbs. These are verbs which create an imperative sentence, i.e. a sentence that gives an order. We played a game which we called ‘bossy boots’ to help us to identify and use imperative verbs.
I gave the ‘boss’ a verb and they had to say it in a sentence to be bossy. We had some very bossy characters!
Rio Challenge
This week, we have launched skills drills Rio Challenge. Linked to the upcoming Rio Olympics, pupils can attempt a series of ten timed sports drills based around core skills from different Olympic events. These include hockey, gymnastics, rugby and athletics.
Children can be part of this online competition against their peers and other schools and we will be uploading times for the quickest drills.
The drills will be carried out in PE lessons and at lunchtime. You could even have a go at home.
Rio challenge drills are led by Sports Leaders at lunchtime.
Hockey
We’re learning the basics of hockey in PE this half term. This week, we’ve been learning how to hold the hockey stick. This has been a real challenge for most children!
The way that most children have found helpful is this:
Imagine you are on a bike and hold the imaginary handlebars. Next, turn your right fist upside-down. Now we are ready to hold the stick! The left fist goes at the top and the upside-down fist goes nearer the bottom.
Please make sure that your child has shorts for PE as children in long trousers are getting too hot.
Rocket seeds
Our rocket seed experiment came to an end on the last Friday before half-term when we completed our final measurement. We’ve now submitted the results to the Principia mission and they’ll add what we found to the results of all the other schools taking place.
Having looked at the information we’ve gathered, which do you think are the seeds from space?
When all of the data has been collated, the agency will be in touch with us to let us know what they found out and finally tell us which seeds are which!
Euro 2016 themed menu
To celebrate UEFA’s European Football Championship 2016, Catering Agency will be running a special themed menu on Tuesday 21 June. Please contact the office if your child would like a school dinner on this day.
Meanwood Park Orienteering
Remember these?
They are now part of a fun orienteering course in Meanwood Park. There are ten owls to find and each has a letter to create a two word anagram.
Money Matters round up
This week we’ve had our whole school themed week, Money Matters. There has been some great learning about how to spend, save, donate and get money.
‘It’s been fun and interesting to learn things we didn’t know about money.’
Some highlights include:
- All classes visiting Barclays Bank. Thank you to Steve Fergusson, the branch manager, and all his staff for supporting this.
- Moneysense workshops with KS1 and KS2 classes. Thank you to all volunteers from RBS and NatWest who supported these sessions.
- Hearing about how our new school charities, Yorkshire Air Ambulance and Leeds Mind, use donations and also how one of our old school charities, St Gemma’s Hospice, have used our donations.
- Donating money to our charities through our Hotshots sponsored event. Please ensure sponsorship money is sent to school.
- Donating loads of pennies to our charities too.
- Seeing children starting to use their School Saving Club accounts – taking responsibility for managing their money.
- And finally, to our parents and a governor who were able to spare time to come and talk to the children about their money-related jobs.
Watch out for the first homework after the half term where children can show what they have learnt during the week.
To find out more about how to support your child/children with financial education, here are a number of suggested websites.
- Pfeg Learning about money with your children guide
- Pfeg My Money Primary Parents’ Guide
- Money Advice Service
- Moneysense
- Fun to Save
- Values Money and Me
- Nationwide Education
- Money Saving Expert Child Savings
The Jangle app contains interactive activities allowing parents and carers and their children to gain financial experience and to learn about money together in an active and varied way. They are focused on meaningful and relevant financial topics and are linked to the day to day real life experiences of children and their families – designed for children aged 7 – 11.
goHenry is a Pre-paid Card and App with unique parental controls, for young people aged 8 to 18.
Money old and new
During Money Matters week, many children were keen to show off their money collections and talk about where and when they were from. Thank you for sharing these with us.
Penny trail
It’s been great to see the generosity and enthusiasm of the children during Money Matters week to try and fill their class collecting tubes. They were filling up by the end of the week. The total amount raised for Leeds Mind and Yorkshire Air Ambulance will be revealed soon. Thank you for your donations.
