The Rs for learning
The 7Rs for learning is an additional theme to our SEAL (social and emotional aspects of learning) coverage across the year. Throughout this theme children will explore seven key aspects of learning behaviour:
- Responsibility – know that you are in charge of your learning
- Risk – taking – having a go
- Resilience – keep trying, stay positive and persevere
- Resourcefulness – try a different way and find and use resources independently
- Responsive – respond in the right way to peers and adults
- Remembering – apply your learning in other lessons
- Reflection – think about what and how you’ve learnt and learn from your mistakes
Each of these aspects that help us to learn will be explored over this half term.
Try this tasty dip
Year 6 have been developing their food technology skills by making hummus:
Have a try at making hummus! It is a great source of protein and fibre and makes a healthy alternative to meat if you’re a vegetarian. To make this tasty dip even more delicious, spread it in pitta bread for a light lunch or dip veg into it for a scrumptious snack. Try it in your lunchbox – you won’t be disappointed!
Here’s the recipe:
- 410g can of chickpeas
- juice of one lemon
- 1 clove of garlic, crushed
- 2 tablespoons of olive oil
Whizz the chickpeas, lemon juice and garlic in a food processor or using a hand blender until just smooth.
Loosen with a little warm water if needed.
A chance to perform
This term sees the return of the annual dance showcase event held at Allerton Grange. Alongside Talbot, Moor Allerton Hall and Hillcrest Primary Schools, we’ll be taking part once again.
To prepare for the event we are running an eight week after-school club led by dance leaders from Allerton Grange to master the routine for the showcase.
No dance experience is necessary and it’s a great opportunity to learn a fun routine and take part in a fantastic dance event.
The club, open to boys and girls, starts next Tuesday 15 January, 3.15 – 4.30pm and will run until Tuesday 19 March. The dance showcase will be on Thursday 24 March.
There are still a few places left so call in at the office if you’d like to sign up.
Merry Christmas!
As a term comes to a close, it’s always a good time to reflect on the recent events; I’d like to take the opportunity to say
thanks to the children for all their hard work and well done for all their successes.
The class have worked extremely hard on their Rich and Poor Big Topic. The topic books of some of the children – Iona, Georgia, Henry, Mehak, Faizaan and Ebony – are especially good in terms of their research and how the children have expressed their ideas about rich and poor in a range of styles.
We have had many good class discussions inspired by SEAL or Talk Time homework about rich and poor. Luke, Connor, Adam and Max always add huge amounts to these discussions with their considered and interesting opinions.
Linked to our Rich and Poor topic, the children paired up to work on adverts that a charity may use to persuade people to donate money to help the poor. Scripts were written and the advert was made using a great app called ‘Explain Everything’. Husna and Lili made a superb job that looked and sounded like a real advert.
Those of you who have been into class or seen the class assembly will have probably noticed the excellent artwork on show. Art is a
major strength of the class. I’m already looking forward to the art we have planned for next term!
Recently, we have written quests in Big Writing. Grace wrote one of the best stories I’ve ever read in all my (many) years as a teacher. Tyler, Zahra, Sami and Fatima also wrote some brilliant stuff!
I have been really impressed with how much progress has been made with reading. Riyaz and Nevan have done a great job with the class novels ‘Street Child’ and ‘The Switch’ and Ibraheem, Dovydas, Liam and Meva have done extremely well with their guided reading.
Homework has really improved. Zakib always produces detailed work. Alongside this, Ahmed, Mehar and Amir are working much harder to produce homework of a great standard.
All in all it’s been a great start to Year Six and I’m looking forward to lots more learning in the new year.
A Christmas round-up
It’s always a busy time at Christmas in school. Here are a few photos showing you what Year Six have been up to. Activities have included making illuminated Christmas cards with a light bulb and a switch controlling the circuit and our brilliant Victorian Chrismas day.
Astounding Artwork
Year Six have been given the challenge to produce a piece of group art with the title Rich.
I rather think they’ve succeeded!
A winter warmer…
…made by Year 6.
The class worked safely to prepare the ingredients for our soup, using some new chopping techniques – claw grip and bridge hold. Mrs Sherriff and I were very impressed to see how quickly the children picked up these new skills. Wonder if they might start using them at home?
Using the Eat Well Plate and other resources, we analysed the recipe to work out:
- cost per portion
- nutrient content
- what to have alongside the soup to create a healthy packed lunch
Here is the recipe if you’d like to try it at home:
Lentil and Tomato Soup
These are the ingredients:
- 1 onion
- 1 carrot
- 1 medium potato
- 1 clove garlic
- 1 x 15 ml spoon oil
- 1 x 5 ml spoon ground cumin
- 1 can tomatoes (400g)
- 100g red or brown lentils (or a tin of lentils to speed up the cooking)
- 500ml water
- 1 x vegetable stock cube or 1x 5ml spoon bouillon powder
- 1 lemon
- Ground black pepper to season
Method:
Peel and dice the onion.
Top, tail and peel the carrots.
Dice the carrot.
Peel and dice the potato.
Peel and crush the garlic.
Fry the onion and garlic in the oil, gently, for 5 minutes.
Add the carrot, potato and the cumin.
Add the lentils and canned tomatoes.
Dissolve the stock cube in the boiling water to make the stock.
Add the stock to the sauce pan, stir and bring to the boil.
Reduce the heat, cover the sauce pan with a lid and a simmer for 40min.
Squeeze the juice from one lemon.
Just before serving, add 1 x 15 ml spoons lemon juice and some freshly ground black pepper.
Top Tips:
- Try using different vegetables, such as courgettes and peppers.
- Make some toasted croutons to decorate on top.
- Change the potato for pasta as an alternative carbohydrate.
- Add a swirl of yogurt to the soup when served.
What a busy week!
Year Six have made a great start to this half term with some awesome artwork, splendid spelling games and winning the Cool Class Cup!
Well done and keep it up!
New SEAL theme – Getting on
The SEAL theme Getting On covers four main aspects:
- developing the social skills of friendship
- working well together in a group
- managing anger
- resolving conflict
Group work takes place across all lessons and even at lunchtime and playtimes. Some questions for children to consider are:
- Did everyone take turns?
- Did everyone listen to what other people thought?
- Did each person have chance to tell the group what they thought?
- If people had different ideas could the group reach a compromise?
The key areas of learning throughout this theme are empathy, managing feelings and social skills.
Within this theme is Antibullying Week, 19 November – 23 November.
Hobby Half Day
What a great way to finish a very long half term. All the children from Year 1 to Year 6 were mixed up into new groups and they went off to do one of many activities for the afternoon on Friday. There were all sorts going on: iJamming, drumming, candle making and glass painting to name just a few. As I went round, there was a great atmosphere and all the children were chatting and learning together. Thanks to Mrs Maver for organising it and thanks to all the staff who led a workshop.
Have a great half term!
