Great deforestation homework
A little late due to technical difficulties, but our deforestation homework was too good not to share with everybody.
We enjoyed looking at each other’s and discussing the different ways we’d each decided to present our information.
Now take a look yourself…
An active half term
We’ve started the year with plenty of physical activities. Here are some of the highlights.
Rugby World Cup
In September, the Rugby World Cup came to Leeds and we were lucky enough to win tickets to watch Italy play Canada at Elland Road. There was a great response to our prize draw for tickets and our three lucky winners enjoyed the World Cup experience.
Active Schools
This year as part of our investment of the Primary PE and sport premium government funding for schools we have joined the Leeds Active Schools programme. Their mission is to promote and develop, through collaboration and partnership, a sustainable system for physical activity, PE and sport that enriches the lives of all children and young people. Already this year, as part of this programme, we’ve had the opportunity to take part in some great events.
Big sing Big dance
A group of our Year 3 pupils were part of over one thousand children from across Leeds who took part in the Rugby World Cup Big dance Big sing event in Millenium Square.
Singing and dancing to the Rugby World Cup theme tune ‘World in Union’, the event was to celebrate the rugby matches in Leeds.
- ‘I loved it and I tried my best.’
- ‘It was exciting when we did the dance.’
- ‘I enjoyed using the rugby balls for the dance and singing the song, too.’
Rugby World Cup fanzone
As part of the celebrations for the Rugby World Cup, a number of children had the opportunity to be involved in the fanzone in Millenium Square. There was a carousel of activities including rugby activities and inflatables, a practical Tagtiv8 session and a visit to Leeds Library to meet author Tom Palmer. Tom writes sports novels for children, including the Rugby Academy series.
- ‘I really enjoyed the event. It was fun, especially the bit with Tom Palmer.’
- ‘I loved it! I especially enjoyed when I won the rugby ball. It was so good I want to do it again.’
- ‘I enjoyed playing pass with my friends and learning how rugby started.’
Brownlee Triathlon
Harewood House recently hosted the Brownlee Triathlon. Following this, a number of our children took part in the children’s Brownlee Triathlon held at the John Charles Centre.
The event involved a 30m swim, 1km cycle and a 400m run and was attended by Jonny Brownlee.
- ‘It was the best sporting event that I’ve ever done.’
- ‘It was great and was very challenging but in a good way.’
- ‘I have never done a triathlon. It was amazing, especially the fact that I met the Brownlee brothers.’
Football
This year we continue to be part of the Leeds School Football Association leagues for Year 4, 5 and 6, led by Mr Lawton and Mr Catherall. Here is a summary of their season so far.
The ‘Moortown Dragons’ (Year 4 football team) are learning quickly what it means to be part of a team: sticking together, working for each other, and keeping smiles on everyone’s faces. In our most recent game, they showed off some sharp passing as a team, gritty goalkeeping displays, and capped it off with a couple of stylish goals. ‘Make friends, make friends, never, never break friends!’
In the short time we’ve had, the Year 5 footballers have impressed with their passion for the game. They’ve started to show their desire to work for each other, and we’re looking forward to a good run of matches after half term. If they can show half the skills that they demonstrate daily in the playground, and keep looking out for each other, they’ll go far indeed.
The Year 6 football team have grown in confidence throughout each of their fixtures so far this year. With an emphasis on teamwork, enjoyment and working hard (on and off the ball), each team member has improved significantly. Their continued development as a team was, perhaps, most evident in the recent game against local rivals Gledhow. Well done to all! Keep it up and you’ll soon be rewarded for your efforts.
Events to look forward to next half term include more football matches, Leeds North East sports hall athletics competition, a Come and Try basketball session at Roundhay, cross country and a health-themed week, too.
Thank you to all parents who support with transport and accompanying children to these events.
Well done to all our competitors and participants who have represented the school.
It’s half-term…
…so there is no homework this week.
Please make sure your child spends some time most days reading – books, comics, newspapers… Why not visit the library or a book shop this week?
To support writing, your child should review their spellings from the last few weeks. You could test them on words from all the lists, and ask them to use the words in sentences or a story, or create a comic strip with a word used in each speech bubble.Perhaps you could set a challenge (for you as well as your child!) of using spelling words in everyday conversations! Practising handwriting by joining up is a useful activity, too.
In Maths, children in Key Stage 2 should definitely practise times tables – including the related division facts. Can your child respond within five seconds (not counting up to work it out) to questions like ‘What’s 7 times 8?’ and ‘What’s 42 divided by 6?’
Of course, make sure your child is happy and healthy over half-term, too! A walk and play at Roundhay Park, a bike ride, a conker challenge, a trip to the art gallery… Enjoy!
The Year 6 assembly
Well done, everyone in Year 6, for a great class assembly this week, and thanks to all the parents, friends and family who visited.
For those unable to attend, the assembly was a very entertaining summary of some of the learning which has taken place this half-term.
Comments from our guests include:
- “Nice to see what the children have been learning. Very good.”
- “Very interesting to have a view of what the children have been working on – fantastic!”
- “Very interesting. I have learnt a lot of things myself.”
- “Great show, as ever. Brill song and very interactive.”
- “Brilliant adaptation of the song. They’re experts at assemblies now!”
…I was struck by that last point, too: the children were confident, clear and comfortable in front of the large audience.
Year 6 football heroes!
Our Year 6 football team have made a strong start to the new season.
Much improved on last year, the squad has displayed their talent against other local schools. With each player representing Moortown with pride, passion and (relentless) positivity – keep it up!
Their most recent outing, a very close 1-0 loss to neighbours Gledhow, was very impressive to watch. I’m certain our faithful supporters would agree!
Well done to all children who have represented our school so far this year and a huge thank you to the parents for your on-going support in transporting children to fixtures.
Den-building
Last week, Chris, ‘The Den Man’, came into school to challenge us to build strong waterproof shelters for our camping holiday. Both Chris and I were really impressed with the children’s teamwork and resilience. It was a tough challenge and the children had to solve problems on their own. They did brilliantly! Here are some pictures of the afternoon:
Creative homeworks
This week’s favourite creative homeworks….
Our trip around the world!
On Friday, we took a (virtual) trip around the world! We located ports, fields, cities, beaches and mountains using Google Maps. We compared Scarborough to Cape Town in South Africa and spotted differences and similarities. However, the most exciting part of all had to be finding our school on the map. The class were so excited to find it and see how it looks from a birds-eye view! Why not let your child go on a virtual holiday at home using Google Maps? The quality of the aerial photos are brilliant and it’s very easy to use.
Have you seen Leaf Man?
We have really enjoyed reading the book Leaf Man by Lois Ehlert.
After reading the story, Reception children went to look for Leaf Man around school.
We sorted leaves and learned their names.
The children have printed leaves, mixed autumn colours and made their own leaf people.
Where is Leaf Man?
What’s on the menu in Brazil?
As part of the whole school Holidays topic, Year 5 and 6 have been ‘visiting’ Brazil. Following some research about popular foods in this South American country, we’ve recreated our own Brazilian dish. This was taken from a recipe book donated by the Brazilian restaurant chain Cabana. There is even a branch in Leeds if you’d like to try some more traditional Brazilian dishes. Our dish was a vegetarian version of moqueca (fish stew).
Take a look at our food preparation and tasting. Ask your child what skills, equipment and ingredients we used. Maybe you’ll get chance to try this at home as it was a very popular dish.
Some of the words to describe the dish were: outstanding, delicious, mouth watering, healthy, impeccable and fantastic!
