12.12.19 Sandymere Learning Update

Date: 12th Dec 2019 @ 3:51pm

A hint of Christmas has crept its way into Sandymere this week with the advent calendar well under the way, a mini Christmas tree has appeared and the sound of Christmas songs can be heard across the school.  Don't forget to come and celebrate with us at church next Tuesday at our Christmas Carol Concert.  Information can be found under events on the school website.

We are still working super hard on our English and this week we have written our first recount independently!  The children were challenged to show off their writing skills and write a diary entry in the role of Nibbles the Book Monster.  Within their diaries were looking for use of 

• personal pronoun I
• Correct use of capital letters and full stops
• capital  letters for names
• 'and' to join simple sentences
• past tense 
• using phonics  and common exception words correctly

Wow what a list of skills!  Every child worked so so hard and have even found time to visit the editing stations and edit their own work.  They should all be very proud of themselves.

In reading this week we have been busy checking phonic knowledge and Benchmarking children for their reading fluency and comprehension.  Some children have started to make the move to the next colour band - well done!  Don't forget to read with your child each night and make a note in their reading diary.  They have two books to read each week plus a library book to share too.  Some children have been asking about online stories and audio books.  Audio books would make a lovely Christmas gift!

In maths we have moved on to place value and working with teens numbers.  We have been exploring and making teens numbers using 10s frames and other maths manipulatives.  We will be continuing this after Christmas.

In art we looked at the works of Mark Rothko with a particular focus on his 'tree' painting.  We then developed our skills in blending paints and colour matching to create our own version of Rothko's tree.  Look out for the finished product in book bags next week.

Mrs Pile enjoyed another wonderful PE lesson with the children.  Please may we ask that you check your child’s PE bag over the Christmas holidays as many children didn’t have their full kit this week?  Please also make sure all items are clearly labelled so that we can return items to their rightful owner.  Thank you.

The children are in for a treat tomorrow when they will be making flapjacks with Mrs Worstencroft as part of their D&T project.  I’m sure they will be absolutely delicious!

See you all on Monday.  Don’t forget to send your child with a warm, waterproof coat as we will be walking to the church for rehearsals in the morning.

Mrs Williamson on behalf of Team Sandymere