9.1.2020 Sandymere Learning Update

Date: 9th Jan 2020 @ 9:36am

Welcome back and Happy New Year everyone!  The children have been enjoying sharing stories of their Christmases this week- they were especially keen to tell us about their favourite gifts and experiences.  But we are now all keen and ready to continue our learning journey as we head into 2020.

So far this week we have introduced our new English focus text ‘The Lion Inside’ by Rachel Bright.  We have made predictions about the story based on the front cover and the synopsis. We have also attempted to write our predicted stories!

In maths we have been working with teens numbers and exploring their place value using tens frames to represent the numbers and part whole models.  We have had the opportunity for lots of practical exploration this week.  We had great fun with the place value Basketball game – here is the link so your child can practise at home too.

https://www.topmarks.co.uk/learning-to-count/place-value-basketball

Our science lesson this week was based around the seasons with a specific focus on winter.  We talked about how winter is more than just cold or icy weather.  We explored other signs such as leafless trees and shorter days.  Perhaps have a chat with your child about other signs of winter they can think of this weekend?

Inspired by our wintery discussions we created tree silhouettes in our art lessons using a new media, charcoal.  The children enjoyed mark making using the charcoal and then smudging and sweeping their fingers through the charcoal to create hazy shadows.  These will be proudly displayed in the classroom next week.

In phonics we have been looking at split vowel digraphs and learning to spot these within words when reading.  The split vowel digraphs are:

a-e as in make

e-e as in Pete

i-e as in drive

o-e as in mole

u-e as in tube

You could encourage your child to spot these in their reading books when they are reading at home.  I wonder how many they can find?

This week we have started small group guided reading.  Each group has focussed on a short text with the intention of focussing on specific skills sets.  When your child has participated in guided reading you will find a stamp in your child’s reading diary to show they have taken part.

We are continuing to assess your child’s reading level and yet again many children have progressed to the next level.  Well done children, you should be very proud of yourselves.  Regular home reading really is essential and has a huge impact on your child’s progress.  Please do keep reading each night at home, even if it’s just a few pages.  Thank you.

In PE this week the children took part in a dance session and I spied some gorgeous ribbon twirling work!  I can’t wait to see what they will be doing next week.

Have a great weekend.

Mrs Williamson on behalf of Team Sandymere