Wednesday 30 November 2016

Tuesday 29 November 2016

Birch Star Writer 25/11/2016

Congratulations to Jameel Ore for winning last week's Star Writer award! His instruction piece on training a troll gave clear imperative verbs that were easy to follow. In particular, Jameel's use of alternative nouns really made this piece of work stand out. I'm sure his readers transformed their useless, bridge-dwelling oafs into handy house servants in no time! Well done Jameel - keep up this level of clarity in your writing!


Monday 28 November 2016

Year 4 Spellings Week Commencing 28.11.16

Pleasse find below the Year 4 spellings for this week.

A
B
C
D
preservation
preservation
preservation

attentive
patched
swim
just
subversive
matched
swam
like
submissive
attached
swell
look
imaginative
latched
swag
made
assertive
snatched
swill
make
eight
eight
eight
that
weight
weight
weight
them
vein
vein
vein
then
grey
grey
grey
this
obey
obey
obey
time
balanced
balanced
balanced

argument
argument
argument

favourable
favourable
favourable

opposition
opposition
opposition

discuss
discuss
discuss

digestion
digestion
digestion

stomach
stomach
stomach

intestine
intestine
intestine

nutrients
nutrients
nutrients

uptake
uptake
uptake

Friday 25 November 2016

Willow class star writer

Move over Miss Taylor, Miss Libby Northwood is here with an absolutely amazing set of instructions on 'how to train a troll.' Last week, during Big write, Willow focused on producing a set of high quality, clear instructions. Although everybody in Willow class achieved this (earning themselves each a merit) Libby exceeded this aim. She successfully incorporated the use of alternative nouns, included a range of sentence openers (as well as adverbials of time) and even challenged herself to use a variety of sentence types. I was particularly impressed with her 'the more, the more' and 'double ly' sentences that she threaded throughout her text. An exceptional piece of writing Libby, your best yet and you made it an absolute pleasure to read and mark. Phenomenal.




Decimal equivalent SNAP!

Decimal equivalent SNAP!... What is that?
This week in maths, Willow set have strived to convert fractions into decimal equivalents and vice versa. At first, this appeared quite a difficult topic to tackle. However, after plenty of whiteboard practice and using our place value charts, the children were quick to convert. Some children even converted decimals back into fractions and some went even further, taking on the menacing mixed fractions.

Today, we have applied our learning in a game of decimal equivalent snap. The same rules applied as traditional SNAP, but the children challenged each other to discover and SNAP fractions (including mixed numbers) to the corresponding decimal equivalents! 



It's the best game ever. I am literally shaking with excitement. Isabelle Munford

This game helps to learn more about equivalent fractions. Samanyu Handoo

This game is fun and intense but it helps you with learning. Ranita Ariyibi 

Year 3 Mirror and Match

In PE this week, year 3 have been exploring mirroring and matching each other to music. The children were required to mirror and match actions made by their partner's. Once the actions had been created and refined they put them to music. Below is a video of Adam and Matthew, from Hazel class, who worked extremely well together to create a successful sequence. The reciprocity and effort the boys showed was fantastic. Keep up the hard work boys! 

https://youtu.be/v1u-H0cM_58


Thursday 24 November 2016

Willow will put in their box...

In literacy, year 4 have been focusing on free verse poetry, incorporating the poetic devices: repetition, onomatopoeia, alliteration, similes and personification. Now, Willow have finalised their poem titled 'The Magic Box.' Following on this week, we have capitalised on our learning, collaborating effectively to produce, recite and perform a group version of The Magic Box. The quality of the poems produced was outstanding, the way you worked together was admirable and your delivery of the poems was equally incredible. An absolute pleasure to watch. Keep up the great work Willow!

 
 

Year 3 Star Writers

Our Year 3 children have been working very hard to write their own playscripts. The children have been reading a play called 'A Tune of Lies' and have had a lot of opportunities to act out parts of the play. They then had the chance to write an alternative ending to the play. It was very important that the dialogue between characters was clear and that there were stage directions to show characters' feelings and actions.

Sofia Raif and Ethan Himuyandi wrote brilliant playscripts! What brilliant writers you are! You have ensured that your stage directions are very clear to show your characters' emotions.




Wednesday 23 November 2016

Sequoia's Sharing Assembly

Well done to Sequoia class today for sharing some of what they have learnt this term in their class assembly. It can be incredibly nerve wracking standing up in front of such a large room of people to speak, but Sequoia read their lines clearly and with confidence!


Thank you to all of the family members and friends that were able to make it, your continued support is appreciated!

Great job, Sequoia. You should all be very proud of yourselves! 

Instructional Texts in Year 3

This week, Year 3 have started their new non-fiction unit where they have been working towards writing their own set of instructions on how to capture a dragon!

Today, they focussed on the features of instructional texts, particularly on the importance of laying the instructions out clearly so that they are easy for the reader to follow. To demonstrate just how important this is, the children attempted to make a simple dog by folding paper. However, it wasn't as easy as they first thought as their instructions were given to them all at once and were not very clear at all! There was silence across Year 3 with an array of perplexed faces.

"We didn't really have a clue what to do! We thought Miss Rooney must be joking!" Ethan, Sequoia

"There was no way that we were going to be able to make the dog without more help!" Jaydon, Hazel

Thankfully, the Year 3 teachers had the real instructions up their sleeves all along! The children were then able to follow the instructions and make the dog with no problems.


After the children reflected, they realised just how important it is for instructions to be written step-by-step so that they can be followed easily!

"It was so much easier with the clear instructions. There were even diagrams which really helped!" Georgie,  Sequoia 

Resourceful mathematicians in year 3!

Today, the children in Sequoia and Hazel were being particularly resourcing by using their whiteboards to help draw out their fraction problems. They were able to create their own visual aid to ensure they reached the correct answer!


"I found it so much easier when I could draw out the question, I ended up getting all of the, right!" Megan, Sequoia 

"It helped me understand exactly what finding fractions of amounts means. I feel like I understand it a lot better now." Summer-Roae, Hazel 

Great job, year 3! I wonder if you can show everyone at home how to find fractions of amounts!




Monday 21 November 2016

Year 3 Spellings - w/c: 21.11.16

Below are the Year 3 spellings for this week.

Please remind your children to look, say, cover and then write. By covering and then writing the spellings, the children will memorise and learn them much better :)


Year 4 Spellings Week Commecing 21.11.16

Please find the Y4 spellings lists for week commencing 21.11.16 below.

A
B
C
D
experimental
experimental
experimental

constructive
dipped
plan
just
destructive
chipped
plot
like
collective
clipped
plus
look
tentative
shipped
plug
made
preventative
nipped
plod
make
interrelate
interrelate
interrelate
skid
intercity
intercity
intercity
skill
intermediate
intermediate
intermediate
skull
interstellar
interstellar
interstellar
skip
interim
interim
interim
skin
endangered
endangered
endangered

deforestation
deforestation
deforestation

conservation
conservation
conservation

protected
protected
protected

species
species
species

caffeine
caffeine
caffeine

reaction
reaction
reaction

placebo
placebo
placebo

alertness
alertness
alertness

control
control
control


Friday 18 November 2016

Caydon takes on the learning challenge!

Truly excelling, Caydon has produced some wonderful work at home based on rainforests. As always, Caydon's presentation was beautiful. However, he has also made links to current learning in topic, exploring the layers of the rainforest. Caydon identified what exactly the rainforest was made up of and startled me with the fact that 'bamboo plants in the rainforest can grow up to 6 inches a day!' He also revealed marvellous facts on the greatest rainforest of all... The amazon! Not only is it admirable to see you carrying out extra work at home Caydon, but you are also educating myself!

Willow class star writer

Last week, Jessica Simpson produced a clear, detailed and humorous set of instructions based on how to capture the brutish beast that is a... Troll. Jessica not only incorporated humour into her instructions, but also used alternative nouns for a troll (including alliteration), used a range of appropriate adverbials of time and even managed to throw a few double ly sentence types into her writing! Jessica ensured she did not settle for boring, simple sentences, but challenged herself by extending her sentences so that any reader (including an alien) could easily and successfully capture a troll. Phenomenal writing Jessica, keep up the superb work!


Thursday 17 November 2016

'Rainforests' are like onions... they both have layers.

Following our trip to the Paradise Wildlife Park and undergoing a brief introduction to the layers of the rainforest, this week in topic the children capitalised on their learning: exploring the layers of the rainforest, the weather and climate conditions and the animals that are likely to inhabit each layer. Willow class displayed fantastic reciprocity skills, collaborating phenomenally to sort and decipher what exactly the rainforest is made up of. During the lesson, Jessica Diaz commented 'I love this activity' and proudly broadcasted her finished product. As always, I was super proud of you Willow. Let's maintain our admirable work ethic and attitude towards learning! Also, great thinking face Connor!
 
 

Wednesday 16 November 2016

Curious Courtney and Diligent Diya take on the Learning Challenge

Huge well done to Courtney Simpson and Diya Patel for producing their own work towards the Learning Challenge this term on the rainforest! Following our expedition to Paradise Wildlife Park last week, Diya's riddles and Courtney's questions showed an inquisitive approach to the layers of the rainforest and its animals. Thank you for your dedication to learning girls! And cheer up Courtney!


Sunday 13 November 2016

'Oh, yes he did!' - Year 4 Enjoy a Morning of Panto

On Tuesday morning, Year 4 had to be taken out of maths for the swashbuckling tale of Dick Whittington. The cast needed the audience's help to stop the evil Captain Hawkseye from stealing the treasure and winning the heart of Alice. The classic panto tale was interwoven with modern hits from the likes of Justin Bieber, Justin Timberlake, and had the whole hall moving to the beat.  Even Miss Connell was spotted lip-syncing to Uptown Funk!

Year 4 venture to Paradise Wildlife Park!

This term, Year 4 are studying the rainforest for their topic lessons. To extend and truly capture the children's interest in the subject, we wrapped up well and visited the Paradise Wildlife Park for a very informative talk and a great deal of seeing all the animals.

Despite the cold, Daniel from Birch said that he thought it was 'the best school trip ever!' The knowledge the children gained about the layers of the rainforest will be explored in more detail in topic lessons next week.

Thank you to all our parent volunteers who kept an eye on our year 4 monkeys!

Friday 11 November 2016

Year 3's Healthy Eating Workshop

This week, Year 3 were lucky enough to be visited by Warburtons to learn all about what healthy eating looks like. They first looked at what a healthy plate might look like, making sure that every meal is balanced with the right amount of proteins, carbohydrates, fruit and vegetables, dairy and fatty products.

The children were then lucky enough to make their own healthy sandwich! Before they could do anything they had to think about making sure the sandwich making environment was hygienic. They all washed their hands thoroughly and wore special nets to keep their hair away from the food. They, of course, found it absolutely hilarious when the teachers had to wear one too.


Once they had considered the importance of hygiene, the children could begin making their sandwiches using lots of different ingredients to fill them. It was very important for the children to try something new and they all did really well to include lots of healthy food!


'I put peppers in my sandwich even though I wasn't sure if I liked them. I'm looking forward to tasting them' - Charlie R, Sequoia.

'Buttering the bread was a bit tricky at first but when it got softer it was easy and I enjoyed it' - Megan, Sequoia.


'I loved choosing all the healthy food to put in my sandwich. I couldn't wait to eat it!' - Grace, Hazel.

'I liked wearing the hair nets because they made us look like real chefs' - Tyler, Hazel.


The Year 3s are now experts in making healthy food, with a certificate to prove it. I'm sure that they would love to help make their packed lunch, especially now that they are qualified to do so!

Year 3 Spellings - W/C 14.11.16


Below are the Year 3 spellings for the this week.


Students are highly encouraged to practice their spellings at least 15 minutes a day. In order to get merit stickers, students are also encouraged to search for definitions of the words and write the last 5 words into meaningful sentences. Good Luck!