Sneezing runway!
In science, we’ve been learning about microbes, infections and diseases.
At the moment, due to Covid-19, we are trying to keep our distance and use tissues to sneeze and cough into to help reduce the spread of infection. We thought we would investigate this to see if it really does work.
First of all, we created a ‘sneezing runway’ with paper and metre sticks.
We then filled a spray bottle (a nose) with water and food colouring.
Then, we simulated a sneeze by squeezing the trigger once over the paper. Before ‘sneezing’ we predicted how far and wide the sneeze would go. Then we measured accurately with the rulers and recorded the result.
The next step was to observe what happens when we put our hand over our mouth when we sneeze; the microbes stay on our hands and can spread to anything we touch. We used a hand with a glove on it.
Finally, we wanted to observe what happens when we cover our mouth with a tissue during sneezing. We held a tissue directly in front of the spray nozzle. We predicted if this would reduce the distance a sneeze could travel and then made accurate measurements.
What did we find out?
When sneezing without any protection, the sneeze travelled 3.7m. With a hand it travelled 2m. With a tissue it travelled 1m.
To conclude, we can help reduce the spread of infection through sneezing if we use tissues and keep our distance!
Fabulous writing
This week, we’ve been writing non-chronological reports about imaginative creatures that live in South America. Erin’s writing clearly shows she has taken pride in her presentation and I love her ideas and creativity!
“The Kanzo Dragon is given its fascinating name by Zeek Cheffman, a beast-ologist from South America. He experienced a malicious attack from this giant beast and was lucky to make it out alive….”
“This blood-sucking reptile is part kangaroo and part dragon. Like the kangaroo, the Kanzo has a pouch, except it’s on the creature’s tail. It is believed that it’s used to carry dead bodies inside.”
Celebration certificates
It’s Friday again… another learning-packed week. The children are now able to choose a library book to take home on a Friday. We enjoyed reading and sharing our books outside today.
As we can’t have our usual celebration assembly on a Friday at the moment, I will be posting the certificate winners on here each week.
For great learning…
Teddy – for being an active learner. You often have your hand up and like to contribute in lessons. Well done!
For living and learning…
Honey – for being polite. You know that manners are important.
Busy Bees!
I can’t believe it’s nearly the end of the first half-term! I am so proud of all of the Foundation children. They have settled so well into school life and showed great resilience during these tricky times.
We have continued learning all about Autumn.
In the sand area, we made conker slides using ramps. We measured how far they travelled using tape measures and meter sticks. We had some very competitive children!
On the creative table, the children used a fork to paint a spiky hedgehog. We looked at a fact file and had some great discussions about hedgehogs.
In literacy, we continued looking at the story Leaf Man. The children created missing posters. We talked about why they are useful and the important features. They were great at describing Leaf Man!
“He has red hands.”
“He has a spiky nose.”
“He has yellow legs.”
In maths, we have started learning all about number 2! The children have been great at pairing the socks on the washing line in the home corner.
We used mirrors to spot pairs.
“two eyes”
“two ears”
“two eyebrows”
We have introduced the part-part whole model and found out which two numbers can be added together to make two.
“One is a part. One is a part. Two is the whole.”
“Two is a part. Zero is a part. Two is the whole.”~
Next week, we will continue learning about number two!
Phonics
F2 children have finished learning the first set of phase 2 sounds s,a,t,p,i,n.
We have focused on saying the pure sounds and correct letter formation. We have enjoyed listening to the Jolly Phonics rhymes and joining in with the actions – they really have helped us remember the sounds! Your child will now have their word passport and sound book at home. Weekly phonics practise at home will really support your child’s learning.
F1 children have started their group times. Each week, they have two phase 1 sessions. The children have loved making silly noises with their mouths and watching what their mouth does in a mirror. Check out their faces!
On Wednesday, they made different body percussion patterns. For example, clap, clap, clap, stomp, stomp, stomp.
Dough Disco – check it out!
This is one of our favourite activities.
We use dough to exercise our hands and fingers to improve fine muscle control. The movements help us get ready to do some super writing!
Parent Partners
We know it’s frustrating as a parent not being able to come into the classroom – it’s very strange for us as well!
In Foundation, we really value home-school communication and have been thinking of ways to share more of the classroom with you.
Here are some of the ways:
- Next week, you will receive a collage of pictures of your child playing and learning.
- During the school year, if your child is in F2 they will be a ‘focus child’ for a week. There will be more information on this in our upcoming Parent Partners presentation which will be posted the first week back after half-term.
- The Class News page is regularly updated with what we’ve been up to in the classroom.
- Our Parent Partnership board in the classroom is updated weekly with your home-link emails.
Don’t forget to email any WOW moments at home – we would really love to see these!
Reminders
Your child needs a pair of wellies in school!
PE is every Wednesday. Your child needs to come to school in their PE kit.
F1 and F2 Parent-Teacher Zoom meetings next Tuesday and Thursday – see you then!
Home-Link Challenge
Have a lovely weekend!
Phonics and the phonics screening check
The phonics screening check determines how well a child can use the phonics skills they have learned in year 1, ensuring that they are on track to become fluent readers.
Next half term, the phonics screening check will be taken by all children in year 2. Year 2 pupils who do not meet the expected standard in the autumn check will take the statutory check in June 2021, alongside year 1 pupils.
The phonics screening check contains 40 words divided into two sections. Both sections contain a mixture of real words and alien words.
The children are encouraged to add sound buttons or use phoneme fingers to read a word. Here is a video showing how we do this.
You can help your child at home by reading anything and everything!
Classification
As part of our science learning about living things, we’ve been using classification keys to identify animals and we also created our own key to classify people in our class.
To find out more about classification click here.
Living and Learning: I can talk about my feelings
This week, we’ve been thinking about different feelings we may have and why we may have had that feeling. We also talked about what we could do if a particular feeling was bothering us.
Our Living and Learning lesson involved using some resources from the Anna Freud website and it has lots of advice and links for children and families if they need support around mental health.
Celebration certificates
We’ve had another great week. I have seen fantastic progress in reading, handwriting and maths in just a few weeks. Keep up all the hard work year 1 and year 2! As we can’t have our usual celebration assembly on a Friday at the moment, I will be posting the certificate winners on here each week.
For great learning…
Liam – for great learning in all lessons this week, showing good concentration.
For sport and physical activity…
Ralph – Your attitude in PE and WUSU is fantastic. Well done!
For living and learning…
Lilly – for recognising how others are feeling.
What have we been up to in Foundation this week?
This week has been full of laughter and smiles in Foundation. All the children have come into school really happy and have been eager to get busy in the areas.
Here’s some highlights of our great week…
Watch the conker and acorn run in action!
Next week, we will continue our learning all about autumn. We will be thinking about describing words and making missing posters for Leaf Man. In maths, we will be starting our second focus number. I will give you a clue… It is one more than one and one less then three. That’s right, it’s number two!
PS Don’t forget to listen for a rustle in the leaves because it could be Leaf Man!
Home-Link Challenges
F2
F1
Bagel Bar
Our bagel bar has been open for a few weeks now and the children have really enjoyed eating breakfast with their friends and it’s been a positive start to their day. The doors open at 8.30am each morning and all children from Reception to Year 6 are welcome.
