How does light travel?
Today, we predicted how we think light travels. Everybody recorded what they thought: curved lines, zig-zag lines and straight lines.
Then, we used torches and card with holes in to help us found out. When the holes were in an uneven line, the light stopped and couldn’t travel through the holes. When the holes were arranged in a straight line the light could travel through. This showed us that light travels in straight lines.
Craft Club- Self Portraits
This week in Craft Club, we looked at the self-portraits of Pablo Picasso. We compared his earlier realistic self-portraits with the later abstract images.
The crafters then chose how they wanted to represent their own self-portraits. We selected from felt tips, colouring pencils and oil pastels. We used mirrors to make sure we captured all of our features.
When we had finished, we turned the self portraits into stick puppets!
We then presented our self-portraits in a mini puppet show; telling the audience whether we had chosen a realistic or abstract style. We also shared something that we like or enjoy.
Next week, Miss Pyart will continue our self-portrait work, with a focus on Pop-Art.
Well done Crafters 🙂
Living and Learning: I can describe and use ways to calm down.
This week we have been thinking about how we can keep ourselves calm and relaxed. We discussed reasons why we my feel stressed or frustrated. As a class, we shared the strategies that we use to keep ourselves calm. Willow suggested that we should try to use them at play times if we have fall outs. After that, we created posters to show our top ways to keep calm.
Living and Learning: I know and can use ways to calm down.
This week in Living and Learning, the class worked together to list lots of ways we can calm down down when feeling upset, angry or anxious. They created a long list of strategies including: breathing techniques, counting to 10, talking to a friend, relaxing in your bedroom and exercising. Everyone then created their own poster with their favourite calming down strategies. There were some great ones!
Have a go at using some of these when you feel angry, upset, frustrated or anxious. They definitely work.
Craft Club- Art in Nature!
This week in Craft Club, we have continued our Andy Goldsworthy inspired art in nature.
We made our own ‘paintbrushes’ using natural objects we collected outside. We then used our paintbrushes to paint some self-portraits using mud as our paint!
Afterwards, the children worked together in a team to create a picture using natural objects- they decided on a ‘sea’ scene and had some fab ideas to include. We had starfish, mermaids, clams with pearls, seaweed, fish and coral! Great work crafters! 🙂
Funky Phonics!
Thank you to the parents who attended our second ‘Funky Phonics’ session of the year this evening.
I had a lovely time catching up with each of you individually, to talk about your child’s reading and writing.
We really appreciate our parent partners here at St. James’. Thank you for encouraging your children in their learning, by enjoying time in the classroom with them 🙂
Living and Learning: I recognise mental health is important.
Today we talked about mental health and why it is important. Ellie said that we must keep our minds healthy too-even though we can’t see it. In this session, we had a go at drawing what a healthy mind looks like.
Masters of Mathematics
We are working hard on fundamental maths skills in year 1/2.
Here are a few links to some games that you may want to practise at home.
- Mathsframe speedy timetables (Adjust the difficulty to x2, x5 and x10).
- Jetpack Mathematics (Select year 1 or year 2).
- Hit the button (Try number bonds, doubles, halves or times tables).
Sensational singing
In year 1/2, we have been having an exciting guest come into school. Every Tuesday, we learn new songs with Sarah from ArtForms Leeds. We have been learning a song called King in the Castle. Take a look at the photographs from the session this morning.
The weekly update- An EGG-citing arrival!
On Tuesday, we had a super EGG-citing delivery. We have eight new eggs in our incubator! The children are already fascinated and having some great discussions. We have been taking care of our eggs and talking about how we need to be very careful around our incubator (we even have signs written by the children to remind us!)
The children watch the adults carefully turn the eggs twice a day, just like the mummy chicken would do. This time of year is so lovely, as the children get to explore more of their ‘understanding of the world’, of growth and of changes.
In literacy, we have been using our story actions to retell the story of ‘The Little Red Hen’ We will continue to explore the story next week.
F2 have been problem solving in maths this week, as we learn how to double. We have been focusing on the language of adding the same and making our added amount equal to our original number.
F1 have been such busy learners too! From painting, to exploring our counters in the maths areas, constructing and making water tracks using ramps and guttering outside, Our new children continue to thrive in Foundation and we are really proud of how they are following their new routines.
Home-Link Challenge- F1 and F2
As we are thinking about the growth and changes of our little egg friends, we would like to open discussions with the children about their growth and changes. To support with this learning, please send in a baby photo of your child (a copy we can use in their learning) or email your photo to:
stjameseyfs@spherefederation.org
Funky Phonics
You are invited to our second ‘Funky Phonics’ workshop on Wednesday 1st May, 3.15-3.45 in the Foundation classroom. This is for F2 parents/carers to share in learning with your child and gain insight to what is ‘expected’ by the end of foundation stage, in children’s writing.
After School Club Places
Mrs Walton has four spaces available for the Thursday after school Lego Club, that she would like to make available to our Foundation 2 children. Please book on to the club through the office.
