Living and Learning – I can talk about my feelings
This week, we have been talking about our mental health.
We looked at some pictures and shared our thoughts and ideas on how the character was feeling.
I think he is angry because he has his hands in a fist and has steam coming off his head.
I think he is surprised because he is bending back and has his mouth open like he is surprised.
I think he is scared because it looks like he is crying.
We used the sentence starters to think about a time we might have felt different ways.
I felt embarrassed when I tripped over outside.
I felt nervous when I first started school.
I felt excited when I could play on my iPad.
Topic
In our Topic learning today, we continued to compare optical art by our feature artist, Bridget Riley. We commented on how there are lots of patterns in her work – the arrangement of colours or shapes in a logical order. We compared Bridget Riley’s artwork using a Carroll diagram. We looked at lots of different features – shapes, colour, patterns, and if the picture appeared to be moving.
Living and Learning
Over the next three weeks in Living and Learning, we are exploring mental health. We began this series of learning by discussing and identifying emotions.
The children had to look closely at the facial expressions of different characters and decide which emotion they might be feeling.
25 November 2022
This week’s Talk Time relates to this half term’s Art topic.
I can compare and contrast different artworks, architecture and designs.
I can give my opinions, and back them up with reasons.
In our Art lessons, we’re thinking about the work of these artists, architects and designers and we’re using the following vocabulary:
Y1,2 Artists:
George Seurat
Bridget Riley
Vocabulary: pointillism, op art
Y3,4 Architects:
St Paul’s Cathedral, Sir Christopher Wren
London Aquatic Centre, Zara Hadid
Vocabulary: architect, architecture
Y5,6 Designers:
William Morris
Orla Kiely
Vocabulary: pattern, repetition, symmetry, foreground, background
The key to this task is being able to explain thoughts and opinions. It’s worth remembering that the opinions of one person may not match those of another and that it’s okay to disagree.
We’d like your child to speak confidently and passionately about art. Using ‘because’ will encourage your child to think carefully about their own interpretation of the art. Offering your own opinions may also help your child to consider alternative viewpoints and perspectives.
Discussions about the art could take place in a number of ways. Here’s a couple of suggestions:
- Discuss each piece separately before then looking at them side by side.
- Have both pieces side by side from the start.
Whichever approach you opt for, referring to these questions and the vocabulary above will help to focus your discussions at home:
- Explain what you like about each piece.
- Explain what you dislike about each piece.
- How are the two pieces similar?
- How are the two pieces different?
- Considering what is most important to you, which piece do you prefer?
Additionally, or alternatively, you might like your child to consider our current Christian value…
At St James’ CE Primary School, we learn about Christian values that help us to become well-rounded citizens in society. The values are woven into our everyday school life. Each half term, we have a new Christian value that will be embedded into our collective worship and our reflection areas.
This half term, our Christian value is compassion. The definition of compassion is a feeling of deep sympathy and sorrow for another who is hurting, in pain, or has misfortune and is accompanied by a strong desire to help the suffering. Christians believe that Jesus is the greatest example of someone with true compassion. It’s not always easy to show compassion, especially when we feel like the person deserves their misfortune, but we try to show compassion to all who need it whether they are the same as us or different.
This week’s Talk Time homework is all about showing compassion.
‘If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be happy, practice compassion’
Dalai Lama
With your adults at home, have a chat about the quote by the Dalai Lama. Do you like this quote? What do you think it means? Does it really help you to be happy by showing compassion? Does showing compassion really help someone else?
Think about your day at school. Think of three times or places where you could show compassion to someone. Or, come up with your own quote about compassion – share it with your teacher so it can go on our Christian Values board in the hall.
Topic and English
In Topic this half term, we are artists!
We are learning and experimenting with structure, inspired by one of our feature artists Bridget Riley. She specialised in optical art. We are creating our own optical art pieces!
The first step was to draw straight lines with a ruler. Some children had drawn many lines, some had not so many, some had thick lines, some had thin… there was certainly lots of experimenting happening! Then, we used the colour black to paint every other line. We talked about this being a pattern, one of our key words.
Linked to our Art topic, in our English lesson we read Katie and The Impressionist. After, we worked in small groups to re-tell and sequence the story. We shared our favourite part of the story with each other.
Topic
In our Topic learning today, we continued to compare optical art by our feature artist, Bridget Riley. We commented on how there are lots of patterns in her work – the arrangement of colours or shapes in a logical order. We made our own patterns in the classroom.
Then, we compared Bridget Riley’s art work using a Carroll diagram. We looked at lots of different features – shapes, colour, patterns, and if the picture appeared to be moving.
Digital Artists
Today, the children used photos they had taken previously to create some digital art. Using an app on the iPads, the class enhanced their photos. Some chose to add very vivid colours while others opted for black and white.
After some time exploring the possibilities, we showcased some of the images onto the main teaching screen.
In the next lesson, the children will continue to edit and use paint effects to enhance their images further.
Topic: Commenting on the work of famous architects.
We have been looking at the work of the famous architect Sir Christopher Wren today. He won the commission to design St. Paul’s Cathedral after it was destroyed in the Great Fire of London. His design was chosen by King Charles II. We have looked at Christopher Wren’s designs and compared them to a photo of the actual cathedral and made observations about both.
We then designed our own Cathedral.
Maths in Year 3
We have enjoyed working together in a group to solve number problems in maths this week.
We have been learning about place value and adding and subtracting ones, tens and hundreds. Sometimes we have had to exchange and using the number frames really helps.
Christmas is coming!
Our Christmas performance is fast approaching and we are so excited to perform for everyone! This is a reminder that children, if they have them, need to bring their scripts into school each day. Also, any costumes in named bags need to be in school by Thursday 24th November 2022 and letters for tickets to be returned as soon as possible. These were sent out last week in children’s bags.
Thank you! From the Early Years and Key Stage 1 team.