Computing
In computing this week, we have been developing a pedometer. Pedometers are devices that track the number of steps you take. They contain an internal mechanism or arm that moves up and down in response to the motion of your hips. With each step, your body tilts to one side and your leg swings forward. As your body shifts the other way, your other leg moves forward as well. Each tilt of your hips, along with the forward swing of your legs, is counted as a step.
In our first lesson, we developed our code – the children needed to fix a few problems with their initial algorithms. We had to use decomposition to help us debug it. Then, we downloaded our pedometer code to our micro:bits and checked to see if they worked. We had do some trial and errors and tweak the sensitivity of our pedometers.
We then put our pedometers to the test outside.
Living and Learning
Feeling good and being me
We have been having a big focus on peer pressure and how this may impact on someone’s wellbeing. We are all clear on what peer pressure is and why it might happen. It is crucial that we speak up if we feel that is happening in any aspect of our lives (at school, home or online). Children were very mature and were very respectful throughout our discussions.
Help at home – discuss peer pressure with your child. Ask them what they can do should they be worried about something.
The Knitted Bible
We had a fantastic trip out this afternoon to St Joseph’s Catholic Church and our own St James’ Church to see scenes from the bible represented in knitted form.
We were warmly received at St Joseph’s and there were lots of activities for us to do. We even got the chance to have a look around the church – many of our children hadn’t been inside a catholic church before. We found many similarities with our own church and we followed the Stations of the Cross around, something we have been looking at in detail during our RE lessons this half term.
We then went on to St James’, where Val was delighted to see us. We were able to explore the church the knitted scenes and draw on our own knowledge of the Easter story. Before we left, we took time to reflect on what has been a busy week of assessment and Val said a prayer for the children, staff and our school community. The children chose a knitted gift to take away with them too.
There were many scenes; we particularly enjoyed the Zacchaeus scene that links to our Christian Value of Honesty and David and Goliath, our school bible story.
The Knitted Bible display will continue to be open to the public until Sunday 6th April. Further details can be found here: https://www.dioceseofleeds.org.uk/event/the-knitted-bible-comes-to-wetherby/
Bikeabilty
Bikeability was lots of fun this week for our Year 5 children. Your child will be bringing home a certificate today as reward for their efforts.
Why not enjoy a bike ride this weekend?
British Library Workshop
This week, we were lucky to be visited by the British Library for a day of creativity. We used spoken language, visual literacy and reading comprehension to creatively explore and understand the experiences of refugees as they settle in a new country. Inspired by Sarah Garland’s heartwarming graphic novel, Azzi in Between.
The children thoroughly enjoyed learning about experiences refugees go through, creating dramas to explore characterisation and performing to their peers.
If you would like to borrow the book, please ask – we have a copy in our reading corner.
Chess Club
Chess Club is up and running…
Science
Circulatory System
Year 5 and Year 6 have been exploring the blood, what it is made of and how it works. We have learnt about red blood cells, white blood cells and plasma and what their role is.
We have been really creative and acted out how the blood works, travelling through the lungs to collect oxygen, moving through the heart and being pumped out around the body distributing oxygen and nutrients. The children really enjoyed the lesson and can hopefully tell you all about it at home.
Help at home – Ask your child about what the red blood cells, white blood cells and the plasma do. Can they draw you an image to show their understanding of how blood moves around the body?
Water Safety Week
This week is Water Safety Week.
We have been discussing how we can stay safe in and around water and reading some of the websites below.
https://www.rlss.org.uk/staying-safe-in-on-and-around-the-water
Help at home – Read through the webpages with your child.
Food technology – pasta bake
Our children have been busy in the kitchen today. They have been creating a very tasty pasta bake.
They have been draining through a colander, peeling, chopping using a claw grip, crushing garlic, tearing herbs and seasoning to taste.
Help at home – Encourage your child to help in the kitchen. Can they show you some of the skills they have learnt today?
TTRS
Did you know that every week, Year 5 and Year 6 have the chance to feature on our TTRS Wheel of Fame in Achieve and Believe assembly. The lucky winner of the Wheel of Fame challenges a teacher for the ultimate honour of winning the TTRS trophy!
What does my child need to do?
Play 15 minutes of TTRS games in the week leading up to the Friday (when we check how much each child has played.) We recommend little and often. 3 minutes per day every school day might be easier to achieve than doing it all in one go.
Why does it matter?
If children know their times tables they will find the rest of the maths we learn in school much easier. This is true from Year 3 but is particularly important in Year 4 where we learn column multiplication and learn more about fractions.
Questions?
If you have any questions or need any help do let me know. Send me an email / call the school office / speak to me at pick-up. If you don’t like your child to use electronic devices at home let me know and I can provide alternative ways for them to practise their times tables.
I can’t wait to see even more of our superstars on the Wall of Fame and challenging (and answering faster than) teachers in Achieve and Believe!