PE – fitness
We simply love PE in Year 5 and 6. Every lesson is positive, and the children have enjoyed developing their hockey skills.
Due to the recent poor weather, we have taken our lessons inside and have focussed on building our fitness for hockey. We have completed circuits of press ups, sit ups, plank, shuttles, star jumps and the dreaded burpees!
We have again impressed Mr Kilner with our attitude and perseverance even when we have felt tired from our exercise.
Help at home – How do you keep fit and healthy at home? Ask your child what their favourite exercise was. Can they teach you it? Are there other ways to stay fit and healthy apart from exercise?
Awe and Wonder
We enjoy celebrating the natural world in Year 5 and 6. Yesterday morning, children couldn’t wait to tell me about the beautiful spider webs that were just outside our classroom door.
We also had a classroom visitor, which caused a mixed reaction.
Help at home – what makes you stand back in awe and wonder at home?
Wonderful writing
In Year 5/6 this week, we have been writing a recount about discovering a secret parcel linked to our class novel, ‘Secrets of a Sun King.’
The quality of writing has blown me away and the children have really enjoyed adding tension to their work. They have all been keen to share some of their writing and have chosen sentences/extracts to share:
This was the opportunity as everyone was asleep. I was ready to open it and as soon as I did, I became unconscious – James
As dark as an abyss, I had to grab the flashlight from the truck. Wrapped in dazzling vermillion thread – Aubree
The goosebumps on my body rose as I got to the stairs. The adrenaline levels, in my body, shot up – Evie
Shivering, I felt scared. I was not sure if it was midnight or not – Madeleine
It was locked in a safe, but it only took a kick to open it. The parcel was wrapped in gold with a red ribbon – Liam
Without hesitation, I pushed open my bedroom door trying not to make a sound. I edged towards the bathroom. My heart sank, knowing full-well the only door that could make the ear-twitching sound was my grandparents – Noah
I observed the mystifying parcel wrapped in a beautiful white satin bow. My hands were juddering – Kamile
She entered with an inconspicuous lunchbox. It was in my grasp – Lilly C
I suddenly woke up, now was my chance to get the parcel. I was in trouble, but I couldn’t help myself – Honey
Returning the parcel, I had the biggest smile on my face –Leo S
Something deep inside me told me I knew what it was. It was antique with golden swirls in the corner – Valerie
The box was wrapped in camo and smeared with mud. It was very inconspicuous. I stared at it for a second, it seemed to be burnt slightly – Christian
I was almost certain it was time to go. I opened the parcel to reveal… – Freddie
The full moon was out, it was like a torch shining on me. Inside was a perfectly round crystal ball, it has purple smoke inside – Lily W
I walked as quiet as a mouse, trying hard to not make a sound – Charlina
I cut my hand in the process. Now I was scared – Willow
Without hesitation, I stealthily dashed passed the trees – Umar
We all hurried like hungry mice. At lunch, my friends and I crept cautiously like three spies into the Year 5/6 classroom – Murielle
Stealthily, I tip toed out of my room – Tommy
Slowly, I edged towards the door. The parcel was grey with a beautiful lilac silk bow – Summer
Just shy of dawn… As shy as a fox… Now I start my descent – Ralph
Help at home – Ask your child about some of the various ways they can begin a sentence. Can they write a short passage recounting something they have done? How can they keep the reader intrigued?
Reading
Just a reminder to please encourage your child to read at home.
10 minutes, three times a week would really help your child’s fluency and understanding. Once they have read, please sign reading records to say that they have been heard. Child should also complete an activity per week in their reading records.
Any queries, please don’t hesitate to ask.
Thank you for your support, Mr Kilner.
Living and Learning
I respect others
Respecting others is something we have been focussing on this week in Year 5 and 6, and of course it is one of our school rules – We’re respectful.
We have discussed discrimination and stereotyping and what this may look like and how the Equality Act 2010 aims to ensure that people should never suffer from these things. We have learnt a lot about our protected characteristics and children were fantastic at remembering what each one was and what it stood for.
We read about and discussed different scenarios where discrimination or stereotyping was being shown and what could be done to help others and ensure everyone is treated fairly.
- Discrimination is unfair treatment of one particular person or group of people. Usually the different treatment is because of the person’s sex, religion, nationality, ethnicity (culture), race, or other personal traits.
- Stereotype is an often unfair and untrue belief that many people have about all people or things with a particular characteristic.
Help at home – Can your child the protected characteristics?
Forest Schools Fun
This week, year 5/6 had more fun in our woodlands area with the forest schools team .
We used the resources to made rope swings, a mud kitchen and even a wishing well!
It was fantastic hearing the children articulate what they had enjoyed about the session so well.
We will be focusing on more construction and developing the mud kitchen area in the weeks to come.
Help at home: Ask your child what they enjoyed about forest schools. Can they get any inspiration from the nature around you? 
RE
Our RE topic this term is Creation or Science: Conflicting or Complimentary. We began our learning by listening to The Beginning from Genesis 1. The children drew how they interpreted the reading and wrote down 7 words to summarise their thoughts. Words included prosper, separate, love, light, rest, creation, green up.
Help at home – Ask your child what they remember about The Beginning story. What happened on the third day? What did God do on Day 7? What music do you think would complement the story? Where in the Bible can you find Genesis 1?
Forest School
Year 5 and 6 have had exceptional punctuality and attendance so far this year. As a result, they earned themselves some forest school time out of class. We explored, built, played and worked together. It was a lovely morning out in the sunshine and the children have continued to ‘wow’ us with their positive teamwork and communication.
PE
In PE this week, we have focussed on teambuilding and working together. The children really impressed with their communication and patience – it was really good to see. They had to move across the ‘lava’ only using limited resources to step on.
We have also been introduced to hockey. We have talked about where our hands go on the hockey stick. Where the left hand goes and where the right hand goes.
Help at home – Ask your child about what makes a good team player. Why is important to work as a team? Where should your hands go on a hockey stick. What do we call the lefthand? What do we call the right hand?
Living and Learning
8 Rs for learning
In our classroom this week, we have thought about how we use the 8 Rs to help us become better learners.
- risk-taking – I can ask questions and give my opinion in a group/class situation.
- reflecting – I look for feedback from my teachers and peers and think about how I can use this to improve.
- ready – I always want to learn new things.
- remembering – I find links between what I am learning and what I already know.
- responsible – I am respectful with everything (presentation, resources etc.).
- resourceful – I know where to find information and use it in my work (word walls, support sheet etc.).
- responsive – I can respond appropriately to peers and adults.
- resilient – I stick at things even when they are difficult and do not give up; I stay positive.
Children were able to give ways that they could use the 8 Rs in their daily school life and challenge themselves to display an attribute that they feel they do not show enough of.
Help at home – Can your child remember the 8 Rs at home? Can they give examples of how they would display each?