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?
Our new sensory space; The Den
Over the summer, Mrs Freeman has been busy creating a sensory themed room in school.
The Den is a safe space which aims to provide any child with the individualised sensory input they need to self-regulate so they can be better prepared for learning and interacting with others.
The Den offers a safe space for relaxation, exploration, independence, and social sessions. The resources in The Den can be used to stimulate, soothe, entertain and distract, depending on the child’s requirements.
We would like to say thank you to the school PTA for the contributions towards resources for this room.
We hope users of The Den benefit from the stimulating visual and tactile activities.
Welcome back!
We’ve had a positive first week in Year 5/6. The children have already been fantastic role models to the rest of the school; always being respectful, ready and safe.
We have met our Reception buddies and we have enjoyed helping the younger children settle in to St James’ – it has been wonderful to see how responsible and caring the children are.
Here are a few things to note:
- Mr Kilner – class teacher
- Mrs Bald and Mr Smith – teaching assistants
- Miss Gledhill – classroom support and interventions (Monday and Friday)
- PE – Tuesday and Wednesday (please dress your child in their PE clothes on these days)
- Library – Monday
Please ensure your child brings a water bottle to school every day and healthy snacks for playtime (if required).
During PE, the children are not permitted to wear earrings. Please can you ensure these have been removed prior to attending school on PE days. Long hair needs to be tied back also.
Children have been provided with a reading record book. Please hear your child read through the week and encourage them to complete one of the activities listed in their reading record.
If you have any concerns or questions, please either speak to me at the end of the school day or make an appointment via the school office.
Mr Kilner
Living and Learning
At the start of our new academic year, it is important we refresh our school rules. Year 5 and Year 6 understand why we have school rules and can say why they are important. We discussed why we have rules (not just in school).
Our school rules:
- We’re ready
- We’re respectful
- We’re safe
Children spoke about and gave examples of what our school would look like if everyone followed the school rules. Our children were also keen to share with their new Reception Buddies. Well done everyone!
Living and learning: RSE, boundaries and consent.
Over the past few weeks, years 5 and 6 have been learning about relationships and sex education. The pupils have taken to this unit incredibly well, offering up a variety of questions and ensuring the classroom is a safe space, comfortable space for all children to feel happy, healthy and safe. Children have left these sessions feeling much more aware and informed of how their bodies may change as they grow older, particularly through puberty. We have used an ‘Ask-it Basket’ to allow children to write anonymous questions at any point, so that they feel comfortable knowing all the answers they need as they grow.
We have also touched on relationships in other lessons, too. Our reading fluency focussed on boundaries and consent, using the book ‘Respect’ by Rachel Brian. The children understood and felt comfortable knowing that not all boundaries are the same for everyone, and it’s ok to make your own limitations as you are the one in charge of your body.
Help at home:
Check in with your child and ask about their learning during their relationships and sex education lessons. Allow your child to ask any questions that they may be unsure of/uncomfortable with, particularly around puberty. Ask your child whether they are happy with the relationships they have formed in their lives, and perhaps make up some scenarios where boundaries might change (use the image above to help).
Pie Corbett (Wings) inspired writing
In our reading sessions, years 5 and 6 have been practising our reading fluency, using the poem ‘wings’ by Pie Corbett. In this poem (below), Pie Corbett uses his senses to influence his ideas on what he would do if he were to have wings.
The children were really inspired by his work, so we decided to create our own versions of the poem. We still focussed on our senses to guide our writing. Have a look at some of our fantastic pieces below!
