Can you believe that we have been in school for two whole terms already? For those of you in Year 2, there is only one term of the infants left, until you join the ‘Land of the Giants!’ No need to worry though – we can see that the children are getting ready now and we have lots of exciting activities planned for next term, to help make the transition easy. The year ones are equally as excited at the prospect of being the ‘older ones’! Anyway, more about ‘moving on’ at a later date...let’s enjoy the end of this term and look forward to a hard working summer term!
We still have a few assessments to complete this week with the children, but suffice it to say, we are thrilled with how much the children have come on, particularly in numeracy. Your support at home has been very evident through the comments we have received through the traffic lights on the homework and thank you very much for this.
We are having a real push on reading, as you are aware from gauging the percentage of parental comments that we receive in the diaries each week. Last week did see a bit of dip, but we are back on track again – 95% of the Year 1 children across all three classes had a comment in the diaries! This is fantastic, particularly since there has been so much sickness about this week! The Year 2’s were a little lower, with 75%, but we seem to have started a bit of a competition...the children are trying to see which class can score the highest percentage before the holidays! We will let you know how we get on with this!
Why not try these ideas over the holidays...
Help your child to read when you haven't got a book.
At breakfast time Look at the words on cereal packets, milk and fruit juice cartons. Get them to see how many words they can make out of the letters.
Going to the shops Some shops still have a sign over the door that says what they sell. Can your child put the words together with what's in the window (hairdressers, shoes, and so on)?
Look in the papers If your child recognises a famous face (e.g. a footballer or a TV star) it will make them want to try to read the story.
In the streets You'll see advertising posters and place names.
In the shops Your child can help you find things in the supermarket by reading out what's in the aisles.
Videos and DVDs Video boxes usually tell you the story. Get your child to read what's on the box as well as just watching the film.
On a bus or train trip Place names on the front of the bus or train, posters on the bus or tube. Even the ticket is worth reading to a child.
Look at holiday brochures together Help your child read about other places
Unpacking the shopping Your child can read the words on your groceries while helping you put things away.
Some CDs and tapes have song words printed on them Your child will probably find it easier to follow words if they hear them at the same time.
You will have noticed that I managed to develop my own ICT skills last week and put a voting question on the blog!! The results of which, were that you decided to keep the homework the way that it is already – given out on TUESDAYS to be returned on MONDAYS. Thank you for this.
So, what have we got planned for this week?
Frog chorus
The children have been working on their frog dances to show the life cycle of a frog. They are bursting at the seams to show it to each other, so they will be putting on a show during this week’s PE times, complete with frog masks!
Easter celebrations
As we are in school for most of Holy Week, we shall be devoting our time to the important Easter celebrations. The children are VERY excited about the prospect of the Easter Bunny arriving, so they can eat copious amounts of chocolate, but we will be reminding them about the true meaning of Easter.
They will be sequencing the Easter Story, using illustrations as prompts for their writing. Some children do get a little upset when we talk about the death of Jesus, but I assure you, we do handle it very sensitively and the children do appreciate us not shying away from these issues. There are a number of websites below to support you at home to help explain the story to your child, along with some lovely activities to try.
On the night before his death Jesus had a final meal with his friends. This meal was one of the festival meals for Passover. Before the meal Jesus did something which surprised his friends. He washed the feet of every person, a task which was normally done by a servant. By doing this he wanted to show his followers that they should love one another in humble ways. We shall be re-enacting this with the children on Wednesday, which is a lovely way of bringing some elements of the story to life for them.
http://www.topmarks.co.uk/christianity/easter/easter.htm - this is an illustrated version of the story, which will help the children when they come to write their own versions this
week
http://www.topmarks.co.uk/Easter/Easter.aspx - find out more about the traditions surrounding Easter. If you do some of the activities, then we would love to see them!
http://www.ngfl-cymru.org.uk/vtc/ngfl/re/b-dag/ngfl-container/re-unit2-en.html - some lovely activities on here. The think and discuss section is a great way of working on the children’s comprehension of the story, particularly developing their inference and deduction skills.
http://www.teachingandlearningresources.co.uk/resourcesjigsaws.shtml -online jigsaws for the children to do.
http://www.teachingandlearningresources.co.uk/colourbookeaster.shtml - printable Easter colouring activities.
http://demo.iboard.co.uk/screens/thread_home.htm?thread_id=21 - a lovely website with lots of fantastic things to do.
Easter Bonnets
On Thursday afternoon, we will be having our annual Easter bonnet parade. The prizes are awarded for originality AND evidence of the children’s own work.
Egg Rolling
This will take place on Wednesday afternoon. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE remember that the eggs need to be hard – boiled, and, as they will break during the rolling of them, the children will not be able to bring them home.
Easter Service
The Easter Service will take place at 9am on Thursday in the hall. Space is very limited in the hall, but you are welcome to join us.
Fundraising afternoon
Last week the Year ¾ children and staff held a fundraising afternoon and the children thoroughly enjoyed it. This Tuesday, sees the turn of the Year 5/6 children. It would be helpful if the children could bring in their loose change in a sealed, named envelope or purse. Many thanks for this.
All that is left to say, is to thank all of you for your support this term and to wish you all a very happy and holy Easter.
Year ½ team
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