: Blog items
Happy new year!, by Mrs Thomson
Date: 8th Jan 2023 @ 10:23pm
Happy new year!
It has been lovely to see all the children back together and Mrs. Morrison and I both commented that they have all grown so much over the break.
The giraffes have had lots of talking and listening time this week as they had a lot of news they wanted to share. We have celebrated our first birthday this year.
Our new class topic is ‘Amazing Animals’. We listened to a story about a lonely penguin and then looked on maps at where many penguins live. We did an experiment with water and talked about their habitats.
We have used paint, charcoal, chalks and pastels this week to create penguins. Next week we will be mixing paints and colours to create cold, winter colours.
The children have been revisiting their phonics this week. I would be very grateful if you could also do the same at home. Your wallets should have all of the sounds in to do this.
Thank you for your ongoing support with reading.
Please send in any small cardboard or plastic containers that you have finished with. We will be using them in our water play.
Thank you
First week back, by Mrs Pratten
Date: 8th Jan 2023 @ 4:56pm
The Lions settled back to school really well and enjoyed starting their new topcs, science -describing animals and Geography - learning about the world and the 7 continents.
We also recapped our shape work, naming, describing and sorting 3D shapes.
Dont forget to complete a project which will be shared on parents evenings, coming up later this half term. They can be last half terms learning, the seasons, Longton or this half terms learning,outlined on the attached subject organiser for Spring 1.
I have attached some badges for you to complete at home too, book worm, bake off and scientist. Complete the tasks and return to school for me to check and tick off. You can then order your badge at the office.
A big thank you from myself and Mrs Regan for our lovely Christmas gifts, we both feel very spoilt and it is not expected but much appreciated, so thank you very much.
As always please do speak to us about any queries / concerns you may have.
Hope everyone has a Happy and Healthy 2023.?
Spring 1
Amazing DT, by Mrs Fletcher
Date: 4th Jan 2023 @ 8:58pm
After many hours planning and building the children have completed theuir DT task to design and build a playground. There are some amazing structures showing great design and build skills. Well done Meerkats.
Christmas Week., by Mrs Thomson
Date: 22nd Dec 2022 @ 6:13pm
A great final week in school! Christmas parties, visits from Santa, Christmas story massage, the carol service in church and even a visit from the Grinch.
The giraffes still managed to fit in time to learn new sounds, make a huge paper chain decorated with reasons why they are all special and unique as well as unpacking our home corner when it ‘moved house’.
I wish all the giraffes and their families a very happy Christmas. See you all in 2023!
One last message - a huge thank you for all the beautiful cards and gifts which were sent to Mrs. Morrison and I. They were a lovely surprise.
Christmas Fun, by Mrs Fletcher
Date: 15th Dec 2022 @ 8:41pm
The Meerkats have been having a lot of Christmas fun over the last couple of days. It was lovely to see so many of the tribe join us for Breakfast with Santa.
This afternoon the Christmas Party was great fun. Smiling faces all round and spectacular dance moves from so many Meerkats who have been hididng their talents !
Christmas Party Fun, by Mrs Catterall
Date: 13th Dec 2022 @ 10:18pm
Shape - maths, by Mrs Catterall
Date: 13th Dec 2022 @ 10:15pm
Christmas dinner, by Mrs Catterall
Date: 13th Dec 2022 @ 10:10pm
parliament week, by Mrs Catterall
Date: 13th Dec 2022 @ 10:06pm
Spelling, by Mrs Catterall
Date: 13th Dec 2022 @ 10:00pm
Dance, by Mrs Catterall
Date: 13th Dec 2022 @ 9:57pm
History, by Mrs Catterall
Date: 13th Dec 2022 @ 9:53pm
This half term we have been learning all about World War Two.
Party Time!, by Mrs Thomson
Date: 13th Dec 2022 @ 9:47pm
The giraffes had a great time at the Christmas party this afternoon and they were delighted to see Father Christmas.
They all got to play games, sing and dance. The giraffes seem to be enjoying singing and dancing - have you been told about our class disco corner? The children requested music to dance to and a microphone so that they can sing their favourite songs.
Our home corner has been up for sale and the children are getting ready to move house this week in our classroom.
All busy busy!
Remembrance Day, by Mrs Catterall
Date: 13th Dec 2022 @ 9:46pm
Party party, by Mrs Pratten
Date: 13th Dec 2022 @ 3:36pm
We had a fabulous party this afternoon.Lots of dancing, singing and games and of course...a visit from Father Christmas. A big thank you to the Y6 DJ’s they were fantastic ?
The week before Christmas, by Mr Pearson
Date: 12th Dec 2022 @ 9:22am
On Monday, we started off by doing a spelling test of last week’s words which were tolerable, toleration, irreplaceable, salvageable, changeable, noticeable, forcible, possible, incredible and probable.Afterwards we practised our new words for the week. After break, we did Maths and learnt how to make equal fractions by changing the denominator and numerator, we did it with our trainee teacher called Miss McGowan. After lunch, we completed our History and our adverts for Baghdad and London. In assembly, the Heads Team announced the certificates and team points and attendance were also announced.
On Tuesday, we started the day by doing times table rockstars to help us learn our times tables. After playtime we did Maths with Ms McGowen and then after lunch we went to the pantomime, Jack and The Beanstalk. It was great and so funny, we also got to join in with it.
On Wednesday, we started off with Times Table rockstars. After break, we did Maths and learnt how to add fractions within 1. After lunch, we sang along to the Christmas carols for the service and then we watched a film as it was Christmas dinner and jumper day.
On Thursday, we started off with practising our spellings which are afterwards, immediately, earlier, eventually previously, finally, recently, yesterday, tomorrow and whilst. After lunch, we learnt how to add 3 or more fractions. We went on times table rockstars as some people went to sing at Church for the over 50’s.
On Friday, we started off with French and learnt how to write about our families and learnt some new connectives. After break we did computing and learnt how to edit and film our videos which was lots of fun. Next, we did Music and practised the Christmas Carols for the service.Then we did a few tests for what lesson we like the most, computing and then we did a Science test so Mr Pearson can see if we need to go over a few things again.
Christmas is coming, by Mrs Fletcher
Date: 9th Dec 2022 @ 2:59pm
It has certainly begun to feel very Christmassy this week. The classroom tree is up and the advent calendar is being emptied. A large number of the class enjoyed their Christmas dinner on Wednesday.
The highlight of he week was the trip to Bolton to see the panto. The Meerkats all had fun joining in with the shouting, singing and dancing.
Learning has continued with us finishing off our work on Shakespeare and fractions in English and maths.
Lots more Christmas activities to look forward to next week with our party, breakfast with Santa, the carol service and card and calendar making. Oh and ofcourse lots of learning in all of our other subjects too.
Have a lovely weekend everyone.
Christmas lunch., by Mrs Thomson
Date: 7th Dec 2022 @ 9:17pm
Today started with a walk on the field to crunch on the frosty grass. We also revisited our work on shadows by creating shapes and shadows on the field.
We have been working very hard on our phonics and we will keep revisiting our sounds in class and also in our new reading books.
Just a reminder that the book listed first in your record book is linked to the phonics we are learning. It will seem a little tricky so it may help to use the book with the new sound cards which will come home tomorrow. This way your child can be a detective looking out for our sounds the first time they visit their new book.
The second book is a book your child has chosen. It is closely linked to their stage of reading but may have unfamiliar names in.
Please continue using your sound cards at home. Over the last few weeks the children have learnt that two letters can make one sound.
Christmas lunch was a lovely treat today. The children enjoyed their dinner, the crackers and the music in the hall.
Christmas dinner!, by Mrs Pratten
Date: 7th Dec 2022 @ 4:27pm
Baaarmy Bethlehem!, by Mrs Thomson
Date: 5th Dec 2022 @ 9:54pm
We hope that you enjoyed the Christmas Play. The children enjoyed their rehearsals and worked so hard on their singing and dancing.
Last week saw more creative skills with the children creating their own ‘Kandinsky’ piece of art using squares and circles. They are beautiful and will be coming home soon.
On Thursday and Friday we made puppets to use in our shadow play. We have been learning about light and dark which also links to our maths and science work.
On a Friday afternoon the children have drama with Mr. Sumner. I am sure they have told you lots about the acting and games they enjoy doing.
Congratulations to our star readers from last week! Children who are able to read each day have their names put in a box for taking Dash bear home for the weekend. Please do not feel you have to complete eaxtra work by writing in the diary. The children asked for a book so they could draw a picture of Dash to show on the Monday morning.
Whoever left the elf today could you please make sure you take it home tomorrow! When everyone had gone home I left the room for two minutes to come back to chaos with our genius gems!!
Nativity fun, by Mrs Pratten
Date: 3rd Dec 2022 @ 10:58am
A very proud teacher would like to say a massive well done to the fabulous Lions. The performance on Thursday was f a n t a s t i c ! The speaking, acting, singing and dancing were amazing - well done!
W/B 28th November, by Mr Pearson
Date: 2nd Dec 2022 @ 1:56pm
Monday started off with phonics and we learnt the sound ure so we had to write down 10 words that had the sound ure in them.Next we did spelling and tested on last week's spellings which are adorable, adorably, adoration, applicable, application, considerable, considerably and consideration. After playtime we did maths. In maths we did improper fractions to mixed numbers. We practised on how to use our times tables to our advantage. Next we did English and highlighted key information in Mowgli’s Brothers-Extract 3 then wrote it down in our books.In the afternoon, we compared London and Baghdad and saw that Baghdad had much better living conditions than London. For the assembly we had a certificate assembly where team points were announced, attendance was announced and people were congratulated for their accomplishments.
On Tuesday morning, we practised improper fractions to mixed numbers and how to find equal fractions accurately. Before lunch, we did english and converted drama into direct speech from an extract, that wasn’t punctuated correctly, from the jungle book.After lunch. We collected facts from various videos about the planets in science,next we did about the 8 phases of the moon and drew them on a diagram.
On Wednesday we spent before playtime watching the reception and year one's nativity and enjoyed it lots.Next we did maths and we focused on improper fractions and their equal fractions, after we read a text on the board, it was about the jungle book and found lots of new information. In the afternoon we decorated and designed calendars for 2023 either on computers or by hand. It was the singing assembly and practised Away In A Manger and the sign language to it,we also practised starry night and its actions.
On Thursday morning we practised the er sound and wrote lots of words containing er for example: counter, teacher, butter, caterpillar, permission and toleration.After break, we looked at number patterns and how to tell which out of fractions is the largest. Next we did English and answered three sets of questions about Rikki Tikki Tavi the mongoose and his adventures. Straight after lunch we did DT and learnt what ingredients are needed for a spaghetti bolognese and wrote them down in our books as well as how to cook it. We had a special assembly about The Grinch and how you can give gifts that don’t cost anything for Christmas.
To start off Friday we did French and learnt some new words like She is =elle est and he is = il est. Next we did computing and filmed some fabulous videos about online safety. After that, we did Music and learnt how to improvise on the glockenspiel and even made our own.In the afternoon we finished some that we started last week, wonderful writing about the invisible man in a green hoodie.
Evie and Eve (Elephant bloggers)
Shakespeare continues to impress, by Mrs Fletcher
Date: 30th Nov 2022 @ 9:40pm
Enthusiasm for the works of Mr Shakespeare continue to go down well with the children. Great fun has been had this week looking at words we use today that first appeared in Shakespeares plays. Idioms, figurative speech has also proved to be lots of fun.
In maths the children are getting to grips with fractions- they have worked so hard this term, adding, subtracting, multiplying and dividing fractions. Knowing theur multiplication tables has really helped.
DT work saw glue guns and lollipop sticks being used this afternoon as the class started to build elements of their mini play grounds.
Christmas has also arrived as we have started to learn somngs forr the carol service.
Thinking ahead we have also started to learn the songs for our end of yeear show !
Enterprise success, by Mr Pearson
Date: 30th Nov 2022 @ 2:25pm
The Elephant tribe held a successful enterprise event in November. The children chose a space themed biscuit sale linked to our science topic.
Chocolate was melted and biscuits dipped and decorated.
A design team made posters and the accounting team worked out how much to sell them while making a profit.
We actually sold out of biscuits and had to make a second batch.
A profit of £80 was made.
Big thank you to Mrs Doherty and her daughter Ella who made the prototype biscuits.
Week Beginning 21st November, by Mr Pearson
Date: 30th Nov 2022 @ 1:51pm
On Monday we did some spelling in the morning and we got some new words which we practised every day. These words include: adorable, adorably, adoration, applicable, applicably, application, considerable, considerably and consideration. After playtime we did some maths and learnt 2 digit by 2 digit multiplication and lots of us found it quite difficult though some of us could do it. To finish off the morning we did English and learnt some amazing adverbs to describe our verbs, adjectives and other adverbs. We had lots of fun confidently writing our own detailed sentences containing adverbs. In the afternoon we completed our history, which was to finish off drawing Baghdad and writing some I writing describing Baghdad’s distinctive features.
On Tuesday we practised our spelling word by doing the pyramid and box techniques, these spellings got stuck in our heads and we won’t forget them for a long time. After break, we learnt how to work out 3 digits by 2 digits. Our times table skills helped us a lot doing this method. In English we recapped adverbs because we weren’t using them enough in our writing. In the afternoon, we learnt some scientific facts about the 8 planets in our solar system, this was very fascinating especially when we pretended to be planets outside and which planets take longer to orbit the sun, we found out that Neptune takes longest to orbit the sun because it is furthest away from the sun.
On Wednesday, we did the same spelling as Tuesday, however in maths we did 3 digits by 3 digits, our multiplication skills are improving a lot. In english we wrote a story about being imprisoned on an island in the middle of nowhere and how we survived there. After lunch we went to the church for a celebration assembly.
On Thursday we did spelling in the morning then in maths Mr Pearson demonstrated 264X232 and in English we wrote about Kipling’s style why things in the jungle book are how they are.
On Friday we did, before playtime, French and learnt about our family. After playtime, we did computing and learnt about features about an effective video and some of us filmed videos.
Then we did music and sang livin on a prayer. After lunch, we wrote a story, about an invisible man in a green hoodie, in our writing books.
Eve and Evie Y5