Lostock Gralam C of E Primary School
Goldfinches: Blog items
Friday 24th April, by Mrs Evans
Date: 24th Apr 2020 @ 8:39am
Friday 24th April
Hello Goldfinches - I send happy Friday and Hot chocolate thoughts to you all.
What are you doing this weekend? Over the Easter Weekend my little team made a den in the living room and camped in it for three nights! They loved it and because it is still so warm, we are getting the tent out after our school work is done and sleeping in it this weekend.
Yesterday we added 4 more moves to our garden circuit -we magpie the moves we like from Joe Wicks. I ended up doing the last circuit by myself whilst the children snuck back indoors ! (I enjoyed it though!) What are you doing for your daily exercise today?
Great Fire of London: Toby, Lola and I watched the London Fire Brigade Museum clip about the Great Fire of London. Toby remembered lots of facts after learning about it in Y1. Give it a go...How much can you remember and recall from studying it in Year 2?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h3IUJp9dHGw&t=16s (It is only about 6 minutes long)
Which plants were which? ...... The reveal....
A = Pea B = Bean and C = Pumpkin. Well done if you had a go at guessing.
School Jobs today:
Maths: Have a go at the third ISEEMATHS home learning lesson for Y3/4. Continue with the next lesson (Wednesday 25th March) http://www.iseemaths.com/lessons34/
Spelling: Chalk your spellings outside or make your own spelling doodle for this week’s words. Ask an adult in your house to test you on your spellings. Perhaps you could test them!
Water Cycle: How is your water cycle coming along? Have you looked at all of the links on the weekly timetable to help you? Here ther are again as a reminder:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/topics/zkgg87h/articles/z3wpp39
OAK NATIONAL ACADEMY: This week I have been looking at the resources provided by 'The National Academy' (These are lessons on line taught by teachers- a bit like the ISEEMATHs. It is organised into year groups and subjects. Today, Lola and I are going to try out the Y4 SPAG lesson and see how we like it. Here is the link if you want to give it a go.
https://www.thenational.academy/year-4/english/spag-focus-expanded-noun-phrases-year-4-wk1-4/
Have a great learning and playing day today all of you and enjoy your weekend. I'll let you know how camping went on Monday. S
Stay Safe, Stay at Home and Be Respectful
Miss you all,
Mrs Evans 
Message from Mrs Powell:
“Three things in human life are important: the first is to be kind; the second is to be kind, and the third is to be kind.” – Henry James
What have you done that is kind? What could you do today that is kind? Could you take a picture and put it on Twitter so we can all be kind like you.
Remember what you are doing is amazing and we are so proud of you. If you can, have a hot chocolate today. If not, have a cup of anything you like to drink and remember how very special we think you are! “I think we dream so we don’t have to be apart for so long. If we’re in each other’s dreams, we can be together all the time.”
Thursday 23rd April, by Mrs Evans
Date: 21st Apr 2020 @ 1:40pm
Thursday 23rd April
Good morning Goldfinches.
Yesterday our Birthday Girl had a lovely day- she will probably never have another birthday quite like this year's but this is one to look back on in the future.
Last weekend, we watched Wall-E (again) I love this film and it also has such a powerful message about looking after our world- something that I know you Goldfinches are amazing at! What can you do to help our world? Can you do the recycling? Can you care for a pet or garden creatures? Can you make bird feeders? (I loved seeing Gabriel's idea on Twitter)
Our Beans, Peas and Pumpkins are growing well outside with the cage of sticks to protect them from the pigeons. However, just to make sure, Amelie made a scarecrow for extra defence! So far, so good! How are your seedlings coming on?
This is Wilson- our Bean, Pea and Pumpkin protector!
This is our Bean (sorry for sideways pic- another School spider glitch!!)
This is our pea
and our pumpkin.
School jobs:
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Times Tables: Look at the loop card game (attached) for the 7 x table. Can you make your own version for the 9x table? You just need some scrap rectangles of paper or card. |
Writing: Write the explanation for your Water Cycle. Include the key words in it. Make labels for each part of your diagram. Think about the order of your writing. What comes first? Imagine you are explaining to a younger child from Year 2 or 3 who has never heard of the water cycle. Write clearly so they can understand. I have attached an example explanation text and a link to help parents to help you. https://www.theschoolrun.com/what-is-an-explanation-text
Have a great day- be cool, calm and kind
Mrs Evans
Message from Mrs Powell:
Never give up on what you really want to do. The person with big dreams is more powerful than one with all the facts.” – Albert Einstein
What do you really want to do? What are your dreams? Remember you can do anything. Keep dreaming and if you want, tell someone all about it!
Wednesday 22nd April, by Mrs Evans
Date: 21st Apr 2020 @ 9:07am
Wednesday 22nd April
Hello to my lovely Goldfinches
Today is a really special day in the Evans’ house as it is Lola's 9th Birthday! We are having a very different type of party. We have organised a WhatsApp quiz with members of our family and friends we can’t celebrate with and a Zoom meeting with her school friends. We decided she is like the Queen and can have 2 birthdays this year so she can celebrate with her school friends when we can all see each other again.
Lego challenge: When it was raining last Saturday, Amelie and Toby did another Lego challenge: They made a new set for a new Star Wars Movie!
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New Skills: Lola is fab at wiping the surfaces down in the kitchen, Amelie is learning how to use the washing machine and Toby is learning to put all his own clothes away in his cupboard! I'm learning all about Zoom and also learned to tune a violin yesterday! What little things could you do to help out at home or what new skills can you learn?
Maths:
Did you have a go at the 1st I SEE MATHS lesson? How did you get on? Today’s task is to try the next lesson (Tuesday 24th March) http://www.iseemaths.com/lessons34/
Spelling:
If you haven't already, find out the meanings of your words to help you with the Water Cycle task. You could say or write sentences for each spelling word.
Geography: If you liked the name the continents game....
Before the Easter Holidays I challenged you to remind yourself of the 7 continents and 5 oceans of the world. Today can you use the same game to name countries in Europe? When you get to the link click options, choose 10 or 25 to start with and only have the Europe option on (in green and deselect the others to grey) I realised I am not very good at all at European countries so I used the 'skip' option a lot to begin with. You might need a google maps tab open too to help you with some of the really tricky ones. (I did!!) There is also an option to just choose West Europe to start with to make it easier again. https://world-geography-games.com/countries_world.html
Remember in class we have located: Greece, Italy, Switzerland, Germany, France, Spain, Portugal, Ireland and United Kingdom these would be great to refresh and also to be ready for Y5 to locate the Scandinavian countries.
Have a wonderful day Goldfinches. I'm going to spend some special time with my Birthday Girl now!
Mrs Evans x
Message from Mrs Powell:
“If you have good thoughts, they will shine out of your face like sunbeams and you will always look lovely.” – Roald Dahl
I love this and I love all of your smiles! When you think kind things, you spread that kindness for everyone to see. Tell someone special, three of your kind thoughts.
Tuesday 21st April, by Mrs Evans
Date: 21st Apr 2020 @ 8:31am
Tuesday 21st April
Good morning Goldfinches,
Wie Gehts? (How are you)
During the holidays, we did our own Lego challenge. We made the Evans' version of Chester Zoo with a mixture of Lego and Play Mobile. We even used masking tape to mark out the paths. Toby made sure there was a burger van for our snacks, Lola hung ropes for the chimps to climb and Amelie made an Ice Cream Van. We had great fun making this!
I wonder what you could make?
How are you feeling at the moment? Remember the importance of exercise for helping you feel better and the importance of relaxing to music (like we do in school) Have you tried Cosmic Yoga yet? https://www.youtube.com/user/CosmicKidsYoga
Times Tables: 9 X table
I will give you a times table to focus on each week with linked games/activities/worksheets. Please continue to play on TTRock Stars and TopMarks Hit The Button for practise with mixed tables.
https://www.timestables.co.uk/9-times-table.html 9 x table games
Reading:
I have signed up for the First News online so have attached it as I know lots of you love reading this in class. Enjoy! Also I have attached a Water Cycle reading activity to help you with this week’s project.
How are you getting on with the books you chose from our classroom? Don't forget the importance of just curling up with a book and disapperaing into a new world!
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Have a wonderful day today. Mrs Evans
Message from Mrs Powell:
“The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more you learn, the more places you’ll go!” – Dr Seuss
What could you read today? It could be singing songs or reading something about a sport you love; things to read are everywhere. Go on - read anything!
Monday 20th April, by Mrs Evans
Date: 1st Apr 2020 @ 3:01pm
Monday 20th April
Hello Team Goldfinch
It’s lovely to be back with you and I hope you had as much fun as possible this Easter. I have loved seeing some of the things you have Tweeted or e-mailed me.
In my house, we have been enjoying different ways of staying fit: Joe Wicks, Go Noodle, 5-A-Day, running, walking, cycling and the latest: we all write 2 exercises on different pieces of scrap card, put them out in the garden and make our own circuit course with 30 seconds per activity. (The mountain climbers are my biggest challenge!)
We have also enjoyed some garden pamper time with cucumber over our eyes and soaking our feet! Bliss! The girls even gave me rainbow painted toenails!
Over the past week we finished our Food Web which we are really proud of… we just ran out of string to link up the last few animals. (I wonder whether you could see which ones we still need to string together)
School Jobs:
Weekly guide: (attached as 'Summer 1: Weekly plan and resources)
This week I have set a weekly guide again with focus areas to work on. I have changed it slightly (to hopefully be more manageable) with one project as a topic focus which the writing activities are linked to. I’m going to set a different one each week- but this might take longer than a week and there are no deadlines to any of this work. As always- do what is right for you, when it is right for you. The most important thing is calm, happy children.
Maths:
I have trialed the I SEE Maths with both of my girls (Y4 and Y6) and really like it. Gareth does the teaching for you and you don’t need to print anything off. My girls just recorded any working out in their work books. There are even answers provided and the video link guides you through the process and how to record it. I would highly recommend starting at the beginning (Mon 23rd March) as the lessons follow on from each other and recap. We have been doing a lesson every other day (ish) Give it a go and see how you get on. http://www.iseemaths.com/lessons34/
Spelling: (attached)
I am going to set the weekly spelling lists that you are used to sticking in your diaries each week. (you don’t need to print them) and each week I will include ideas of how to practise them. Sometimes they will be a recap of spelling patterns we have already covered and sometimes they might be topic linked. Remember you have loads of ideas about how to practise your spellings.
Topic Focus: Water Cycle
See attached timetable and attachments for all the links, resources and ideas. This is a topic that you might do a little bit of over different days. It might take a week, it might take longer- it really doesn't matter. My timetable guide might help you to organise how to split up the activities.
Finally for today: Parents this is a card a very good friend of mine sent me a few years ago. I keep it on my noticeboard to make me smile and thought you would like it too!
Stay strong... you are doing an amazing job.
Missing you lots and looking forward to blogging tomorrow,
Mrs Evans x
Message from Mrs Powell:
When you talk, you are only repeating something you know. But if you listen, you may learn something new.” – Dalai Lama
What have you learnt from someone around you? On our daily walk, I found out that my daughter is an expert on windfarms. What could you learn from someone? What could you teach someone?
Monday 6th April, by Mrs Evans
Date: 1st Apr 2020 @ 9:40am
Hello Goldfinches,
I hope you all enjoyed a wonderful weekend. In my house we began to start thinking about Easter and talked about the Easter story together whilst some Easter decorations and deciding who to make cards for this year as we won't be seeing anyone. I followed Mrs Brennan's link (last fri Blog) How to Blow Eggs guide and managed to successfully blow some eggs ready for decorating for the first time ever! We've been out in the garden lots again and finding quiet places with not many people for walks and bikerides. We have been listening to audible stories (which are free while schools are shut) for a bit of chill out time. Amelie is getting in to 'The Girl Who Walked on Air' Do you remember doing a little extract of this during guided reading one week? Check out Mrs O'Marah's book reccomendations thiw week on Twitter too.
Our seeds are rapidly growing now and are looking like they are ready to plant outside soon. Which of you green fingered Goldfinches can help me to work out which seeling is which? I will add these photos to Twitter and you can tell me what you think on there please! Remember I planted Pumpkins, Peas and Beans.
Over the next 2 weeks we are going to be focussing as a whole school on Easter and, very importantly, having the chance to relax.
If you still would like things to do and have been enjoying the projects I have set for you then please continue to work on your volcanoes, river research and artwork, habitats and food chains, webs and work in your Home Learning Pack. I have added resources and links to the Week 3 timetable and to the Goldfinch Class Page in case you need any of them. I have loved seeing all of the things you have been doing at home over the last few weeks. Please keep posting on Twitter if you would like to share any of the things you are enjoying doing/have achieved.
Remember the Lego and Drawing challenges are on the Goldfinch class page too!
Much love to you all- keep up the great work and have fun, be polite and resepectful and stay safe at home. I will Blog again next week so bye for now.
Mrs Evans 
xx
Easter Break Home Learning- message from the Lostock Team
As a school, we have decided that the daily blogs will not continue through the Easter holidays. We think it’s important you all have a break from this kind of learning and instead play, bake, garden, spend time together and relax!
Here are some ideas for home learning ideas that you could do over the two week break, if you’d like!
Week 1
Reading
Continue with some form of daily reading – you reading to your child, your child reading to you or whole-family reading time! Maybe you could try listening to some audio books on https://stories.audible.com/start-listen. They are free for as long as schools are closed!
Zoo Visit
Go on a virtual visit to Chester Zoo with your family. On 27th March, Chester Zoo held a virtual zoo day where the live streamed footage from different enclosures around the zoo. Relive this experience by visiting the Chester Zoo YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZ9UagJLiMdBIFOHYwT7eLA
Easter Project
Remind yourself of the Easter story on YouTube using the following links:
What is Easter? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MK2o-mhBfuc&list=PLcvEcrsF_9zK0q_Ey3yl7k5LA5v1M7NNs&index=28&t=0s
The Easter Story https://www.topmarks.co.uk/easter/easterstory.aspx
Events of Good Friday https://www.truetube.co.uk/film/last-supper-2014
Easter Project: Activities you could have a go at this week:
Make an Easter card for your family or friends using colour to show the symbolic meaning of the story. Use bright, happy colours to represent the happiness that Jesus came back to life and a small amount of dark colour (a cross possibly) to show the sadness from the story too.
Enjoy!
Friday 3rd April, by Mrs Evans
Date: 31st Mar 2020 @ 8:34pm
Good morning Goldfinches and Happy Friday!
I feel like this week has passed pretty quickly.
Yesterday my children had another go at the ISEEMaths online lessons and they enjoyed them. We did some mapping work to go with our projects- Toby found out where different types of seals live and drew them on the world map, Lola has been finding out about the endangered Pangolin and used maps to locate their habitats and Amelie has been researching the Mayan civilisation so used maps to locate where in the world they used to live. We all enjoyed playing the World-geography-game.com to help us too. (I have attached some maps in case you would like any for your rivers or volcanoes reserach.
Message from Mrs Brennan:
I would like you to have a look at the Eco schools page for their links to eco school at home
https://www.eco-schools.org.uk/
She also says...
"On the same side as our church but further up the road there are free range hen and goose eggs available for £2 or £3 per box for sale at the small holding that also have rescue pigs. Lostock Gralam Hollows on Birches Lane. Great for bolwing and decorating!"
www.bbcgoodfood.com/howto/guide/how-blow-eggs
School Jobs:
Science: This is a great video to watch to help you learn about food chains and food webs. There is also a powerpoint presentation (with another great video embedded) and activity sheet attached today.
Maths: How are your times tables going? Are you climbing the TTRockstars Leaderboard? How about setting yourself a times table grid challenge today?
How good are you now at telling the time? Have a go at working through another time activity today.
Have a great day all of you and enjoy a relaxing weekend (fingers crossed for some warmth and sun!
Mrs Evans
Message from Mrs Powell
“You will never have this day again. So make it count”
Good morning children, It may not feel like it but we are all very lucky to have each other. What are you going to do today to make it different from yesterday, we never get today again. What will you do today? How will you use it? Will you draw a picture? Do some PE? Help someone at home? I’m keeping a diary so that I can remember how I made each day count, could you?
Stay safe and remember this: “I think we dream so we don’t have to be apart for so long. If we’re in each other’s dreams, we can be together all the time.”
Thursday 2nd April, by Mrs Evans
Date: 31st Mar 2020 @ 8:33pm
Guten Tag Goldfinches,
Hope you had a good day yesterday.
For the past few days, my little team have been beginning to understand that 'Many hands make light work' (My Gran says this all of the time) They are all helping out around the house more: making beds, sweeping, wiping the kitchen surfaces, vacuuming, and tidying up. It is such a help and makes me feel so much better than if I had to do it all on my own. I know how much help you Goldfinches can be in the classroom so would love to know you are helping out at home too.
I read an interesting article about a man called Nik Wallender and a volcano in picture news yesterday. I can't decide if I would call him brave or very, very silly. What are your thoughts? (see attached article)
Yesterday we finally finished turning our toilet rolls into a food chain. This was such fun to do and we worked together to do little bits at a time.
School Jobs
Geography: How good are you at naming and locating the 7 continents? Have a go at this game to see if you can get them all correct https://world-geography-games.com/continents/index.html
How well do you know the 5 main world oceans? https://world-geography-games.com/oceans/index.html Did you get them all?
Maths: Keep working through your angles pack. Use your angle eater to check for right angles. Can you find a way of using the angle eater to find acute and obtuse angles too?
Reading: Have a go at one of the Guiness World record comprehensions.
Have a wonderful day. Make good and helpful choices. More from me tomorrow
Missing you all lots, Mrs Evans
Here is a little something from Mrs Brennan to make you smile!!!
Message from Mrs Powell
“Treat others the way you want to be treated.”
Dear children, Are you getting a bit grumpy? It is all very strange, before you say anything when you are cross, say to yourself would I want someone to speak to me like that? Remember we all get grumpy and that is OK!
Wednesday 1st April, by Mrs Evans
Date: 30th Mar 2020 @ 7:39pm
Hello Goldfinches and welcome to a new month as we enter April.
It is absolutely wonderful to see some of your river research, maths time work and happy posters on twitter. Keep them coming as they really brighten my day.
Abi inspired me with her Happy Poster to keep reading my 'Create your own happy' book. This morning I read a little more that I want to share with you:
A collage can be made of bits and pieces of anything e.g. fabrics, textured paper, photographs, pictures out of catalogues/magazines, pieces of old clothes (but please check with an adult before you start snipping up your clothes!!) stickers, badges, certificates, drawings, natural things from the garden...the list is endless! If you create a collage/picture in the next few weeks, please tweet it to show me.
School Jobs:
RE: See the linked powerpoint of the Easter Story. This could help you make your cartoon strip or artwork based on the events in the story. Also for more support and resources, look back at last Wednesday's tweet for the attachments.
Maths: My girls tried out the ISEEMATHS online lessons with Gareth Metcalf yesterday (Mrs Rice has sent out an e-mail) and we thought it was really good. We are going to try and do one every other day with an activity from our Home learning maths packs in between. I will let you know how this goes. http://www.iseemaths.com/home-lessons/
Toby had a go at a times table grid yesterday. Have you done one of yours yet? Remember you could use a timer on a phone to see how super speedy you can do it or the uptimer on line https://www.timeme.com/count-up-timer.htm
Remember Goldfinches- You are all amazing, enthusiastic and full of fun. Make sure you let your family around you see this.
Missing you lots,
Mrs Evans 
Mrs Brennan and Mrs O'Marah
Message from Mrs Powell
“You’re off to great places. Today is your day.” – Dr. Seuss
Dear children, Where do you dream of going? What do you want to do? Just because we can’t visit new places doesn’t mean we can’t think about what we would like to do and where we could like to visit. This saying also means you can do great things. What great thing can do today? This can be anything. Big or small, it is still an achievement.
Tuesday 31st March, by Mrs Evans
Date: 30th Mar 2020 @ 9:33am
Guten Tag Goldfinches, Wie gehts? (How are you in German)
How was the start to week 2? I am missing your smilimg faces, your enthusiasm and even your noise Goldfinches! It's strange not seeing family and friends isn't it? We have been whatsapp calling our family and friends and I have learned to use Zoom too. This week Toby and Lola (who don't have phones) want to whatsapp call their school friends as they are really missing them. Who do you enjoy calling? Who might you whatsapp or facetime or e-mail? Who might love a letter or card dropping through their door?
I have some very exciting seed news but I need your help! Our seeds germinated over the last few days but as you know, when we planted them we forgot to label the pots. I wonder if you can help us work out which seed is which? We planted pumpkins, beans and peas. Which do you think is which? If you have planted your bean seeds you can compare them with ours when they have germinated!
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School jobs:
Science: Can you find out about food chains this week? (I have attached the Home Learning Timetable for week 2) Check out these websites and interactive games to play
https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/topics/zbnnb9q
https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/topics/zbnnb9q/articles/z93vdxs
http://www.sheppardsoftware.com/content/animals/kidscorner/foodchain/foodchain.htm
https://www.topmarks.co.uk/Search.aspx?q=food+chain
Maths: Have a go at these angle games on Topmarks. https://www.topmarks.co.uk/Search.aspx?q=angles
Have an enjoyable day and keep smiling,
From Mrs Evans, Mrs Brennan and Mrs O'Marah
Message from Mrs Powell
“ I think I can. I know I can.”
Dear children, When we do something new or tricky do we say we can’t do it? Try and change that today and tell yourself you can do anything. Remember you are amazing and if you believe in yourself you can do anything!
Monday 30th March, by Mrs Evans
Date: 29th Mar 2020 @ 1:28pm
Good Morning all of you and welcome to week 2 of home school.
I hope you had an enjoyable weekend and, although it was chilly, managed to get out in your garden still. Saturday was our trickiest day so far. We didn't make a plan of the day, so didn't get out much and spent far too long on screens. As a result, we were a very grumpy household by tea time so we had a chat about it and made a bit of a plan for Sunday which included much more outside time.
There are lots of positive effects of being outside and I would lile you to try and plan in time to be outside. Wrap up with an extra layer or two and go out. I have attached an idea (See Birds P1,2,3) for you from a book I am reading called Create your own Happy (by Penny Alexander and Becky Goddard-Hill)
How are your garden circuits/obstacles going? What garden equipment have you managed to include in your circuits? Toby made up a game called Pole Ball last week which was a cross between football and hockey (I think!) He mostly enjoyed telling us all of the rules he had made up!! It got us all up and moving though.
Ideas for this week
Maths:This week keep working on telling the time on the clocks in your houses but we will also switch to learning about angles and come back to time next week.
Task- have a look at the angle eater attachment and either print it out or make your own by drawing around a tin from the cupboard. Cut carefully along the lines. Can you use it to find all the right angles inside and outside your house?
Geography: If you found out about or made a volcano last week, then you could create an art collage about rivers this week (or vice versa) See attachments about rivers on the Goldfinch class page. BBC I-player Planet Earth Fresh Water is a good programme to watch. and try this site: http://www.primaryhomeworkhelp.co.uk/rivers.html
Amelie and Lola did the next part of their river art- and might do the rest this week.
Step 1 do the sea and sky 
step 2 do the mountains 
Step 3 layer the fields and hills .jpg)
Step 4 add the rivers which is our job for this week....
Parents- you are doing such an amazing job. Please, please don't put pressure on yourselves or your children to try and complete everything all in one go. These are just suggestions of some activities that I have tried out on my 3 to keep them occupied.
You are all fabulous... Have a lovely day and more from me tomorrow
Mrs Evans (with a big hello too from Mrs Brennan and Mrs O'Marah)
Message from Mrs Powell
“With the new day come new thoughts and new strengths.”
Dear children, This is now your second week, you have shown how great you are, what will you do today, how do you show how clever and strong you are each day?
Friday 27.3.20, by Miss Thwaites
Date: 26th Mar 2020 @ 9:37pm
Hi all,
Please find below a few ideas and different websites that can be used to help support learning at home:
- Twinkl https://www.twinkl.com/
- Maths with Carol Vorderman www.themathsfactor.com
- Storytime (11am) www.theworldofdavidwalliams.com
-
PE with Joe Wicks (YouTube 9am) different lesson each day
-
Wildlife with Steve Backshall (facebook 9:30)
-
Dance with Oti Mabuse (Facebook 11:30am)
-
Music with Myleene Klass (YouTube - next Friday 27th March 10am but ca watch recordings too)
BBC Teach Live Lessons https://www.bbc.co.uk/teach/live-lessons
BBC Learning through cooking https://www.bbc.co.uk/food/articles/learning_through_cooking
Basics of British sign language (1pm every day)
TedEd Home
Parents: https://ed.ted.com/
School Choice Week https://schoolchoiceweek.com/parent-resources-during-coronavirus/
Audible - Free stories https://stories.audible.com/start-listen
The Wind in the Willows musical https://www.willowsmusical.com/
Toy Theatre - Educational games https://toytheater.com/
LITERACY
Free Biff, Chip & Kipper kindle books on Amazon (you can download kindle app and put them on iPad) the ones to search for are: Floppy Did This!, Dad's Birthday, Funny Fish, Let's Recycle!, The Enigma Plot, Time Runners
Scholastic home resources:
https://shop.scholastic.co.uk/homelearning
Teach Your Monster to Read app has been free to download
Free eBooks:
https://home.oxfordowl.co.uk/
MATHS
Top marks: https://www.topmarks.co.uk/
Numberblocks:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/cbeebies/games/numberblocks-make-and-play?collection=fun-activities-for-toddlers-and-preschoolers
Khan Academy:
https://www.khanacademy.org/math
NRich - Math's extension and enrichment for 5 - 18 https://nrich.maths.org/5716
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
Live animal webcams from Edinburgh Zoo: https://www.edinburghzoo.org.uk/webcams/penguin-cam/#penguincam
Live animal cams from Sand Diego Zoo https://zoo.sandiegozoo.org/live-cams
Dublin zoo https://www.dublinzoo.ie/animals/animal-webcams/
Marwell Zoo https://www.marwell.org.uk/zoo/keep-in-touch/webcams
Chester Zoo "Connect with Nature at Home"
STEM learning:https://www.stem.org.uk/
HISTORY
Musuem tours:https://www.travelandleisure.com/attractions/museums-galleries/museums-with-virtual-tours
PE
Live ballet lessons (times on the page for each age group):
https://www.facebook.com/SarahDuFeuTheBalletCoach/?__tn__=%2Cd%2CP-R&eid=ARBYS2SPe89ygSq6RcYtQrOBTlI4sIyDQBqWNjGnAj4e6BKuzLlDcX4smPOzQ7iTue3wHkf1ne9XFlkx
Go Noodle dances and games:
https://www.gonoodle.com/
Cosmic Kids yoga: https://www.youtube.com/user/CosmicKidsYoga
LANGUAGES
Duolingo app https://www.duolingo.com/
Hope this helps!
Take care and stay safe!
Friday 27th March, by Mrs Evans
Date: 26th Mar 2020 @ 8:35pm
Happy Friday to all my lovely Goldfinches and your families.
Well what a strange week this has been! I'm sure you have spent most of it outside enjoying the warmth and sun- I know we certainly have.
Yesterday we went for a walk (keeping a good distance away from other people) and we all really noticed the beautiful sounds of the birds. Hardly any cars, trains and planes. Peaceful.
We tried out Go Noodle and did some Zumba sessions which were really good fun. I think I went wrong a lot, but never mind as I danced like nobody was watching!
Toby did a fantastic job mending the Bug Hotel. He was really pleased to find some bugs living in there so he decided to make a block graph to record who and how many. This then gave him the idea of investigating a different part of the garden (a bush) and making another block graph to compare. I was so proud of him! This could be something you do for our Habitats Science work.
The girls got started on their Fairy Garden and also enjoyed making a start on their River Topic collages using the power point to help them (see attachment) They decided to do a little bit today and then do more next time and this is what they look like so far:
Mrs Powell told the teachers today that when it is our next turn to be in school, we can give everyone in our classes a quick phone call to say hello and see how you all are which I'm really looking forward to.
School Jobs
Reading Journal activities: If you have been reading over the past week (which I know you are all absolutely wonderful at doing) then why not have a go at one of the reading journal activities (the sheet is in your Home Pack). Choose one to do and highlight it when you have finished. Over the next few weeks you could choose different activities to have a go at.
Maths Have a go at some times table activities like Topmarks 'Hit the Button' or TT Rock Stars. In your pack there is an 11x table sheet which I want you to start working through. (Fold the answers back and start with Bronze just like we do in class. https://www.timeme.com/count-up-timer.htm this is the link to the UpTimer we use too.
Enjoy your Friday - remember your mindfulness jars when you want some calm time or time to just relax.
You are all amazing and I'm so proud of you all. Be good, be helpful and be kind.
Mrs Evans, Mrs Brennan and Mrs O'Marah
Message from Mrs Powell
“The most wonderful thing about Tiggers is, I’m the only one.” Tigger
Good morning children! This morning I want you to think about how special and unique you are. Talk to someone in your house about all the special qualities that make you unique. What about the people you live with? what makes them special? why don’t you tell them!
Thursday 26th March, by Mrs Evans
Date: 25th Mar 2020 @ 10:17am
Good Morning to all my super duper Goldfinches.
It has been lovely to see and hear about some of the things you have been doing at home over the past few days and if you would like to share any of the projects and nice things you have been doing at home, please share on the Lostock Gralam Twitter feed: @LostockGralamPr
Parents and Carers you are doing an amazing job in these exceptional circumstances. Please enjoy the opportunity to spend some quality time with your children and please don't put pressure on yourselves or them to plough through all of the school jobs at once. Just choose to do the pack and online activities in little sections, read daily and take time to play, exercies and chill.
While I was at school yesterday my three enjoyed some Maths activities. Lola tried out a telling the time game on topmarks and this should help her complete some of the time questions. They all got creative ...Amelie making a beautiful nature butterfly using things from the garden, Toby and Lola designing their own wordsearches. The thing they enjoyed most though was their 'eggsperiment' to design enough protection for an egg so it didn't break when they launched it out of the bedroom window! They chose materials from around the house. DISCLAIMER: Goldfinches please do this with permission and help from an adult otherwise Mr Evans will be in big trouble!!
Tomorrow, the girls are looking forward to creating a Fairy Garden and Lola is going to have a go at researching rivers. Toby wants to design his own football drills as he is missing his Tuesday night training and Saturday matches.
School Jobs:
I would love you to teach an adult in your house how to complete one of the Maths fluency grids (remeber we did this together just before school finished last week. Choose a 3 digit number in the 100s or 200s if you were confident in class or, choose a 2 digit number to make it easier and a higher 3 digit number for a challenge.
How are your Bug Hotels coming on? We have done a little bit but need to do a bit more yet.
Have a look at the Anti Baddies Resilience Tool Kit (attached) It reminds me a bit of My Happy Mind.
Enjoy your day - Be Cool, Calm and Kind
From Mrs Evans, Mrs Brennan and Mrs O'Marah
Message from Mrs Powell
“It never hurts to keep looking for sunshine.” Eeyore
Dear children, I have a challenge for everyone to do in your house. Can you think of three lovely things to happen each day, then either tell them to someone in your house or write them down? I’m going to do this and hopefully we will all try and find our own sunshine.
.
Wednesday 25th March, by Mrs Evans
Date: 24th Mar 2020 @ 9:15pm
Tuesday 24 March
Good morning to my wonderful little team of Goldfinches. How was yesterday for you? I hope you managed to enjoy the sunshine and get settled into home schooling a little more.
In my house yesterday, we had a great time doing PE with Joe and even when the internet crashed, we had fun carrying on and making up our own moves. (My favourite move was the ice skating one!) We did reading comprehension and some maths activities and Toby had a great time making up his own word search. I'm looking forward to solving it when it is finished. Lola taught Toby how to Code using https://studio.code.org/courses
We have talked together today about the importance of having some time alone to be calm and quiet so we all tried this out for half an hour after lunch. Lola listened to music, Toby read his Star Wars book and Amelie just relaxed in her room with a book. We talked about it being OK to say we need a little space and time to just be alone and that everyone else in the house needs to respect this.
I was really happy that we managed to write a little hello letter to post to my Nan and Gran and I know they will love to read about what we have been up to. I wonder who you could write a letter or e-mail to?
School Jobs (see the attached file 'Home Learning Timetable Wb 23.3.20)
Today choose to do another different job from your pack. If you have had a go at the maths time games online, you could choose a page from your pack. Remember Ruby or A is our class work , Pearl or B is next steps and Diamond or C is challenge work. You can choose whichever you are happiest with.
RE- remind yourself of the Easter story. The links to different websites and video clips are all in the Home Learning Timetable (attached) Perhaps you could make a cartoon strip or create an art picture/painting/sketch.
Please remember that above all your happiness is most important. Remember to eat healthily, get lots of fresh air and sleep well. I look forward to blogging tomorrow,
Mrs Evans
and I know Mrs Brennan and Mrs O'Marah are thinking about you all lots.
Message from Mrs Powell
I think we dream so we don’t have to be apart for so long. If we’re in each other’s dreams, we can be together all the time.” Winnie the Pooh
Dear children, Now we all have more time, are you thinking about the things you like to do at home and at school? Please tell someone all about it and keep talking. It is great to talk!
Tuesday 24th March, by Mrs Evans
Date: 23rd Mar 2020 @ 6:47pm
Tuesday 24 March
Good morning amazing Goldfinches. I imagine yesterday was a little strange... but hopefully fun.
In my house we had a go at using the colour coded timetable- we didn’t stick to it completely but managed a bike ride in a quiet place without lots of people. In the morning, my children had a go at doing some maths and spellings or writing but then we spent most of the afternoon outside. Later, Toby and Amelie had a go at the space rocket Lego challenge and Lola helped me to plant some flowers in pots to put outside.
One of the things we are going to do today is write a little hello letter to post to my Nan and Gran who live a long way away. We think it will cheer them up like your rainbow messages to the Old People’s home.
I wonder if you have anyone who you might write a letter to or make a card for?
Another thing we are going to try is PE with Joe https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K6r99N3kXME
School Jobs (see the attached file 'Home Learning Timetable Wb 23.3.20)
Today choose to do a different job from your pack e.g. a reading comprehension. This will help you with our Science topic on habitats. Then you could go outside in your garden and make a habitat (Bug Hotel). We are going to mend the one Toby made last year which has fallen apart a little over winter. This is what it looks like at the moment but hopefully I can send an improved picture once it’s been mended.
Geography- your task for this week is as I explained in yesterday's blog. (Have another look if you want to remind yourself.
Volcanoes - use materials from your house to make a volcano
or
Rivers - watch the Fresh Water Planet Earth programme on BBC I-Player. I have uploaded some links on the Goldfinches Class page on the website to help you with your research.
Keep having a look at our school Twitter page as lots of teachers are posting on there.
Look after each other today and more from me tomorrow,
Mrs Evans
Message from Mrs Powell
Dear children, We have all started on a strange adventure, I wonder what we will learn to do over the next few months? I think you will find that your parents are the best teachers! Enjoy any activity you do for the first time. We are going to make bread in my house!
“When you see someone putting on his Big Boots, you can be pretty sure that an Adventure is going to happen.” Winnie the Pooh
Finally,
Remember to keep washing your hands. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S9VjeIWLnEg This is the link to our funny handwashing clip!
Monday 23rd March, by Mrs Evans
Date: 23rd Mar 2020 @ 9:37am
Monday 23rd March
Good morning my lovely Goldfinches. I hope you all had a restful weekend after a busy week last week.
Lots more has happened in the news so I’ve been chatting to my children about ‘social distancing’ this weekend. This means staying at home with your family and not meeting up with anyone else- even people really close to you like grandparents, best friends and cousins. This is a very strange new thing to do and feels really weird- especially because it was Mother’s Day yesterday. Toby has asked a lot to have friends over to play but I have had to say no each time. Because… like we talked about last week, this is advice from the expert scientists and it is to help us all to keep safe. Remember to keep washing your hands too.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S9VjeIWLnEg This is the link to our funny handwashing clip!
Today is the start of having a go at doing school jobs at home. This will also be really strange but I’m sure we will get used to it after a little while. Each morning I will blog to share ideas of what you can do to keep our love for learning strong. I will share what I have done with my own children too.
Active time…. Choose 1 of these to try out:
Outside- go for a walk with an adult in your house (staying 2m away from other people) and see how many rainbows you can spot in people’s windows
or trampoline
or make a garden obstacle trail
or Inside- try out Go Noodle https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2YBT7HYqCbbvzu3kKZ3wnw
School jobs
Spelling
Choose 5 spellings from your diary or the Y3/4 statutory word list and record them in your spelling doodle or make a picture poster to help you remember them. You could even write a test for an adult in your house.
If you do IDL- do a lesson online.
Maths- Time
From now on try to read the clocks in your house as much as possible. Ask adults to ask you what time it will be in …10 mins…30 mins…. How long is it until snack time… outside time… etc.
Find a ‘Telling The Time’ game to play on a tablet or laptop. Have a go at a page from your Home Learning Pack.
Topmarks have a great teaching clock https://www.topmarks.co.uk/time/teaching-clock
and a good game to play to match analogue and digital
https://mathsframe.co.uk/en/resources/resource/116/telling-the-time
Creative time- choose 1 of these to have a go at:
30 day Lego challenge
30 day drawing challenge
Quiet time
Find a quiet spot to curl up with one of the lovely books you chose to take home. My kids hung out on the trampoline today with beanbags, blankets and books!
Relax with your mindfulness jar or some music.
Topic time
Science and Geography: Volcanoes
Use the Natural History Website to find out about how to make an erupting volcano. This used to be a learning log task and there are so many different, fun ways of doing it…. Cardboard, Lego, cake….
https://www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/how-to-make-a-volcano.html
Don’t worry about trying to do all of this in one day… perhaps split it up into researching, collecting things from your house to make it with and then making. There is no rush. Take a photo of your finished volcano as I would love to see it!
Or….
Geography: RIVERS research. Watch Planet Earth Fresh Water on BBC I-Player to help you begin to learn about rivers. As you are watching, you might want to jot down some notes or diagrams to help you remember for the next lesson. https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0074sgj
Fresh air
If it is sunny and warm again today then play, play, play outside in your garden! Plant Mr and Mrs Bean and find a warm spot inside on a windowsill for now to help the seeds germinate.
Remember… be kind, be polite and be helpful. More from me tomorrow and enjoy your day today.
From Mrs Evans and a big hello from Mrs Brennan and Mrs O'Marah
from Mrs Powell…
“You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think. But the most important thing is, even if we’re apart…I’ll always be with you.” A.A. Milne.
I am so proud of all the children, enjoy your first day of learning in a different way and remember to plant those sunflower seeds. Mrs P
Parents/Carers
Please try not to put pressure on yourselves to do too much or for too long. Remember this is new to us all and is quite a daunting thought. All of these tasks are SUGGESTED and not compulsory. The timetable is a guide to help support some structure but doesn’t have to be followed to the minute. Take each day as it comes and share the day timetable with your child(ren). I have uploaded a visual timetable for you to use with your children to help you to choose the activities for the day. They respond so well when they know what is coming next and how long activities will be for. If they end up completely absorbed in something creative/outdoors/practical, then follow their lead.
If it’s sunny and warm be out in your garden with your children- I know I will be as much as possible!
Look after yourselves, Mrs Evans
Week beginning 16.3.20, by Mrs Evans
Date: 14th Mar 2020 @ 11:05am
This week:
SCIENCE: Goldfinches enjoyed a fantastic Science workshop. Lots of fun experiments captured all of our interest and we all agreed that the Scientists had a great job!
POETRY:The children were inspired to write their own poems based on Home with some absolutely gorgeous results. Please send a photo of your house in (or e-mail the photo to the office) if you haven't yet done so.
LLANDUDNO: Thank you to all who attended the Llandudno meeting. As Mrs Powell said, we are following the daily guidance on school trips at this time and will update you as soon as we know anything. Any parent/carer who was unable to attend, please don't hesitate to pop in if there are any questions you would like me to answer. Children were sent home with medical forms, cat bag orders and a kit list this week. Please return medical forms to school ASAP and if you are unsure of the date of the Tetanus jab, your GP surgery should be able to tell you if you phone them.
Diaries: please support your child to write the name of the books they are reading into their diaries as this helps us to monitor their progress and choices (this includes school books, free choice books and books from home) We are still aiming for our children to try and read daily for approximately 15 mins and we would still like them to read aloud to an adult for some of their home reads. Thank you for your support with this.
Coming up:
Monday 16th and Wednesday 18th March: Parents evening.
Writing- we will be continuing to explore our new text based on the Home theme and refugees.
Reading- we will go through the reading assessment paper which we completed last week to identify how to improve our answers.
Spelling: words from the Y3/4 spelling list column 4. We have assessed the third column and re-assessed misspellings from the first two columns. Your child was given a copy of the Y3/4 list where correct spellings from the first 3 columns have been highlighted. Please support your child to learn any spellings from the first 3 columns which are not highlighted.
Maths- Area of shapes and times tables.
TT Rock stars: this is in the process of being renewed and is currently unavailable so please challenge yourself with TOPMARKS Hit the Button to help increase speed and accuracy. In addition- try out the mathsframe resource which is very much in the style of the National Times Table test for Y4 which will be in June.
https://mathsframe.co.uk/en/resources/resource/477/Multiplication-Tables-Check
RE- Our RE focus is Christianity and the Kingdom of God.
History and Geography - investigating migration of people of the past. Home- what it means to us.
Science: We will continue our new topic on classifying animals using Keys.
PE- Swimming on Tuesday afternoons. Trunks please (not baggy shorts) and swimming costumes please with hair tied back and earrings removed before school where possible.
Heartsmart: Too Much Selfie isn't Healthy is our focus this half term.
Have a lovely weekend,
Mrs Evans, Mrs O'Marah and Mrs Brennan
Week beginning 9.3.20, by Mrs Evans
Date: 5th Mar 2020 @ 8:23pm
An absolutely wonderful effort from all Goldfinches on our World Book Day on Wednesday. Everyone looked fantastic and thank you for all the efforts you made to create such fantastic costumes.
We enjoyed the fun but very thought provoking Adrift play on Wednesday afternoon which has provided an excellent hook for our new Homes topic.
Diaries: please support your child to write the name of the books they are reading into their diaries as this helps us to monitor their progress and choices (this includes school books, free choice books and books from home) We are still aiming for our children to try and read daily for approximately 15 mins and we would still like them to read aloud to an adult for some of their home reads. Thank you for your support with this.
Coming up:
Monday 9th: Science workshop for Goldfinches.
Tues 10th: Llandudno meeting for parents 3.15pm (approximately half an hour)
Writing- we will be starting our new class text.
Reading- will will continue to use an extract of a story to build up our vocabulary and deduce information using clues.
Spelling: words ending with the sound g which is spelt with 'gue' e.g.: Prague,
Maths- Area of shapes and arithmetic skills.
TT Rock stars: this is in the process of being renewed and is currently unavailable so please challenge yourself with TOPMARKS Hit the Button to help increase speed and accuracy. In addition- try out the mathsframe resource which is very much in the style of the National Times Table test for Y4 which will be in June.
https://mathsframe.co.uk/en/resources/resource/477/Multiplication-Tables-Check
RE- Our RE focus is Christianity and the Kingdom of God.
History and Geography - investigating migration of people of the past.
Science: We will continue our new topic on classifying animals using Keys.
PE- Swimming on Tuesday afternoons. Trunks please (not baggy shorts) and swimming costumes please with hair tied back and earrings removed before school where possible.
Heartsmart: Too Much Selfie isn't Healthy is our focus this half term.
Mrs Evans, Mrs O'Marah and Mrs Brennan
Week beginning 2.3.20, by Mrs Evans
Date: 28th Feb 2020 @ 10:39am
What a fantastic group of budding electricians there are in Goldfinches! Thank you all so much for joining us on Wednesday and taking on our torch making challenge so enthusiastically. It was wonderful to see so much engagement and enjoyment.
The children also enjoyed meeting John during Thursday's worship and learning about disabilities. They behaved with such kindness and respect and we are very proud of them.
Diaries: we reminded all of the children this week to ensure they write the name of the books they are reading into their diaries as this helps us to monitor their progress and choices (this includes school books, free choice books and books from home) We are still aiming for our children to try and read daily for approximately 15 mins and we would still like them to read aloud to an adult for some of their home reads. Thank you for your support with this.
Coming up:
Monday 2nd is Goldfinches turn to have their extra PE slot with Mr Ault. Please make sure your child has both outdoor and indoor PE kit as the weather is so unpredictable.
We will be dressing up for World Book Day on Wednesday 4th March. 'Fancy Dress favourite Character'. Children are welcome to bring in their favourite book.
Wednesday afternoon we will be watching a performance of Adrift by the Transport Theatre to help launch our whole school Adrift topic.
The Parents meeting Llandudno is on 10th March 3.15pm (approximately half an hour)
Writing- we will be writing our own story based on 'When the Giant Stirred'.
Reading- will will use an extract of a story to build up our vocabulary and deduce information using clues.
Spelling: words ending with the sound 'k' which is spelt with 'que' e.g.: cheque, boutique, antique, unique
Maths- Area of shapes.
Maths Homework: TT Rock stars. To help your child prepare for the Y4 time tables check have a go at the Maths Frame Multiplication check game. This will allow you to play the full check and adapt it to focus on specific times tables. It is set up very much like the National Times tables check will be in June.
https://mathsframe.co.uk/en/resources/resource/477/Multiplication-Tables-Check
RE- Our RE focus is Christianity and the Kingdom of God.
History and Geography - Volcano non-chronological report
Science: We will start our new topic on Habitats
PE- Swimming on Tuesday afternoons. Trunks please (not baggy shorts) and swimming costumes please with hair tied back and earrings removed before school where possible. Gymnastics on Friday with Mr Ault and indoor kit (shorts and t-shirt) is required. Extra session of PE on Monday this week.
Heartsmart: Too Much Selfie isn't Healthy is our focus this half term.
Mrs Evans, Mrs O'Marah and Mrs Brennan
Week beginning 24.2.20, by Mrs Evans
Date: 14th Feb 2020 @ 11:44am
Another hard working week in Goldfinches which began with a visit from our PCSO Susie who helped the children focus on their online identity and making safe online choices.
Coming up:
Please send in any empty, clean plastic bottles (milk bottles, lemonade bottles, juice bottles) and any small cardboard boxes (tissue boxes, small cereal boxes) into school straight after half term.
We are looking forward to our Science Come and Join us session on Wed 26th February 2pm.
Worship on Thursday 27th will be about Disability with a workshop to follow.
The Parents meeting Llandudno is on 10th March 3.15pm (approximately half an hour)
Writing- continuing to explore 'When the Giant Stirred' to build up to planning our own story.
Reading- we will conclude 'Seen and Not Heard'
Spelling: Y3/4 words - 4th Column
Maths- Division and finding the Area of shapes.
Maths Homework: TT Rock stars. To help your child prepare for the Y4 time tables check have a go at the Maths Frame Multiplication check game. This will allow you to play the full check and adapt it to focus on specific times tables. It is set up very much like the National Times tables check will be in June.
https://mathsframe.co.uk/en/resources/resource/477/Multiplication-Tables-Check
RE- Our RE focus is Christianity and the Kingdom of God.
History and Geography - Using all our knowledge to create a non-chronological report on Volcanoes.
Science and DT Electricity. We will be applying our knowledge of circuits to design and make a torch.
PE- Swimming on Tuesday afternoons. Trunks please (not baggy shorts) and swimming costumes please with hair tied back and earrings removed before school where possible. Gymnastics on Friday with Mr Ault and indoor kit (shorts and t-shirt) is required.
Heartsmart: Too Much Selfie isn't Healthy is our focus this half term.
We hope you all enjoy a well deserved safe and restful week off,
Mrs Evans, Mrs O'Marah and Mrs Brennan
Week beginning 10.2.20, by Mrs Evans
Date: 7th Feb 2020 @ 10:24am
What a healthy week in Goldfinches! We have enjoyed an extra PE session, continued to make great progress in swimming, made a healthy Greek Salad and enjoyed some calming peer massage while reflecting on Children's Mental Health Week.
Coming up:
In preparation for our next DT project, please could you send in any empty, clean plastic bottles (milk bottles, lemonade bottles, juice bottles) and any small cardboard boxes (tissue boxes, small cereal boxes) into school with your children over the next couple of weeks.
Please note our Parents meeting for the Llandudno trip is on 10th March 3.15pm (approximately half an hour)
Computing and PSHE- Internet Safety Day. We will have a visit from our PCSO to learn more about staying safe online.
Writing- we love our new class story 'When the Giant Stirred' and will be practising using speech punctuation as the characters on the island discuss some important issues.
Reading- Begining to read 'Seen and Not Heard' after all our thoughts and predictions. We will infer what the characters may be thinking and doing.
Spelling: revision of double consonants in the middle of words (e.g. shopping, little, swimming, dripped). I have sent a little game home to play with your child to support this.
Maths- Division and using our multiplication facts to support. Division of TU by U and division with remainders.
Maths Homework: TT Rock stars. Table Mountain- who can reach the summit in the quickest time? Perhaps you could have an adult vs child competition on the 2-player setting!
Times table tests- we are continuing with twice a week tests (where possible) this term as this is having a positive impact on their progress through the tables. Keep an eye on your child's progress with the times table stickers which we put in their diaries weekly. Please support your child to have their diary in school daily.
RE- Our new RE focus is Christianity and the Kingdom of God and we will be continuing to discuss the Parable of the Great Feast.
History- finding out about the Celts who resisted the Roman invasion and weighing up the reliability of different historical sources.
Geography- Using all our knowledge to create a non-chronological report on Volcanoes.
Science- Electricity. We will be testing conductors and insulators within a simple circuit.
PE- Swimming on Tuesday afternoons. Trunks please (not baggy shorts) and swimming costumes please with hair tied back and earrings removed before school where possible. Gymnastics on Friday with Mr Ault and indoor kit (shorts and t-shirt) is required.
Heartsmart: Too Much Selfie isn't Healthy is our new focus this half term.
We look forward to another wonderful week!
Mrs Evans, Mrs O'Marah and Mrs Brennan
Week beginning 3.2.20, by Mrs Evans
Date: 30th Jan 2020 @ 8:26am
Another busy week in Goldfinches where we have enjoyed predicting and finding about about our new class text: When the Giant Stirred. We have also enjoyed choosing photographs from the trip to Chester to include in an informative leaflet during our computing lessons.
Well done to all our children for taking part in the Athletics Event last Friday- they really brought out Mrs O'Marah's competitive side!
Coming up:
It is Goldfinches turn to have an extra PE lesson so they will have PE with Mr Ault on Monday and Friday as well as swimming on Tuesday.
Writing- becomming immersed in our new class story 'When the Giant Stirred'.
Reading- Using a story to make predictions, and infer what characters may be thinking and doing.
Spelling: focusing on prefixes - il, im, in, un, dis
Maths- Division and using our multiplication facts to support us.
Maths Homework: TT Rock stars. Topmarks coconut times tables game.
Times table tests- we are increasing these to twice a week (where possible) this term as the children are working so well through their tables. Please keep up all the hard work to support their learning at home as it is really working! Keep an eye on their progress with the times table stickers which we put in their diaries weekly.
RE- Our new RE focus is Christianity and the Kingdom of God.
DT- We will taste test ingredients to help us design a recipe for a Greek inspired salad. We will learn to chop salad vegetables safely. We will eat and evaluate our salads.
History- finding out about the Celts who resisted the Roman invasion and weighing up the reliability of different historical sources.
Geography- learning about key counties in Britain that were important to the Romans (Kent, London Cheshire, Yorkshire) and looking at the road routes the Romans built.
Science- Electricity. We will be learning the names of different components of a circuit.
PE- Swimming on Tuesday afternoons. Trunks (not baggy shorts) and swimming costumes please with hair tied back and earrings removed before school where possible. Gymnastics twice this week- Monday and Friday with Mr Ault and indoor kit (shorts and t-shirt) is required.
Heartsmart: Too Much Selfie isn't Healthy is our new focus this half term.
We look forward to another wonderful week!
Mrs Evans, Mrs O'Marah and Mrs Brennan
Week Beginning 27.1.20, by Mrs Evans
Date: 23rd Jan 2020 @ 9:36pm
Another busy week for Goldfinches designing their own Fortress in Northwich using their knowledge from last week's trip. They have also put a huge effort and focus into writing the final story for Escape From Pompeii and should be proud of how hard they worked.
Just a few reminders: No nail varnish, lip gloss or jewellery in school please. If your child needs to use vaseline/chap stick for sore lips please ensure they hand it to the class teacher to look after and they can apply it before going outside.
I have reminded the children again about keeping their home books at home and only taking their school book, or a book I have selected for them home each night along with their diary.
Thank you to everyone for bringing in smaller bags/book bags/PE bags. It really has helped reduce the overcrowding in the cloakroom
Coming up:
Writing- we will be starting our new class book next week..... your children will reveal it when they have discovered what it is!
Reading- we will be exploring a short story book to help us predict and infer ideas about characters.
Spelling: focusing on Y3/4 statutory words in the third column.
Maths- Consolidating the use of practical equipment to support multiplication of 2 and 3 digit numbers. Using our new Power Maths books to help with a range of presenting and solving calculations.
Maths Homework: TT Rock stars. Topmarks- Arithmetic, Multiplication, Division, Factoring (Times table grid game which helps children focus on a mixture of tables)
Times table tests- we are increasing these to twice a week (where possible) this term as the children are working so well through their tables. Please keep up all the hard work to support their learning at home as it is really working! Keep an eye on their progress with the times table stickers which we put in their diaries weekly.
RE- Our new RE focus is Christianity and the Kingdom of God.
History- evaluating how reliable different sources of information are. Learning about Boudicca and her rebellion against the Roman army.
Geography- Reviewing the route taken by the Romans as their empire grew and including the capital cities and main rivers in the UK, France, Switzerland and Italy. A lovely activity to do at home ids to use Google maps to explore these countries.
Art- we will be making links with Geography and flags of the world to contribute to the Y4 Art project which will be part of the Northwich Art Trail
Science- Electricity is our new topic. We will be learning the names of different components of a circuit.
PE- Swimming on Tuesday afternoons. Trunks (not baggy shorts) and swimming costumes please with hair tied back and earrings removed before school where possible. Gymnastics will now be on a Friday with Mr Ault and indoor kit (shorts and t-shirt) is required.
Heartsmart: Too Much Selfie isn't Healthy is our new focus this half term.
We look forward to another wonderful week!
Mrs Evans, Mrs O'Marah and Mrs Brennan
Week beginning 20.1.20, by Mrs Evans
Date: 17th Jan 2020 @ 1:29pm
Goldfinches have had a great week. It has been lovely to see their confidence already blossoming in swimming. We had a wonderful day out to Chester Grosvenor Museum where the children proved they could be very effective members of the Roman Army! We learned lots and are already using our new knowledge to support us in our Geography and History lessons.
Please help your child to become independent in their organisation by bringing their diary into the classroom every morning. We remind them every day to change their reading book when they need to and to bring 1 reading book and their diary home each evening. We are aware that some of our children are carrying stacks of books to abnd from school! We love their enthusiasm but want to lighten their load! If your child is enjoying reading their own books at home, these don't need to come into school.
Please can we also politely ask that your child brings a book bag (if they have one) or a small bag rather than a large rucksack as we simply do not have the space in the cloakrooms. Thank you.
Coming up:
Writing- a big link with the fact that Vesuvius erupted in the same year as Chester Fortress was completed. We will be writing historical accounts from the point of view of ficticious people affected and displaced by the volcanic eruption.
Reading- we will be focusing on word meanings
Spelling: focusing on Y3/4 statutory words in the third column.
You should have received a highlighted copy of the 2nd column words from the Y3/4 Statuatory word list next week. The highlighted words are the words your child spelt correctly. Please continue to help your child work on the words your child misspelt.
Maths- Consolidating the use of practical equipment to support multiplication of 2 and 3 digit numbers.
Maths Homework: TT Rock stars. Topmarks coconut times tables game.
Times table tests- we are increasing these to twice a week (where possible) this term as the children are working so well through their tables. Please keep up all the hard work to support their learning at home as it is really working! Keep an eye on their progress with the times table stickers which we put in their diaries weekly.
RE- Our new RE focus is Christianity and the Kingdom of God.
History- using our knowledge of the Fortress at Chester to help us design our own fort in Northwich.
Geography- Reviewing the route taken by the Romans as their empire grew and including the capital cities and main rivers in the UK, France, Switzerland and Italy. A lovely activity to do at home ids to use Google maps to explore these countries.
Science- Electricity is our new topic. We will be learning the names of different components of a circuit.
PE- Swimming on Tuesday afternoons. Trunks (not baggy shorts) and swimming costumes please with hair tied back and earrings removed before school where possible. Gymnastics will now be on a Friday with Mr Ault and indoor kit (shorts and t-shirt) is required.
Athletics festival- You will have received information about Y4 taking part in the athletics festival on Fri 24th January 1pm-3pm. Please ensure your child has appropriate PE kit, footwear, a healthy snack and water bottle.
Heartsmart: Too Much Selfie isn't Healthy is our new focus this half term.
We look forward to another wonderful week!
Mrs Evans, Mrs O'Marah and Mrs Brennan