Skylarks: Blog items

Wednesday 3rd June Skylarks home learning, by Miss Thwaites

Date: 2nd Jun 2020 @ 8:48pm

Good morning and a happy Wednesday to you all!

My not so little puppy Ruby had her hair cut yesterday, she wants to share a smile with you...

Since going into lockdown, it has been lovely to hear all the new exciting things you have all been learning to do. Thank you for all the photographs you have sent in for our Lostock Lockdown Story. If you missed out on sending images for this then as I said in my last blog we are doing another. Please send in your photos before Thursday 4th June. 

I have been enjoying reading over the past weeks and having the time to become really engrossed with some great books. What have you been reading? Tweet me with book reccomendations or send an email to admin@lostockgralam.cheshire.sch.uk to share which books you have enjoyed. 

Maths

Today, I would like you to continue your learning of fractions by completing the online lesson or you can continue working through your maths packs: Problem solving with fractions

How have you all been getting on with learning your times tables? Why not have a go at this activitiy where you have to beat the clock and it helps you to speed up as well as securing your knowledge of times tables. You can choose the format by clicking on the attachment sheets I have provided. Record the time it takes you to complete the whole table and it will make it clear which tables you need to practice more. 

Writing

Have a go at completing this online lesson: Setting and subordinating conjunctions

Message from Mrs Powell:

Pause for Thought: Be Thankful

Click here to watch the following video: https://youtu.be/Hp_g_5Hphd8

We can be thankful for things every day! If you’d like to, have a go at the following:

Can you think of someone whom you would like to thank? Could you send them a message or write a letter to them today? Free printable thank-you cards that are ready to colour in are available at: https://printable-cards.gotfreecards.com/categories/color-your-card/thank-you

Why not make a list of as many things as you can think of that you are thankful for today? You could ask your family to join in. I wonder if you can think of 100 things!

Dear God,

For families and friends…

We are thankful.

For the beauty of nature and the world around us…

We are thankful.

For all the things in life that we too often take for granted…

We are thankful.

Please help us to be willing to show our thanks - not only in what we say, but also in what we do - every single day…

We are thankful.

Amen.

Keep smiling my amazing Skylarks!

Miss Thwaites and Mrs Hulse x

Tuesday 2nd June Skylarks home learning, by Miss Thwaites

Date: 31st May 2020 @ 12:02pm

Good morning Skylarks class,

I hope you are all getting settled back into a routine after half-term. As you are aware over half-term an email was sent out about me creating a Lostock Lockdown Story. Thank you to those who sent in some fantastic images. Here is a link to the story: Lostock Lockdown Story

Don't worry if you missed out sending an image in as I am going to create Part 2 this week. Please email school or tweet any photos that you would like to be in the story. 

Maths

Continuing working with fractions please follow the link for today's lesson based on Multiplying mixed numbers by an integer. Multiply mixed numbers by an integer

RE

Our focus for this term would have been Hinduism. In a previous week I have set tasks that link to this topic. I have come across these activities that explain different themes of the religion: Hinduism activities

Message from Mrs Powell:

Pause for Thought: Be Kind

Click here to watch the following video: https://youtu.be/Qcyc68d6OAk

We should be kind because we care about other people. However, the video that we just watched suggests that kindness is also good for us. Ask the children to think about why this might be. You might like to start by revisiting the ideas suggested in the video (go to 0.20 minutes and play the following ten seconds).

Can you make a list of something kind that you could do each day of the week?

Dear God,

Please help us to be kind to those around us.

Please help us to think about the needs of other people.

Please help us to seek to live in peace.

Keep smiling you are doing a great job and should be so proud of yourselves!

Miss Thwaites and Mrs Hulse x

Amen.

Monday 1st June- Skylarks home learning, by Miss Thwaites

Date: 31st May 2020 @ 11:58am

Good morning my superstars!

Please click on the following link to hear my good morning hello: Miss Thwaites morning hello

It is time to start easing yourself back into your home learning after a lovely week off enjoying the gorgeous sunshine. 

The best way to start your day is with some light exercise so maybe you would like to go on a morning walk or a bike ride perhaps with your family members. 

Or maybe you would like to start your home learning with a fun PE challenge? What do you think? Why not play a game of connect four but combine PE activities with it and play with a sibling or a member of your family. Please see attached two sheets called Connect 4a PE challenge and Connect 4b PE challenge. The rules of the game are written on there for you and it is a great way to get you motivated and ready for the learning ahead of you. 

Maths

You have spent lots of time learning about adding and subtracting fractions as improper fractions and mixed numbers. To start us back, I would like you to either continue working through your maths in your home learning pack or as an optional extra you can complete the lessons I outline in my blog. This following lesson is based on multiplying unit and non-unit fractions by an interger. Remember the denominator (bottom number of the fraction) remains the same. BBC bitesize multiply fractions

On the home learning document I have attached to the blog you will notice just one project for you to do this week. I would like you to take time researching and spend a little bit on it each day to ensure that you are not puttting yourselves under too much pressure and that you are looking after yourselves. Attached to support you with our new topic on Earth and Space is a knowledge mat that outlines all the key vocabulary and specifics we will be learning about.

Take care my super Skylarks, keep smiling and keep tweeting all the wonderful things you are doing!

Miss Thwaites and Mrs Hulse x

May Half-term blog, by Miss Thwaites

Date: 22nd May 2020 @ 10:03am

Happy Half-term Skylarks!

Lets hope the sun shines for us this week ready a well-deserved relaxing week off!

If you would like to listen to the story sharing our experiences of having less contact with friends and family then click on the following link: While we can't hug story

Answer to Friday's riddle: A candle

As we enter the start of what should be another half term, and we embark on another, tenth, week of lockdown, we wanted to thank you all for the amazing work you have done to keep your children safe, support their home learning, and communicate with us here at school. You have done an incredible job and we want to make sure that you are looking after your own mental health needs in this time of uncertainty.

It is important that we take some time to do something that will make us smile. That will make our children smile and that will bring us together at such a tricky time. So have a look below at some of our suggestions and choose one thing every day that brings happiness.

· Enjoy a yummy breakfast together; pancakes, boiled egg and soldiers, bacon sandwiches or maybe your favourite cereal.

· Have a carpet picnic, or a garden picnic at tea time

· Make something that shows off what makes you special for the school sharing window and deliver it to school on Monday or Wednesday this week.

· Draw a picture for somebody in one of our local care homes

· Tell us about something you have done in lockdown that you’ve never done before. Have you learnt to ride your bike, or tie your shoelaces? Have you baked bread for the first time? Have you planted some seeds and nurtured them into flowers?

· Talk about your favourite things to do and have a favourites day. Eat your favourite breakfast, listen to or dance to your favourite song, sing your favourite songs together, play your favourite game, watch your favourite movie or tv programme, read your favourite book or comic, wear your favourite outfit, arrange a video chat with your favourite friends or family member.

· Find a new way of hugging! Right now, hugging is a tricky thing because we have to keep our distance. Can you find a new way to send a hug to somebody? Perhaps send a postcard, or create a picture or video of you doing something funny/showing off a new skill.

· Facetime, zoom, whatsapp – keep in touch with those people closest and most important to you.

· Create a calm box, a little like the Christmas Eve boxes that so many of us use, put your favourite snacks, pyjamas, movie inside and settle down together for a soothing evening.

Remember, we are collecting photos of you doing wonderful things during lockdown so send your photos into school so we can share them as a whole community.

Look after yourselves, be kind to yourselves and have a wonderful week.

Take care everyone have a fun and enjoyable week off!

Miss Thwaites and Mrs Hulse x

Home Learning 22.5.20, by Miss Thwaites

Date: 17th May 2020 @ 4:42pm

Happy Friday Skylarks!

Please take a moment to watch the message I have recorded for you all: Miss Thwaites Friday message

Most of the staff at school have participated in reciting the poem ‘The Great Realisation’ by Tom Foolery. This poem expresses information about the lockdown and the good things that have come from it too! Please take the time to have a listen as it is a fantastically well-written poem: The Great Realisation

Some of our children will remember Jenna as she delivered an assembly in school for us around 2 years ago. Unfortunately, as she couldn't come in again, she did a virtual one earlier this week with Mr Russell for us to share instead. Jenna

In school, we do lots of work around equality and inclusion and how everyone should be treated equally no matter if they are different. Differences should be appreciated and respected by others and no one should every feel left out! We adopted the teaching of ‘No Outsiders’ written by Andrew Moffat which involves a series of lessons using books as a hook to share new concepts and understandings. Please follow the link for some of these online lessons that have been produced. Andrew Moffat- No Outsiders

So today in school we would have been breaking up for our May half-term. 

Maths

Continue focusing on the lesson given in yesterday's blog and if you feel that you are secure in your learning then have a go at the following Maths challenges: Maths challenges

Creative activity

Why not have a go at this little idea that will allow you to look at different textures! Play with one of your younger siblings and get them involved too! Texture treasure hunt

Today's riddle: It starts out tall, but the longer it stands, the shorter it grows.  What is it?

Yesterday's answer: Your brain

Take care and have a lovely May half-term!

Miss Thwaites x

Home Learning 21.5.20, by Miss Thwaites

Date: 17th May 2020 @ 4:34pm

A Happy Thursday Morning to all of Skylarks class!

Maths

This week you have been recapping your learning of fractions that you have done previously. Today make sure you have a secure understanding of the work you have done on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. Over Thursday and Friday, I would like you to have a go at this: https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/articles/z42vgwx

Creative activity

Follow this link to learn about illusions and have a go at creating one yourself: https://www.thenational.academy/year-5/foundation/optical-illusions-and-using-shading-to-show-form-year-5-wk3-5

Today's riddle: What gets sharper the more you use it?

Yesterday's answer: A glove

Message from Mrs Powell:

The definition of wise in the Oxford English Dictionary is ‘Having or showing experience, knowledge and good judgement’.  When have you been wise, maybe you have been lost in a shop. This experience should have taught you always to stay near to the grown-up you are with, or should have led to you to learning exactly what to do if you got lost again.   Being wise means learning from past experiences and carefully thinking about decisions that we make and things that we do now.  What mistakes have you learnt from?  I think we learn far more from the mistakes we make rather than the things that we get right!

Dear God
Please help us to be wise.
Help us to realize that there are consequences to everything that we do.
Please help us to make good decisions that will work out best for ourselves and for other people.
Amen
 

Take care and stay safe!

Miss Thwaites x

Home Learning 20.5.20, by Miss Thwaites

Date: 17th May 2020 @ 4:23pm

Good morning super skylarks!

Maths

Today follow this link again to practice and revisit your prior learning based on fractions: Compare and order fractions whose denominators are multiples of the same number

English

Continuing with our focus on Reading this week, follow the link to find out how to identify features of a text: English

Today's riddle: What has a thumb and four fingers but is not alive?

Yesterday's answer: An egg

Message from Mrs Powell:

Today I am going to introduce you to a very special person called Theresa. She lived more than 140 years ago.  She was born on 2 January 1873 and died on 30 September 1897, at the young age of 24. Her mother died when Theresa was just four years old, leaving her father with five children to look after. One of her sisters, called Mary, took over running the household, while her eldest sister, Pauline, took charge of telling the younger children about God.  When she was 14, Theresa decided that she wanted to dedicate her life to God, so she became a nun (someone who goes to live with others who give their lives to God).Theresa was made a saint in 1925. A 'saint' is a person who is a great example to us because he or she lived a special life and/or had special gifts.  Although Theresa didn’t have a very long life, she used every minute she had to care for other people. Her best-known saying is, ‘What matters in life is not great deeds, but great love.’ Theresa became known as someone who would show love to others by doing little things. Sometimes she gave flowers, sometimes she prayed, sometimes she showed love and attention to people who struggled with problems.Theresa knew that she wasn’t physically strong enough to carry out great deeds, but she made a big difference to people’s lives by the little things she did for them. Very often, though, it's the little things that have the greatest effect on people’s lives, the little things which show them someone cares.

Time for reflection

Close your eyes and think about a little thing someone has done for you that made you feel special or happy. It may have been a kind word, asking you to play with them or even giving you a special present.

Decide to do something today that will make someone else feel special.

Dear God
Thank you for people who do things for me that make me feel happy and loved.
Please help me to do something today to show someone that I care about them.
Amen
 

Keep smiling and take care everyone!

Miss Thwaites x

Home Learning 19.5.20, by Miss Thwaites

Date: 17th May 2020 @ 4:13pm

Good morning my superstars!

Maths

Today have a go at the following activitiy to recap your knowledge of converting improper fractions into mixed numbers: Maths work

English

Continuing with Character description and your understanding, today I would like you to complete this lesson based on word meaning, which you love doing in our shared reading lessons. Word meaning

Today's riddle: What has to be broken before you can use it?

Yesterday's answer: Palm

Message from Mrs Powell:

Once upon a time, there was an old man who used to go to the ocean to do his writing. He had a habit of walking on the beach every morning before he began his work. Early one morning, he was walking along the shore after a big storm had passed and found the vast beach littered with starfish as far as the eye could see, stretching in both directions. 

Off in the distance, the old man noticed a small boy approaching.  As the boy walked, he paused every so often and as he grew closer, the man could see that he was occasionally bending down to pick up an object and throw it into the sea.  The boy came closer still and the man called out, “Good morning!  May I ask what it is that you are doing?”

The young boy paused, looked up, and replied “Throwing starfish into the ocean. The tide has washed them up onto the beach and they can’t return to the sea by themselves,” the youth replied. “When the sun gets high, they will die, unless I throw them back into the water.”

The old man replied, “But there must be tens of thousands of starfish on this beach. I’m afraid you won’t really be able to make much of a difference.”

The boy bent down, picked up yet another starfish and threw it as far as he could into the ocean. Then he turned, smiled and said, “It made a difference to that one!”

We all have the opportunity to help create positive change.  You might not be able to change the entire world, but at least you can change asmall part of it, for someone. Break the big challenge down into smaller pieces and then take those one at a time – like one starfish at a time.  Remember you can achieve anything!

Take care everyone!

Miss Thwaites x

Home Learning 18.5.20, by Miss Thwaites

Date: 17th May 2020 @ 3:28pm

Good morning to everyone,     

Another Monday again? Gosh the time is flying! I bet you have all grown so much since I last saw you! I know you are all so amazing and I am super proud of how each of you is coping in this situation! Hopefully it won't be long until I see all of your smiling and happy faces again!

Last Friday the staff at school put a little video together for our hot chocolate Friday. If you didn't get the chance to see the clip on twitter here is the link for you to watch: Hot Chocolate Friday

Maths

Before school closed, we were learning about Fractions, it would be brilliant for you to recap the learning of this to ensure that you fully understand it and it helps to make sure that knowledge is stuck. So this week in Maths I am going to put the links to the maths work you could do each day. Equivalent fractions

English

Please have a go at completing a comphrehension lesson everyday this week if you can. Don't worry if you can't just do what you can. Fact Retrieval

Today's riddle: What kind of tree do you carry in your hand?

Yesterday's answer: Your reflection

Message from Mrs Powell:

Sometimes we are faced by big challenges, reading a large book, completing a big piece of writing or even learning to ride a bike can seem a huge task.  Problems and difficulties can seem really big but if we break them down to small steps we can make progress and achieve anything we set our mind to do!

Dear God

When we find things difficult, help to keep us going.

Thank you for all the people who help us to take the small steps to overcome our problems.  Please help us be there for others.

Amen

Take care!

Miss Thwaites x

Home Learning 15.5.20, by Miss Thwaites

Date: 10th May 2020 @ 10:12pm

Good morning super Skylarks,

Here is someone else who would like to wish you a happy Friday too: Happy Friday

Maths:

I'd like you to continue with your maths focusing on measurement. Please follow the link: Oak National Academy

English:

Now as you are creeping closer towards moving into Year 6 where you are at the top of the school and have to be brilliant role models. I thought it would be nice for you to think about if you would like to be a head student next year. To prepare, I thought it would be a good idea for you to think about how a powerful speech is made. Follow the lesson link on this: How to make a powerful speech

Today's riddle: You see me in water, but I never get wet. What am I?

Yesterday's answer: your footsteps

Message from Mrs Powell:

Worship message from Mrs Powell

Louis Braille was born in France in 1809 and was three years old when he lost his sight in one eye. By the age of five, he was completely blind. At that time, there was no help available for blind people and many of them would end up begging for food on the streets. Louis’ parents didn’t want that to happen to their son, so they continued to educate him in every way possible.

When Louis was 12 years old, he met an army captain who showed him a way of sending messages at night using raised dots and dashes. Louis saw the potential for a communication system for blind people and, by the age of 15, he had found 63 ways to use a six-dot cell in an area the size of a fingertip. In this way, he created Braille, a form of written language for blind people, which they can ‘read’ by feeling the raised dots of the Braille characters with their fingertips.

Let’s try to be people who have the courage to move forward, no matter what happens. At the same time, let’s remember that there are many people who can help us if we need to talk about our worries.

Prayer
Dear God,
Whether I’m big or whether I’m small,
Sometimes I’ll try to be ever so brave,
And think about what God sees in me
And aim to be the best that I can be.
Amen.

Take care and have a fun-filled weekend!

Miss Thwaites x

Home Learning 14.5.20, by Miss Thwaites

Date: 10th May 2020 @ 9:13pm

Good morning Skylarks,    

I hope you are all well and taking care of yourselves. Remember not to over exert yourselves with too much work as it is very important that we can be the best we can be. Remember it is not about the quantity of work you are doing but the quality and how much effort you are putting into a task. 

Maths

I know how hard you have all been working with your maths and I hope you are continuing to practice your times tables. Please see the lesson Inwould like you to have a go at on the Oak National Academy: Maths lesson

If you would like some worksheets to go over what you have already learnt here are a few: Worksheets

English

Have a go at this reading comprehension today: Reading comprehension
 

Today's riddle: The more you take, the more you leave behind. What am I?

Yesterday's answer: your future

Message from Mrs Powell:

click here Worship message from Mrs Powell

Squirrels are often seen hanging on birdfeeders, trying to grab as much food as they can. Sometimes they even hang upside down while they feed! Sometimes they fall off, but they soon come back again to try to get more! Often birds can’t get to the birdfeeders because the squirrels are already feeding from them! The poor birds have to wait, even though they are hungry! Sometimes they fly away and perch in the trees, watching the squirrels feed. When the squirrels have finished, then the birds can have their turn to feed, even though the seed and nuts are really put there for them. It could be that the squirrel is trying to keep the food for itself. It could be that the bird is challenging the squirrel for the food. It could be that they are sharing!

There are times in our lives when we all find it difficult to share! Christians believe that God has given us the world and everything in it - it is a gift from God that we are all to share with each other. Christians also believe that it is good to share what we have with others. We can share our possessions, food, money, friends, talents, even our love.

Time for reflection

Let’s think about a time when someone has shared something with us.
Let’s take some time to thank God for that person. Let’s also think about ways in which we could share with others during the day ahead.

Keep safe and keep smiling!

Miss Thwaites 

Home Learning 13.5.20, by Miss Thwaites

Date: 10th May 2020 @ 9:02pm

Good morning to all my lovely Skylarks,

Take a look at the video blog I have created for you: Message from Miss Thwaites for Skylarks Class

Today, I would like you to have a go at this comprehension task to keep practicing your skills of prediction and inferencing based on the information that you are given. You are all brilliant at this! https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/articles/zntr47h

Today's riddle: What is always in front of you but it cannot be seen?

Yesterday's answer: Your voice

Message from Mrs Powell: 

Worship message from Mrs Powell

In 1984, Chris Baines actually sent out an invitation to his friends asking them to meet him at 4 am. His birthday plan was to have all his guests listen to the dawn chorus together.  The dawn chorus is the singing of many birds before dawn each day.

This all happens about an hour before sunrise. At this time of day, it is too dark for the birds to search for food, but also too dark for them to be spotted by predators. There is less background noise, too, so the air is still and sound carries for a greater distance. There is a sequence to the dawn chorus. Robins, blackbirds and thrushes start first, which may be because they have biggish eyes to see in the dark and because they like to look for worms. After a while, all the other birds join in.  Have you noticed the birds singing?  I think it is lovely to think that we are all listening to the birds and enjoying their bird song even though we are apart.

Take care, be happy and keep safe!

Miss Thwaites

Home Learning 12.5.20, by Miss Thwaites

Date: 10th May 2020 @ 9:02pm

Good morning to all my fabulous Skylarks,

Maths: https://www.thenational.academy/year-5/maths/to-convert-between-seconds-minutes-and-hours-year-5-wk3-1 Have a look at converting between seconds, minutes and hours. We have touched on this prior to learning at home and this learning platform is really helpful for you all. 

Please spend sometime joining in a virtual worship: https://www.thenational.academy/assembly

On the home learning ideas, I have put a link to Edsential music lessons. The staff who teach your children Violin and Cello have worked extremely hard to create home learning music lessons. I am aware that some of the children have left their instruments in school, however, it will still be useful if they enjoy the instrument or do have theirs at home to access these lessons. https://edsential.com/first-access-at-home/

Today's riddle: What can you hear, but not see or touch, even though you control it?

Yesterday's answer: There aren't any stairs—it's a one-story house.

Message from Mrs Powell:

Worship message from Mrs Powell

This story of Steven Bradbury highlights the benefits of sticking with it in the long run. You never know what might happen.

Steven Bradbury was an Australian speed skater. He had been to 3 Olympic games already - he hadn't won a medal. Over the past 12 years of training and racing he had suffered some horrific injuries, during which he nearly died. He was financially struggling and had to borrow money from his parents in order to survive.

In the 2002 games he was the oldest competitor in the event. People didn't think he stood a chance, including himself. He had managed to scrape through the heats but had what he describes as the best race on the way when he finished second in the semi-final. He realised he didn't have the raw speed of the younger racers so he employed a tactic of just hanging in there. This worked and got him to the Olympic final.

What can we learn from this?
- Stick with it, who knows what might happen.
- You can get a huge sense of satisfaction and a big boost from trying your best.
- Just how much we can endure and overcome if we want to.

Bradbury trained for 12 years for the Olympics We can all benefit from his approach and learn his lessons if we get in there and have a go ourselves. Go on, go for it!

Take care everyone and stay safe!

Miss Thwaites x

Home Learning 11.5.20, by Miss Thwaites

Date: 10th May 2020 @ 9:00pm

Good morning Skylarks class,

Please click the following link to show you what the Lostock team have been creating over the past 3 weeks: Lostock Gralam C of E- When I Grow Up

I hope you all managed to have a relaxing and enjoyable bank holiday weekend. It has been lovely to see how you have been celebrating VE day and it is clear just how creative you are! I certainly enjoyed celebrating by making some chocolate chip scones!

I know these times are still very uncertain and may be scary for some of you but please remain positive, keep smiling and look after yourselves. 

Today, I would like you to keep working through your maths packs or complete the following lesson online:https://www.thenational.academy/year-5/maths/describe-position-after-translation-year-5-wk1-4

Today's riddle: There's a one-story house where everything is yellow. The walls are yellow. The doors are yellow. Even all the furniture is yellow. The house has yellow beds and yellow couches. What color are the stairs?

Thursday's answer: Carrot

Message from Mrs Powell:

Flowers

Have you planted your sunflower seed? All flowers are different and amazing, so, too, people are all different, but all wonderfully made. Just as flowers can brighten our day when we see them, so, too, each of us can brighten other people’s days by our care and our attitudes.

We thank you, God, for the beauty of flowers.
Giving flowers shows that we care.
Flowers can brighten our day and fill our hearts with gladness.
Please help us to be like flowers to other people,
Brightening their day and bringing joy to those around us.
Amen.

Why don’t you give flower-pressing a go! Instructions are available at: https://tinyurl.com/y9hgtkjz

Take care and stay safe!

Miss Thwaites x

Home Learning 7.5.20, by Miss Thwaites

Date: 6th May 2020 @ 10:22pm

Good morning Skylarks,

Tomorrow we will be celebrating VE Day, it has been lovely to see all the amazing things you have created so far! As part of your history work it would be lovely for you to research as much as you can about VE Day and why we are celebrating this important day! 
 

Please have a go at any of the following activities today:

• Look at the English Heritage for some fun activities:

https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/siteassets/home/visit/ve-day-75/eh-ve-day-at-home-pack.pdf
 

• Do your hair in a victory roll:

This rolled and pinned hairstyle was popular during the war and became associated with the victory 

manoeuvre of fighter aircraft during the Battle of Britain in 1940. Watch the tutorial

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=22&v=JiNuMHD_vcM&feature=emb_title
 

• Watch BBC Newsround to learn about VE Day:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/48201749
 

• Join in a national sing-along with Dame Vera Lynn:

The 103-year-old singer will perform from a window at her Sussex home just after 9pm, following the Queen's special address to the nation, and viewers are encouraged to join her.

Please see documents attached to this blog too!

Today's riddle: There's a one-story house where everything is yellow. The walls are yellow. The doors are yellow. Even all the furniture is yellow. The house has yellow beds and yellow couches. What color are the stairs?

Yesterday's answer: Carrot

Message from Mrs Powell:

Just over 80 years ago, the Second World War began. It was a huge war that involved most nations of the world. On 8 May 1945 at 3pm, Winston Churchill, the UK prime minister at that time, announced to the nation that the war in Europe was over. This meant an end to nearly six years of war that had cost the lives of millions of people and had destroyed families, homes and cities.

Millions rejoiced at the news that Germany had surrendered, relieved that the intense strain of war was finally over. In towns and cities across the world, people marked the victory with street parties, dancing and singing.  Can you imagine how it felt?  What could you make today for a street party? My Gran Peggy told us that she danced all through the night as she had really missed dancing!

Take care everyone, stay safe and have a fun bank holiday weekend!

Miss Thwaites x

Home Learning 6.5.20, by Miss Thwaites

Date: 3rd May 2020 @ 3:01pm

Hello Skylarks,

I am really missing you all and I am thinking about the great memories we have made this academic year. I am thinking about how far you have all come and how much you have grown! I am thinking about how much fun we had creating our Rockstars dance at Christmas and how fantastic each and every single one of you were in the production! It is clear how talented some of you are in dance and performance. The reason you were all so good, is because you worked super hard as a team and shared encouraging words of support with one another to be the best you could be. Today, I would like you to have a look at this lesson to support your well being and develop your understanding of the benefits of working as a team. https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/articles/zdq3bdm

Take some time to have a look at this lesson about positions and coordinates. We have looked at coordinates before in Geography and I know you completed some of this learning with Mrs Evans last year. https://www.thenational.academy/year-5/maths/describing-positions-and-coordinates-year-5-wk1-3

Today's riddle: What's bright orange with green on top and sounds like parrot?

Yesterday's answer: Your eyes

Message from Mrs Powell:

What did the world look like on VE day? What were people eating? Over the past few months, you might have had to eat something different because shopping is a little more complicated. What food did people eat on VE day? Lots of you have been growing your own fruits and vegetables; I’m growing tomatoes, herbs and strawberries and waiting to see if my peppers will grow! During the war, food was rationed so people grew as much food as they could. Another one of my Gran’s favourite foods was liver and she would make me and my brothers and sisters eat it all the time because she said it was good for us! We really didn’t like that but I like the ideas of some of these war time food; my Gran Peggy would have loved the liver casserole!

Here's some of the popular foods eaten during World War II and the sort of dishes that featured in VE Day celebrations.  Do you fancy trying any of them?

• Dripping sandwiches with beef fat
• Lord Woolton pie (cauliflower, potatoes, parsnips, oats)
• Pork faggots with onion gravy and mash
• Homity pie (potato, onion and cheese)
• Corned beef hash
• Liver casserole
• Eggless fruit cake. Why do you think it was eggless?

Take care and stay safe!

Miss Thwaites x

Home Learning 5.5.20, by Miss Thwaites

Date: 3rd May 2020 @ 3:00pm

Good morning Skylarks class,

I trust by now you have all recieved a little something in the post? If you haven't don't worry I am positive it will be on its way to you very soon. 

I hope you are all still adding to your lists of what you want to do when we are out of lockdown as this is a great way to stay positive and motivated. 

Today, I would like you to carry on working through your maths packs if you have activities left to do, or you can have a look at this online lesson about translations which explains it very well:

https://www.thenational.academy/year-5/maths/describing-translations-year-5-wk1-2

The activities I have given this week to do in your afternoons you can do in any order you choose too. Some activities are shorter than others like the Science activity. 

Today's riddle: What are moving left to right, right now?

Yesterday's answer: A secret

Message from Mrs Powell:

Please watch this clip and think about what we talked about yesterday http://tinyurl.com/qbkaq75

I love this story.  Do you think Mr George likes cabbage now?  Can you imagine how he felt?   Victory in Europe (VE) Day marked the end of the Second World War in Europe in 1945. Friday 8^th May 2015 was the official 70^th anniversary of VE Day. VE Day is another day that many people will never forget as it marked the end of a terrible war in Europe, though there was still fighting in Japan until later that year. Mr George’s memorable day was one of great danger followed by relief at still being alive. This is one type of memorable day although hopefully no one present will experience such a day! My Gran Peggy used to tell me when she had her very first orange as you couldn’t get them during the war; she used to make lots of marmalade as oranges became her favourite fruit! Mr George’s story reminds us that we all have special days that will stay with us forever. We don’t know when they will come or what they will be.

Take care and stay safe!

Miss Thwaites

Home Learning 4.5.20, by Miss Thwaites

Date: 3rd May 2020 @ 2:56pm

Good morning Skylarks,

I hope you are all well and looking after yourselves? Remember you are all doing a fantastic job! Here is some Monday Motivation for you:

Who has opened their letter that their friend wrote them? If you haven't and you are still saving it for when you are feeling a bit lonely or down then it will be very comforting for you. 

This week, some of you may be starting to finish work your maths work on decimals. If so, I would like you to start following Oak National Academy Online work which is based currently around Geometry. I will put the useful links on the blogs to help you daily. Remember, do what you can and do not get worried or upset over any of this. If you need any support or help then please email: admin@lostockgralam.cheshire.sch.uk and these emails will be forwarded onto me. 

https://www.thenational.academy/year-5/maths/an-introduction-to-translation-year-5-wk1-1

If you have no longer got any reading comprehensions in your packs then please have a go at this: https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/articles/zmjjqp3

Today's riddle: If you have me, you want to share me. If you share me, you haven't got me. What am I?

Friday's answer: Smoke

Message from Mrs Powell:

Good morning!  This week we are going to think about V.E day.  I’m going to tell you little stories that my Granny Peggy told me; she lived in London during the war and my Grandad was an RAF pilot.  First of all, I want you to think about a day you will always remember, happy or sad.  A birthday, a family event, something you shared with friends. Is there a special food that reminds you of that day?  My niece Edith is now 3 and I was lucky enough to visit her in hospital when she was a few hours old. I remember that gorgeous feeling, how hot the hospital was and helping my sister eat the chocolate I had brought for her! What special memory do you have? What reminds you of that? Some memorable days are happy and some are sad. Each of us will have our own experiences and our own reactions to them. There are as many different sorts of memorable days as there are different sorts of people.

Take care Skylarks and if you need anything please do not hesistate to get into contact via the school email address or twitter.

Miss Thwaites x

Home Learning 1.5.20, by Miss Thwaites

Date: 26th Apr 2020 @ 6:16pm

Good morning everyone,

I cannot believe we are entering the month of May! Who will be celebrating their birthday this month? You have reached another Friday of home learning which means that you all deserve a hot chocolate to celebrate the success you have had this week! You are doing a great job and I am so proud of each and everyone of you!!

Today, I would like you to have a go at a comprehension text this morning. Please complete on that is in your learning packs and if you already have then here is a link with some comprehension:

Please have a go at recapping learning on short division for maths: https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/articles/zdynscw

Why not have a go at the maths challenge too? https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/articles/zndnf4j

Today’s riddle: I have no feet, no hands, no wings, but I climb to the sky. What am I?

Yesterday’s answer: A clock

Message from Mrs Powell:

Home Learning 30.4.20, by Miss Thwaites

Date: 26th Apr 2020 @ 6:10pm

Hello everyone,

Today is Thursday which means it is tonight we will clap for our NHS and pay tribute towards all the frontline workers applaud them for their bravery at treating those who are unwell. Make as much noise as you can, get the pots and pans out! 

Continue working through your Maths work in your packs, why not focus on completing the maths mats made by First4Maths! These are such a brilliant resource and you can change the number in the star multiple times!

Last week my 6 month old puppy (Ruby) had her first haircut!!

Then she thought she would help me with some digging in my planters that I am trying to make. 

We have been looking at Relative clauses in school and we are aware of the relative pronouns that we can use. A relative clause adds extra infomation to a sentence to make it more complex. Have a go at following the link to recap this learning: https://www.thenational.academy/year-5/english/character-description-spag-focus-relative-clause-year-5-wk2-4

Todays’ riddle: I have two hands, but I can not scratch myself. What am I?

Yesterday’s answer: A hole

Message from Mrs Powell:

Home Learning 29.4.20, by Miss Thwaites

Date: 26th Apr 2020 @ 5:52pm

Hello parents and Skylarks class,

I hope you are all looking after yourselves? Today i’d Like you to continue working through your packs and concentrate on spellings this morning, maybe making some flash cards to write the spellings on and then look at the word, turn the card over and verbally spell it or write it and then check answer. 

I have been spending a lot of time over the weekend upcycling some furniture! Here are some pictures:

Please tweet me ways you have been creative over the weeks as I love seeing them!

You are all so fantastic at reading and I would love it if you could give this a go to focus on the meaning of words. https://www.thenational.academy/year-5/english/character-description-reading-comprehension-word-meaning-year-5-wk2-2

Have a go at recapping your learning of short and long multiplication: https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/articles/zjbyvk7

In your active time, where you would like to do some PE, why not have a look at some of these games on this link for some inspiration: https://www.youthsporttrust.org/pe-home-learning

Today’s riddle: The more you take away, the more I become. What am I?

Yesterday’s answer: Mount Everest 

Message from Mrs Powell:

Take care everyone and stay safe!

Miss Thwaites x

Home Learning 28.4.20, by Miss Thwaites

Date: 26th Apr 2020 @ 5:40pm

Hello everyone,

Remember all the work you have done so far you are doing such a great job in these unusual circumstances! Keep making sure that you are not doing too much and that you are looking after your minds too! It is important not to over exert yourself and to stay positive! How are you all getting on with those lists of things you would like to do when all of this is over?  

This is a great thing to recap as the children are very good at it and have worked hard to achieve it. https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/articles/z7r492p

Again this is another great way to recap the learning the children have already done. It is great to refresh their memory and repeat the learning they have done. https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/articles/zvv6t39

Today’s riddle: Before Mount Everest was discovered, what was the highest mountain on Earth?

Yesterday’s answer: because they don’t know the words to be song

Message from Mrs Powell:

Home learning 27.4.20, by Miss Thwaites

Date: 26th Apr 2020 @ 5:16pm

Hello all,

I hope you had a lovely weekend enjoying the glorious sunshine! It has been lovely to see all the fantastic work you have been doing and just how creative you all are on Twitter! Over the weekend I put up some photos of you all to make you smile so if you haven’t seen them have a quick look!

This week, I have decided to set you a project which encompasses different activities that link to different areas of our curriculum. It would be really lovely to see you tweet your work at the end of the week! 

Please continue to work through your decimals work in your maths packs. It would also be great to see you recap your knowledge of similes and metaphors via this lesson on BBC Bitesize https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/articles/zkygrj6

Also in your creative time why not have a go at ‘Singing with feeling’ https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/articles/z44x6v4

Today’s riddle: why do bees hum?

Friday’s answer: A river

Message from Mrs Powell:

“The books transported her into new worlds and introduced her to amazing people who lived exciting lives.” Matilda

When you listen to a brilliant story or read a great book, do you think about the characters and imagine you are doing those exciting things? What would it like to be Harry Potter, to go through the Gruffalowood or visit Narnia?  

Take care everyone and stay safe!!

Miss Thwaites x

Home Learning 24.04.20, by Miss Thwaites

Date: 19th Apr 2020 @ 3:13pm

Good morning on this lovely Friday morning,

I hope you are all well and I am super proud of all the home learning you have been completing. If you are unsure of anything or you are needing more work to add to your packs, please do not hesitate to email the office and I will be able to support you through this.

Today, continue doing some more maths and recapping the learning you know so well on addition and subtraction. You will also be completing your RE project today on Hinduism researching the symbol and what it means. You can either draw this or print one out to put into your workbooks and explain the meaning behind the Om symbol.

On the school website, there is now a section called ‘home learning’ which has different websites and ideas to support with your home learning. I know this will have been explained in a previous email but this is just a reminder that it is also there to help you.

Recap learning of similes and metaphors via this lesson on BBC Bitesize https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/articles/zkygrj6

In your creative time why don’t you have a go at ‘Singing with feeling’ https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/articles/z44x6v4

Today’s riddle: What has a bed but never sleeps, can run but never walks, and has a bank but no money?

Yesterday’s answer: A piano

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.”

Keep smiling!

Miss Thwaites

Home Learning 23.04.20, by Miss Thwaites

Date: 19th Apr 2020 @ 3:13pm

Hello Skylarks and parents,

What great weather we are still having! I hope you are all managing to get out in the sun still and enjoy spending time together. Keep up the hard work as you are doing a great job!

Today, continue with those maths questions and have time to do some spelling practice from the booklet in your packs you could complete some fun games to support your learning.

Today’s riddle: What has 88 keys, but cannot open a single door?

Yesterday’s answer: Five. Each daughter has the same single brother.

Message from Mrs Powell:

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!

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

Take car and stay safe.

Miss Thwaites x