Wednesday 22nd April

Happy Wednesday everyone!

Miss Moss-Silverson here, I hope you all had a wonderful Easter Break and were able to get out in the beautiful sunshine we were so lucky to have!

Today’s work is as follows:

English:

Spelling:

Today, I would like you to practise your spellings by look, cover, write, check method. You don’t need to draw out a grid like you have at school. Just write out the spellings once on each line and complete the look, cover, write, check for each.

Reading:

Please read for 15 minutes today.

Writing:

Today, you are going to draft your information page. Remember that you will have time later to edit your work so don’t worry if you aren’t sure, put your ideas down and you can make changes.

We have written information texts before so you should remember some of the key features. Remember this is a non-fiction piece of writing so all of the information should be factual.

Checklist:

Title

Introduction

Sub-headings

Factual information

Paragraphs

Third person

Correct punctuation

Pictures/drawings

Maths:

Having been looking at perimeter, can you work out the answers to these perimeter word problems on the worksheet.

Topic:

Today, I would like you to have a look at Stone Age Cave Paintings. Look through the slides below to find out what cave paintings are and see some interesting pictures of cave paintings. So much has been learnt from these paintings which show us a snippet of what life was like in the Stone Age.

Once you have read through the slides , research more about Stone Age Paintings, make notes about what you find out!

Tuesday 21st April

Good Morning Woodpeckers!

How was it getting back into the swing of it yesterday? It feels odd going back to school at home doesn’t it? I know my son is finding it strange (yup, I’m teaching him as well at the moment) but Miss Moss-Silverson and I are so very proud of you all cracking on with it and we are looking forward to being able to see you all again! Today’s work is up!

English:

Spellings:

Today, have a look at each spelling and have a think about what each words means. Then look your up the meanings of the words in a dictionary. Don’t worry if you don’t have a dictionary at home, you can use an online dictionary.

Reading:

Please read for 15 minutes today.

Writing:

This week we will be creating an information page all about the Middle Stone Age Britain as part of our Topic, Tribal Tales.

Watch the short clip about life in Middle Stone Age Britain. Don’t make notes the first time you watch it, just listen carefully to all the information being given.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/teach/class-clips-video/story-of-britain-middle-stone-age-animation/zvkg92p

Now, watch again, this time, take notes of the important factual information you learn about. We have taken notes many times at school when watching clips and listening to information. Note taking is an important skill which you will use all through your lives.

Things to remember:

Have your pencil (sharp!) and paper ready before starting the video!

Short bullet points with factual information.

Don’t write in fully sentences as you will miss more information while writing.

Don’t worry about making sure you have used the correct spellings and punctuation, as long as you understand what you have written.

You could also research more on the Stone Age to find more information.

You will use all this information to create your information page when we start writing!

Maths:

How many different shapes can you draw with a perimeter of 24cm?

If you think you have found them all then try shapes with a  perimeter of:

·        36cm

·        25cm

·        20cm

If you can challenge yourself then try and draw shapes that are different to rectangles and squares.

Topic:

There are different parts to the Stone Age – the Palaeolithic Period, the Mesolithic Period and the Neolithic Period. During that time the types of houses Stone Age people used changed. Have a look at the different houses shown on these sheets and then have a go at drawing and labelling homes from the different time periods.

Answers to yesterday’s work

SPaG:

Topic:

Monday 20th April

Welcome back Woodpeckers!

I hope you have had a really lovely Easter break and have definitely eaten lots of chocolate! It has been lovely to have so much sun and I hope you have got out in the garden and had some lovely walks. My children have certainly been in the garden more than inside most of the time and we’ve all been enjoying Easter eggs.

Miss Moss-Silverson and I will be putting work up again for you now and we hope you enjoy having a go. If you are finding it too tricky then please have a look at the year 2 blog and have a go at the work Miss Gordon has set and if you think you fancy a bigger challenge you can also have a try at the work year 4 are doing from Mr Ind on their blog.

English

Spelling:

As you are used to doing at school, we will be focusing on a group of spellings a week.

It would be really useful for you to practise these spellings as you would if we were at school.

Monday: Introduction to spellings

Tuesday: Look at the meaning of the words in a dictionary

Wednesday: Look, Cover, Write, Check

Thursday: Spelling test

This week we are looking at the prefix ‘anti-’. The prefix goes at the start of the root word and changes the meaning. There are two sets of spellings, one slightly trickier than the other. Please choose the list that will challenge you. If you want to add some of your own ‘anti-’ words that is fine too. I know some of you are used to doing that already, but please make sure they are spelled correctly before you learn them!

Spicy Prefix – anti

antiseptic

anticlockwise

antisocial

antibiotic

antifreeze

antibody

minute

mention

Mild Prefix – anti

antiseptic

anticlockwise

antisocial

antibiotic

antifreeze

purpose

pretty

Reading:

Please read for 15 minutes today.

Have a look at the text below, reading carefully. Have a go at writing the answers to the questions.

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SPaG:

Today, we will be looking at First, Second and Third person by using certain pronouns.

We use pronouns all the time, when talking and writing!

Have a look at the reminder explaining how we use pronouns when choosing the correct words to show ownership.

Have a go at the worksheet to practise using the correct pronouns to make the sentence, first, second or third person.

Have a go, answers will be posted tomorrow =)

Maths:

We have been looking at the perimeter of different shapes as part of our work on measurement.

The perimeter is the distance around the outside of a complete 2D shape.

Find different shapes around your home and measure the length of each side. Can you add them up to find the perimeter?

Topic:

Our new topic this half term is ‘Tribal Tales’ and we will be looking at the Stone Age, the Bronze Age and the Iron Age.

The first time period we are going to be looking at is the Stone Age.

As a way of getting to know the time period we are going to be looking at Skara Brae. This is a Stone Age settlement in Scotland and we can learn a lot about the time period by studying it.

Please read the information on Skara Brae and then complete the questions about it.

If you want to investigate further, can you research Skara Brae yourself and find out some more interesting facts?

Extra Topic Ideas

We will be carrying on putting daily topic challenges linked to our topic of Tribal Tales for you Woodpeckers but if you fancy doing something more here is a list of interesting challenges to get your teeth into!

Friday 3rd April

Can you believe it? Last day before the Easter holiday officially starts!

Wishing you and your parents an amazing and relaxing Easter break! You have worked so hard over the last half term and have really risen to the huge challenges that have come our way! Keep smiling and enjoying the special time you have with the loved ones you live with =)

Please do your best to keep reading regularly through the Easter break and keep practising your times tables on TT Rockstars.

After today, the next work will be posted on Monday 20th April.

Here is today’s work:

English

Reading

Please try and read or 15 minutes.

Choose your favourite book you have read this half term and write a summary of it. Make sure you include enough information to give the important details.

Writing

As we reach the end of the half term, we have looked at lots of things that make our area special. If you go out on your daily walk out, or if you go out into your garden. Write a description of an interesting view. Make sure you include noun phrases, similes and alliteration to really bring it to life.

I have also included the answers to yesterday’s apostrophe challenge to help you see how you have done.

Maths

 TT Rockstars- If you can, practise your times tables.

Have a look at this pictogram- answer the questions.

Can you say anything else about the data shown?

Topic:

We have reached the end of our topic! Have a look at the home learning sheet at the front of your topic books or further back on our blog. Choose something you haven’t done yet and have a go! Enjoy =)

Thursday 2nd April

Hello everyone!

Hope you are all feeling awake and ready to learn! I am sure many of you have woken up to Joe Wicks’ workout and are ready to go!

Parents, if you haven’t seen it already, have a look at our Wellbeing and Mindfulness blog. You will find it here: https://www.plaistowandkirdford.org/wellbeing-and-mindfulness

Today, you have the following work:

English:

Reading

Please make sure you read for 15 minutes.

Re-read the poem ‘Nature Trail’, using your pairs of rhyming words from yesterday can you write your own verse to the poem using different animals and plants you might find in the garden. Try to use the same rhyming pattern as Benjamin Zephaniah and make it sound like his verses.

Writing

I have added in the answers for yesterday’s apostrophe challenge, well done for having a good go!

We are looking again at apostrophes but this time as singular or plurals.

Sometimes it is a singular object or thing that has something belonging to them, sometimes it is a group of objects. You need to spot if it is a group of objects or one object to show where the apostrophe will go.

For example:

·        The lions’ manes (plural)

·        Jonathon’s football (singular)

Maths:

TT Rockstars- If you can, practise your times tables.

Have a look at the bar chart, have a go at answering the questions below. Don’t forget to explain how you know you’re right!

Topic:

At times like this, it is important to remember just how amazing you are!

Have a go at completing the sheet below. If you’re unable to print it, don’t worry, just do it in your topic book.

Enjoy celebrating you!

Wednesday 1st April

Happy Wednesday everyone!

Half way through the working week…already!

I had the lovely opportunity to talk to many of you and your parents on Friday morning when I was in school! So lovely to hear about everything you have been doing, work and play as well as helping your adults at home who have many things to juggle!

The work you have done…wow, I am so, so excited to see all the wonderful things that you have all told me about! I know Mrs Howe is also extremely excited and was very pleased to hear all the wonderful things I told her about our conversations! Makes us miss Woodpeckers all being together, even more but blimey, we have so much to talk about as a team!

Today, we have set you the following work =)

English:

Reading

Please make sure you read for 15 minutes.

Re-read the poem ‘Nature Trail’, can you spot all the pairs of rhyming words. Some words have a half rhyme like ‘time’ and ‘mine’ so they nearly rhyme.

Write down 6 pairs of rhyming words yourself.

Writing

We have looked at using apostrophes for possession before. This is where apostrophes are using to show when something belongs to someone. For a reminder:

For example: Mrs Howe’s book.

The general rules are:

·        Add an apostrophe and the s to show who/what the object belongs to

·        If the word already ends in an ‘s’ then just add an apostrophe.

There is also a guide to apostrophes to attached to help.

Fill in the sheet adding in the missing apostrophes. If you want to challenge yourself, can you write some of your own sentences using possessive apostrophes.

Maths:

TT Rockstars- If you can, practise your times tables.

Continuing our work exploring data, have a look at the information on the sheet. Can you answer the questions and explain your reasoning.

Have a good look at the numbers going up vertically and the categories running along the bottom.

Topic:

Art

Carrying on from yesterday’s History Work, we are looking at historical and commemorative statues and monuments. Hopefully you found pictures of some examples from your local area or well known monuments from around the world.

Today, I would like you to have a go at sketching a statue or monument of your choice. Think about how you use the space on your page and whether you will draw portrait or landscape. Don’t forget to press lightly when sketching so you can easily rub out anything to make changes. Once happy, you can use the pencil to add different levels of shading to create a variety of tone.

Have a look at the photos below to help.

Tuesday 31st March

Good Morning Woodpeckers!

I hope you all have a lovely day :) I can’t believe we are on the countdown to Easter now. Well done for keeping working hard on your challenges too! Here are today’s:

English

Reading

Please make sure you read for 15 minutes.

The reading questions from yesterday should be finished. The answers are below to help adults with any help needed.

Writing

Today we will be finishing the autobiographies.

When writing about Key Stage 2 so far you may want to include school closing, or you may not. Write about what has happened and how you feel.

For your conclusion (your ending) think about how you want to finish your autobiography. This isn’t the end, this is just your story so far.

You may want to include phrases like:

‘I’ve had lots of fun adventures so far…’

‘I wonder what adventures the future will be’

‘I’m looking forward to all life has to come’

Maths:

 TT Rockstars- If you can, practise your times tables.

Today, I want you to have a think about what you could collect data on (types of flowers in the garden, number of goals scored in a football game, types of food in the fridge). Choose something and collect this data in a sensible way and then put it into a table, making sure you use a ruler and clearly show your findings.

Can you write a few questions to ask someone to answer at home?

Topic:

 Throughout our current topic ‘Local Pioneers’ we have explored our local area and particularly looked at Plaistow.

Today, I want you to research your home village/town.

Think about:

When it became a town/village? Why?
When did the first settlers arrive?
What major events have happened in the area?
What important buildings are there in your town/village?
What key industries have helped it grow?
Are there historical and commemorative statues or monuments?

Don’t worry if you don’t find out all the things above, enjoy investigating the history of your town/village. Start looking back over the last 100 years.

Record your findings in the best way for you eg. Mind map, bullet point list etc.

Save pictures you find if possible.

Monday 30th March

Hi Woodpeckers!

Welcome back! I hope you have had a lovely weekend and enjoyed your family time. I spent yesterday making lots of lego with my children and I hope you had a lot of fun too. This is the last week before the Easter holidays and although things are a bit different at the moment we can still have a fun week :)

English

Reading

Please read for 15 minutes a day. Make sure what your child is reading is a suitable level and if possible read to an adult.

Here is a poem ‘Nature Trail’ by Benjamin Zephaniah. Over the next 2 days please read it and then answer the questions. Encourage the children to look for key words in text to help them find the answers.

Writing

Look back on what you wrote last week on your autobiography. Please write the next 2 sections of your autobiography (preschool and Key stage 1)

When you have finished be sure to re-read it and check it for:

·        Spellings

·        Capital letters and full stops

·        Using the first person

Maths

 TT Rockstars- If you can, practise your times tables.

 A few weeks ago we looked at statistics and how we can show data collected in different kinds of ways such as tables, pictograms and bar charts. We always talk about explaining how you know your answer is correct so we are hoping you try hard to explain your reasoning.

Have a look at the Maths page below with a table showing data collected of Favourite snacks.

Can you answer the questions 1 – 7.  For each, have a go at writing a sentence to explain how you know.

Then have a go at answering questions 8-10, can you explain how you know whether each is true or false?

Topic

In RE we have been looking at sacrifice and what a sacrifice really is. We have linked this into the Easter story and watched the events of the Easter Story as well.

Can you show your own presentation of the Easter Story? You may want to do a cartoon strip, make a cube with a picture on each side, make a model or write it as a story. The choice is yours!

Friday 27th March

Good Morning Woodpeckers!

It’s Friday! Well done for working so hard at home, although we are not all together at school, Mrs Howe and I have been thinking about you all lots and know you have been trying hard to do the work we have set. So 1 more day of work before the weekend!

Here are your tasks for today.

Reading

Please make sure you read for 15 minutes.

Imagine you are the author of Harriet Hare. Look at the style the extract is written in and what has happened so far.

Write the next part of the story, what do you think might happen next?

You may want to write this as a story or as a cartoon strip to show what might happen.

Writing

Look at the first 2 headings of notes you made on your life so far. A lot of your memories will be based on what you can find out from your family.

Write the first 2 paragraphs of your autobiography, explaining what happened in your baby years and then toddler years. Try to use lots of description and make it entertaining to read by putting in any funny anecdotes you can.

When you have finished be sure to re-read it and check it for:

·        Spellings

·        Capital letters and full stops

·        Using the first person

Maths

Can you find 3 sticks in the garden? Or 3 different length pencils in the house?

Measure them all – if you are feeling confident write down how many cm and mm.

Can you add the three  lengths up to see how long they would be altogether?

Choose 2 of the lengths and find the difference between them.

Do this again with a different combination of lengths.

Can you find 3 different things to measure the lengths of and repeat?

Use the previous strategies in the column addition and subtraction challenges to help you with these.

Topic Work

What a week! You should be incredibly proud of yourselves this week, it has been the first week we haven’t been in school together as a class learning but you have continued to work hard at home.

I want you to have a think about what you feel proud about this week. What have you found difficult but continued to try hard anyway? Did you make a bad choice but then reflected and made a positive change? Were you particularly impressed with a piece of learning you did? I am sure there is lots! If you aren’t sure, have a look at the ideas below and talk to your family at home-they may think of something you haven’t!

You can either print the worksheet or do this in your topic book, the choice is yours!

Thursday 26th March

Hello lovely Woodpeckers!

Who had a go at Joe Wicks’ workout? I did it with my family, we especially enjoyed hopping like bunnies! Don’t forget it is on every morning Monday to Friday.

I hope you have been enjoying the work Mrs Howe and I have set you so far. Hopefully, you are able to do lots of other things too as well as helping out your adults at home.

Below is today’s work =)

English

Reading

Please make sure you read for 15 minutes.

Look again at the extract from Harriet’s Hare. Think about the setting. What is a valley? Look up the definition in a dictionary or on the internet.

Draw a picture of the setting and what you think it would look like. Be detailed and creative.

Writing

Following on from yesterday’s work on your autobiography, today you are going to write a introduction. Introduce yourself and who you are. Make sure you are writing in the first person, which means you need to write as yourself ‘I’, ‘me’, ‘we’.

Maths

We have looked at column subtraction. To help you do this make your own tens and ones using straws, tooth pics, pencils (or anything else you can think of which you can make into bundles of ten).

Practice column subtraction with your tens and ones, then have a go at drawing them out. Once you have done this, practise column subtraction with just numbers.

Why don’t you use a dice to generate your numbers and make some column subtraction questions of your own.

Link to video for column subtraction of 2 2-digit numbers:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pADFYrGdyYE&list=PLWIJ2KbiNEyq1iZ36fRe-xTJ4NNZsmYz9&index

 Topic Work

I hope you enjoyed researching Graffiti artists yesterday, I very much look forward to hearing
about artists you found out about and who you thought were inspiring!

Today, we are looking at the work of Banksy. Have a look at the information below.

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Your task:

What do you feel strongly about?

In the style of Banksy, create a piece of artwork that promotes your views. Use whatever resources you have, pen, pencil, paints etc. Choose whether you want to do your work in black and white or colour.

I have started an example for you. I feel strongly about reducing plastic waste so have started
sketching out a pile of plastic bottles and cups and chosen a few words. I now want to add a few bits of colour to highlight areas and make it stand out. Remember, your piece of art is for the side of a building or a wall.

As I always say in our Art lessons- you can’t be wrong! Have fun with your ideas! Enjoy =)

Wednesday 25th March =)

Good Morning Woodpeckers!

Yesterday’s weather was beautiful, I hope you all managed to get out in the garden for a little while to enjoy the sunshine and get some fresh air =)

Below is the work for today.

Don’t forget that Joe Wicks is doing ‘P.E with Joe’ on ‘The Body Coach TV’ You Tube channel at 9am every morning to get you moving and ready to start the day!

I know Mrs Howe and her family have had a go and I am planning to do it with my family this morning!

English Work

Reading

Please make sure you read for 15 minutes.

The reading questions from yesterday should be finished. The answers are below to help adults with any help needed.

Writing

Last week we were looking at autobiographies the information that we need to include in them.

An autobiography is a piece of writing about someone’s life that they write themselves. This week you will be writing your own autobiography of your life so far.

Today you will have different headings and you need to write down some ideas underneath for each stage of your life – any memories you have (or memories your parents can tell you) and any feelings you associate with them.

The headings are:

Baby

Toddler

Pre-school

Key Stage 1

Key Stage 2 so far

You may want to add in extra specific ideas or headings, which would be brilliant! Make sure you keep your ideas chronological (in the order in which they happened).

Maths Work

I have added the answers to yesterday’s questions for you to hopefully help. But now on to today…

We have looked at column addition. To help you do this make your own tens and ones using straws, tooth pics, pencils (or anything else you can think of which you can make into bundles of ten).

Practice column addition with your tens and ones, then have a go at drawing them out. Once you have done this, practise column addition with just numbers

Why don’t you use dice to generate your numbers and make some column addition questions of your own.

Link to video for column addition of 2 2-digit numbers:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hHM25Nx4vhg&list=PLWIJ2KbiNEyq1iZ36fRe-xTJ4NNZsmYz9&index=7&t

Topic Work

Hello Woodpeckers! Miss Moss-Silverson here!

For those of you who were in last Friday, we had a look at Graffiti artist, Keith Haring.

Today, I would like you to research Graffiti art and see if you can answer these questions:

What is Graffiti art?

Where can you see Graffiti?

Does all Graffiti art look the same?

Can you find other Graffiti artists like Keith Haring?

Don’t worry if you don’t find answers to all of the questions- just have fun exploring art, you never know, you may stumble across another artist and style that you really like!
Tomorrow, we will have a go at creating some artwork in the style of a very famous Graffiti artist!

Common Exception Words

I am so sorry I managed to miss the common exception words off yesterday’s blog post. I’m sorry for any problems this caused but here they are now!

Tuesday 24th March Work

Hello Woodpeckers and Woodpecker Parents!

With these strange and unprecedented times Miss Moss Silverson and I have been putting together some work for you. There will be a writing and reading task a day, as well as Maths and topic. Where possible we will be putting answers up as well but please do use calculators to help you check.

The work will be linked to things we have already done this year and in English will mostly be carrying on what we started last week for the first couple of weeks as you worked so hard on it.

English

For your English we will be looking at different writing and reading activites.

Here is the year 3 and 4 common exception words the children need to learn by the end of year 4. Try to learn 5-10 of these a week.

Reading

Please read for 15 minutes a day. Make sure what your child is reading is a suitable level and if possible read to an adult.

Here is an extract from ‘Harriet’s Hare’ by Dick King Smith. Over the next 2 days please read it and then answer the questions. Encourage the children to look for key words in text to help them find the answers.

Writing

Look at the ‘expanded noun phrases’ sheet. Write out interesting and detailed sentences using expanded noun phrases.

Maths

Please try to complete 15 minutes of TTrockstars or other times table practice a day.

We have been looking at different units of length – mm, cm, m and km

Look at these page of different lengths to convert. Sheet 2 is a bit more of a challenge so choose the sheet that you think suits you best.

Remember

10mm = 1cm

100cm = 1m

1000m = 1km.

To change cm to mm you MULTIPLY BY 10.

To change m to cm you MULTIPLY BY 100.

To change km to m you MULTIPLY BY 1000.

HOWEVER

To change mm to cm you DIVIDE BY 10.

To change cm to m you DIVIDE BY 100.

To change m to km you DIVIDE BY 1000.

Topic

Please look at the topic book and sheet for different options you may like to do, this sheet is also published in the previous blog post.

In addition, a Science Challenge:

We have been looking at light and different experiments exploring light.

However, the light from the sun can be damaging for your eyes. This is why we wear sunglasses and hats in sunny weather.

Can you research what UV light is and why it is damaging for your eyes.

Design a pair of sunglasses or hat to protect yourself from the sun’s light. Then create a poster to advertise what they do that is so good and how they protect you.

Home Learning Ideas

Anti-Bullying Week

We were really fortunate to watch a show and have a workshop all about anti-bullying this week. It was really interesting and useful to think about making small changes in how we act can have a big impact on ourselves and other people. We learnt that standing tall and confident, being firm but polite and talking to a teacher can really help if you feel upset at how people are behaving towards you We also learnt to be kind, considerate of other people and helpful to them to make us better friends. The Woodpeckers all enjoyed getting involved in the drama workshop to illustrate this.

A trip to an active volcano

We have sprung into our new topic this half term and last week the children boarded a plane to the Democratic Republic of Congo to visit Mount Nyiragongo, an active volcano. We embarked on an expedition to take lava samples from the lava lake but were defeated when a new lava spring opened up and we had to beat a hasty retreat!

The children enjoyed this role play experience and it led to descriptive writing and recounts of their experience! We are looking forward to exploring more about volcanoes and the disaster of Pompeii in the coming weeks.

Pandora's Box

We had an exciting looking box arrive in our classroom this afternoon and we do not know what is inside it! We read about Pandora’s Box and how opening it let all the bad things into the world, but also hope. For now we are not risking opening the box in the classroom but instead we are going to design and make our own boxes to contain good things for the world!

Magnetic Games

We have been learning all about magnets in science this half term and today we got to create our own magnetic games showing what we knew about how magnets behave. The children created racing games, mazes, challenge games, football pitches and more. They were very enthusiastic and could use magnets carefully to create their ideas!

An afternoon of art

Woodpecker class had a wonderful afternoon decorating Ancient Greek style vases. We used a mixed media of colouring pen, collage and paint and used Ancient Greek inspired patterns and colours to make our beautiful work.

They are a work in progress.. but we can’t wait to show you when they are finished :)