World Book day

Catkins

This week we have focused on growing. We read the story 'The Jack and the Beanstalk' and explored different beans and seeds. We also enquired about what we need to help a plant grow and read 'Jasper's Beanstalk' to give us some ideas! We invited a enthusiastic gardener (our very own Mrs Head) to teach the children how to prepare the soil and plant the beans. The children wondered where the beans will grow best! We will be monitoring the growth of these beans over the coming weeks. Last but not least, Catkins loved our World Book Day activities! We read the story 'Pattan's Pumpkin' and imagined what we would store in our pumpkin in case of a flood! In the afternoon, the children made their own potato characters and described their characteristics to adults! Super job Catkins!

Rowan

This week, we have been exploring units of measure with rulers and metre sticks and using the words length, and height. We quickly realised that a cm is smaller than a m, and were able to group our measurements in two groups: less than a metre and more than a metre.

R2L

This week in R2L, we have been looking at why there are rules. We have discovered that rules are mostly in place to keep us safe, to help us to know the right choices to make and to provide order. When playing games, we agreed that when everyone follows the rules the games are much more fun as we all know what to do. However, if the rules suddenly changed, it was very frustrating. We even had our own R2L orchestra where we had to watch the conductor very carefully! We decided that most rules are cool!

World Book Day

Rowan

We used the beautiful book, Pattan's Pumpkin to lead our writing. First, we explored a range of fruits and vegetables; we focused on texture, smell and colour and created expanded noun phrases.  In the Indian fairy-tale, Pattan grows a ginormous pumpkin which saves his village from a flood. We wrote our own instructions for growing pumpkins, followed by created our very own potato pals! 

Birch

Birch Class had a wonderful time on WBD, dressing as their favourite characters and listening to work from an award-winning author. They loved making the potato that they has bought in into their favourite book character using their creativity and imagination! I think that they look amazing!

Sycamore

This week we celebrated World Book Day. Firstly we looked at the poem ‘Sandwich’ by Valerie Bloom who is a Jamaican author who now lives in Kent. Afterwards, we created our favourite book characters out of a potato! Who knew potatoes could be so versatile! 

Year 5 /6

Year 5 and 6 had great fun on World Book Day, creating characters from favourite books from potatoes. Inspired by the exciting story, 'King Kong' by Anthony Browne the children used their empathy skills to imagine that they were one of the main characters (Ann Darrow), writing a letter home using evidence for the text. We also looked at the beautiful book ‘Change Sings’ by Amanda Gorman and looked at how we can all make a difference.

EARA

This week, four young leaders from Year 5 travelled to Waterlooville to take part in our first Equality and Rights Advocates meeting (EARA). This group has been set up to ensure that children have an active role in ensuring our school is inclusive and accepting of all different people, wherever they are from and whatever their ability. During the meeting the children met an artist who specialises in  using art to express his emotions and feelings and they had a chance to create their own masterpieces depicting an emotion they felt strongly. 

The group will meet regularly and will use their platform to inform and educate others on the importance of acceptance and kindness.

Science, Art and Pancakes.

Catkins

We kickstarted our week with pancake day preparations! The children designed, labelled and then decorated their own pancakes! We also had some messy and active pancake activities to stimulate discussion! This week we began our new topic 'Ready, Steady Grow!' which focuses on learning where our food comes from, how food is produced and the lives of animals on the farm. We created our own farm shop that sold fresh produce and even had the chance to use our 5 senses to explore the wonderful fruits and vegetables we had delivered! Catkins then did some super sketches of their favourite fruits and vegetables! Well done for another fantastic week!

Rowan

This week, we have been inspired by the artist Yayoi Kusama- (The Queen of dots), to create our own sculptures. For our innovate challenge, we had to design a flower template, draw it on to a paper plate, cut it out and paint it using bold colours. 

Birch Class

Birch Class have been continuing their work on forces and magnets. This week, they have used magnets to sort magnetic and non-magnetic materials. From this, they discussed the question,' If all magnetic materials are metals, are all metals magnetic?'.  The children worked in pairs to discuss, prove and share their ideas. 

Sycamore

This week Sycamore Class have been learning about the water cycle. We brought this to life to using plastic bags to show precipitation, evaporation and condensation and water collection that occurs within the cycle. This has also linked in with our English work based on a book called 'Rhythm of the Rain'. 

Year 5 and 6

The first day of term started with the discovery of  a mysteriously large footprint at Stanmore school. The children followed this intriguing find with an exciting treasure hunt to learn more about the creature who produced the footprint and the story surrounding it.

Learning through experiences

Catkins

Although it is our final week before half term, Catkins has remained as busy as ever! This week we focused on the number 8, looking at some creepy creatures that have 8 legs and how we can represent 8 on a tens frame! This week marked the last session in our 'Long Ago' topic. We looked at old toys and how we can identify if a toy is old or not! The children then became toy makers and made their own wooden peg dolls inspired by the toys children would make in the past! The children have enjoyed becoming historians to investigate the past during this topic. T Lastly, the children had a fabulous forest school session with Mrs Jupe! The children learned how to navigate around a fire safely and even were offered a marshmallow for their listening! Well done Catkins for a super start to 2023!

Maple

Another great week for Maple class maths! The school has invested in some fantastic new resources for the children to use, magnetic foam tens frames. These have proven fantastic for modelling maths concepts and the children have loved using them to investigate those concepts and deepen their learning. What a fantastic investment. 

Rowan

This week, we have been investigating which bag would be the best to use in the rain. We made predictions, decided how we would carry out our investigation and talked about fair tests. With the varying materials, we filled each bag up with the same shopping and poured the same amount of water on to the bags. We quickly realised that the plastic bags were the best as the material is waterproof and did not absorb the water. However, the string bag was the worst in the rain as the water rushed in through the holes and made our shopping very wet!

Mr Foard paid us a visit this week!  Jobs has been our focus for PSHE this half term, and we all decided that we would like to find out more about Mr Foard's jobs. We asked him some very thoughtful questions- we found out what he is afraid of too!

Birch

Birch Class have been exploring soil this week as part of the 'Rocks, Relics and Rumbles' topic. We took samples from different areas of the school grounds and used the soil testing chart to work out what type of soils we had. We also examined the contents of soil by mixing a sample with water and leaving it to settle, so that we could clearly see the different layers.

Year 5 and 6

This week the children in year 5 and 6 took part in a food sustainability day at Winchester College. The children had a great day and they took part in a range of activities, including: making soup, learning about the digestive system (using tights and a jam sandwich), powering a smoothie maker using a bicycle, planting trees for the King’s coronation and learning about the importance of reducing food waste.

R2L

This week's target has been "I can use my words when I am upset." The children have had fun reading The Colour Monster, sorting their feelings out and then putting their own "feelings" into a jar. They have also practised using their words when they were upset through role play with the puppets.  The children have discovered that it is ok to feel upset, but by using their words and letting others know how they are feeling enables them to find a solution to their worries.

What a busy week!

Catkins

This week we continued on our journey of exploring what life was like long ago! We were so pleased when William's Nan came to visit us and share her memories of growing up, school and chilly winters! The children also investigated their own families and found that all of our families are unique which makes us all very special!

In maths we have been investigating the numbers 6 and 7! We met Louise the Ladybird who enjoys her spots being decorated in different ways! The children used Louise to show how they can represent 6.

Maple

Maple class have created some amazing transient art this week during our new art topic 'Rain and Sunrays'. They looked at weather motifs and then created transient art using a range of loose resources. We had some amazing results! 

Rowan

This week in Rowan class, we have been investigating the strength, texture and absorbency of paper. By observing, tearing and touching we were able to conclude that cardboard was the strongest, tissue paper was the smoothest and a paper towel was the most absorbent. In art, we then used our knowledge on absorbency to create stunning filter paper flowers.

Birch

As we approach the last week of the half term, Birch Class's Matilda themed dance is coming together beautifully! We are learning to improvise, use facial expression in our moves and this week, we have added in a prop. The children have loved portraying the character of Matilda in their dance work; this week, we joined together all of the different sections that we have developed so far into the main piece.    

In science this week, Birch Class have been continuing their work on 'Forces'  by exploring non-contact forces and magnets. They have worked with the magnets to find the poles, magnetic attraction and repulsion. We are looking forward to investigating different magnets in our next lesson.

Sycamore

This week in Sycamore Class we have been investigating temperature. We had to find out the best way to slow down the melting process. Every 15 minutes we had to measure the temperature of different ice cubes either in different places or covered by different materials (hopefully acting as thermal insulators). 

Oak Class

Oak class used a torch and ball to represent and describe Earth’s rotation to explain day and night and the apparent movement of the sun across the sky.  

Fire service visit

The children in Year 2 , 5 and 6 enjoyed a visit from the Fire Service who taught them about:  the main causes of fire and how the risks can be reduced, the triangle of fire and what to do in the event of a fire.  

The children loved the interactive presentation and learnt many key skills in staying safe in the event of a fire starting. Some children even tried on the protective suits!

Proud of our Achievements

Maple Class

This week Maple class have been continuing their journey into maths mastery by learning addition within 20. They have been learning about number bonds to 20 using concrete resources and have really been really enjoying their learning. 

Rowan

This week we have learning all about multiplication! We have moved on from equal groups to using arrays. We investigated how many arrays we could make with the same total of counters and then wrote down the multiplication and addition sentences.

Oak

In science, Oak class used a ball, flat table and small figure to test Aristotle's observation that the Earth was spherical in shape after watching ships sail over the horizon.

R2L

This week in R2L we have been thinking about how we can focus on our own behaviour. We tried a variety of activities including decorating cupcakes, making badges and exploring nature trails where we had to think really hard about what we were doing. We learnt that by thinking about our own choices and not allowing other things to distract us, we had positive outcomes. This made us feel happy and proud.

Netball club

The children are learning new skills in Netball Club and they are looking very smart in their new skorts.

A wonderful week at Stanmore

Maple Class

Maple class have finished their shelters this week. They designed their shelters on paper using a design criteria and then constructed it out of various junk modelling material. They thought carefully about its design, both functionally and aesthetically. We then reviewed our shelters as a class to see if they served their purpose! 

Rowan

This week, we have been understanding what erosion is and how it impacts the coastline. With an erosion demonstration, we saw that the waves washed away the sandcastles but when we built a seawall the sandcastles were protected as the wall acted as a defence.

Sycamore

Sycamore have been looking at rivers around the world, recapping lots of positional language for geography. 

ELM

Elm class have been looking at some of Picasso’s work in Art this week, focussing on his continuous line drawings. We then attempted to replicate some of them and explored the use of different shading techniques.

R2L

This week, we have been looking at different ways to help us calm when we are feeling strong emotions. We have learnt that by disrupting our thoughts by doing activities like arts and crafts, breathing, yoga and cooking that we can help ourselves to feel better.

Football

A group of year 5 and 6 children took part in a football festival at Kings, where they endured the freezing weather and played 8 games against different teams. They represented the brilliantly and showed great sportsmanship. Well done everybody.

Our Amazing Work

Look at all the amazing work that the children have completed at Stanmore Primary School.

Our creative curriculum

Rowan Class

This week, we began by sketching roses and carnations looking closely at the shape and form. We then added water colour and focused on the varying hues.

Birch class

Birch Class have started their new PE unit, which for the spring term will be dance. We are learning steps to dance to a beat and developing our use of facial expressions to represent the characters that we are portraying. The children enjoyed learning a jazz square and using it to improvise a dance in the style of Matilda - they were brilliant!

Year 5 and 6

The children continued to look at Earth and Space in Science and this week they created a visual model of the planets, using fruit to see a different perspective of the distance of the planets from the sun.

Four children from Year 5 were chosen to complete a Sports Leadership Course at King's, where they learnt about what makes a great leader and different sporting activities that they can implement in their role as leaders.

The Grand Opening

Year 6 common room officially opens

Today marked a first for Stanmore Primary School as a new common opened up specifically for the use of year 6 children. The first lunchtime was really successful, with activities including table tennis, jigsaws, table football and hungry frogs (!). The children ate their lunch in there and enjoyed some relaxation time with their peers.

If anyone would like to come in for a lunchtime and either teach the children a new skill or make something with the children then please contact Mrs Atkins or the office. Also if anyone has any spare games, bean bags or craft equipment they would like to donate then they would be gratefully received. The year 5 children are already looking forward to their turn next year.

Birch class

Year 3 had a very creative start to their new book on Tuesday. Inspired by the book, 'The Rock Factory', the children used the instructions in the book to create their own crystals! They followed the instructions carefully, and later evaluated how effective they were. The crystals are starting to arrear on the wool - what a dazzlingly clever class they are!

Yr 5 and 6 Den building

As part of the hook for our new text, the children in year 5 and 6 learnt how to survive in the wild and took to the outside areas to create their own dens. There was lots of creative thinking and team work and although there were some wet children by the end, everyone had a good time. Not sure we would want to sleep in them though!

Forest School

The children have really enjoyed their introductory sessions to Forest School this week. They have explored the environment, made clay and leant how to play in the woods safely. These smiles show how much it was enjoyed - and how messy we got.

Staying in control of your child's health

Please find details below of a new website and Mobile app called ‘Healthier Together’, which provides comprehensive advice for parents, young people and pregnant women.

T'was the week before Christmas....

Beyond the Beat

Our wonderful musicians joined with the Kings Orchestra to perform their End of Term Performance. 

They demonstrated all of their Keys to Success in order to achieve this. Well done! Everyone was so impressed with how amazing you sounded. Thank you to the King’s students who attended and for Hampshire Music Service for their continued support.

Christmas Lunch

The children enjoyed a fantastic lunch this week, cooked by our excellent kitchen staff. there were crackers, hats and even Christmas music for everyone to enjoy. Thank you to the kitchen staff for your hard work and to all the staff for being excellent waiting elves!

Minstead

Last week Sycamore class enjoyed their residential trip to Minstead. All the children represented Stanmore School beautifully and had an amazing time. It was great to see all the sleepy smiles when they arrived back at school. A big thank you to Miss Evers, Mrs Taylor and Mrs Jones for giving up their time to make sure the children had a trip they will always remember.