Marvellous Maths and Wonderful Writing
Maple
This week, children in Maple Class have been learning to use specific mathematical language to compare numbers. In Year 1, children are using greater than, less than and equal to, to compare numbers and have been using cubes and straws to show the comparisons .
In Year R, the children are using language such as more than, less than, the same amount, as well as comparative words (longer and shorter, taller and shorter, bigger and smaller, heavier and lighter). They have been using lots of fun activities to explore these concepts.
Rowan
Rowan class have been writing some fantastic apology letters to this week to a very sad rabbit who has had all his trees dug up!
Also this week Rowan class had their 'visit' to an art gallery. They explored some famous still life paintings by artists such as Claude Monet, Henri Matisse, Vincent van Gogh, and Paul Cézanne. We discussed what they liked about the art, what their favourite pieces were and the style of art that each artist used. They then chose a piece of art that they wanted to try and recreate in their own artistic style. Well done Rowan class.
Sycamore
Sycamore Y4 were considering different scenarios in RE and justifying their viewpoints. They showed some excellent critical thinking skills and thought carefully about their anmswers.
Aspen
This week in Aspen class we have been looking at hierarchy systems within the Shang Dynasty. Children were discussing why the king was at the top, who would be at the bottom and why.
Elm
Elm class have been writing their final outcome this week and have worked hard at creating their own time lapse narratives. We learnt new ways to edit our work and also how to use semi colons correctly.
Learning through History and Music
Maple
Our new Year R children are continuing to settle into Maple Class and are showing their persistence and confidence in their new learning and surroundings. They have been learning to read and write the first five RWI speed sounds, and in maths, are learning to match, sort and compare groups of objects. Year 1 Maple Class have been showing their skills in number as they learn to find 1 more and 1 less of a number, proving what they know on a number line. They have also been learning to ask questions using 'wh' question words.
Rowan
This week Rowan class have been enjoying learning to play the ukulele. Hampshire Music Service put on a Listen to Me programme for the Year 2 children where they will learn a variety of instruments over the course of the year, culminating in an end of term concert. They have been learning to pluck, strum and tap the ukulele to create different tunes and learning different songs to go along with it. They have been having a great time and their music teacher is already impressed with their focus, resilience and persistence.
Sycamore
Sycamore Class have been learning about what happened after the Romans left Britain. They have started to find out about the different groups who invaded and why. They had to work hard in pairs to find the answers to the questions and convince each other that they had the right answers!
Elm class
Elm class have been writing descriptions of the Frost Fair inspired by the writing on Emma Carroll. They have worked hard to include semi colons and fantastic vocabulary
In music they were composing original pieces of music using ostinato and repeated rhythm. Some of the children were even brave enough to perform their piece to the whole school.
Welcome back
Maple Class
A very warm welcome to all of our new children in Maple Class. They have settled in brilliantly and have loved exploring all of the exciting activities in Maple Class this week. Amongst other learning, the children have been matching objects and patterns in the maths area, learning to mix colours, retelling the story of the Three Little Pigs, recognising the pictures and rhymes for the RWI Set 1 sounds and much more! They have been enjoying the delicious school lunches and playing outside on the Pico Eagle and Trim Trail. A huge 'well done' for being amazing on your very first full week of school!
Birch Class
Beyond the Beat has started again! We are really proud of our Year 3 musicians who have such a brilliant opportunity to learn a musical instrument. Other children who have chosen to continue with BTB will resume their lessons too.
Sycamore
Sycamore have been working hard to represent and partition numbers to 10,000! As you can see from their smiling faces they have really been enjoying it!
Elm Class
Elm class completed a task 'What’s in the bag?' in RE.
They were all given a paper bag. Some had a digestive biscuit in and some were empty. They had to decide if this was JUST or UNJUST and give reasons for their decisions. Those children then had the choice of a chocolate digestive or plain and the children had to re-evaluate their decisions with justifications. The children have also started their art this week by exploring the use of tints, tones and shades. They used either white, black or grey to create different colours and explored how much of each colour was needed to change the original shade completely.
Safeguarding Notice
Dear parents and carers
Safeguarding Notice: CatNap cartoon (You Tube)
Content can be graphic, and include images of significant harm, abduction and foul language
Parents have made me aware of a current video/cartoon available online called ‘Cat Nap’ which may not be age-appropriate and include content that is traumatic to young children, includes references to harm and contains foul language.
Although this cartoon may appear innocent at first glance, it has resulted in some children being fearful, traumatised and/or displaying threatening behaviours. We have now witnessed this in school and the link to CatNap viewing is central.
Parents and carers are therefore advised to be cautious of unmonitored viewing of this cartoon. As always, parents are reminded that unmonitored access to tablets and online devices places children at significant risk.
Beware: the nature of cartoons has changed. We no longer live in an era where cartoons are for children and content, whilst superficially innocent, is often graphic and inappropriate.
The last week of term
Year R
YR children have been practising their adding and subtracting with the counting bus this week. They have been working out how many passengers were left on the bus when some got on the bus or got off the bus at different bus stops. They also investigated odd and even numbers by being passengers on a bus. If we had a friend sitting next to us, the number of passengers was an even number, if there was no friend next to us, we were the odd one out and so the number of passengers was an odd number. The children then investigated different numbers using blocks and animals as their passengers, to determine whether a given number was odd or even.
Year 1
After taste testing different fillings and designing their sandwiches last week, the children worked hard this week making their own sandwiches and decorating their sandwich boxes. The fillings ranged from cheese, cucumber and pepper, to the more exotic jam and raisins! It was great to see the children using the skills of spreading, grating and slicing.
Rowan
This week Rowan class have been creating beach huts. They have gone through the design, make, evaluate cycle. They began by studying beach huts then designed their own using their own design criteria. Then they planned what they needed to do and made them using a hacksaw, glue gun and cardboard corners to reinforce the wooden frame. Finally, they put the frames together and decorated their huts, using lolly pop sticks to create wooden cladding. They even created some amazing roofs for their huts to create shelter. They then evaluated their huts and decided on things that they liked and what they would do better next time. They look fantastic. Well done as always Rowan class.
Birch
Birch Class have been using software to produce branching data bases. They learnt how to identify specific attributes of objects in order to develop their yes/no questions and have drawn on previous learning to create excellent branching databases. Some children created them to sort minibeasts, dinosaurs, 2D shapes and even monarchs!
Sycamore
Sycamore explored simple machines, learning how they make physical jobs easier by changing the strength or direction of a force.
They looked are six simple machines: pulley, lever, wheel and axle, wedge, inclined plane and screw. They were then challenged to make a catapult using a lever to launch a small object as far as they could. The children also had great fun programming our micro bits. We know how to write messages and make the LEDs and make music on them! It was great fun!
Aspen
This week, in Aspen class, we have been investigating how to separate different mixtures, solutions and suspensions as well as understanding the differences between irreversible change and reversible change. We performed an investigation that showed how a chemical reaction between vinegar and bicarbonate of soda created anew substance - carbon dioxide - which made the change irreversible.
Year 6
A-Lad-In-Trouble.
Well done year 6 for fantastic performances of your play this week. It was clear how much hard work had gone into the learning your lines, organising the props and learning the songs. Thank you to all the families and friends who came to support the children and a big thank you for all the hard work from the teachers in organising 44 children to put on a great play.
Bikes, Science and the New Forest
Year R
Year R children had four days of bikeability this week where the children practised their balancing skills and how to glide on their bikes like birds. Everyone learnt how to check their bikes and helmets and made sure there was no bumping into others!
Year 1
In our Science topic, Y1 learnt all about worms this week. We read the Superworm book, drew our own worms and even made our own worm houses. We learnt that the darker band around a worm is called a saddle and the end closest to the saddle is the head!
Rowan
Rowan class had their last Listen 2 Me concert of the year where they got the play the African drums to their adults. They have been practicing hard for the past term and have been learning how to create a rhythm as well as learning about the culture of those who play these instruments. The turn out of the concert was amazing so thank you to all who came. I am very proud of their performance. Rowan class truly exemplify the school's BEST values by Belonging to their class, putting on an Excellent performance, Supporting one another through the performance and after and Trusting in one another and their teachers. Well done Rowan class.
Birch
In Birch Class, we have started our new science unit on 'Light and Shadows', and have our fingers crossed that the sun makes an appearance so that we can see shadows outside! In the meantime, we have been investigating light using coloured cellophane, prisms, light reactive paper and mirrors. We have explored natural and artificial sources of light and reflectors too.
Sycamore
As the final element of our ‘Ancient Civilisations’ topic, we had to write a letter comparing the civilisations that we have been learning about (Egypt, Sumer and Indus Valley) by looking at some key aspects of what makes a civilisation. The children have also been looking at making repeating and symmetrical patterns based on Islamic Art. It also linked to our work on shape.
Aspen
Aspen class continued with their Mix Media Art unit this week and spent the afternoon using marbling ink to create unique patterns. We were very impressed with their creativity.
Year 6
Year 6 had the fantastic opportunity to go on a school trip to Cameron’s cottage in the New Forest this week. They built dens, hunted for bugs and even found a couple of leeches!!
Bringing the outdoors into our learning
Reading Festival
This week the children enjoyed a day celebrating the classic tale of Aladdin. They took part in reading and writing activities, created some beautiful botanical weaving, made amazing lanterns and even watched a magic show. Everyone enjoyed the day and it highlighted how much we value reading at Stanmore Primary School.
Outdoor learning
Children in Sycamore and R2L had fun in the woods this week making dens and clay faces for the trees - very creative.
Rowan
Rowan class have been very busy this week for their science unit, Animal survival. For their innovate challenge they had to come up with a way to improve the school environment for animals. They chose to find a way to improve it for invertebrates and decided that making a bug hotel would be good for them. So, they went and collected as many natural resources as possible from the school grounds and created their bug hotel. They are very proud of it and will be doing regular observations to see if any invertebrates will be coming to stay!
Birch
We have started our new art unit in Birch Class called 'Beautiful Botanicals'. We enjoyed botanical weaving as part of our Reading Festival activities and today, have been learning about the importance of botanical artists and comparing and contrasting their styles. The children then made detailed drawings of a selection of fruits and flowers, using the sketching, shading and texture skills previously taught. Some children used their colour mixing skills using the medium of pencils to show realistic tones and shades. Beautiful work, Birch Class!
Aspen
Children in Aspen were learning to programme using a selection condition in Scratch. They all successfully created their own quiz and extended their learning by adding a variable to keep the score.
Year 6
Yr6 are working hard to put on their Aladdin themed production and this week received some fantastic Aladdin themed costumes which they enjoyed trying on-special thanks to Integrate for supplying them. The children finished their final topic lesson this week, which culminated in a group project looking at the events that led to the end of WW2. They also looked at prejudice/discrimination in PSHE this week and how unkind words can deeply affect someone's feelings.
Our very talented children
Stanmore Dancers
Well done to our Stanmore dancers this week who picked up a second and first place in their competitions. Amazing job!
Stanmore Musicians
Beyond the Beat children took part in a fabulous showcase of all their hard work this week with a concert at Thornden school. They all did brilliantly and we were so proud of them.
YR
The children in YR went on a special musical trip to Turner Sims this week. They were able to sit among the musicians and take part in a transport inspired concert. We went on trains, hot air balloons, cars and even bicycles. Everyone had a brilliant time.
Rowan
Rowan class have been busy this week designing, creating and evaluating their bag tags! They prepared their felt, cut it into shape, chose the colour, and sewed the pieces together using a running stitch. It required a lot of persistence and resilience during the process, but they got some amazing results from it. They even added embellishments onto their tags to uplevel their designs. Well done Rowan class.
Birch
Birch Class children are loving their Tag Rugby PE unit, despite playing in the tropical temperatures on Wednesday. This week, they have been learning to throw the ball between team members from stationary and moving positions. We will be using these skills in our attack and defence play in the next lesson.
Aspen
Aspen enjoyed learning about the delicate art of quilling in Art. They learn how to roll the paper properly before placing it on the correct place on the picture. They showed great perseverance for a really fiddly task.
Oak
Oak class have been looking at the decisions world leaders made during WW11 and how these impacted their countries. They showed great understanding and were able to compare these decisions with those made in WW1.
A wide range of experiences
Disco time
Huge thanks to FOS for organising our Hawaiian Disco this week. The children had a fantastic time and they all looked amazing. Thank you to everyone who came and supported the school
Mad Science
This week the children had an assembly led by a mad scientist! She demonstrated key scientific concepts such as gravity and force. The children thoroughly enjoyed it and managed to ask and answer some excellent questions.
Maple
Maple class have been exploring plant parts and related topics this week. They have looked at different leaf shapes, built their own beanstalks and spent time in their very own garden shop. Year 1 children were scientists and investigated different trees, looking at their roots, trunk and trying to work out what tree they were from the types of leaves.
Rowan
Rowan class have done some amazing computing this week. They have become DJ's while making digital music on Chrome music lab.
Birch
We have started a new unit of writing in Birch Class, inspired b the book, 'A Roman Soldier's Handbook'. The children have been learning to skim and scan to identify key information, and use this to decide whether or not they would recommend being a member of the Roman army. We used a 'Conscience Alley' to help a potential new recruit to decide if he should join up or not. He was persuaded that it would be a good choice to join!
Aspen
Year 5 enjoyed a jobs fair in PHSE looking at a range of jobs from veterinary physiotherapist to forensic computer analyst. They learnt about the skills and qualifications needed to be employed in various jobs. Planning for the future, they thought about what they could do now to achieve their aspirations
Year 6
Year 6 have been continuing with their art project this week. They looked at still life compositions using an abstraction and distortion approach to drawing. They then used mixed media ( oil pastels, water colour and wax) to produce these outstanding pieces of art. They also received their amazing leavers hoodies.
Trips and all our other wonderful learning
Maple
As part of their DT project, Maple class have been exploring cutting, slicing, mashing and grating of different fruits and vegetables this week. They were able to talk about how the fruit changed and also the texture and appearance.
Rowan Class
Rowan had a fabulous day at Lepe beach They took part in a beach safari (finding lots of small crabs), a scavenger hunt and investigated mini beasts. Everyone had a great time and the teachers were super proud of all the children - the sun even came out for a short while.
Birch
In maths this week, children in Birch Class have been learning about different types of lines. They have used their understanding of horizontal, vertical, parallel and perpendicular lines to draw shapes on squared and isometric paper, using a ruler correctly. What super work!
Aspen
Aspen class has continued with their science investigations to find out more about the properties of different materials. This week we have been working in groups to investigate whether materials are soluble or insoluble. We also investigated the affect hot water had on the solubility of sugar which may have involved Mr Viney making himself a cup of tea!
Year 6
Year 6 have been practising distortion and abstraction techniques in art to convey feelings and mood. We think they look amazing - can you guess what the mood is?
The children have also been designing their own theme parks in maths; using budgeting skills to finance their project as well as looking at their economic forecast depending on the amount of visitors they entice in.
