Please bear with us whilst we arrange our new class page.
Welcome to Willow 2017-18!
Sports Day
Please can all pupils who wish to stand for Sports Day Captains ensure their speeches are ready for delivery in Friday's assembly - 16th June.
Enterprise Fortnight
A huge thank you to all parents (and grandparents!) who volunteered to mentor our Y6 entrepreneurs today: we are very excited about the events to come!
Monday 12th June
Tuesday 13th June
Wednesday 14th June
Thursday 15th June
Friday 16th June
Monday 19th June
Tuesday 20th June
Please see the photos page for a few snaps from today!
Keep Calm - it's only SATs Week!
We have been working so hard all year, that I am fully confident that all children in Willow Class will do their best during SATs week, and that is all any of us can ask for - that the children focus, and really try to show off everything they have learnt over the last 4 years of school.
These tests are not Y6 tests, but end of KS2 tests, so the majority of the content will come from the Y3, Y4 and Y5 curriculum, in addition to Y6.
Please do everything you can to ensure your child is feeling happy and confident as they approach their SATs: a high self-esteem works wonders! Whilst we all want every child to perform to the best of their ability, nobody wants any child to feel under pressure. At the end of the day, the SATs are a measure of how a child performs on one particular day in May - there are all manner of external events that could affect their performance, which is why I also send a detailed teacher report up to high school too.
Here are a few tips to minimise your child's stress and help them prepare for the tests:
If you want to revise, then keep it short and sweet - in bursts of 30 minutes. Use post it notes and revision cards to boost those already learned facts, rather than just read the textbooks. Ask your child what areas they want to revise.
Does their bedroom still need tidying? Hold back on raising things that might cause an argument during this week. Keep things at home as relaxed as possible so they come back to a calm environment after a day of exams. Hang fire on the other matters until next week.
Nervousness is a natural response when it comes to exams and it's OK for your child to be nervous. The main thing is for you to inject a positive spirit into their week, remind them everyone feels like this and to show them that despite the nervous feeling, they can and will get through it.
Fruits such as blueberries have been coined 'brain food' for being packed full of anti-oxidants and protect the brain from 'oxidative stress'. Walnuts and eggs also make the cut, as well as bananas and apricots which release energy slowly into the body and can help ease that jittery, nervous feeling. Chunky Kit-Kats are not a recommended breakfast food, I'm afraid!
It may seem like an obvious one, but getting them to sleep a little earlier than usual should prove beneficial. It means they'll be bright and ready to go the next day, but also that if they tossed and turned before sleeping, which is natural before exams, that no sleep time is lost.
Breakfast is an important meal of the day, but even more so when sitting exams. With the tests often being in the morning, it's crucial your child has something to eat before they head into school, even if they feel too nervous for breakfast. We will be offering our SATs Breakfast Club from 8:30 each morning, with plenty of fruit (and pain au chocolat!)
The key is not to place too much pressure on your child, particularly as we, as a school, have already explained the importance of them. However, a parent's encouragement can go a long way, so be armed with ways to reassure them that they CAN do it, rather than suggest potential consequences for if they don't.
Exercise is a proven way to help reduce stress, which is why it's recommended for children taking their SATs. During the week, once they've done their tests for the day, one way to wind down could be taking them for a kickabout in the park or go for a swim. It should also take their mind away from worrying about their next day.
The week's leading up to their SATs are filled with revision, so its important that on the actual week, they aren't trying to cram in last minute learning, which can prove to be more stressful. Whether it's dance, sport or art, let them indulge in their hobbies this week to keep it more of a relaxed week.
Broken pencils and protractors without the numbers on aren't going to help anyone revising for a test - if revising at home, make sure they have proper equipment they need.
Happy Easter!
Enjoy the Easter break - have some fun, relax and enjoy not being at school!
Well done to everybody for their contribution to the Vikings project this term - our dance was loved by all, and we received some very positive comments from parents, who could not believe we had created that in such a short space of time!
Pancake Flipping!
We have had pancake flipping heats today in class -
the winners from each team are:
Louis - 53
Gabriella - 59
Kyle - 65
Max - 66
Ellie - 66
Naidan - a fabulous 68 flips in one minute!!!
Congratulations to Miss Greaves who achieved 63 flips in a flip-off with Mrs Evans, but the star of the show was Mrs Evans with an impressive 78 flips in 60 seconds.
Disco
Year 6 are in charge of next week's disco. We have been researching, planning and calculating, and are looking forward to it!
However, as the PTA normally run the discos, the PTA volunteer their time to supervise the event. We now need to ensure there are enough adults in attendance, so please let Mrs Evans know if you are able to attend. The more adults, the better!
It would be preferable if children could stay in school to help set up for the first disco at 4.15pm. They can bring a packed lunch into school to eat in between the two events, or if you prefer, they can return home for their evening meal and we will factor this in to the organisational responsibilities of the children.
Spring!
If I am honest, I am in shock at how quickly this year has already flown by. How on earth is it the middle of January already? Before we know it, we will be waving goodbye to the children as they embark on their last summer holiday before becoming secondary students...
However, before then, there is lots to do! Here's an overview of what we are exploring this half term:
Maths
Number: Decimals
Number: Percentages
Measurement
English
Journey to the River Sea by Eva Ibbotson. Whole class reading comprehension work.
500 Words Story Writing Competition - See attached powerpoint
Focus
The focus this term for Y6 is 'Raging Rivers', as part of our 'Extreme Environments' whole school focus.
Science
Living Things and Their Habitats
Test your fractions knowledge here:
http://www.math-play.com/fractions-board-game/fractions-board-game_html5.html
Anyone reading the class page can have an awesome point for finding the definition of the word....
Perfunctory
Updates
We have had a great day today!
Firstly, we learned about what the Kindertransport was, and how 10,000 German Jewish children were transported to England prior to the outbreak of the 2nd World War. We were then privileged to meet Judith Rhodes, the daughter of Ursula Michel, who was sent to England, aged 16, just days before the war began. Children were enthralled by Judith's story, listening with intent as she described her mother's journey, the conditions and the difficulties she faced upon arrival - alone, scared and filled with dread at what the future held.
We were lucky to be able to see some of the items Ursula carried in her little suitcase, which was tiny. Precious belongings had been lovingly cared for, for over 75 years.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l92-HALfFBs
In the afternoon we were lucky to be able to enjoy a Google Expeditions demonstration - immersing ourselves on the Moon; Macchu Picchu; Kruger National Park; the Great Wall of China; in a shark cage facing Great White Sharks... A truly amazing experience with some fantastic technology. We hope to look into being able to use Google Expeditions in our lessons in the future.
https://www.google.co.uk/edu/expeditions/#about
Tomorrow we will be visiting the Cenotaph at 11am for Remembrance Day, and continuing to explore poems of war, creating poems of our own in a very different way.
One half term down....
What a fantastically busy and brilliant half term we have had!
Our Focus topic, 'Why should the world be ashamed of slavery?' has provided great opportunity for the class to explore a wide range of interesting and thought-provoking areas of interest. We have collated a book to share aspects of our work - please see the photos page.
Have a wonderful half term break, and get plenty of rest - it's going to be another busy one!
If you do have a spare moment, then visit www.studyzone.tv for revision, practice your spelling list, and ensure you are fluent with all the times tables!
See you in November.
:-)
Mrs Evans
30th September
Well done to everyone in Willow! Today's assembly on 'Perseverance' was fantastic; you all worked so well together to create what I'm sure will be the best class assembly all year.
Please can I remind children to bring in their homework books every Monday? If you complete a MyMaths/Studyzone/SPaG.com based homework, then write what you have done (along with any scores or results if appropriate) in your homework book.
Here's a test to see who checks the class page - an awesome point is available for any child who finds out the definition to the following word, and writes both the definition, and a sentence which uses the word, in their homework book to be handed in on Monday 3rd October.
The word is.... 'testudinal'
Welcome to Willow!
I have been so impressed with the enthusiasm and attitude from everyone in Willow since term began. The class enjoy working in collaborative teams, offering and receiving support from their classmates whilst being challenged in new ways. Knowing your stuff is one thing: having to explain it to someone else so that they understand it is quite another!
The class have done very well in getting to grips with our new Blooms Rocket, displaying different areas of understanding. Sometimes we will focus on a 'Know and Remember' skills, other times we will be working on 'Apply', or perhaps 'Evaluate'. Please see the rocket below should you wish to have more information regarding this.
All class have now applied for their class roles. It seems that our 'happiness monitor' is our most prized role, so we may need to double up on that one to ensure everybody has a turn at spreading happiness and joy around our class.
Hopefully parents received, and have read through, the information I sent home on the websites I will be using with your children this year. We have a long road ahead of us; the end of KS2 SATs are difficult, there is no denying that fact. However, with continued support from both school and home, plus sheer perseverance and a dedication to succeed, your child is capable of achieving great things.
I look forward to the next few months - they are going to be busy!