Good morning Everyone

Good morning everyone,
I am writing this at 8 o,clock Monday morning. I have very mixed feelings and emotions like most of you I am sure. It feels very strange that year 2 are not coming into school yet. We will miss all those who are not with us. The school looks and feels very different but all the staff will welcome the children who are coming back with a smile. 
Learning will be very different. We will follow the home learning packs sent home. Don't forget to look at all the other activities such as P.E. 
We are all pleased we have more freedom now but please remember social distancing and stay safe.
Mrs Blackman, Mrs Acland and Miss Roberts
A new game suitable from reception upwards!
Adding and subtracting single digit numbers, sequences, place value, times tables etc.
Welcome to Maths Chase, we aim to make maths learning more fun for everyone. We have found that our simple game really helps children learn their times tables. Our games help children learn by repetition and increase their speed gradually as they become more skilled. Maths Chase allows you to increase the speed you need to answer questions as you become more confident in a fun and engaging way.
 
Daily jobs
Year 1 are looking at mass and capacity this week. An ideal time to do some cooking to apply their maths in a practical, fun way. Added a little fun problem for you to do too!
https://nrich.maths.org/10337
Year 2 are looking at multiplication this week. BBC supermovers have always been a favourite of our class.
I have added a problem for you to solve as well 
https://nrich.maths.org/8062
 
whiterosemaths.com/homelearning/year-1/
whiterosemaths.com/homelearning/year-2/
 
English
The Storm Whale by Benji Davies (Simon and Schuster)
This is the story of a lonely little boy, a whale washed up on the beach and a friendship that will change both their lives forever. Noi and his father live in a house by the sea, his father works hard as a fisherman and Noi often has only their six cats for company. So when, one day, he finds a baby whale washed up on the beach after a storm, Noi is excited and takes it home to care for it. He tries to keep his new friend a secret, but there's only so long you can keep a whale in the bath without your dad finding out. Noi is eventually persuaded that the whale has to go back to the sea where it belongs. For Noi, even though he can't keep it, the arrival of the whale changes his life for the better - the perfect gift from one friend to another.
Please make sure you are happy for your child to interact with this book. I would not want anyone to be upset by it. 
 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R2_Qocy-O4U 
  • Look at the illustration on the front cover. Discuss what you think the book might be about. Read the blurb on the back. Does this give you any other ideas?
  • Think of words and phrases to describe whales. Can you use similes or metaphors too?
  • Write a description of a storm over the ocean.
  • Retell the story from Noi’s (or the whale’s) point of view.
  • Write a newspaper article about the events in this story.
  • Think of some speech / thought bubbles to accompany the illustrations in the book.
  • Noi tells the whale stories about life on the island. Imagine what one of those stories might be.
Activities to do -

Make a soundscape of a stormy sea
Using voices or improvise instruments to make the sounds of a stormy sea.  This is more fun if you do it together, perhaps recording your stormy sea sound effects.

Paint a picture
Paint a picture of the whale at sea, like Noi does

Storytime 
This week listen to a fable before bed  and discuss what the theme is and what we can learn from it.
Topic work - summertime!
Please look at all the flowers and creatures that you see around you in the garden or on a walk. Make a daisy chain or blow a dandelion 'clock.'
We need to stay safe in the sun - please look at the tab - stay safe in the sun. There are activities to complete for the whole school to do. I have added an extra power point for you to look at and some activities to complete. 
We need to look after each other - make sure you do some exercise each day and something calming like yoga. Check out the well being page.
There is also some art linked to our book - The Storm Whale.
Perhaps you could make a seascape and pretend to be at the seaside. 
PHONICS AND SPELLINGS
Children with a Lexia account need to be using it for 20 minutes every day. We only have a limited number of children who can access Lexia. If it is not used then we can allocate another child who can benefit from it.
 
This week I would like you to really concentrate on your handwriting when you are learning your spellings.
 
Children learning their phonics need to continue with those lessons. I have attached the original letter for you as a reminder. 
I have also attached an example of the sounds they would be asked in the end of year phonics assessment. 
Have a look at Mr Thorne does phonics if you need help with how to say a sound or as revision for your child. 
The link below is for nonsense words but you can google any sound you are unsure of.
 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0qJhGSvKh4o
 
Silent letters are always tricky so the following link will be useful practice for those children who have some knowledge of them. 
 
 
 
Look for the attached  handwriting sheets linked to spelling. Remember neat joined writing if you are able to.
 
If you would like an alternative to the activities below please look at 
 
There are daily lessons for English and maths. On Wednesday afternoon the science is habitats which is an extremely popular subject with our class. If you would like to do some French, you need to watch it on Thursday - 'Counting and food and drink.'