Weekly News! 13.12.24
What a truly wonderful week we have had in class! The children have been working exceptionally hard, and I am incredibly proud of their efforts and enthusiasm.
As we embrace the festive season, I’m excited to inform you that our nativity practice has well underway! The children have really shone in their performance’s practices so far, and it’s heartwarming to see their creativity and teamwork blossoming. It’s a delightful time of year, and we encourage you to support your little ones by discussing their roles and helping them with any lines or songs they might need to memorise.
Letters and lines have been sent out, if these have been misplaced or you would like some support with costumes, please let us know us know by Monday.
Please can all children come in to school on Wednesday 18th dressed in their costume ready for the big day! They will need to bring a named bag, with a full school uniform, to get changed into after their performance 😊
We can’t wait for you to watch their hardwork!
Christmas party day! Tuesday 17th December
Party clothes to be worn all day 😊
Please could children bring in...
English
We have been working carefully on our sounds and red words, and I must say, the children have been truly impressing their teachers with their excitement and effort. Additionally, we have been focusing on maintaining nice, neat handwriting, which is really beginning to show in their work!
This week in English, we have been thoroughly enjoying our learning based around the beloved story of "Stick Man." It has been a delightful experience for the children as they have engaged with the narrative and developed their understanding of its themes and characters.
One of our key focuses has been on the features of a letter. The children have explored different types of correspondence and have even practised writing their own letters. It was wonderful to see their creativity and their budding understanding of the structure and purpose of a letter.
In addition to this, we have also introduced the concept of using commas in lists. The class practised this skill through various fun activities, including creating lists related to the Stick Man story. It was great to see them apply this punctuation skill in a practical context!
Reading
Reading at 3 - Every Friday at 3 our doors will be open for you to come in and read with your child, please note, this will be for the full 15 minutes and children should not leave any earlier. Their books will be set up and ready for you to come in and enjoy listening to their wonderful reading.
Reading folders – Some children will continue to bring home two books, one being a RWI home book. Children are expected to try and read this three times during the week to ensure they are building on their reading fluency. The RWI home books will be changed by an adult.
The other book (with the coloured sticker) should be changed independently by the child themselves - first thing in the morning is a great time to do this!
Many children have now been moved onto the accelerated reader programme. (Please check their reading records for their ZPD scores. We will continue to assess and move more children onto this when they are ready. Children can change these books after they have completed the quiz online. The AR login can be found here… https://global-zone61.renaissance-go.com/welcomeportal/1892319
For a guide on how to use Accelerated Reader please click here… https://www.chiltonprimary.co.uk/accelerated-reader
Please ensure that the reading folders are placed in the reading trays/baskets, so we can read with your children and ensure books get changed. Thank you for your support with this!
Please listen to your child read as much as possible at home and record this in their reading records. Every week, one child from each class will receive a reading certificate in our Chilton Heroes assembly.
Maths
This week, the children have been revisiting their understanding of the values of coins. We have engaged in various activities that involved comparing and sorting different coins, which has helped reinforce their knowledge of how much each coin is worth. It's been fantastic to see them become more confident in handling money!
Additionally, we have been exploring ways to make the same amount using different combinations of coins. This has not only been a fun challenge for them but has also encouraged their problem-solving skills. We've also touched on converting pence to pounds, which has helped to clarify the relationship between these two units of currency.
Thematic
Within our thematic learning this week we have been focusing on, design technology.
Our discussions began with an exploration of London Bridge and its remarkable resilience during the Great Fire of London. The children were fascinated to learn about the historical significance of the bridge and how its design contributed to its ability to withstand such a catastrophic event. This set the stage for our own bridge-building project, where the students had the opportunity to channel their creativity and engineering skills.
Each child selected materials they wished to use for their bridge designs. In tables, they brainstormed ideas on how to ensure their structures were stable and sturdy, considering factors such as weight distribution and support. This collaborative effort not only encouraged teamwork but also developed critical thinking skills as they tackled various design challenges.
After constructing their bridges, the children engaged in an evaluation phase where they reflected on their work. They discussed what aspects were successful and identified areas for improvement, which is an essential part of the design process.
Love to learn
This week we want you to discuss courage, one of our values which we are focussing on next term. What is it? How do we show it? This could be linked to our Nativity performance. This can be recorded any way you wish 😊
Dates to remember
17th December – Reception, year 1 and year 2 Christmas party day (party clothes to be worn)
Wednesday 18th December – Year 2 Nativity at 9am
20th December – Christmas jumper day (children can wear usual school uniform with a Christmas jumper)
20th December – School Christmas dinner
20th December – Last day of school; School finishes at 2pm; No after school club on this day
Term 3
Monday 6th January – All children back into school at the normal time
Friday 10th January – Polly Billington MP is visiting Chilton
Tuesday 21st January 3.30-4.30 – Thrive Coffee afternoon
Friday 7th February – NSPCC Number Day. Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 to wear a number themed outfit and KS2 to come as Times Table Rock Stars.
Tuesday 11th February – Safer Internet Day
Friday 14th February – School Disco