Derwentwater Primary School | Friday 4 December 2020
7
Derwentwater Primary School | Friday 4 th December 2020 Website: Contact: twitter Email: www.derwentwaterschool.com 020 8992 9196 @Dwaterw3 [email protected] Message from Mrs Gardner This week, we had children working from home on Google Classroom. We appreciate the difficulties faced by families when having to self-isolate and the inconvenience this may cause. It is important that children engage with the work set so their education is not interrupted but we understand that this can be a challenge too. Let us know if you need further support. We are looking forward to having everyone back as soon as it is safe to do so. School leaders have been talking to children about their views on Maths Mastery and seeing it in action across the school. We saw excellent engagement and keen mathematicians from Nursery to Year 6. Many children said maths was their favourite subject. A huge well done to the teachers and children for all of their hard work. Reading is a priority every week at school and we hope our newsletter demonstrates how much we value it. School has break out reading spaces on each floor for children to enjoy as well as a wonderful new library which will be launched very soon. Listening to your child read every day will help them broaden their vocabulary, knowledge and understanding as well as enhance their creativity and love of reading. Year 1 This week we discovered an intruder in Year 1. In 1Ruby, they were found hanging on our Advent calendar. In 1Sapphire, they were discovered climbing on one of the 3D shapes on the maths display. They were elves! Each day we will need to look around the classroom to see what those mischievous elves have been up to! Year 2 Unfortunately, this week has been a week where we have been teaching some of the Year 2 children remotely. The children and parents have adapted really well to using the resources shared by us on Google Classroom. Although the teachers -and some of the children are not at school-we have not forgotten any of you and miss you! Year 3 This week Year 3 have been learning about perimeter in maths. They took the playground using meter wheels and meter sticks to measure the perimeter of 2D shapes in the playground, as well as some children taking on the challenge to measure the perimeter of the entire playground itself! A wonderful effort from all the children involved. Year 4 This week we have been looking at the digestive system in our science lessons. We have been amazed by our bodily functions!!!!! Lots of discussion & lots more to learn next week!!! Year 5 This week, Year 5 have been busy with assessment week. All students have worked so hard during Autumn term; it is great to have this opportunity to celebrate everything they have learnt. In science, we have been learning about dissolvable materials. Students conducted different investigations to see which were solutes.
Transcript of Derwentwater Primary School | Friday 4 December 2020
Derwentwater Primary School | Friday 4th December 2020
Website:
Contact:
Email:
www.derwentwaterschool.com 020 8992 9196 @Dwaterw3
Message from Mrs Gardner
This week, we had children working from home on Google Classroom. We appreciate the difficulties
faced by families when having to self-isolate and the inconvenience this may cause. It is important
that children engage with the work set so their education is not interrupted but we understand that
this can be a challenge too. Let us know if you need further support. We are looking forward to having
everyone back as soon as it is safe to do so.
School leaders have been talking to children about their views on Maths Mastery and seeing it in action
across the school. We saw excellent engagement and keen mathematicians from Nursery to Year 6.
Many children said maths was their favourite subject. A huge well done to the teachers and children
for all of their hard work.
Reading is a priority every week at school and we hope our newsletter demonstrates how much we
value it. School has break out reading spaces on each floor for children to enjoy as well as a wonderful
new library which will be launched very soon. Listening to your child read every day will help them
broaden their vocabulary, knowledge and understanding as well as enhance their creativity and love
of reading.
Year 1 This week we discovered an intruder in Year 1. In 1Ruby, they were found hanging on our Advent calendar. In 1Sapphire, they were discovered climbing on one of the 3D shapes on the maths display. They were elves! Each day we will need to look around the classroom to see what those mischievous elves have been up to!
Year 2 Unfortunately, this week has been a week where we have been teaching some of the Year 2 children remotely. The children and parents have adapted really well to using the resources shared by us on Google Classroom. Although the teachers -and some of the children are not at school-we have not forgotten any of you and miss you! Year 3 This week Year 3 have been learning about perimeter in maths. They took the playground using meter wheels and meter sticks to measure the perimeter of 2D shapes in the playground, as well as some children taking on
the challenge to measure the perimeter of the entire playground itself! A wonderful effort from all the children involved. Year 4 This week we have been looking at the digestive system in our science lessons. We have been amazed by our bodily functions!!!!! Lots of discussion & lots more to learn next week!!! Year 5
This week, Year 5 have been busy with assessment week. All students have worked so hard during Autumn term; it is great to have this opportunity to celebrate everything they have learnt. In science, we have been learning about dissolvable materials. Students conducted different investigations to see which were solutes.
Website:
Contact:
Email:
www.derwentwaterschool.com 020 8992 9196 @Dwaterw3
Year 6 Well done to all the children in Year 6 who are continuing to access their learning at home and logging in everyday to complete their work. We look forward to welcoming you back on the 11th December, 2020. Year 6 have worked extremely hard on their writing this Autumn term. They have enjoyed writing letters based on the novel, Holes by Louis Sachar and writing a flashback narrative based on the animation, The Piano by Aidon Gibbons, which generated some fantastic speaking and listening opportunities as well as some amazing writing. To view this animation, please click the link below:https://player.vimeo.com/video/200936986
Reading Buddy Well done to 5Neptune for logging into Reading Buddy this week and completing their online quizzes. Librarian book recommendations:
Diary of a Wimpy Kid- Cabin Fever Greg Heffley is in big trouble! School property has been damaged and Gregg is the suspect. Read on to find out
more! Is it Gregg?
Pages & Co Tilly Pages, 11, lives above her Grandparent’s bookshop. One day, she discovers her favourite book character in the shop. She discovers she can follow them...
Maths Well done to all students that engaged in Times Tables Rock Stars this week. As we approach the end of the term, it is important that students log in to practise their
multiplication skills. Students will have access to this and Numbots over the winter break. These are the classes with the highest engagement this week: EYFS - Turtle, KS1 - Sapphire, LKS2 - Maple, UK2 - Earth Over the last two weeks, we have been conducting learning walks, across the school to see all the wonderful learning that is happening in maths lessons. We saw lots of use of concrete materials, students using correct mathematical vocabulary and reasoning skills and questions that really stretched students thinking. Well done to all the teachers, TAs and of course the students for working so hard.
Assembly Story: Plans to dig a road tunnel, near the ancient monument site of Stonehenge in Salisbury, have been approved by the Transport Secretary. Question: Should a tunnel be allowed to be built near Stonehenge? Virtual Assembly: https://vimeo.com/channels/picturenews This week’s British Value
Website:
Contact:
Email:
www.derwentwaterschool.com 020 8992 9196 @Dwaterw3
Counselling support The Space Sometimes we could all do with someone to talk to. If you would like to meet with Helen for a confidential and non-judgemental chat about you, your child, or any other worries, she is available on Tuesdays 9 – 10am. All meetings with adults will currently take
place online or over the phone due to COVID19. Call, text or email Helen on 07429 654584 or email [email protected].
Inclusion
SAFEGUARDING: If you need to get hold of the Designated Safeguarding Officer, please contact Mrs Karen Hankin via email Parentcomms. If you are concerned about a child, please call Social Care on 0208 825 8000 Childline https://www.childline.org.uk/
Childline are there for you all day and all night. You can talk to them about anything. No problem is too big or too small. Breakfast club A reminder that breakfast club is available from 7.45 until school begins. Prices vary depending on use: adhoc £5, part time £4, full time £3. Being at school earlier and eating a healthy breakfast can support children’s readiness to learn.
Nasal Spray Flu Vaccine Good news! The service has offered an extra catch up day at school for those children who were self-isolating. Friday 18th December in the morning. If parents want to organise this outside of school or have any queries, then please call the following number. 01895 485740 Remote Learning Please use Google Classroom if your child needs to self-isolate. We want to be as prepared as possible so learning can continue uninterrupted. Let us know if you have any feedback about remote learning. NEW Covid Test Site Michael Flanders Church Lane Acton, W3 8PP 7 days a week 8am-8pm Call 119 to book a test if you have symptoms.
Song and Stories Session Acton Park Children's Centre is holding virtual song and stories sessions on: Wednesday 9th and 16th December from 11.00am - 11.30am. This activity is suitable to be accessed in the home and for children aged from zero to five. They are being held on Zoom, an app which is free to download on to most devices. If you are interested in joining the session please email: [email protected] to get a link and password. There is a code of conduct which you will be asked to follow when joining the session.
Date for your diary Christmas Jumper Day is on Friday 11th December this year. This is a non-uniform day; wear your Christmas Jumpers. School Christmas lunch is on Wednesday 16th December. Children can wear their Christmas jumpers again today.
Website:
Contact:
Email:
www.derwentwaterschool.com 020 8992 9196 @Dwaterw3
Reading
Year 1 In Year 1 we have used a range of books as starting points to our learning. When we start off with a new book, we look at the cover and read the blurb before trying to make predictions about the story. We pick out some interesting vocabulary to discuss with our classes, talk about their meaning and try to find them when reading the book. We would then create a story map that helps us remember the key points in the story and use this to act it out.
Year 2 In Year 2, the children are reading and are being exposed to a range of Traditional stories. They started the genre by acting out the story of the Three Billy Goats Gruff in the playground. They chalked a river and a bridge and in groups of 4, assumed a character from the story. In our Guided reading lessons, the children have continued to read, compare and answer questions about other Traditional
stories such as Little Red Riding Hood. As part of our English Writing lessons, the children will have used character descriptions, settings and story plots to write their own traditional story. We’ll post these on Google Classroom class pages when we’ve finished exploring this genre and we hope that you enjoy reading them!
Year 3 Well done to all our Year 3 readers who have been using Oxford Reading Buddy online as well as reading at home daily. Be sure to improve your understanding of the text by answering the quizzes on Oxford Reading Buddy at the end of each book. This week, we have levelled up the children’s Oxford Home Readers. The children should be able to understand and summarise their books as well as read a majority of the words correctly. Year 4 Congratulations all those who have moved up a level on Oxford Reading Buddies. It’s a great way to test your comprehension skills while having fun answering questions about your reading. It’s also a
great independent task on these dark evenings.
We also finished Planet Omar by Zanib Mian. I’m sure your child would love to give you a verbal
recount and review! Happy chatting!
Year 5 Year 5 are engaged in a variety of different reading books this term and have enjoyed recommending them to friends. We are fortunate to have a wide choice of texts from the Hounslow Book Service, our reading corner, the home Reader collections and our teachers. We start our day with reading and reflection and the teachers read throughout the week as well.
Website:
Contact:
Email:
www.derwentwaterschool.com 020 8992 9196 @Dwaterw3
Aminah is reading Robyn Silver: I like that it is super interesting and how there are a lot of monsters in it and the characters go on monster hunts. Year 6
Children in Year 6 have been busy reading a range of books this term and some have especially enjoyed, What not to do if you are invisible?
Through reading a range of non-fiction books and researching facts, children have created great projects as a result of skimming and scanning to find the relevant information. We have also enjoyed
reading a range of other books this term including:
Ready, Stead Mo! Ruby Worry, and Astro Girl. These books
created great discussion in class and 6Saturn especially enjoyed Astro Girl!
Some children will get the opportunity to attend a webinar in school to talk about Charles Dickens on Tuesday 8th December, between 2 and 3pm. This year is the 150th anniversary of the death of Charles Dickens, one of the most famous writers in the English language. To mark this event Ealing libraries arranged for popular storyteller Richard Neville to give a talk:" Dickens the Storyteller" This will be a very exciting, wide ranging session, and combining story with history.
School Library
We are delighted to share some pictures with you of our new library which has relocated to one of our classrooms. We have been very lucky to add some new furniture and books to this room to encourage a love of reading across the school. Thank you to all the librarians who helped put this library together and set the books out in their genres for KS1 and
KS2. Next term, we will be welcoming classes to the library where they will have the opportunity to take a book out and read it for pleasure.
Our priority is reading!
Please follow the link below to read a range of strategies that you can use when reading at home with your child. You will also find reading
recommendation lists for each class here on our website:
https://www.derwentwaterschool.com/school-info/our-first-priority-is-
reading
Displays
Website:
Contact:
Email:
www.derwentwaterschool.com 020 8992 9196 @Dwaterw3
KS1 reading areas
We have two reading areas that the children have access to during playtimes and at various times during the school day. The outside reading barn is popular with children who want a secluded place to read during morning and lunchtime play while the Hall reading nook is a quiet inside area.
Around the school, we have a range of creative and engaging displays promoting a love of reading. Children are reminded that reading is
important; displays encourage children to interact with them, create discussion and encourage
children to read the books on display.
Christmas Book Present Booklist With so many books for children published each year it can be hard to make that final choice for a present for young readers. Here is a short list of 5 for you. For even more choice why not have a look at the https://www.lovereading4kids.co.uk/blog/collections/the-best-books-for-kids-this-christmas website for more ideas
1. What we’ll build by Oliver Jeffries. Award-winning Oliver Jeffers will capture the hearts and minds of children and adults alike with this story of a father and daughter making plans to build a world that will keep them safe in the future
2.In the best traditions of mythology, The Three Wishes is a tough but ultimately lyrical version of the story that explains how Father Christmas can visit so many children in one night and why he has a red coat
3. Michael Morpurgo is the consummate storyteller and this little tale, perfectly illustrated by Polly Dunbar, reveals how even as a child he had storytelling at his fingertips. The narrative is based on his own memories of childhood and of performing in the school’s Christmas production of Edward Lear’s poem The Owl and the Pussycat.
4. This book is a treat for anyone who dreams of spending a Christmas at Hogwarts. Using images and scenes from the films, it reminds us of all the magical things that are part of a Hogwarts Christmas.
Website:
Contact:
Email:
www.derwentwaterschool.com 020 8992 9196 @Dwaterw3
5. Konnie Huq and co-author James Kay who with illustrator Rikin Parekh have taken the best-loved fairy tales, shaken them up, and brought them uproariously into the 21st century. All your favourites are here, recognisable, but turned into something fresh, new and very funny (often with a pointed message or moral).
6. What a special person Marcus Rashford is, on and off the pitch. With a focus on his football, this excellent little biography also gives readers a good idea of his life and how he’s got to where he is today.
Hounslow Library Book Lending service Hounslow School Library Service provides essential, high quality loan materials that supplement our book corners, library and topic work. All project loan materials are tailored to our needs and complement our library provision, increasing access to a wide range of books to encourage reading for pleasure and independent learning. We also receive advice from professional librarians on all aspects of the library and they organise annual events to develop children’s book knowledge and love of reading. KS1 Reading Strategy visuals
Have you ever wondered how five dogs could improve the reading skills of your children? Well, meet the Totally Pawsome Reading Gang! A team of canine characters whose sole purpose is to explore the KS1 reading skills and break them down into accessible questions for children to unpick and explore.
