Good afternoon all,
After that PUNFUL start last week I shall begin swiftly. This week is UK Parliament Week. We had a virtual guide around Westminster Palace. We noticed the incredible history, symbols and sculptures. The children tried to think of what this incredible building was. Some suggested a castle, church and interestingly a palace! When we explored the grounds and discovered the ministers’ chamber where our country is safeguarded for future generations. I do like to think, if we have the St Francis children safeguarding our future in the years to come, we would truly be in safe hands. We then explored a core value of democracy – voting! We discussed what a ‘healthy’ debate is and how we share our values, thoughts and get people to see our way of thinking respectfully. Another set of phase 3 sounds have been encountered and knocked out of the park. Please note that we are still in the early days of our phonics journey and these core skills simply take time and need to be constantly revisited. You will really start seeing a jump in the length of books and breadth of language used. Home and school will always be different places so if you need any adjustments to the home reading, please let me know. In mathematics the sound of pins getting struck by ‘super’ strikes have rung out. Children have applied number knowledge, subitising, addition and subtraction in this fast paced task. We have compared quantities used STEM sentences using key language more/greater, less/fewer and same/even. Some children took this even further by then combining irregular amounts! We were inspired with our painting this week and tired our hand at painting a robin. We looked at the variety of colour on a simple robin. When we went outside to paint, we were watching the world go by and looking at our stunning environment. Unbelievably! The robins around us clearly love to do some modelling work, as when we were painting a pair fluttered and scampered around us – truly magical. I must finish with a great moment of the week. The first test with costumes on, I will attach pictures below! Costumes will be tweaked slightly so we shine like we should. As a class we wanted to reflect upon our roles in the Nativity and the feelings that may have come up. A big well done to Parlick Class for the exceptional example they set! Thank you all for an incredible week and see you all Monday.
With love,
Mr McGill
