Christmas in INDIA

It was stressful for Mrs Bell. The snow was a nightmare because so many flights were cancelled from Heathrow. ALL the flights were cancelled on Saturday and Sunday! However, the recommendation was to check the airline's web site. Phew - Jet Airways were efficient for the evening flight. After a long drive to the airport, Mrs Bell was eventually on the plane, heading out to visit her father.


On Christmas day the sun was shining, there was a Christmas pudding to share after the chicken curry ( there are no turkeys in India)! Sandeep, Urvarshi and her parents came to share the pudding - this was a new experience for them all! Hmmm - Mrs Bell thought it was delicious!

The next day was Boxing day, so the family (just the ladies as the men were playing or watching cricket) went to the beach in Dandi. Dandi is famous for the 'salt' pr0test by Mahatma Gandhi, the famous figure who has influenced the world in so many ways. There is a memorial for him in Dandi. It was lovely for Mrs Bell to be there, in fact she was there eaxctly eleven years ago when she went to India with her children and husband.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS

Today was the last day of the Autumn Term. We finished off by watching 'Oliver' which has helped us with our understanding of Victorians and how street child survived. However, we did have a spelling test to start the day! Mrs Bell is delighted with the results this week - most children scored over 80%. Well done, and more of the same next term, please!

Children enjoyed popcorn and a drink of flavoured water (the squash was very diluted!) whilst watching the film. We even sneaked in an extra playtime to give ourselves some fresh air and exercise.

The afternoon began with givning out the dreaded homework, as well as letters and cards and gifts from the staff. At 2.30 there was another break before assembly. Assembly ended with the teaching staff singing! Yes, really! They sang 'Feed the world' - this was a complete surprise for the pupils! Mrs Bell remarked, " Victoria children who performed so well in their plays have given staff the courage to have a go!"

Year 6, have a brilliant holiday - rest by having some lie-ins and spend time relaxing your brains. You have worked hard and we all need to recover, ready for the busy new year.

Last week of term

As we approach our last week of term, Mrs Bell, Mrs Hastings and Mrs Lerigo are busy planning some fun activities. With Thursday being Christmas dinner day, it makes sense to have party games in the afternoon. Some prizes have already been bought, and because everyone enjoyed musical chairs for the Eid party, that is one game we will all be enjoying!

However, we do need to start our Literacy unit of 'Street Child' on Monday. This will incorporate guided reading as well as history and link very well with our forthcoming trip to the Black Country Museum. Additionally the book is written by Berlie Doherty who also wrote Midnight Man.

New Month!

We are already in December (where did this term go!) and only have two weeks of term left. The classroom has been decorated for Christmas, after only one morning on Christmas activities. It is important to keep the routine going right to the end as we missed two days for Eid this term. However, we will have some fun time in the last week of term.

SLN is going well, with many children doing homework on it. Unfortunately, Mrs Bell is struggling to get the comments and marks back to the children. She needs some more tuition on the system. Teachers will have more training next term.

Mac's Short Adventure

Literacy this week was looking at features in this text that make it a good story. In smaller groups, we identified powerful words as well as effective sentences. We noticed how very short sentences can say a lot e.g 'He sighed!' - What a powerful sentence. The children have begun a bank of powerful words they can use for their writing tasks.

Maths was fun as we applied written methods to problem solving, whilst in Science the bacteria growth on the bread has been very interesting to observe. Next week, we begin a new topic in Science.

Mrs Bell is planning a trip for the history topic of Victorians, but in the meantime the video is very useful.

Eid Party

Most of the class enjoyed a day at home with their families and friends on Wednesday when they celebrated Eid. Today we all had fun by having a party, which started at 11 am. It was important to get spellings, reading and some writing done first!

Musical chairs went down really well. No-one fussed about being out - this means more games near Christmas. Pass the parcel proved to be popular too. Party food was quite late, but worth the wait as the samosas were DELICIOUS!

The theatre experience in the afternoon finished off the day nicely. A wonderful way to revise Science, Year 6!

SLN

Year 6 almost managed to hit some if their target last week. In maths, we know we need to become faster at multiplication and division facts.

Our aim in ICT was to get all the children signed on to the Staffordshire Learning Platform. All but Mrs lerigo's maths group managed this. Well done to Mrs Hastings for this - she has been brilliant at organising the children (as well as Mrs Bell) over this.

Some children have used SLN2 over the weekend; Hamza and Sana handed in homework, which Mrs Bell noticed. However, she does not know how she can access it to mark it! We are all learning new skills. Remember everyone, practise makes perfect! More this week!

It's good to see that the class Blog has sprung into action again. Thank you for writing your names under your comments. Mrs Bell will update the Blog weekly now that children are reading it. Watch the way hypens and brackets are applied - should help to increase your ability to use Y6 punctuation. Always multi-task when you can!

BIOGRAPHIES

The week began with our unit on Biographies - we read about Berlie Doherty and how she got inspired to write. This led to more reading, followed by comphrehension. Mrs Bell then interviewed Mrs Hastings so we could write about her (guided writing) before everyone took an interview form home. It is impressive to know that Muazzamah phoned her grandad in Pakistan to gather information. Her biography was very interesting to read. Next week we shall consider the differences between biographies and autobiographies. No doubt, we will write one!

In maths, our target is to know ALL our multiplication and division facts - fast! We had a timed test to do - some managed in just over 1 and a half mintues - impressive! Keep learning those tables everyone! By the end of the week, we were clearer about mode, mean, range and median. Hamza, Serish and Mukaddas had a difficulty problem to solve! They got there in the end, despite Mrs Bell leading them astray!

half term holiday

It's hard to believe we have done half a term already, but we have covered a lot! Carnival in the first two weeks, followed by assessments and we have just finished Midnight Man. Parent consultations were very successful - two more children will be joining homework club now that parents realise how valuable it is.
It's time to rest and relax now for a week. The class have a little bit of homework (spelling, reading and maths) to make sure they stay on top of their skills. Enjoy the lie-ins and time with family, everyone!

Do you all remember the work on settings?

Which words jump to mind for this beautiful image? Any metaphors or similes?

New Year, New Class

We have been back nearly half a term and I am going to restart the Blog. The new class have settled in well. We had a superb Carnival in the third week, and now we are doing some brilliant Literacy with a book called, 'Midnight Man'.
Parent Consultations will be good as we can sort out our targets and expectations. But it's cinema first - we get to watch 'Charlie and the Chocolate Factory' at Cineworld.

Last Day of Term

The final Year 6 assembly was emotional. Parents, staff and children were reminded about all the wonderful memories Y6 will leave with. The class were presented with their CVs as well as dictionaries by Mrs Fearn. Two children - Aneesa and Qasim were awarded a special prize for being outstanding people.
After assembly, Sohail and Mrs Bell took records over to Abbot Beyne school. Other children got CVs signed by staff and then everyone had an extra long playtime - we tried a DVD but the new computer systems meant everything was not working properly.

The party in the afternoon was amazing. Everyone had so much fun and food ......... the staff was really pleased with the way everyone worked together and enjoyed themselves. Soon it was time to say 'goodbye' and 'good luck'. There were hugs from many, but some left quite quickly, perhaps feeling a little sad...!

ENJOY YOUR SUMMER, and remember you have learned so many skills for your future.

Week at Coven

When the day finally arrived, we were all happy and excited. Poor Taiyab's suitcase broke and he ended up with a huge case - it made Mrs Bell feel better as she also had a massive case! (and a bag as well!)

The efficient coach journey got us there by 10.30am. We were met by Mr Parkin, the instructor who would take care of us. He showed us to our dormitories where we decided on bedrooms, and made our beds before being given a tour of Laches Wood. The setting was beautiful - large, grassy fields, wooded areas and buildings large enough to accomodate upto 200 pupils.

After settling into bedrooms, we went to the baseroom (also called classroom) and did some domestic tasks - duties, dinner and sandwich choices. Mrs Bell had organised the groups on the bus and no-one argued about them. We had a little bit of free time before lunch. Luckily Ismatullah had bought a football, Mrs bell has packed a few essential toys and there was plenty of space to play. The boys met Crackley Bank School on the football pitch and by the end of the week become very friendly with them - this was community cohesion at it's best.

PREPARATION for Laches Wood

Finally, the week has arrived - everyone was given a reminder for things they will need to remember to bring! Some people wondered how big their suitcase should be!

This morning, Mrs Bell went shopping to buy a few toiletries and snacks to share with Mrs Akhtar. There are household chores to do before thinking about packing cases though! The week had been chosen thinking all the A levels would have been over - sadly, not! Therefore Mrs Robey has kindly offered to stay Tuesday night so Mrs Bell can deliver a bit of TLC to her stressed son! ( He needs 3 As for his place at University!)

Anyway, here's looking forward.......................!

Mrs Annett has offered to keep the Blog updated. We must give the children the address so parents can read and comment.

Post SATs

Well, after all that hard work for the assessments, we deserve a break! There was a party held in the classroom on the Firday after all the tests had been done. Everybody contributed something towards this - it was a fantastic party!

Mrs Bell has been shadowing an OFSTED inspection in Yorkshire - it was very interesting to see an inspection from a different angle. She will do another one in June, the week before we go to Laches Wood. The children are trying hard to show staff they can be trusted to be taken away for four nights. There will be an information meeting for the parents on Tuesday at 2.45 pm.

Week beginning 24th May is our MEDIA CHALLENGE week - we will produce a newspaper front page, as well as a story board. Staffordshire police, fire brigrade and the ministry of defence have worked on this to help pupils understand safety. Class are looking forward to this. If we win, a group will go the the Ministry of Defence for the final. Fingers crossed!

Easter break

After all that hard work, we are all having a lovely break. However, the class have all been given some homework to keep them going......! It would be a shame not to, as they are working so hard to get the levels they deserve in their SATs. In the last maths assessment, Ismatullah got 19 out of 20 for the mental maths - that's terrific. He did well in Paper A and B too. Well done - this also shows your ability to read, so please be more confident with reading.

Sohail surprised us all when he got 3A in his last reading test - Mrs Bell has been telling the whole world! Keep it up, Sohail.

We have trialled having a later lunch for year 6 which seems to be working very well. If we want to carry on with it, we shall have to get governor approval. We'll have another go after Easter and talk to Mrs Fearn.

Enjoy your break - read, write and do some maths regularly to keep your brain ticking! Mrs Bell is doing the same by keeping on top of her paper-work!

March 2010

We are already in the month of March - how time flies! In Year 6, the pace has gone up and staff need children to really concentrate and work hard towards all the preparation towards SATs. Some children have made loads of progress, but will need to sustain interest to secure the level they deserve.

Behaviour to follow the half term is not brilliant - we need to work together to improve this. Good role models will help. Nimra's mother supports the teachers and agrees they are doing a good job.

The workshop with Chris White, the poet was fantastic. He was good at introducing his passion of poetry writing to all KS2 in the morning. In the afternoon he did a superb workshop in the classroom. Mrs Bell complimented him and said he was outstanding because all the children wrote excellent poems.

FEBRUARY HALF TERM

We are now exactly half way through this academic year - it's been quite a half term. Lots of hard work and good learning, which included life skills for many children. These are really what will benefit everyone in their future lives so please practise using them!

The theatre trip was brilliant (what a shame about the one incident!) with staff and pupils thoroughly enjoying the story line, props, stage set and acting. Mrs Bell was happy that she sat by Reza and Sima because she enjoyed seeing them laugh and have fun.

We have also had OFSTED inspection which went well. All the Y6 Literacy books were scrutinized by the team who found some excellent work in them. We must continue with this standard when we get back - it's the 'Argument/Persuasive' writing unit.

Remember to do the homework Mrs Bell gave you for half term - little but often is the key!

New Week, New Month!

Monday is 1st of February and we begin a brand new month. January ends with more snow - wonder if we will get enough to build snow models. During the week some Y5 and 6 children will be going to Paulet to take part in a badminton festival. Nasar and Aqsa have been chosen as neither of them go to Burton Albion for Playing for Success and did not qualify for one to one tuition either. Mrs Bell thought it was fair to give that group of children opportunities to do something extra.

On Wednesday the whole school go to the theatre to watch George's Marvellous Medicine - we are all looking forward to that. We need to have an early lunch so that we arrive on time. Mrs Laughlin has been busy sorting out which coach different classes will travel on.

SATs Meeting

Today was the first of two SATs meetings for parents. The turn out was wonderful with everyone one, pupil and parents listening avidly to the information and asking good questions. Miss Akhtar was great at translating (she even added extra details in - Mrs Bell was impressed).
By the end of the day, every child had been given a spellings revision guide as well as a handwriting practice book. Next week children will be given a reading booklet which will help them to increase the pace at which they read.
Keep working hard at school, and remember all those tips - healthy diet, plenty of rest and a balance between play and work!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

It's back to school in the year 2010! Mrs Bell talked about setting goals and making resolutions in assembly on Monday. Important to think about ways to help ourselves to be happy and take respobsibility for well-being. Mrs Bell is planning on visiting the gym three times a week - all the children will help her with her goal by reminding her!

Year 6 also set their goals. They need to work hard and focus on preparing themselves for the end of Key Stage 2 SATs. This term is particularly important for that. In Literacy we have begun to use a narrative unit called Bloddon's adventure. Geography will be about rivers; the science topic is more about dissolving; in D.T we will learn to make shelters although part of this happens at Laches Wood in the summer; in art Mrs Lerigo will introduce L.S. Lowry and we will continue to develop team skills in games and P.E. The ICT lessons will help towards SATs as we will use the internet to practice Maths and English.