Curriculum News – Page 19 – Toftwood Infant and Junior School Federation

Remembrance Day 2018

With the centenary of World War 1, Toftwood Juniors chose to commemorate the event by having a whole school assembly with Mrs Hughes and then discussing it further in class with the teachers.

The children understood why we wear a poppy as a symbol of Remembrance Day. The children across the Federation, have been creating their own poppies as a sign of respect. These were tied to the gates and fences of the Federation schools.

The day was also commemorated by the Kitchen staff. They baked and decorated poppy biscuits for the children as yet another visual reminder of Remembrance Day.

In class, the children participated in discussions about the trenches. They found the trench life of World War One unbelievably difficult to grasp and displayed great respect for the soldiers that took part in it. Many children also shared family anecdotes about their own relatives that had been in both World Wars.

European Day of Languages 26th September 2018

Year 3

Year 3 have been learning about where different countries are this half term as part of their ‘Around the World’ topic. As part of the European day of languages on Wednesday 26th September we developed our learning from our topic lesson and learnt how to say hello in 9 different languages and looked at the flags for each country. We wrote the country next to each flag and practised singing a song to help us learn the different greetings.

Year 4

Year Four had a great time learning about the number of countries and languages in Europe. We used our research skills to find out how to say Hello and goodbye in different European countries. We then created a table or list of the greetings we discovered and shared them with each other. We found out that some European countries do not use the same writing systems as we do in Britain. We were particularly fascinated with the Greek and Russian writing systems.

Year 5

Year 5 played a matching game where they had to match phrases to the country and its flag. We had children demonstrating their knowledge of other languages and enjoyed hearing fluent Polish and Portuguese being spoken. It was useful to use our knowledge of other languages to try to work out what the phrases might mean.

Year 6

To celebrate European Day of Languages 2018, Year 6 completed fact files about a European country that they were interested in. This gave us lots of new knowledge about some countries that we did not know much about. Some of us used our dictionary skills to learn that certain words that we use in everyday speech have a European origin. For example, we learnt that the word ‘very’ originates from France and means ‘extremely’. Year 6 also completed a quiz which tested their knowledge of the celebration. We were fascinated to learn that there are over 200 European languages spoken!

Toftwood Federation Sports Fortnight

Toftwood Federation have enjoyed a very successful Sports Fortnight made even better by the fantastic weather! During this fortnight it is our aim to give all children in the Federation the opportunity to participate in a range of sporting activities. These include the traditional races and potted sports events but also visits and taster sessions from a range of sports enthusiasts and providers. It is a desire of ours, during these weeks, to give the children in our federation the opportunity to experience something ‘new’ with the possibility that they may decide to pursue that sporting activity in their out of school time.

Yoga

The children in Years 1 and 2 were able to work with Mrs Yorke, a qualified Yoga instructor. She had written the children a poem and they were able to act the poem out in Yoga Poses.

Karate

Reception through to Year 2 were able to join in with some taster sessions provided by Matthew from Traditional Karate Fitness. They learnt special counting and the discipline involved in Karate.

If your child is interested in trying Karate contact: TKF www.karatefitness.co.uk
email: office@karatefitness.co.uk

Hoola Hooping

EYFS and Years 1 and 2 learnt the skills involved in Hoola Hooping. They learnt the stance to adopt to keep the hoop around your waist. They also learnt how to spin it round their wrist, neck and legs. Even though it was a tricky activity for some also children showed great perseverance.

Cheerleading

Miss Coombes was able to show the children in the Infants some of the basics involved in the sport of Allstar Cheerleading. They were able to learn some jumps and practised a very safe handstand drill. They were even able to try some stunting in small groups.

If your child is interested in trying cheerleading contact: East Coast Emeralds www.eastcoastemeralds.co.uk
email: eastcoastemeralds@hotmail.co.uk

Team Day

We enjoyed another successful team day with the infant children supported by the Sports Leaders and Mr Phillis from Northgate High School. The children were able to have a go at 20 different activities, trying to score as many points as possible for their team. Well done to all the children who took part, there was a great team spirit.

Races

Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 held their annual Race Morning during Sports Fortnight. All children competed in 2 races and did brilliantly on a very warm morning.

Year 3 and 4

These year groups had an exhausting but fun few weeks enjoying Toftwood Sports Fortnight! The event kicked off with a visit from some of the students from Northgate High School. They taught the children lots of new activities from shotput to javelin with some hurdles and running too. The children got to try all of these out in small groups and had a great time doing it – the Northgate students were fantastic at supporting and helping our children out.

We also had a visitor in from Easton Shotokan Karate Association to give our children a taster session in Karate. They learnt some of the basic movements and how to count correctly alongside these. Finally, they had a very interesting discussion about when to use Karate and what it should be used for!

The Year 3 children also enjoyed some cricket sessions with Brett Gates from All Star Cricket. They started off learning the key skills of catching, throwing and teamwork within some exciting games. Then, they moved on to play some fast paced games where they used all of their skills and demonstrated some great batting and fielding teamwork. They had a lovely time!

The Toftwood Sport’s Fortnight was rounded off by a visit Neatherd PE teachers and Sports leaders who came in to run multi-skills sessions with the children focusing on ball skills. The pupils had great fun developing a range of skills requiring hand-eye coordination and agility. They particularly liked working with the older children, who were great role models.

American Sports for Year 6

To finish off the weeks Year 6 had Mr Bell come to talk to them about baseball and basketball. Firstly he explained that he had grown up near Houston Texas and had grown up following baseball and basketball; he was a keen supporter of the Houston Astros. He told the children about the basic rules of baseball answering all their questions afterwards. The classes then went outside and did basketball; they learnt about bouncing then passing and shooting. We then split into mini teams and played a mini basketball match. The children certainly got a taste of both games and really enjoyed learning new skills from our American expert.

Races

Sports day went smoothly at the Junior School, with all the children participating. They all cheered each other on and encouraged their team mates. There was a sprint race, a relay and an obstacle. We were really impressed by their cheerful attitudes the resilience shown by a few children who took some tumbles but got up to carry on the race.

Karate

The children enjoyed a taster session of Karate on 29th June where they learnt some high kicks and punches. They also learnt the importance of blocking.

PE Summer Term 2018

Nursery PE Summer Term

The Nursery children have been practising their climbing on the new pirate ship climbing frame that was installed in the Nursery outdoor area this term.

They have also been preparing for their Pre School Sports Morning with some practise races and setting themselves challenges like throwing the beanbags into tyres.

Reception PE Summer Term

Reception had a special visit from Mr Mann to teach us some rugby skills. They practiced holding the ball and running, and throwing it underarm, over arm and swapping from each side. They also got to practice kicking the ball and making tries.

Harry came in to teach us some football skills. Reception children practiced scoring goals whilst holding the ball and then had a go at dribbling. They had some magic dust sprinkled on our feet so the ball would stick to them and then had to try and score goals past the goalkeepers!

Year 1 PE Summer Term

Year 1 have busily been preparing for Race Day this term with some practise running and obstacle races. They have also been practising their rolling and retrieving skills through the real PE Program. Year 1 have also had time to learn a simplified version of Rounders. They have had to think about tactics for both fielders and throwers.

Year 2 PE Summer Term

This term in PE the children in year 2 have been working together on a range of team work activities. The children have been working on their communication. They have learnt different ways to communicate through various activities. The children really enjoyed these games and liked working together to solve problems. The children also have been working on their ball skills this term, building their control and accuracy when passing a ball.

Year 3 PE Summer Term

Year 3 have had a busy term in PE with swimming, tennis, Real PE and cricket! AH3 have had a great time swimming this term and the teachers have seen some great progress. JS3 and CT3 have been taking part in Real PE. In Real PE, we have focused on the skills of teamwork, balance and worked on our reaction times. All classes have also had a focus on cricket and tennis. The children have really enjoyed learning the basic skills in tennis, focusing on aiming and rallying with each other – they had lots of fun putting this all together at the end and playing a game. Cricket has been fantastic! We have had Brett Gates to teach us the skills to play a game of cricket. We have spent time focusing on aiming to help with our bowling skills, catching to help with fielding and in games we have been practicing some quick fire batting skills. We have seen some great teamwork and progression throughout the term.

Year 4 PE Summer Term

In PE this term, the children developed their ball skills through Real PE and on our unit on Kwik Cricket. The pupils really enjoyed working on improving their batting, bowling and fielding abilities. During this learning, they began to think more tactically about the fact that their team needed to work together to win the game. More recently, we have been focusing on athletics on a range of field and track events including: sprints, relays, hurdles, longer distance races, shot put and javelin. All the hard work, culminated in a very successful race day where the children really impressed all the adults with the sporting behaviour and dedication to their class. As with all sporting events there had to be a winner and on this occasion congratulations to RB4.

Year 5 PE Summer Term

During this term, year 5 have been following real PE during one of their weekly PE slots. Not only are the children developing their physical skills but they are also becoming better all round athlete by working on their social and cognitive skills, making them better team players, and developing strategies.

Alongside these lessons, we have also done gymnastics, tag rugby, hockey and kick cricket.

Year 6 PE Summer Term

This term Year 6 have been doing some cricket, they have learnt to bowl and bat. They have also played diamond cricket as a team game, which they have enjoyed. During their other lessons, they either have been doing racing, for sprint races or relay.

Art in Spring at Toftwood Infant

This term we have been getting busy throughout the year groups! Reception have been looking at the themes fantasy and people who help us and been getting creative exploring these.

In year 1 the children have been learning about the topics, weather experts and our amazing earth! They have been busy learning about Andy Goldsworthy the outdoor artist and creating sunset pictures while thinking about the country of Africa.

In year 2 they children have been creating artwork ready for their Toftwood Tate display in the Summer, focussing on the artist Monet, and painting pictures of the pond and creating mud huts with natural found resources and clay.

Live Music Summer 2 2018

The junior school were treated to music through the ages on Tuesday 5^thJune as the Live History of Music Show performed for us in the main hall. After a rendition of the Doctor Who theme song (so we could travel back in time!), the children listened to music by Vivaldi and Mozart and learned that the oldest recorded instrument was a flute/recorder-type instrument from the Ice Age. They were also treated to a segment of John Cage’s 4’33’’ – a song written to be totally silent – and movie soundtrack music from John Williams (Star Wars and Jaws). The performance ended with Ed Sheeran’s ‘Thinking Out Loud’ – which the Year 3s couldn’t help but join in with.

Music in Spring 2 2018

In Spring 2, the children were very lucky to experience some live music. Miss McTavish and Mrs Harrison sang and played the guitar while the children walked in and out of their celebration assemblies.

Thank you very much to Mrs Harrison and Miss McTavish for providing such a wonderful experience for the children.

Ashley said, “I didn’t know that the teachers could play the guitar and sing!”

Amelia said, “I liked how they sang in tune and Mrs Harrison played an instrument as well.”

Design and Technology – Spring 2018

Nursery

The Nursery children visted the Resources Room for the first time. The children really enjoyed making gingerbread men together, which was part of a class reward. The children followed a recipe and got the opportunity to add ingredients and decorate their own!

Reception

Children in Reception classes have continued to have access to a variety of modelling resources and have been developing their ideas based on their own interests. Some of their work has inlcuded building sledges during the snowy weather and a fire station, linking to their topic ‘People who help us.’

The Reception children have also made chocolate crispy cakes. They carefully used the scales to weigh the correct amount of each ingredient and practised stirring their mixture before putting it into the cake cases.

Year 1

During Book Week, Year 1 enjoyed making vegetable Gruffalo Crumble alongside their Julia Donaldson learning. This recipe used lots of healthy ingredients and made the whole corridor smell amazing. The children enjoyed chopping the vegetables themselves and measuring the correct amount of each ingredient before tasting the finished product. Lots of the children really enjoyed this dish!

Year 2

During their Air, Land and Sea topic work, Year 2 have been learning about the importance of eating healthily. They have explored the main food groups of carbohydrates, fruit and vegetables, protein, dairy and fats and have designed their own healthy sandwiches. The children tried to include as many of the different food groups as they could when completing this task.

At the end of this piece of work, the children made and tested the sandwich they had designed. Some of the children discovered some very interesting sandwich combinations!

Year 2 have also used junk modelling resources to create their own baskets. They did this having to meet two criteria: all designs had to have a handle and they needed to hold tomatoes. The finished baskets had to transport tomatoes without the fruit being squashed. The children really enjoyed testing their creations. After the testing, the children discussed what went well and what could be done next time to make the baskets even better.

Science Spring 2018

Nursery

The children in Nursery have enjoyed exploring magnets and finding out what is magnetic and non-magnetic.

They have enjoyed testing their ideas such as which objects will float and sink.

The children have also enjoyed using the computers to find out the answers to their own scientific questions including “What do monkeys eat?”

Reception

As it has been so Wintery recently, the Reception children have enjoyed exploring the snow and ice!

They have also enjoyed using Scientific equipment to explore things around them, taking a closer look at what they can see and testing their ideas.

Some of the children also decided to make their own ladybirds after reading the story ‘What the Ladybird Heard.’ They talked about how many legs insects have and other body parts including antennae.

Year 1

Year 1 have been learning about materials and their properties. They went on a material hunt to find different objects around the school and recorded the object and what material it is made from.

They also discussed the properties of different materials and how we can describe what they are like. Then they tested the properties of different objects such as seeing if a sock was bendy, a piece of Lego was waterproof and if a window is transparent!

Year 2

Year 2 have also been exploring different materials around us. They have learnt about natural and man-made materials and have sorted these into groups.

They have also thought about the suitability of different materials for different purposes. They had a problem to solve as they had some sea creatures which were stranded on the beach and they had to create something to help them get back to the sea when water was poured onto it. They had to consider the best materials for the job by thinking about their properties.

Mathematics Autumn Term 2017

This term in maths, the children have been working hard in lots of different areas of maths.

Nursery

The children have been counting objects around the classroom including baubles! They have also been sorting objects, looking at sizes and colours.

Reception

The children have been learning to write numbers and using them in number sentences. They have also been using Numicon to add two numbers together.

Year 1

In Year 1, the children have been using Numicon to order numbers and add two numbers together. They have been identifying shapes by looking at each shape’s properties, and beginning to weigh different objects and use the language ‘heavier’ and ‘lighter.’

Year 2

In Year 2, the children have been working on calculation. They have been using a number line to add, and some children have been challenging themselves by trying to jump in 10s by using their place value knowledge. They have also completed some work on 2D and 3D shape including discussing similarities and differences between the shapes.