Happy Friday, everybody! As we move into October it is certainly becoming more autumnal so please ensure that your child does have a coat with them every day. We have had a very busy week in class as we continue to look at features of non-fiction books and exploring the names and properties of 2D shapes in maths.
Parent/Teacher Consultations
On Monday 17th October & Tuesday 18th October between 3:30-6:00pm we will be holding our Parent/Teacher Consultations. This will be an opportunity to meet and discuss how your child has settled into their new Year group. This meeting can be either via Zoom or an in person meeting.
Please note, in the first instance if you wish this to be a Zoom meeting please book for the Monday and if you wish it to be in person please book for the Tuesday.
Bookings can be made from Monday 10th October from 9:00am and is via Scopay. If you are unsure of your Scopay login, please go and see the office as they will be able to issue you with your details. It is important to have these details as they will be used to book trips, dinner money and meetings throughout your child's time at Down Hall.
Harvest Collection
Just a reminder that this year we will continue to support Rochford Extended Services with our Harvest collection. Donations will be boxed up and distributed by them to the children and families that need them most within our own local community.
As a Gold Level Rights Respecting School, we do our best to advocate for Children's Rights and for sustainability. Articles 24 and 27 state that:
"Every child has the right to the best possible health and a good standard of living."
Massive thank you for those who have already made a donations but there is still plenty of time if you have not yet. If you can send in any non-perishable items before Wednesday 19th October that would be fabulous and you can find a full list of suggested items here. In school we will celebrate Harvest during the week of 17th October with some learning in class and by singing our favourite Harvest song in assembly. Please enjoy having a go at the Harvest Samba here and thanks for any contributions you feel able to make.
Sumdog Update
In Emerald Class we are currently introducing the children to Sumdog and how to use it. In school, children must complete some assessment questions so that the programme sets the right level for your child to be able to enjoy the games. As soon as your child has completed this, your login details will come home. With this in mind it is most important (however tempting it may be) that you do not try to speed up your child by helping them with the answers. Please allow them to play the games and tackle the questions at their own pace so that their Sumdog remains at an accessible level of challenge and fun for them.
In Amethyst Class the children are a little more familiar with Sumdog. We have completed assessment activities in class and sent the logins home already but again, please allow the children to work at their own pace and resist the urge to tell them the answers!
Bright Smiles, Bright Futures
Today your child will be bringing home with them a toothbrush, a tube of toothpaste and an information sheet which have been given to us by Colgate as part of their Bright Smiles, Bright Futures educational programme. If you want to find out more, follow the links within the leaflet - otherwise enjoy the toothbrush!
Maths Homework
This week, we would like you to look at pages 12 & 13.
For Year 1's this focuses on counting skills and comparing amounts. Developing accurate and reliable counting and then being able to say which of two or more amounts is more or less is an important aspect of the Year 1 curriculum. It is also important that the children understand that equal means the same as. There are also some games in the link below to help reinforce these ideas.
https://www.topmarks.co.uk/maths-games/5-7-years/counting
For Year 2's this focuses on the number line and making estimates as to where numbers lie on the number line. When doing this, it is important to firstly look at the numbers that we can see already on the number line - are they going up in 2's, 5's, 10's? From here, look at which 2 numbers the arrow is in between to work out a number that is more/less than the given numbers. The game below will help reinforce the ideas presented in the homework book:
https://mathsframe.co.uk/en/resources/resource/37/placing_numbers_on_a_number_line
Don't forget to keep up all your fantastic efforts with your reading at home - it will make a huge impact on your child's reading development.
If you have any issues or questions, please, please come and see us at the end of the day. Just come down the steps to see us!
Have a super weekend!
All the best
Mr Jude & Mrs Yuille
