Amethyst, Diamond & Emerald Blog - Friday 20th October 2023

  Happy Friday, everybody! Wow! We have finished our first half term in Year 1/2! All the children have settled in so well and worked extremely hard in our first 7 weeks and we now want them to have a fantastic rest! Over the last 2 weeks we have been continuing our work on our "Knock Knock! Who's There?" project by looking at the different features of the houses in our surrounding area. All the children found this very interesting and it was very exciting to go outside of school!

Cauliflower Christmas Cards

All the children will have come home this week with their Christmas card design attached to the order form. If you wish, these designs can be turned into not just Christmas cards but mugs, books and wrapping paper too! If you do want to have the design realised into any of these items you need to place the order online first. All the details about how to do this are clearly set out on the form that came home. Once you have placed the order online, you must tick the box indicated and return the artwork and form back to school by Wednesday 1st November so we can send it away to be printed. If you do not wish for your child's design to be made into items then you do not need to return the artwork.

School Council Elections

Congratulations to Noah, Hanna and Layla who have been elected as School Councillors for Amethyst, Diamond and Emerald Class respectively. All the children clearly believe that you will do a great job in representing them - well done!

Massive thank you and well done to all children who also put themselves up for election - don't be too disappointed; there's always next year.

The Council will hold their first meeting after half term.

Half Term Homework

As stated at the beginning of the blog, we are very proud of all the children's efforts this half term and would like them to have a good rest. To that end we do not send homework books home during the holidays. It would be useful, however, if you keep up the reading, little and often, to ensure your child's continuing progress in this very important area. 

We hope you have a fantastic half term holiday, whatever you are doing and look forward to welcoming everyone back on Monday 30th October!

Much love

Mr Jude, Miss Smith & Mrs Yuille

Amethyst, Diamond & Emerald Blog - Friday 13th October 2023

 Happy Friday, everybody! How time flies - it seems amazing that we are about to move into our last week before half term! It has been very busy here in Key Stage 1 but we took some time to reflect this Tuesday for Mental Health Day. After a special assembly, we used the film "Inside Out" to explore the different emotions that we all have and the things that make us feel these emotions. In the afternoon all the children spent time in different classes doing some mindful activities. It was a very calm and lovely day! Here are Diamond class engaging in their painting session:

RRS Article 31: Every child has the right to relax and take part in a range of artistic activities.

School Council Elections

Next week, all classes will be electing their representative for the School Council! Any child who was not a councillor last year is eligible to stand so we have asked the children to have a good think as to whether they can be a wonderful and inspiring representative for their class.

Over the weekend, if your child is thinking about standing for election, maybe they would like to make a poster or create a short speech that might help them convey their suitability to be a Class Councillor. Be creative - what might make people vote for you?

The new School Councillors will be announced in assembly on Friday 20th October. Good luck!

East of England Sumdog Maths Contest

Calling all you amazing mathematicians!

You have been entered into the Sumdog Competition. It starts on Friday 13th October at 3:30pm and finishes at 3:30pm Thursday 19th October. Why not have a go and get your class on the school leaderboard? The winning class will get an extra playtime!

Let's show our school what great mathematicians we are!

Good luck

Mrs Hurley

Harry Potter Book Day

Thank you to everybody who attended this event! It was very busy but it was lovely to see so many people eager to be there.

We didn't have time to fit everything in so here is a link to the activities should you want to have a go at them or finish your drawings and of course for anyone else who did not attend. 

Harry Potter Day

Miss Harvey

Maths Homework

This week, we would like you to look at pages 14 & 15.

For Year 1's this focuses on counting in 2's, 5's and 10's. Counting on in 2's is very important for helping children to identify even numbers and as mentioned before in previous blogs, counting on in 10's really helps develop the children's understanding of place value. This will all serve as a precursor to when the children start looking at times tables more formally later in the year and as they move into Year 2. The games below focus on developing these skills:

https://www.topmarks.co.uk/ordering-and-sequencing/chinese-dragon-ordering

https://www.ictgames.com/mobilePage/saucerSorter/

For Year 2's this focuses on partitioning numbers. Children are most used to partitioning numbers into their tens and ones (e.g. 38 = 30 + 8). However, we can partition numbers in many different ways - so if 30 + 8 = 38; 20 + 18 = 38 and 10 + 28 = 38 too. We encourage the children to look for patterns to help them find different solutions to the same answer. The link below has an app that lets the children create numbers using tens and ones equipment and then rearrange these to create different combinations of numbers that make the same amount. However, splitting the numbers into tens and ones can also be done practically by bundles of sticks or pencils to represent tens.

https://apps.mathlearningcenter.org/number-pieces/

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 great weekend!

Kind regards

Mr Jude, Mrs Yuille & Miss Smith

Amethyst, Diamond & Emerald Blog - Friday 6th October 2023

 Happy Friday, everybody! We have had a very exciting week in Key Stage 1 with the visit of the football freestyler Jamie Knight. Jamie did a whole school assembly with us in the morning where he showed us some tricks and spoke about his journey in becoming one of the top freestylers in the world. His message of perseverance and self belief was something the children could very much relate to. In the afternoon each class had a workshop with Jamie, trying out their own skills!

World Mental Health Day

On Tuesday 10th October, we will be celebrating World Mental Health Day at Down Hall.

The theme for 2023, set by the World Foundation of Mental Health, is "Mental health is a universal human right."

Down Hall Primary School see mental health and wellbeing as "being comfortable, healthy and/or happy."

To celebrate this very important day, we would like the children to come to school next Tuesday (10th) in non-school uniform wearing clothes that are comfortable and, if possible, linking to the colours of "Inside Out" which are: green, purple, yellow, blue and red. We hope this will encourage them to explore some of their own emotions. Throughout the day, the children will be taking part in class activities relating to World Mental Health Day. We aim to raise awareness of mental health and drive positive change for everyone's mental health.

Harry Potter Book Day

Message from Miss Harvey:

Thursday 12th October is Harry Potter book day and Miss Harvey is inviting any fellow Harry Potter fans to attend a special after school event full of Harry Potter activities to celebrate.

This will be straight after school until 4pm and all children are welcome to attend but be quick as there are only 30 spaces.

Dressing up is encouraged so please feel free to bring something to change into after school for the event.

A letter will come home with your child by owl on Monday with a reply slip.

Miss Harvey

Parent/Teacher Consultations

On Tuesday 17th October & Wednesday 18th October 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. 

Bookings can be made now 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.

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

Alternatively, you can draw out your own number lines, giving a starting point and an end point and asking your child to place numbers where they feel they would go between these numbers.

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 & Miss Smith

Amethyst, Diamond & Emerald Blog - Friday 29th September 2023

 Happy Friday, everybody! We have been working hard this week in English with looking at stories with patterned and predictable language. We used the story "Go Tell It To The Toucan" and used its patterned language to re-tell our own versions. Here are some of Amethyst Class making their puppets, rehearsing and performing their "Go Tell It To The Toucan!"

Harvest Collection

For Harvest this year we are collecting for The One Love Project; a soup kitchen and food bank providing support for those families and children that really need it. We will celebrate in school with a special assembly where we will share songs that we have rehearsed for the occasion. If you are able to send in any non-perishable items for the collection before Friday 6th October they would be most gratefully received. We thank you for your continued support in helping our children understand Children's Rights and learn how we look after ourselves, each other and our world..

RRS Articles 24 and 27: Every child has the right to the best possible health and a good standard of living.

Football Skills Masterclass Day

We are excited to welcome Jamie Knight to Down Hall on Tuesday 3rd October. Each class will receive a masterclass session during the day. They will learn a number of football skills as well as attend an assembly where Jamie will demonstrate some of his tricks.

***All classes need to wear PE kit on this day!!***

After school Jamie will host an extra masterclass for those who sign up. Please see this week's newsletter for further details of this.

Maths Homework

This week, we would like you to look at pages 10 & 11.

For Year 1's this focuses on counting to 100. This will continue to build upon the work on tens and ones from last week. Remember - having a clear understanding of what digits represent in numbers is such an important aspect of our maths learning. Reinforce how 24 is represented by the digits 2 & 4 but 24 is actually a 20 and a 4. Explore the hundred square on page 10 and look for the patterns you can see there. 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 counting on in different steps. This looks at the patterns that are present in counting on in steps of different amounts and how even numbers always have even multiples but odd numbers alternate between odd and even multiples. The hundred square app below is really good for creating these steps and spotting patterns. Alternatively, practice writing out sequences of numbers, in particular, the 2's, 5's and 10's and discuss any patterns that you can see.

https://www.topmarks.co.uk/learning-to-count/paint-the-squares

Reading At Home

Reading regularly at home will make a huge impact on your child's reading development and learning across the whole curriculum. Please read each week as often as you can and jot it down in the reading diary. Is is also important to talk about a book when you have finished your reading. Which is your favourite part? Did you like this character? Why? 

Always remember to have your child's reading book and reading diary in school everyday!

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 superb weekend!

Best Wishes

Mr Jude, Mrs Yuille & Miss Smith

Amethyst, Diamond & Emerald Blog - Friday 22nd September 2023

  Happy Friday, everybody! We hope you have had a great week. We have been busy in KS1 looking at the features of non-fiction texts in English as well as working on numbers to 20 and number bonds in maths. 

Maths Homework

This week, we would like you to look at pages 8 & 9.

For Year 1's this focuses on tens and ones. Understanding how 2-digit numbers are made up of tens and ones is fundamental to all the maths we do in Key Stage 1. Having a clear understanding of what digits represent in numbers is such an important aspect of our maths learning. Although we represent the number 12 with the digits 1 & 2, 12 is actually a 10 and a 2. Again, look at page 8 to understand the idea and then work through page 9. If you wish to extend your child's work in this, count objects and group these into tens so you can see how these larger numbers can be represented by tens and ones. There are also some games in the link below to help reinforce these ideas.

For Year 2's this focuses numbers to 100. Again, keep looking at these numbers in terms of their tens and ones - how is the number 24 different to 42? Look also at how each number can also be represented by words. When it comes to writing the words, encourage the children to be as accurate as possible in their spelling.

Place Value Games

Reading At Home

Reading regularly at home will make a huge impact on your child's reading development and learning across the whole curriculum. Please read each week as often as you can and jot it down in the reading diary. Is is also important to talk about a book when you have finished your reading. Which is your favourite part? Did you like this character? Why? 

Always remember to have your child's reading book and reading diary in school everyday!

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 great weekend!

Much love

Mr Jude, Mrs Yuille & Miss Smith

Amethyst, Diamond & Emerald Blog - Friday 15th September 2023

 Happy Friday, everybody! We have had another busy week in Key Stage 1 and we have been exploring our project of "Knock, Knock! Who's There?" in more detail. We have been making labels and captions for things around our homes and looking at different types of homes that people might live in.

Overview Meeting - Monday 18th September

Just a reminder that we will be holding our Overview Meeting on Monday 18th September at 2:30pm. If you arrive a bit before this time at the school office, we will let you into Amethyst Class to share with you some important information about life in Key Stage 1. The meeting will need to end at 3:00pm prompt so as to let the children back into class from PE ready to go home.

Please don't worry too much if you cannot attend this meeting as we will send home a copy of all the information shared. We look forward to seeing you!

House Photos

Thank you to those who have sent in a photo of the front of your child's house for our learning on houses and homes. If you haven't sent one in yet, don't panic - it is not too late! Please send in a photograph (not too big!) of your child's house with their name on the back and we will copy it and send the original back to you. Alternatively, if you would prefer to send it digitally then please do so using our KS1 email address below

ks1@downhallprimary.com

Maths Homework

Today your child will be coming home with a maths homework book. This week, we would like you to look at pages 6 & 7.

For Year 1's this focuses on numbers 1-20. Look through page 6 together with your child and practice counting the apples in the picture. Look at how the numbers can be represented by digits and words - both are important! Then let your child work through page 7, supporting them as needed. There is also a quiz on pages 2-5 which your child can do if they are super eager! There are further counting games on the website below to further extend these ideas:

Counting Games

For Year 2's this focuses on place value. Understanding how numbers can be broken down into tens and ones underpins all our work on addition and subtraction during Year 2. It is important that the children understand that 45 is not 4 & 5 but 40 & 5 as the 4 represents 4 tens. Let your child work through page 7, supporting them as needed. There is also a quiz on pages 2-5 which your child can do if they are super eager! There are further place value games on the website below to further extend these ideas:

Place Value Games

Reading At Home

Reading regularly at home will make a huge impact on your child's reading development and learning across the whole curriculum. Please read each week as often as you can and jot it down in the reading diary. Always remember to have your child's reading book and reading diary in school everyday!

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 wonderful weekend!

Best wishes

Mr Jude, Mrs Yuille & Miss Smith

Amethyst, Diamond & Emerald Blog - Friday 8th September 2023

Happy Friday, everybody - it has been an extremely fantastic (and hot!) first week back in Key Stage 1! The children have all settled in so well and myself, Mrs Yuille and Miss Smith have been very proud of how well all the children have done. Thank you for taking the time to look at our weekly blog - it will prove very useful as a means of communicating to you things that are happening in school and any times when the children will need to bring anything special to school with them.

It is important that your child brings with them a water bottle and their reading diary and reading book everyday. Please ensure any hats, cardigans and jumpers are all named!

Overview Meeting - Monday 18th September

We will be holding our Overview Meeting on Monday 18th September at 2:30pm. If you arrive a bit before this time at the school office, we will let you into Amethyst Class to share with you some important information about life in Key Stage 1. The meeting will need to end at 3:00pm prompt so as to let the children back into class from PE ready to go home.

Please don't worry too much if you cannot attend this meeting as we will send home a copy of all the information shared. We look forward to seeing you!

House Photos

Our project this term is "Knock Knock! Who's There?" where we learn all about features of homes and different types of houses. As part of our work on this, if you could send in a photograph of the outside of your child's home, it would be greatly appreciated.

Please name the photo on the back and we will copy it and send the original back to you if you wish to have the original returned. Alternatively, if you would prefer to send it digitally then please do so using our KS1 email address below

ks1@downhallprimary.com

Swimming

Swimming lessons are due to start on the week beginning 18th September. Please see the letter that went home this week for details and ensure that you return the slips attached. 

Swimming for Key Stage 1 is on Thursdays.

Please remember swimming costume, towel, swimming hat (compulsory) and flip flops to walk to and from the pool on these days. All earrings must also be removed on these days. We are all so very excited to have swimming back at Down Hall Primary!

Homework Books

We will be issuing your child with a maths homework book next Friday. We will explain the expectations of homework both at our Overview Meeting and in next week's blog.

In the meantime, don't forget to keep up all your fantastic efforts with your reading at home and jot it down in their reading diary when you have read - reading little and often 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 wonderful weekend!

Best wishes

Mr Jude, Mrs Yuille & Miss Smith