Rabbits blog 8
Date: 11th Nov 2023 @ 2:06pm
11th November
Autumn 2 week 1 was a success! It was lovely seeing you at Book Look; it was even lovelier watching the pride on your child's face and in their words as they showed you their work. It made my day. Hope it made yours. #TakeTheJoy!
In English we are reading a story book which has Katie and her brother zooming around London landmarks so we are learning to write a non-chronological report (basically fact sentences). Our focus for the whole of the year will be simple sentence structure so they can confidently understand where a full stop goes. They are already reciting:
Capital letter, subject, verb, finish the idea, full stop.
Now to understand the grammar of subjects and verbs... It is easy to say that a verb is a 'doing' word but that's too ambiguous (are/love/believe/has/were?) so I will be teaching that a verb is 'done by the subject' (we can leave active and passive voice to y5!). So learning what a subject is, is paramount. Most of the time our subjects will be: I , you, we, he, she, it, they, the+..., a+..., some +... . Typically children will guess it is the first word in a sentence and often it is - in Y1, but we cannot create that misconception because they will be reading books that start with adverbials (eg Soon, Before, After tea etc) and conjunctions (When, Because, Before, If etc). A way of helping at home would be to use their Little Wandle book and on one page tell them: turns is the verb, who is doing the turning because that is the subject.
Whilst on the subject of the huge importance reading plays in education...Mystery Reader. If you fancy a slot, email or phone the office (admin@tarporleyce.cheshire.sch.uk) and we'll fit you in. Fridays 3pm. My only requests are: no David Walliams picture books please (see previous email as to why!).
History has been a large learning element this week. We looked at fashions throughout Queen Elizabeth II's reign and then considered which one was our personal favourite. Who knew that 70s moustaches would be so popular with the Rabbits! Isn't it (moustache) Movember? Will be now!
Our Victorian Day was a success. Mrs Hardcastle (me) was a bit strict and liked using the cane it seems; the children played the part well and some really enjoyed joining in the 10mins of acting. We had to do lots of copy writing from the board and were not allowed to speak. Fortunately no one had to do lines or get suspended from the punishment basket although Miss Bougen did have to wear the dunce's hat for a few minutes. Next time you are out of the front of the school, let's point out the Victorian part of our school building and other village Victorian landmarks.
And finally, some ideas for presents that will grow their brain:
- Shut the box - fab for maths rapid recall of all number bonds. It's an old pub game and can be played with any number of players.
- A deck of cards- fab for fine motor practice of shuffling (we've learnt this) and playing patience (we've done clock patience) as well as snap etc. Hundreds of game possibilities! (Check out Home Bargains or The Works for packs about £1.
- cluedo- for counting the squares (effectively a number line) and reasoning in maths- why are you going to the study? etc
- teacher role play set (I'd include a whiteboard and pens, pads for register etc, a Ray of the day book and small teddy, card to make phonics flashcards, ID badge on a necklace for getting through the doors, whistle (maybe not!), story book, purple marking biro, paper for them to make their own daily timetable and digit cards etc
- (junior) scrabble is great but pretty hard so I'd wait a couple of years; but most board games like frustration are great. I have bought in Connect 4 and played it with them all this week and they loved it.
- If that doesn't float your boat, you can always kit yourselves out with SPencer Bear merch... (M&S). :) haha, cute!
Happy weekend. Mrs H.
