Monthly Archives: June 2019

Understanding of poem features

Class Work, English

Bluebirds have been really enjoying their work on poetry this week. Mrs Parry read a selection of poems where the class investigated word meanings, new vocabulary, rhyming and features such as similes, puns and a play on words. Mrs Parry read the class some extra ones from her favourite poetry books and the class realised the purpose of poetry could be to entertain. They recalled performing their poems for World Book Day too.

They explained their understanding of poems today and will move onto to looking purpose, poems on a theme, comparing poems and identifying features.

Persuasive Writing

Class Work, English

After reading The Tin Forest, Bluebirds imagined how the forest would need to be cared for, if they lived in there. Last week, Bluebirds were busy editing and improving their letters to the local government about caring for our environment. They took great pride in writing out their final letters in best.

Well done Bluebirds – you were very proud of your final pieces of work.

Here are a few examples:

Speaking and Listening!

Circle Time, Class Work

In Circle Time, children gave a rating of how how they felt from 1 – 5 (1 if not great/unhappy, 3 is ok/fine and 5 being fantastic!). We discussed recent listening difficulties in class such as talking when an adult is, interrupting each other and generally talking too much when we should be working. Mrs Parry then asked the class to look around the circle and choose another pupil they thought was a good speaker and one that was a good listener. Each child name someone and explained their reason why. Some children were surprised their names were mentioned whilst others felt quite pleased and flattered.

Good listeners – Amelia, Harley, Frankie, Kai, Callum C, Nashe, Moharnab, Leo, Taya Shona and Nathan. Some of these are good listeners as friends and talk partners whilst some were mentioned for knowing what to do as they have listened to instructions carefully from the teacher.

Some children were the same people were named by several people. Shona was mentioned three times as she listens carefully to both her friends and also instructions from an adult. She also explains things to other pupils well and always knows what to do. Lewis listens carefully as he knows all the answers and can explain what to do to others. Amelia can always be seen showing active listening and always knows what to do. Kaiden also explains to others what to do when they are stuck which shows he has listened. Taya is good at explaining things in different ways to help people understand if they are having trouble. Callum Cornfield helps children back at the table if they need reminding what to do and is also a great maths partner to Ke Xin. Moharnab helps people if they are stuck as he can explain his thinking and always listens on the carpet so he always knows what to do.

Mrs Parry reminded the children who had said they were not great or unhappy this morning, to think about talking to the good listeners in class today if they felt they needed someone. She also reminded good listeners and good speakers to keep an eye out to help any friends that might need someone to talk to today.

Discussing our value word – courage

Class Work, PSHE, RE

Last week in PSHE, Bluebirds shared together examples of when they have needed to have courage.

Here is an anonymised list of things that some of the class would need courage for:

► Jumping off a diving board.
► Going on a fair ride.
► Rock climbing.
► Performing in an assembly.
► Trying to swim without armbands.
► Sitting a test or exam.
► Parachuting.
► Climbing a tall climbing frame/a great height.
► Going in a lift.
► Touching a snake, spider or cockroach.
► Performing a new move at gymnastics or trampolining.
► Feeding big animals at the zoo.
► Going down a zip wire.
► Standing a horse.

Bluebirds decided on the whole, people should still try something new and challenge themselves even if they are scared.

Harley – You are scared at first but eventually become brave to do something courageous.
Shona – You should show your bravery.

The children wrote poems about having courage and what they are scared of.

This week in RE, the children explored courage through the Islamic story of The Year of the Elephant. The children identified the courage of Abdul Muttalib when he had to make decision and also the birds when they defended the house.

The journey of the local River Rea

Class Work, Geography

Bluebirds used Google maps and Ordnance Survey maps to find the route of the River Rea. They discovered the source of the river is at Waseley Hills and realised that rivers always run from higher to lower ground. We looked at the difference in maps as we found Cannon Hill Park which is where some of the children have seen the river as it is culvertised in many areas. We also used a key to find what the symbols on the OS map represented. The children enjoyed seeing the map and then comparing this to the satellite photos on Google maps. The river is 14 miles long.

Muscles

Class Work, Science

Today, Bluebirds learnt that muscles move our bones. They looked at a great representation using tubes and balloons to understand how our muscles work in pairs. Kai showed us his muscle definition!

Aftewards, we planned an experiment to answer the question “Do people with longer legs jump further.” We created a table ready to collect our data on but have been unable to get outside to conduct the experiment …. due to continual rainfall!

Understand that God knows everything about us

Class Work, RE

At the start of our lesson, Bluebirds tried to think of what The Ten Commandments were before they heard the real ones. Here are the suggestions:

The class were asked to think about how they felt when they have told a lie and also consider whether they feel bad about lies that no-one knows they’ve told. There was a mixed reaction!

Amelia – I’d feel worried.
Lewis – I’d feel anxious.
Shona – I’d feel ashamed.
Taya – I would feel nervous.
Zaynab – Worried.
Kai – I would be scared about being found out.

Mrs Parry read Psalm 139 1-12 to the class which explains that God knows about our truthfulness and lies no matter where we are. He knows our words BEFORE we say them.