Class 1 information: Home-link, Reading and Writing

Home-link

Please find attached details of what we have been learning in Class 1 during our first 2 weeks in school. I have also included some suggestions of things you could do at home, to reinforce what we have been learning in school

I would usually send a book home for the children to bring into school and share their work. Unfortunately, this is not possible at the moment. If you and your child would like to share, what they have been doing at home, please email: class1@brownclee.shropshire.sch.uk. We will then share their work in school.

Weeks 1&2

 Reading:

I have been really impressed with the amount of children that have been reading their phonics book at home. I cannot stress the importance of reading with your child at home. Please  listen to your child read at home as much as possible. It really does make a huge difference to your child’s progress in reading.

The video clip below will help you to understand how we teach the ‘pure’ pronunciation of sounds in phonics sessions. Learning the pure sounds are key, to help with the process of blending sounds to read words.

 

 

Handwriting:

Below is a link to help support handwriting at home. This link shows the correct formation of letters that we have been learning in school.

https://teachhandwriting.co.uk/cursive-letters-beginners-choice-3.html

 

If you have any further queries please do not hesitate to contact me on the Class 1 email address.

 

Many thanks

N.Fox

 

Class 1’s PE Challenge.

Class 1’s PE challenge, this term, is to see how many times they can run the length of the playground in 3 minutes. The fitness challenge links with our topic work on keeping fit and healthy. They all really enjoyed taking part today.

Vacancy: Care Club Superviser

We are in need of some more Care Club Supervisers, as at the moment we only have Mrs Moreton, who is kindly covering all mornings and afternoon sessions at the moment – but this isn’t sustainable.

If you are interested in covering some mornings (7:45-8:45am) or afternoons (3:15-5:30pm) on a casual basis (£9.37 per hour), then please contact the School Office.  If we don’t get any interest, we might have to limit sessions after half term.

All school jobs are subject to an Enhanced Disclosure from the Disclosure and
Barring Service (DBS)

Reflection Time and Prayer of the Day

Good morning Brown Clee!

Our theme this week continues to be …

Learning about respect and how to be respectful is an important life skill – as it will make a big difference to how you live your life.  Here are some questions to reflect upon – think about all you have learnt about Respect so far and then discuss the questions…

Now can you describe how you show respect?  What words or actions are respectful?

Here is a story about dwarves, pixies and a dragon – as you watch – think about who is being respectful and who isn’t?

As you go through the day, have a think about how respectful you are to your teachers and friends…

Prayer of the Day

Dear God,
Thank you that you value each one of us.
Please help us to treat others with respect.
Help us to embrace differences between us.
Help us to love others, even if they are very different from us.
Help us to see the value in each individual person.
Amen.

 

Start of Day Procedures – Parking

Can we kindly remind parents that they are not to drive up or park on the cul-de-sac behind the Station Rd houses that runs along the school grounds – as we need to keep this clear for residents and children accessing the top-gate from Class 3 and 4. Thank you!

Reflection Time

Today we held our Wednesday ‘live’ assembly – where we use Microsoft Teams so that all classes can see each other and feel they are part of the school team!  The theme was a discussion around our school motto –

We tried to share a song that links the themes of having a dream (aspire), believing in yourself, working hard and being brave (persevering) which will lead to success – but technology let us down – so here is the song…

….and the lesson we have learnt, is if things don’t work, or when things go wrong, don’t worry about it – keep practising, and just smile!

PE reminder

Just to remind parents that Class 1’s PE sessions are on a Wednesday and Friday. Children will need to come into school in their PE kits on these days, until further notice.

Many thanks,

N.Fox

Autumn Term Parents Meetings

We are planning ahead for our Autumn Term Parents Meetings where parents have the opportunity to meet with their child’s teacher to discuss how their child is progressing and settling back into school.  Due to the current pandemic, we will be unable to hold face-to-face sessions…however we feel that these meetings are really important, especially since a lot of children haven’t been in school since March!

Therefore we are planning on using Microsoft Teams, an application that allows virtual face-to-face meetings and can be used on desk tops or mobile devices.  We are planning on holding our Parent/Pupil Feedback sessions in the week beginning 16th November – and unlike our normal parent meetings, the 10 minute appointments will be spread out throughout the week.  Your child’s teacher will contact you nearer the time to book an appointment.

This message is to give you plenty of notice to download the Microsoft Teams application, which you can find at this link…

Microsoft Teams Download

We use Teams in school for ‘Live’ whole school assemblies, Governors meetings, and meetings with other organisations, and it is easy to use.  Once an appointment has been made, you will receive an email with a link – and all you have to do is click the link at the time of the appointment – you just need a web-cam or camera on your device.

More information will be shared nearer the time – this is just a heads up to download Microsoft Teams (which is also a useful application if we ever have to isolate a class!)

Reflection Time and Prayer of the Day

Good Morning Brown Clee!

This week we are continuing to think about Respect, and the different types of Respect…

  • Respect for others
  • Respect for yourself
  • Respect for property and belongings

Yesterday we talked about Self Respect – and how it is important to be proud of who you are and be true to yourself – and I’d like to develop that further today.

Sometimes it can be difficult to be proud and happy with who you are – as other people might make fun of you, laugh at you for something you did, or they might say negative things that make you feel sad and down about yourself.  All of these behaviours are unkind and unthoughtful.

Sometimes we can all say or do things that might hurt other people’s feelings – often without any intention, but from lack of thought.  I wonder if you have ever stopped to think about the impact of your words or actions  on your friends feelings and on their confidence?  Have you ever laughed at a friend and made fun of them because they fell over?  Or they made a mistake?  How would you feel if someone laughed at you?

We are all human – and we all make mistakes – and we also all like to be liked and respected as this means that we have friends. The best way to make and keep friends is to say and do kind things to your friends – to treat them as you would wish to be treated.  Have a watch of this video and discuss it afterwards – what important lesson did the boy learn?

The boy didn’t seem to be particularly happy playing his computer game – there was lots of frowning and scowling.  He didn’t behave kindly and respectfully to the puppy and yet the puppy kept coming back to want to play.  I think dogs are much more forgiving than humans – as would you want to play with someone who was mean and disrespectful to you?

So as you go through the day, and the weeks ahead, think about your actions and words – try making sure that they are kind and respectful and see what the result is with your friends.

Prayer of the Day

Dear God,
Please help me to be kind towards others.
Please help me to be helpful, considerate and sympathetic.
Even at difficult times, when I’m busy or tired, help me to respond to others in the way that I would like to be treated.
Help me to brighten up my friends’ day with a kind word or deed.
Amen.

 

Reflection Time and Prayer of the Day

Good Morning Brown Clee!

I hope everyone has had a good weekend and enjoyed the good weather!

This week we will be continuing with the theme of ‘Respect’ in our daily assemblies – as Respect is such an important concept, and by learning about the different types of respect and how to be respectful, make such a big difference to everyone’s day-to-day experience – it can make the difference between having a good or ‘not so good’ day, and can make a different with how you feel about yourself.

Today, I would like you to think about yourself – and how unique and special you are. Have a think about what makes you different to your friends?  Is it your hair colour?  Your height? The number of brothers and sisters? Your family structure? Now think about what makes us all the same? ……….

First and foremost we are all humans – people with feelings, hopes and dreams. And as humans we all have a right to be respected – to be treated kindly.  Have a watch of this video about a happy, dancing sheep who is full of beans and the love of life – until things changed…..as you watch, think about what messages you can learn from the story…

I don’t know about you – but this video made me smile!  I think the sheep learnt an important lesson thanks to the Jackaloupe…..what do you think the lesson is?  (and there might be more than one!)

I think the sheep learnt that it didn’t matter what it looked like – whether it had wool or not – what was important was how it lived it’s life.  By dancing and being happy and positive, the sheep brought joy and happiness to it’s friends!  As the Jackaloupe said…”Does it matter what colour,….sometimes you’re up, and sometimes you’re down, you’ve still got your body, and still got your feet!  Get your head in the right place and you’re complete!”.  Simply put – respect yourself, be proud of who you are and be positive in “this world of ups and downs”!

It is now time to have a quiet moment and reflect – think about times when maybe you have been down, have lost your confidence, or felt sad…..what could you do yourself to help you ‘bounce back’ and put a smile on your face? (ps this is a very grown up skill and is called resilience!)

Prayer of the Day

Dear God,

We thank you for all the different skills and talents that you have given to us.

Help us always to make the best use of our skills and to be determined to think that we too can do good things

Help us to be the best person that we can be,

Amen.

Great First Full Week!

Well done reception for a great first full week in school! You are all adjusting extremely well to the new routines in school. Please find below a selection of pictures from this week. For more pictures, please remember to check your tapestry account. When a new picture or observation of your child is loaded, you should receive a notification via email.

Enjoying books and 2D Shapes

Class 1 have really enjoyed looking at books and making up their own stories before then learning about 2D shapes, going on a shape hunt and then working together on constructions!

Sad News – Mrs Harman is Leaving us!

Good afternoon everyone,

I am afraid that I have some very sad news – and that is that Mrs Harman is leaving Brown Clee at the end of this half term.  I know that she is going to be sorely missed as she is the ‘face’ of the school and has been a part of the team for many years!  I personally am really going to miss her too – as she is my ‘right-hand woman’ and ‘Oracle’!

She is still with us for the next 7 weeks and we have started the recruitment process so that we will continue to be able to serve our community as efficiently and effectively as always.  But I thought families would like to know, as I am sure that Mrs Harman has helped so many of you out over the years and will have appreciated her cheery guidance and assistance – I know I certainly have!!

Reflection Time and Prayer of the Day

Good Morning Brown Clee!

Yesterday we started to think about what we mean by the word RESPECT.  I am sure each class had lots of different ideas – and we discussed how it could be as simple, as treating others as you would wish to be treated yourself.  I would like you to watch a short video about a bear and a moose, and a rabbit and a raccoon.  As you watch it think about who is showing respect and how, and who isn’t?  What happens when there is a lack of respect?

Which animals were respectful?  And how did they show respect?  How would you describe the Bear and Moose?  What happened to them as a result?

Respect can really make a difference – and often if you show others respect, they will tend to show you respect in return.  Maybe try it at playtime today – let your friend have a go, or choose the game – see what happens?  Maybe try holding a door open for someone?  Remembering to let adults through doorways first?  Give it a go and see what response you get – you might be pleasantly surprised!

Respect is a two way street – we need to treat people how we wish to be treated.  There is a story in the Bible in the Book of Matthew that shows how Jesus respected everyone, no matter who they are or what they had done….

 

Prayer of the Day

Dear God,
Help us to love everyone, whoever they are.
Help us to include everyone in the things that we do.
Help us to be thankful for the people who help us.
Help us always to treat people with respect.
Amen.

PE Kit Reminder

Just to remind parents that children will need to come into school in their outdoor PE kit tomorrow (and Friday.) Many thanks N.Fox

Class 4 Information (and letter)

If you haven’t already, don’t forget to check out Class 4’s information page – which outlines some of the information about Class 4 (including home task expectations, curriculum information and useful links).

 

All children in Class 4 should be aware of our P.E. days (Tuesdays and Thursdays) and they will need to remember they need to come to school in their P.E. kits for those days.

 

In class, we are using an app/website called Seesaw – which allows work to be sent between “Teacher” and “Pupil” devices. Depending on its accessibility, this would be a really useful way to send and receive work from home in any future cases of self-isolation. The app is free to install on Android and Apple devices (e.g. tablets/phones). It can also be accessed by web browsers (e.g. chrome, internet edge/explorer, safari etc.) on computers/laptops. Over the next few days, each child will be given login information which allows them to login into their Seesaw account from home. This will hopeful be an easier form of communication (in terms of send and receiving work as Class 4 pupils will all be familiar using Seesaw) in the event of self-isolation. [Phone call from myself will still happen: see earlier post on Isolating Pupils and Remote Learning]

 

As part of using Seesaw, GDPR (General Data Protection Regulations) dictates that permission from parents is required. See GDPR Parent Letter. If you are able to print/sign the letter at home and send back in (either via email or with child), that would be fantastic. If this is not possible, a letter will be sent home with children over this week.

 

If you have any questions or queries about anything, please do not hesitate to contact me (email: class4@brownclee.shropshire.sch.uk).

 

 

 

 

Isolating Pupils and Remote Learning

We are starting to get more children isolating as they have, or a family member has  a new, continuous cough or temperature – which we would expect at this time of year. The procedure is to book a coronavirus test as soon as possible and inform the school, and then the family isolates until the results come back – which are usually within 24 hours. We are expecting to see more and more of this as we head into the Winter months.

The expectation from the government is now that any child who is isolating and is fit and well has to continue with their learning.  Therefore, on being notified that a child is isolating, a member of the class teaching staff will ring home and inform you of what work needs to be done as well as ensure that we have an accurate email address for you.  The class teacher, when possible, will then email any work requirements and resources for your child to do at home.

Work can then be emailled in to the Class email addresses that we had set up in the ‘lockdown’:-

class1@brownclee.shropshire.sch.uk

class 2@brownclee.shropshire.sch.uk

class3@brownclee.shropshire.sch.uk

class4@brownclee.shropshire.sch.uk

Please bear with us – as this is all very new to us too – and often we are only informed of an absence first thing in the morning and the teacher is in Class teaching the children.  However, it is important to be aware that remote teaching and learning is not optional – and is very important, especially as most children have been at home since March.

Reflection Time and Prayer of the Day

Good Morning Brown Clee!

We are now at the start of our full first week, and we are now getting used to all the new and different routines around school – and that goes for staff and parents too!  Today is also the first day that we have all our new reception children in school after their half day sessions last week. I do have to say how impressed I am with the confidence  of these new reception children as they all managed to enter school independently and quickly settled down into ‘big’ school!

Today I would like to introduce our Christian value of the half term – and it is the value that I think is one of the most important – as it kind of over-arches above all of the others – and that is RESPECT.

When we hold our normal assemblies I usually ask – what is respect?  So maybe you could have a think now and see what answers you come up with?  You might all have a different idea or description……

In the past I have had answers like…”Respect is being kind to people”, or “Respect is when you help your friends” – but the one answer that I think sums it up very simply, is “Respect is when you treat each other as you would wish to be treated yourself”.  So how would you like to be treated?  Would you like other people to help you if you have a problem?  To make you feel better if you are sad?  Would you like people to be careful with your belongings?  To be careful with you and play gently with you at playtimes, and respect your personal space?  Here is a short song about Respect which shares some examples at school…

Can you think of any other examples of how you can show respect in school?

So as you go through today, and the week’s ahead, try and think about how you can show respect – to your classmates, your teachers and your parents – and to yourself!

It is now Worship Time, where we pause and reflect – have a think about times when maybe you haven’t been as respectful as you could have been….or when someone wasnt respectful to you – how did it make you feel?  What could you do in future to ensure that you can be the best version of you that you possibly can be?

Prayer of the Day

Dear God,
Thank you that you value each one of us.
Please help us to treat others with respect.
Help us to embrace differences between us.
Help us to love others, even if they are very different from us.
Help us to see the value in each individual person.
Amen.

Class 2 contact

Please do not hesitate to get in touch if you have any questions, using the Class 2 email address below.

I will get back to you as soon as possible.

Free icon "Email mail open at icon"class2@brownclee.shropshire.sch.uk

Many thanks,

Mrs Morris

Reflection Time and Prayer of the Day

Good Morning Brown Clee!

We would normally be holding our Well Done Assembly in the hall this morning, but sadly we are unable to do this at the moment.  However we intend, starting next Friday, to hold an online Well Done Assembly, where each class teacher will aware 2 certificates for achievements that week – so please check the school news next Friday to find out who will have earnt our first Well Done certificates of this new school year.

Today I thought we could have a short quiz about feelings!  I am sure that we have all (staff and parents included!) had a mix of feelings about the start of this new school year – you might have been worried, excited, happy or sad.  All feelings are important and all are ok to experience and feel – emotions are part of what make us human!   The important thing is that we learn to manage them so that we can work and play together in harmony.  But how can we manage feelings unless we can identify them?

So enjoy the quiz – maybe your teacher can pause it at the end of each countdown and you could guess which feeling is being demonstrated!   I will give you a clue to the first one – it is how I felt yesterday when the school was full of children!

Did you guess them correctly?   Did you feel any of them before you came back to school yesterday?  Did these feelings change once you had arrived at school?

Did you spot how I felt yesterday?   Yes, I was happy – because the school was ‘alive’ again with the sound of happy children!  So as we go into the weekend, have a think about how you feel now that you are back at school – and think about what you can do to make it a happy place to be!

Prayer of the Day

Dear God

Thank you for our wonderful school.

Help us to be good learners.

Help us to look after each other.

Help us be respectful and kind and to make everyone welcome.

May our school be a happy, safe place where learning is fun.

Where we all work together to be the best we can be.

Amen

 

P.E Kit

Good Morning.

Please remember to send your child to school dressed in their outdoor PE Kit today. They will stay in it all day so no need for any other uniform.

Thank you

Mrs Cains

PE Kits

Please can children in Class 2 come to school in their PE kits tomorrow and on Monday.(4.9.20 & 7.9.20) They will be doing games outdoors and so will need trainers, a dark tracksuit, green PE t-shirt and a light waterproof coat.

Many thanks

A great start!

Hello!

First of all, a huge well done to all the children who have returned to school this week. They have been absolutely amazing with all the new routines and procedures in place.

Our topic for this term is ‘Innovators and Inventions’ with a particular focus on the development of railways and trains, especially during the Victorian period and the significant people involved.

In English our whole class reader is The Railway Children and we will be focusing on comprehension and asking questions to improve our undertstanding of the text. We will also be completing descriptive writing, a diary entry, writing stories and exploring characters. We will be reading and responding to the poems From a Railway Carriage by Robert Louis Stephenson and This is the Night Mail Crossing the border By W H Auden. We will also look at performance poetry Song on a Train by David McCord and Hand on the Bridge by Michael Rosen.

In Maths we will be following the White Rose Scheme of work and will be looking at Place Value, Addition and Subtraction and Multiplication and Division. Please as much as possible,encourage your child to keep learning their multiplication tables and quick recall of facts.

In Science we will be looking at States of Matter for the first half term and Electricity and circuits the second half term.

We will also be looking at sketching techniques and Victorian art, learning about famous Victorians and the birth of the railways, locational knowledge of the UK and our railway network.

There will also be some Music sessions, French and Computing.

P.E will be on a Tuesday and Friday and children are to come to school on these days in their outdoor P.E kit as we will be going out whatever the weather!

If you have any questions, please just get in touch.

Mrs Cains