Class 5

Week beginning 29th June 2020

This week has been a busy but very hot week in school, with children seeking the shade as much as possible when outdoors. Please remember to apply sun cream to your child before school and to supply them with a sunhat as they do also walk to parts of the outdoor area and it is not always possible to remain in the shade.

The children are finding out more about the characters in ‘The Eye of the Wolf’ and have written in role as the boy in the story, whose name has not yet been revealed. Many of the pieces were very insightful and showed great understanding of the story so far. In maths we have focused on strategies for addition and subtraction, including with decimals and problem solving. We have also continued our science work on life cycles and visited Paddy’s Patch to support our learning. It has been great to observe the high standard of behaviour of the children and their consideration towards one another. You should be very proud of them!

Please see below for timetables and suggested tasks for this week. As always, adapt these to your own situation.

Stay safe and enjoy the week, wherever you are.

Ms Hardie

Week beginning 22nd June 2020

This week has felt a little bit more normal for some people compared to other weeks; we have had children in class 5 for the first time in almost three months! All the children have shown that they are very considerate of one another and have clearly had practice observing the social distancing rules. They have returned ready to learn and have been a delight to teach. This week we have started to read the class core text ‘The Eye of the Wolf’ by Daniel Pennac, which is proving suitably challenging and engaging. We are looking forward to finding out more about the characters,the boy and the wolf.

In maths we have focused on strategies for addition and subtraction, as well as playing our own version of countdown. We have also learned about the life cycles of birds and mammals as part of our science topic work.

Please see below for timetables and suggested tasks for this week.  Adapt these to your own situation.

Stay safe and enjoy the week, wherever you are.

Ms Hardie

Week beginning 15th June 2020

Please see below for timetables and suggested tasks for this week. This is a bit different to usual as I have created three different timetables, appropriate to your group. Yes, some of you will be returning to school on Monday!  I hope you are looking forward to it as much as I am.

Group A will be in school on Monday and Tuesday from 8.45am until 3.15pm, the usual school hours. You will use timetable A for activities for the rest of the week.

Group B will be in school on Thursday and Friday from 8.45am until 3.15pm, the usual school hours. You will use timetable B for activities on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.

Those of you, who are learning at home, will use ‘Home school’ timetable for suggested activities.

This is to get you used to the idea of a combined learning experience. In future weeks, I will create one timetable with suggested activities that you can pick from as appropriate.

When you arrive at school, you will line up at two metres apart, have your temperature checked before you enter the classroom, wash your hands then sit down at a table, one per person. It will be a different routine to the previous weeks but, as the children already back at school have shown, you will easily adapt.

As always, stay safe, be kind to one another, including when in school!

I look forward to seeing many of you in the week ahead. Those of you not returning know that you are missed.

Ms Hardie

Monday 8th June

I hope you are all well and have enjoyed completing the activities that were set; I have seen some beautiful artwork .As I write this, it is raining heavily outside which is such a change from the recent weather- good for the plants and grass though. Some of you may be missing your siblings who have returned to school; hopefully it will be your turn soon!

As usual, I have prepared a timetable for you to adapt to suit your family circumstances. The science task should be an enjoyable one that can be completed with other members of your family- you may even find out things about yourself that you didn’t know before.

Have a great week, stay safe and be kind to one another.

Ms Hardie

Monday 1st June

I hope that you are all well and looking forward to catching up with friends and family in an outdoor setting.

The weather has been amazing and has made the half-term very enjoyable.

As you are not a year group returning to school (yet), I have set a weekly timetable for you. I hope you enjoy the activities but do not forget that there are other sources for ideas that may interest you. These are listed below under 'Lockdown Links'.

As always, take care, be kind to one another, stay safe and know that you are missed.

Ms Hardie

Friday 22nd May 2020

As we end the strangest half-term of my twenty two years teaching career and your time at school, I want to wish you a happy holiday. Whilst we haven't actually been 'in school' I know that many of you have been keeping busy at home. I am so impressed with the work that I have either seen online or that has been emailed to me. It is clear that some children have found tasks set enjoyable, as well as using suggestions for other learning opportunities.

As it is the half-term holiday, I will not be setting a timetable this week. You may choose to continue to practise spelling and number facts, complete independent activities on Purple mash or Active maths, as well as reading regularly.

The weather should be fine so enjoy the sunshine, take as much exercise as possible and perhaps even see extended family or friends in an outdoor setting.

Take care, stay safe, be kind and know that you are missed.

Ms Hardie

Monday 27th April- update

As you are aware the BBC, in partnership with the Oak National Academy, is also running various classes, available online and through the 'red button' on many television sets.

You may be interested to know that The Archbishop of Canterbury will give a virtual school assembly to millions of pupils on the message of hope.This will be streamed by the Oak National Academy, the government-backed online school, which was launched last week. The assembly, which is the school's first, will be held at 10am on Thursday, during which the Most Rev Welby will also draw on the words of Nelson Mandela.

You may wish to add this to your personal timetable.

Have a great week!

Ms Hardie

Week Beginning 27^th April 2020

 I hope you all had a good week and enjoyed a little bit of the sunshine, perhaps on your daily outing or in your garden. It feels as if Summer is here, even although it is still Spring. Like you, I have been working at home and understand the distractions around. I have to set myself time for work and time for breaks and exercise, as well as relaxing activities. Do not worry if you have not been able to complete all of the activities set, as I said before it is important that you do what suits your family life.

I hope you enjoyed some of the suggestions that I set last week. I enjoyed reading the different stories that were completed online. For those who wrote them on paper, make sure to share them with family members, perhaps even using it as ‘story time’ for younger siblings.

As before, I have set a timetable to give ideas for activities at home, including suggestions for research on the topic ‘ The Mayan Civilisation’.

I have also allocated a selection of books for independent reading on Bug Club, which will give you a choice and perhaps a challenge.

I must emphasise that you should not worry about your schoolwork or what you might be missing. This is a new scenario for everyone and we just need to make the best of it. Whenever you return to school you will get back on track and staff will be there to support you. You will not suddenly forget all the fantastic learning you have done, so use this time to keep your mind and body as active as possible. Enjoy family life and try to have fun together; it is normal to feel irritated or frustrated, perhaps even angry at times, but try to remember the school values of Love, Respect, and Forgiveness.

As always, stay safe and be kind to one another.

Ms Hardie

Monday 20th April- Spelling and Reading

Since setting the timetable for this week , we now have access to 'Bug Club' . Each week I will set a spelling focus as well as a book for you to read, sometimes for pleasure but at other times to complete a task.

Continue to practise the words in the spelling list in your reading record, including Homophones and commonly confused words. Challenge yourself to find other words that fit the spelling pattern and the sound, or same spelling, different sound.

I hope you enjoy the book that I have set for you, but feel free to browse the site and use it to enhance your home learning experience: It is new to all of us.

Also, please be aware that the BBC have launched a home schooling version of 'Bitesize'which you may wish to access. 

With all these resources at your fingertips you will barely have time for relaxation but at least you won't be bored.Take time to enjoy the sunshine and being with loved ones. Stay safe and be kind to one another.

Week Beginning 20th April 2020

I hope you and your family are well and have enjoyed the Easter Break as much as possible, albeit with continued restrictions.

As before , I have set a weekly timetable with suggestions for activities to be completed.The timetable will include maths and English work and at least one other subject per day. The activities chosen will relate to topics that would have been studied in class this half-term. This week I have set activities that relate to  our PSHE topic, 'Health and Wellbeing', which I am sure you will agree is very apt at this time. I know for myself that some order to the day is needed and I continue to incorporate music, nature and exercise into my daily routine. My garden is looking a great deal tidier and welcomes many species of birds, a couple of mischievous squirrels (who have managed to get into our food waste bin) and many more smaller creatures. Those of you lucky enough to have a garden are no doubt making the most of it and recognising the changes that spring has brought. If you do not have a garden, please take time to look out of the window or to be aware of the changing environment on your daily outing.

Please make sure that you have your login to Purplemaths and Rock Stars as I will be including activities from these, as well as suggestions for alternatives.

A class email account has been set up so that if you have any queries I will be able to respond to you directly. This will be checked on a daily basis and I will endeavour to respond within one day of your message. The address is year5@leverstockgreen.herts.sch.uk

As this lockdown continues we have to make the best of the situation and must ensure that we support one another and are thoughtful to those around us.My message to you remains the same:  Be kind to one another, stay safe and know that you are missed.

Ms Hardie 

Dear All,

As we begin week 2 of lockdown, I just want you to know that I am thinking of you all and miss being in school. I also  understand that things might be difficult but we will try to help with suggestions for activities to keep you healthy in mind and body.

You have no doubt been inundated with suggestions and opinions as to what is the right and wrong way to

' home school' your child/children, perhaps even making you feel under pressure. In my opinion, you must do what works for your family circumstances. I have attached a timetable for the week, with the caveat that it must be adjusted to suit each child/family. 

Take time to enjoy being together, perhaps beginning a new hobby, perhaps something as simple as learning the names or calls of different birds- this can be done on your daily outing, in a garden or from the window.

Spring is a wonderful time for change- not that we would have wished for this one- so make notes of the changes,perhaps beginning a nature diary.

Above all, take care of one another, be kind and know that this will pass. Stay safe!

Ms Hardie

Spring 2

Dear All,

As we begin an unprecedented time, I will be keeping this page up to date with suggestions to keep you busy.

Firstly, follow government guidance and keep yourself and others safe. Secondly, be kind to one another and help each other in a variety of ways. There will be times when you are at home and may feel bored or frustrated –that is understandable. It is up to each one of us to do our best in a difficult situation.

Thirdly, I would like to suggest that you try as far as possible to follow some sort of routine, building in time for school work , exercise, chores in the house and relaxation time as well as , where possible, fresh air ( again following government guidelines). Try to get plenty of sleep, sticking to your normal bedtime routine and getting up at a reasonable time. Although it may be tempting to lounge around in pyjamas, unless you are unwell this is not advisable. Some suggest that dressing in school uniform will help children to focus on educational activities. Perhaps wear the polo shirt or sweatshirt with jogging trousers or leggings during the ‘normal’ school hours to give you a sense of being at school.

I would like all year 5 children to create a timetable for each week.

This should include set times for different activities that fit in with family life and school expectations. I attach a template below that can be adapted or copied. This week will begin on activities planned for Tuesday and includes the minimum expectations as well as suggestions that may be added.

Remember- healthy minds and healthy bodies need regular exercise.

Take care and remember the 5R’s apply at home too. Which one will you focus on today?

Take care and stay safe.

Ms Hardie

Lockdown Links

Here is a list of useful links to help support children during school closures.

Lockdown Links

Here is a list of useful links to help support children during school closures.

• Twinkl are giving a free one month ultimate membership enter the code UKTWINKLHELPS

Please be aware that Twinkl are offering all parents free access to their resources for a month (ultimate pack).This usually comes at a very high price and the resources are fantastic. It is worth taking advantage of and I will be making suggestions over the course of the coming weeks.

• 123Homeschool4me - free worksheets and printables Make sure to convert year groups e.g. year 6 - 5h Grade, year 5 - 4th grade etc.

• BBC Bitesize A free educational resource for children aged 3-16+

• Classroom Secrets Kids Offering free access until the end of April 2020. A child-friendly platform for children

• Joe Wicks live workouts for Kids 1, Visit youtube.com 2. Search: The Bodycoach TV 3. Hit subscribe 4. You will be notified about live workouts at 9am

• Oxford Owl Free resources available for download without registering