Information for Parents of pupils in Class 9.

Happy New Year to you all! I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas. Thank you so much for all our lovely Christmas cards and gifts – they were really appreciated.

Outline of some areas of work to be covered:

We have a busy term ahead of us with lots of lovely activities and learning planned. Our theme this term is “Magic Moments” – a lovely topic which I’m really looking forward to! Before half term we will learn about families and the ‘history of me’ in History. After half term in Geography we will be comparing the countries of Wales and Africa. We will also be finding out about how to keep our bodies healthy and what we use our senses for. In Art the children will have a go at a Welsh art inspired collage and will be making a pop up card. They will also be organising and preparing for a Birthday party.

Our focus books this term will include ‘‘Then there were Giants’, 'Old Bear’, ‘Woolly Wendy’ and ‘Handa’s Hen’.

Information and Artefacts which would be useful:

Our first classroom role play this term is Old Bear’s Attic, to tie in with our first Big Book of the term – ‘Old Bear’. The aim is to recreate an attic with all its long lost treasures … a place which will stimulate the children’s imagination and curiosity. We are beginning to collect some items for the ‘attic’ but would welcome donations of any dressing up clothes or unwanted toys/games objects that we can add to the collection – nothing precious or breakable please!

In History we will be beginning the term by looking at the ‘history of me’ – how the children have changed since they were born. One of our first activities will be to make a photographic timeline of how the children have changed. I would therefore appreciate it if you could help the children to find a selection of photographs of themselves taken at 6 month to 1 yearly intervals from their birth to the current day. The photographs will be glued onto a strip of card to make the timeline, but otherwise will remain fully intact. Please ensure that all photos are clearly labelled with your child’s name and the date that the photo was taken.

Suggested ways to help support Literacy and Numeracy:

Literacy

Reading - Please continue to read with your child at home and send the book back in on their designated reading day. Talking to your child about their favourite part of the story will help your child’s understanding. Please carry on pointing out capital letters and full stops as well as question marks and commas when used.

Writing – keep encouraging your child to write as much as possible at home – birthday cards, lists, stories, songs, labels etc.

 Numeracy

Pointing out odd and even house numbers when you’re walking down the road. Continuing to count on and back in 1s and 10s up to 100. Practical addition and subtraction activities. Talking about direction when walking or driving – right hand turns, left hand turns, straight on (clockwise/anti clockwise turns – Year 2). Reading o’clock and half past times on analogue clocks. Learning 2 and 5 times tables (Year 2).

Other information:

PE for Class 9 is still on a Tuesday. Please remind your child to bring in their PE kit each week. Most PE sessions this term will probably be in the hall and we do ask the children to remove their shoes and socks. If your child has a medical condition which requires them to wear pumps during PE I would appreciate it if you would write me a short note to ensure that I am aware of it.

Every Friday we will continue with our ‘Show and Tell’ sessions. This term we would like the children to bring something in that relates to a ‘magic moment’ – maybe a family celebration, a holiday or the arrival of a new member of the family. We begin this next week (Friday 17^th) with group Gwyrdd.

Finally, again we are hoping to be out and about around the school grounds as much as possible this term. The children will therefore need to keep a pair of wellies in school so that they can take part in all the planned activities.

Thank you for your continuing support. It is greatly appreciated!

Diolch yn fawr.

Mrs R. Utting – Lawson and Miss J. Bradley