porters grange weekly newsletter week ending 6th October 2023

Nursery

This week we have continued to enjoy lots of different activities connected to our book this half term which is ‘The whales on the bus’. We are trying so hard with the vocabulary from the book and are using it in our play. We have also enjoyed rhyme time everyday where we have started to learn a selection of rhymes and action songs.

REMINDERS: Please remember if your child is absent from a session, to inform the school. Thank you.

Reception

This week we have been learning to join in singing familiar nursery rhymes and counting songs. The children have been learning some traditional rhymes such as ‘Humpy Dumpty’ and ‘Incy Wincy spider’. The children have been learning to count in order and to show the correct number on their fingers by joining in with counting songs such as ‘1,2,3,4,5 Once I caught a fish alive’ and ‘Five Currant Buns’. We have been playing lots of listening games and learning to follow instructions. We have enjoyed sorting and matching activities as part of our maths lessons.

REMINDER: Please send in a family photo if you have not done so yet for our home corner. Please check your child has their name in all their items of clothing including their coat.

Year 1

We have been learning all about oak trees through a wonderful, newly published, text called ‘The Oak Tree’ by Julia Donaldson. The children have been learning about the changes that happen to a tree when the seasons change.

We have also been learning to use a new maths model called the ‘part- whole model’. Two parts are added together to make a whole amount. Maybe your child can explain this to you.

REMINDER: Please make sure you read with your child on a daily basis and make a note about how they have read at home.

If your child completes any independent work like drawing trees, writing stories, making their own calculations, can you please encourage them to bring them in and show us!

Year 2

During English this week, the children crafted intricate story maps and wrote stories reminiscent of the book ‘Whatever Next’. Utilising their understanding of conjunctions, they expanded their sentences showcasing their growing language skills.

The students worked diligently on their maths abilities focusing on addition and subtraction.

Our history lessons began with an exploration of modern day and Victorian Southend. We talked about the differences and similarities, broadening our historical knowledge.

In PSHE, we talked about our feelings and how to feel better. We learned some helpful things to do when we’re not feeling great.

REMINDER: PE kits in school every Tuesday please. Children should be reading at home every night.

Year 3

This week in Year 3 we have been planning and writing our own stories. In maths we are working on addition and subtractions and in history we researched the most famous of stone age/bronze age monuments, Stonehenge.

REMINDER: Please remember PE kits need to be in school – we have PE Tuesday and Thursday. Practising spellings and times tables at home is so important, along with regular reading. Thank you for supporting us with this.

Year 4

This week the children have been using their knowledge of fronted adverbials and pronouns to write all about the collapse of the Roman Empire. They have used lots of technical vocabulary and historically accurate facts where possible. In science we have started learning about teeth which was very interesting! In PE Orca class have started learning how to use the skills of tag rugby. There have been some scrapes of knees but the children have really enjoyed it. In Porpoise class they have been learning how to play golf using a putter.

REMINDER: PE kits need to be in school. Reading diaries and books should be in every day please.

Year 5

This week in English, we have written our own flashback stories. We included direct speech, ambitious vocabulary and punctuation. It enabled us to use our imagination.

In science, we took a closer look at our solar system. We created posters about a planet of our choice and presented it to the class.

REMINDER: Please continue to read at home and record it in home school diaries. Spellings need to be practised at home too. They are tested every Friday.

Year 6

This week we have enjoyed an online careers session during our PSHE lesson, where we heard from people who have jobs that involve keeping others healthy and happy. In English, we have put our detective hats on and have been writing scenes of dialogue and narrative between Sherlock Holmes and his partner Dr Watson. We have learned all about prime, square and cube numbers in maths.

REMINDER: Please keep enjoying listening to your child read and sharing their books with them at home. Please record this in home school diaries.

French

Thanks to all those who have completed their Rugby / French themed poster, and a big encouragement to complete this and hand it to Mr Morris for those who have not yet done so. Thank you!

Music

Music Clubs

• Tuesday: Music Making for year 1 and 2.
• Thursday: Choir for years 3 - 6.

Instrumental Lessons

We do have a few vacancies, please contact Mrs Baines if your child would like to learn an instrument.

• Tuesday am; Drums
• Wednesday am: Keyboard and Flute
• Wednesday am: Guitar

Community