Teacher:
Mr Goodall.
Teaching Assistants:
Mrs Cowling.
Lunch Time Supervisor:
Mrs Spear.
Dojo Points.
Dojo points are virtual points that are awarded to children for various good behaviours. The children each have their own Dojo monster which they can personalise.
Each time the children reach a milestone of 250 points, they will be awarded a certificate. Parents are able to sign up to the Dojo app, using the password that will be sent home. I regularly update the site with information and photos. Please feel free to like and comment on the posts.
PE.
We have two PE sessions each week on Wednesdays (indoor) and Thursdays (outdoor). Please ensure that your child is wearing their PE kit (t-shirt, shorts, leggings, tracksuit bottoms, trainers, etc) on these days. If your child wears earrings, please ensure that these are removed before school.
Reading.
Reading is happening all the time within the classroom, and also within other areas of school. Specific reading skills are taught in English lessons, and children practise their reading across all subjects. We enjoy DEAR Time ('Drop Everything and Read') sessions, towards the end of each school day to foster a love of books and an enjoyment of reading. We also undertake various other reading-based activities throughout the year, in order to further the children's enjoyment and appreciation of a range of texts.
Parents can support this 'reading journey' through regular reading at home. Reading to and with your child every evening for at least ten minutes can make a dramatic difference to a child's achievement within school.
A report from the Oxford University Press highlighted the importance of parents reading with their children.
'Children who read outside of class are 13 times more likely to read above the expected level for their age.'
The report also offers six tips for reading with your child at home, including:
1. Make time to read - even ten minutes a day
2. Choose different types of books
3. Take turns to read
4. Talk about the book- asking your child questions
5. Pay attention to the language
6. Enjoy reading
Book Club.
Beginning in Year 3, all children will be involved in Book Club. Children will read a section of a text chosen by the teacher, for approximately 20 minutes every day, within a small group. As well as reading and listening to each other, there is opportunity for lots of discussion and 'book talk'. At the end of each session, the children will be set a short homework assignment, for example, to read the next 5-10 pages of their text, in preparation for the next day's Book Club session. This reading homework can be done independently, or with an adult. Therefore, children will need to take their book home every day and bring it back to school the next day in an excellent condition. We aim to expose children to different text types, authors and themes throughout the year.
Bug Club.
Bug Club is an excellent online book resource where your child can access books that are suitable and appropriate for their ability. Usernames and Passwords have already been sent home. If you have any questions or problems logging on, please contact me.
Secret Storyteller.
We will have various Secret Storytellers visiting the class throughout the school year. If you would like to come into school or read to the children via Google Classroom, please let me know.
Homework
Children will take their Book Club book home at the end of the school day and will be set a series of pages to read that evening at home, in preparation for the next day's Book Club session. They may also be set a short activity to complete alongside, and related to their reading. It is essential that children complete this reading every day and take special care of their Book Club books - ensuring that they bring it with them to school the following day. Spelling homework will also be sent home each week. This will consist of 12 spellings (6 'Core' and 6 'Challenge' words), as well as a Maths activity.