Welcome to 5 Beech!
Your teacher is Mr Newsome and your TA is Mr Jones.
Topics
Our Topics
Autumn Term – The Viking and the Anglo Saxon struggle for the Kingdom of England; Forces
Spring Term – Early Islamic Civilizations; Space
Summer Term - River Deep, Mountain High; Materials
Reading
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.
Book Club
Children will read a section of a text/book or poem that the children will choose together, 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'. Every night, 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. We aim to expose children to different text types, authors and themes throughout the year. There will also be a written task set twice per week.
Bug Club
Bug Club is an excellent online book resource where your child can access books that are suitable and appropriate for their ability. 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 and read to the children, please let me know.
Reading Journal
Each class has a Reading Journal which is a special book in which children can record their thoughts, feelings and reviews of the books that they have read. A different child will be chosen to take home the journal each week. The expectation is that when it is their turn, children will create an entry. The Reading Journal should be returned each week. The journal contains further instructions and examples.
PE
We have two PE sessions each week on Monday (outdoor) and Wednesday (indoor).
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.
Times Tables
Children have TT Rockstars accounts that they can access at school or at home. It is vital children learn them so they can apply this knowledge to other areas of maths. Children will then be assessed every half term to establish any gaps in knowledge.
Useful Times Tables Games:
https://www.topmarks.co.uk/maths-games/hit-the-button
https://mathsframe.co.uk/en/resources/resource/504/Super-Maths-Bowling-
https://www.timestables.co.uk/
Spellings
Every Monday, children will be given a list pf words to practise. They will also be taught and practised during English lessons. Due to time constraints, we will no longer test the children every week.
Concerns and Communication
If I receive a message on Class Dojo (or any other platform) regarding something important please do not expect a response on the app. I will be in contact to arrange a discussion / meeting for a face-to-face discussion.
Thanks.
Mr Newsome.