Just a quick post today to say how pleased I am to be back with the class before the holidays. Huge thanks to Miss Croal to looking after them so well in my absence.
Many thanks for the kind gifts and cards I received today.
I hope you can all contain the children’s excitement for the next few days and that you and your families all have a joyful and peaceful Christmas.
In small groups we were thinking about words beginning with these sounds, playing games, and identifying the letters which make these sounds. Some of us were learning how to ‘build’ and ‘blend’ three letter words with the sounds we know.
We also introduced two ‘tricky words’ want and no. Tricky words cannot be sounded out but have to be learned. We will continue to introduce new tricky words on a weekly basis.
We were writing about a Christmas tree, trying to write some letters and words independently, thinking about the correct formation of letters.
THINGS TO DO AT HOME
Hold up the letters and ask your child to tell you the sound they make. Ask them if they can think of a word beginning with that sound. Play ‘I spy’ using the sounds your child has learnt.
Use letters written on a piece of paper or card to ‘build’ a word. The adult says a three letter word and the child choses the correct sounds to make that word.
An adult makes a three letter word, and the child says the pure sounds of each letter to blend together to read the word.
Write down want and no on a piece of paper or card, hold the cards behind your back then show them to your child and ask them to read the word you have shown them. Your child could practise writing these words, forming the letters the way they have been shown in class.
(If you are unsure about correct letter formation, please speak to one of us at the end of the day).
NUMERACY AND MATHS
Following on from our learning about shape , this week we have been looking at pattern. We talked about what a pattern was and copied and continued a variety of different patterns. There were activities set up in the classroom to support this learning.
PE
We were playing games and working cooperatively.
RSHP
We were discussing people who help us and talking about who helps us at home and who helps people in certain situations.
SCIENCE
We talked about energy and looked at electricity in particular linking it to last week’s power cut in school! We looked at a poster which showed the dangers of electricity and how we can stay safe. We then thought about the items in our homes which are powered by mains electricity and items which use batteries.
Have a look around your house and see if you can find some items which use mains electricity and some which are powered by batteries.
LOOSE PARTS
No more loose parts this term.
Some other examples of learning taking place this week:
We were revising sounds and practising the correct formation of some letters using whiteboards and pens.
We were writing about our Nativity, the role we played in it and how we felt about it.
LEARNING THROUGH PLAY, LITERACY FOCUS
NUMERACY AND MATHS
We started learning about shape. We used a feely bag containing different 2D shapes and described what we could feel. We talked about the number of sides the shape had and whether they were straight or curved.
MATHS FOCUS
PE
We explored the story of the Nutcracker through dance and music.
HWB
We looked at examples of different kinds of families and discussed our own families.
ASSEMBLY
We attended a Christmas assembly along with P2-4, lead by the minister from Fairmilehead church.
NATIVITY
Well done to all our P1s for two fantastic performances. Thanks to all families and friends who came along to support them.
LOOSE PARTS
We had a chilly but enjoyable loose parts play.
No more loose parts until the new term.
ART
We have begun to make santas which will hang from the ceiling. We will bring these home at the end of term.
Some other examples of learning taking place this week:
PARTY TIME!
Primary one will be having their party on the afternoon of Wednesday 13 December. Please can you provide your child with a box containing 3 items of party food and a drink, thank you.
Learning Stories have been sent home today. Please look through the evidence of your child’s learning this term (worksheets) and read the teacher comment sheet. There is space at the bottom of this page for you to write a short comment and sign to acknowledge that you have received this. Please return the Learning Stories with the report inside as soon as possible.
Next week P2 are organising a collection for the Edinburgh Foodbank. If you are able to, please send in a packet of instant noodles before Friday 8th December.
We have loose parts on Friday 8th December. As the weather turns colder, please ensure that your child brings enough layers that day and wears suitable footwear.
Our P2 Carol Singing will take place on Wednesday 13th December at 9.00am and 2.30pm. It would be great to see you there!
Here is a summary of our learning:
Literacy
We wrote letters to each year group asking them to donate a particular item for the foodbank collection.
In handwriting we have been learning to form a and d in cursive script.
In phonics our focus has been on final consonant blends: rk, nd, st, mp, lt, sk. Examples of words with these sounds are lark, hand, must, lamp, felt and mask.
In spelling we have been recapping the Block 4 words as a whole class. We then worked on the particular block we are focussing on (block 1, 2, 3 or 4).
Ideas for learning at home:
Please continue to practise the spelling block your child is working on. Some of us did a ‘Scribble Spelling’ activity this week which we enjoyed. This photo explains how you could do it at home too.
To practise phonics it is a good idea to ask your child to read nonsense words containing the sounds covered so far. This means that they cannot guess the word, they must instead use their knowledge of letter sounds. Try to write down some nonsense words and hide them around the living room or lay them on the stairs. Can your child read them accurately using their decoding skills?
Examples of words to write: gark, pand, fust, somp, lolt, nisk.
Please go over your child’s reading book with them at home. This will help to build their fluency. You could ask these questions to check for understanding.
Can you retell the story in your own words?
Could the story have a different ending? What could it be?
What makes this story different to other books you have read?
What kind of person do you think the main character is?
Here is the link to the website we use for handwriting. You can watch the animations at home and ask your child to practise the formation.
We are continuing to work on reading both digital and analogue clocks focussing on o’clock and half past. Some of us are extending our learning to quarter to / past.
In our number work we have been working on sharing out objects into equal groups. Some of us are linking this to counting in groups e.g. counting in 2s or 3s.
Ideas for learning at home:
Try to find real life examples where your child can work on sharing out objects. For example, can they share out items to each plate at the dinner table? You can also use toys, for example, laying out soft toys and using building bricks to be pretend food. Can they share out items equally?
Reading clocks is proving challenging so please practise as much as possible at home. Here is a fun game you can try at home.
This week’s blog will be a very short one. P1K have had a really busy week rehearsing for their Nativity. We are looking forward to sharing our beautiful singing and loud speaking voices with our special audience next week.
PE
We were playing running games to improve our fitness and have fun. We participated in various fitness activities at different stations around the gym hall. We practised some yoga in our classroom.
ART
Some of us have been drawing parts of the Christmas story for our window display.
LOOSE PARTS
Next date for loose parts is Wednesday 6 December.
Here are some examples of learning taking place this week, please ask your child about their learning. Many children have been very interested in making our home corner and small loose parts areas into a café. They have been making signs, creating menus, drawing plates of food, and taking on the roles of customers and waiting staff.
In small groups we were thinking about words beginning with these sounds, playing games, and identifying the letters which make these sounds. Some of us were learning how to ‘build’ and ‘blend’ three letter words with the sounds we know.
We also introduced two ‘tricky words’ was and saw. Tricky words cannot be sounded out but have to be learned. We will be introducing new tricky words on a weekly basis.
THINGS TO DO AT HOME
Hold up the letters and ask your child to tell you the sound they make. Ask them if they can think of a word beginning with that sound. Play ‘I spy’ using the sounds your child has learnt.
Use letters written on a piece of paper or card to ‘build’ a word. The adult says a three letter word and the child choses the correct sounds to make that word.
An adult makes a three letter word, and the child says the pure sounds of each letter to blend together to read the word.
Write down was and saw on a piece of paper or card, hold the cards behind your back then show them to your child and ask them to read the word you have shown them. Your child could practise writing these words, forming the letters the way they have been shown in class.
(If you are unsure about correct letter formation, please speak to one of us at the end of the day).
NUMERACY AND MATHS
On Friday 1 December the children will bring home their learning stories with comments on their progress in literacy and numeracy along with evidence of their learning. This week we have been assessing the children in numeracy.
PE
We were playing running games to improve our fitness and have fun. We participated in various fitness activities at different stations around the gym hall. We practised some yoga in our classroom.
NATIVITY
Together with the Pandas we have been practising the songs we will be singing and trying to say our words loudly and clearly in the big hall. Please help your child to learn their words and home, encouraging them to speak as loudly as possible!
LOOSE PARTS
Next date for loose parts is Wednesday 6 December.
ART
We decorated a giant Christmas tree for the hall and everyone drew their own Christmas bauble.
In small groups we were thinking about words beginning and ending with these sounds, playing games, and identifying the letters which make these sounds. Some of us were learning how to ‘build’ and ‘blend’ three letter words with the sounds we know.
We also introduced two ‘tricky words’ his and put. Tricky words cannot be sounded out but have to be learned. We will be introducing new tricky words on a weekly basis.
THINGS TO DO AT HOME
Hold up the letters and ask your child to tell you the sound they make. Ask them if they can think of a word beginning with that sound. Play ‘I spy’ using the sounds your child has learnt.
Use letters written on a piece of paper or card to ‘build’ a word. The adult says a three letter word and the child choses the correct sounds to make that word.
An adult makes a three letter word, and the child says the pure sounds of each letter to blend together to read the word.
Write down his and put on a piece of paper or card, hold the cards behind your back then show them to your child and ask them to read the word you have shown them. Your child could practise writing these words, forming the letters the way they have been shown in class.
(If you are unsure about correct letter formation, please speak to one of us at the end of the day).
Writing – Our starter sentence this week was ‘He put his…………’
We are encouraging the children to try to write as many of the letters and words as they can.
NUMERACY AND MATHS
In numeracy we have been carrying out some assessments to establish where children are in their learning and to identify next steps.
We were completing our topic on measure, using the language : taller, shorter, heavier, lighter, full, empty, more, less.
THINGS TO DO AT HOME
Please choose an activity from the SEAL wall which was sent home earlier in the term.
We were playing running games to improve our fitness and have fun. We participated in various fitness activities at different stations around the gym hall.
We took part in yoga in the classroom.
RME
We talked about the celebration of Diwali and watched a short film about it.
NATIVITY
We have started practising our Nativity play which will be performed to families on Tuesday 5 and Wednesday 6 December. Your child has a piece of paper with the part they will be playing in their purple folder (If it says N. and a number, they are a narrator). Can you please help your child to learn their words. Further information will be coming out shortly.
WORLD BOOK WEEK
We had a visit from local author Morag Hood. She talked about her job as an author and illustrator and shared two of her books with us: Spaghetti Hunters and Dig Dig Digger. She showed us how she draws one of her main characters and the children drew along with her. They were very engaged in this activity and were proud of the results. Your child should have brought their drawing home in their purple folder yesterday.
LOOSE PARTS
Next date for loose parts is Wednesday 6 December.
SPARE SOCKS AND TIGHTS
As the weather gets wetter, we are always needing a supply of dry footwear. If any families are able to donate any old socks or tights that would be really useful.
INDOOR PE
As we are now doing all of our PE inside can you please make sure that your child has suitable shoes for the gym halls. Can we ask that long hair is tied back.
In small groups we were thinking about words beginning with these sounds, playing games, and identifying the letters which make these sounds. Some of us were learning how to ‘build’ and ‘blend’ three letter words with the sounds we know.
We also introduced two ‘tricky words’ is and me. Tricky words cannot be sounded out but have to be learned. We will be introducing new tricky words on a weekly basis.
THINGS TO DO AT HOME
Hold up the letters and ask your child to tell you the sound they make. Ask them if they can think of a word beginning with that sound. Play ‘I spy’ using the sounds your child has learnt.
Use letters written on a piece of paper or card to ‘build’ a word. The adult says a three letter word and the child choses the correct sounds to make that word.
An adult makes a three letter word, and the child says the pure sounds of each letter to blend together to read the word.
Write down is and me on a piece of paper or card, hold the cards behind your back then show them to your child and ask them to read the word you have shown them. Your child could practise writing these words, forming the letters the way they have been shown in class.
(If you are unsure about correct letter formation, please speak to one of us at the end of the day).
Writing – Our starter sentence this week was ‘The bat…………’
We are encouraging the children to try to write as many of the letters as they can.
NUMERACY AND MATHS
In numeracy we have been counting backwards from 20 and putting numerals in order. Some of us were working on number bonds to 10.
We were talking about the language of measure : taller, shorter, heavier, lighter, full, empty, more, less.
THINGS TO DO AT HOME
Please choose an activity from the SEAL wall which was sent home earlier in the term.
We were playing running games to improve our fitness and have fun. We participated in various fitness activities at different stations around the gym hall.
HWB
As part of our Health and Wellbeing programme to help build resilience and following on from our introductory assembly, we were discussing the idea of special people in our lives and how they can make us feel happy when things are not going so well. We drew pictures which showed, ‘I am happy when…………’
LOOSE PARTS
We enjoyed the sunshine during loose parts this week.
Next date for loose parts is Wednesday 6 December.
SPARE SOCKS AND TIGHTS
As the weather gets wetter, we are always needing a supply of dry footwear. If any families are able to donate any old socks or tights that would be really useful.
INDOOR PE
As we are now doing all of our PE inside can you please make sure that your child has suitable shoes for the gym halls. Can we ask that long hair is tied back.
Hello everyone, we have had a busy week in school. It was lovely to see so many parents and family members at our drop in today, thank you for coming.
This is what we have been learning this week:
LITERACY
We introduced the new sounds u and f.
In small groups we were thinking about words beginning with these sounds, playing games, and identifying the letters which make these sounds. Some of us were learning how to ‘build’ and ‘blend’ three letter words with the sounds we know.
We also introduced two ‘tricky words’ to and he. Tricky words can not be sounded out but have to be learned. We will be introducing new tricky words on a weekly basis.
THINGS TO DO AT HOME
Hold up the letters and ask your child to tell you the sound they make. Ask them if they can think of a word beginning with that sound. Play ‘I spy’ using the sounds your child has learnt.
Use letters written on a piece of paper or card to ‘build’ a word. The adult says a three letter word and the child choses the correct sounds to make that word.
An adult makes a three letter word, and the child says the pure sounds of each letter to blend together to read the word.
Write down to and he on a piece of paper or card, hold the cards behind your back then show them to your child and ask them to read the word you have shown them. Your child could practise writing these words, forming the letters the way they have been shown in class.
(If you are unsure about correct letter formation, please speak to one of us at the end of the day).
Writing – we used some of the words we have been learning for our starter sentence this week- I went to the………………
These examples of writing will go in your child’s learning story which they will be bringing home on the 1 December.
NUMERACY AND MATHS
In numeracy we have been practising careful counting and some of us have been adding two numbers together to make amounts totalling numbers between 11-20.
In measure we were using the pan balance to predict then measuring using cubes.
We were predicting which container held the most water then checking to see if we were correct.
THINGS TO DO AT HOME
Practise careful counting of a group of items. Say the number out loud as you place your finger on each item. How many items can you count correctly?
PE
We were playing running games to improve our fitness and have fun. We participated in various fitness activities at different stations around the gym hall.
HWB
As part of our Health and Wellbeing programme to help build resilience and following on from last week’s introductory assembly, we were discussing the idea of special people in our lives and how they can make us feel happy when things are not going so well. We drew pictures which showed, ‘I am happy when…………’
WALK IN OUR LOCAL COMMUNITY
As part of exploring and discovering the interesting features of our local environment we enjoyed our walk around Buckstone. We looked at street names, the different types of houses and local amenities such as the park. We posted a letter to Mrs Conlin at the post box, and we were very excited to find out that it arrived the very next day! Mrs Conlin was delighted with her card and message from P1K.
Hello everyone, it has been great to welcome the children back after mid term and to hear about their holidays.
This is what we have been learning this week:
LITERACY
We introduced the new sounds o and g.
In small groups we were thinking about words beginning with these sounds, playing games, and identifying the letters which make these sounds. Some of us were learning how to ‘build’ and ‘blend’ three letter words with the sounds we know.
We also introduced two ‘tricky words’ I and the. Tricky words can not be sounded out but have to be learned. We will be introducing new tricky words on a weekly basis.
THINGS TO DO AT HOME
Hold up the letters and ask your child to tell you the sound they make. Ask them if they can think of a word beginning with that sound. Play ‘I spy’ using the sounds your child has learnt.
Use letters written on a piece of paper or card to ‘build’ a word. The adult says a three letter word and the child choses the correct sounds to make that word.
An adult makes a three letter word, and the child says the pure sounds of each letter to blend together to read the word.
Write down I and the on a piece of paper or card, hold the cards behind your back then show them to your child and ask them to read the word you have shown them. Your child could practise writing these words, forming the letters the way they have been shown in class.
(If you are unsure about correct letter formation, please speak to one of us at the end of the day).
NUMERACY
In numeracy we have been developing our knowledge of forward and backward number word sequences starting at different numbers. We have been sequencing numerals and practising counting strategies.
We will be looking at measure in the next few weeks and began this week by going outside to collect sticks and put them in length order.
THINGS TO DO AT HOME
Quite a few children are finding counting backwards challenging, here are some fun songs to sing along with which help to practise counting backwards from 20.
PE
We were playing running games to improve our fitness and have fun.
HWB
As part of our Health and Wellbeing programme we were talking about friends and what makes a good friend. The class came up with lots of good ideas:
Someone who is kind to you.
Somebody who likes the same kind of games you do.
Someone who laughs at the same things or makes us laugh.
Someone who looks after you when you are hurt.
We drew pictures of ourselves playing with our friends which you will be able to see at the Drop In.
LOOSE PARTS
Next date for Loose Parts is Tuesday 6.11.23
Some examples of learning taking place this week:
CHANGE OF CLOTHES
As the weather gets wetter, can you please make sure that your child has a full change of clothes which are replaced when used. We have a very limited stock of spare clothing in class.
LOST PROPERTY
We have a number of items of clothing which have been left in the classroom. I will put them out on display next Friday at the Drop In so that you can claim any missing items.
Please can you check that your child has brought home the correct jumper as we have had a few missing jumpers which have names on them.
JUNK
Please can you continue to bring in cardboard boxes, plastic trays and packaging for our modelling area as the children really enjoy creating models and building with these items.
Buckstone Primary School 