Dear parents,

We have had a purposeful week in Kites, looking at how we ‘play’ writing. We started off the week discussing why we write and brainstorming some super suggestions- from shopping lists, to secret messages, story-writing and just being able to label our work. We looked at the feelings we have before we have to write a sentence and if we are stuck- what we can do to help us feel calm and empowered to write. The children have been writing shopping lists with items that we need for cooking; making plans of how we can make Kites garden even better; writing cards and thank you letters; using a spy pen to write secret sticky notes; using chalks and pastels to create artwork outside; playing noughts and crosses; writing recipes and noting down what they would like to cook next term.

Writing for a purpose is so important at any age, but particularly now. As the children now are familiar with their phonics sounds and can blend to make words, now is a fantastic time to get them excited about their new skill and find meaning and challenge. At home, you can do this too. Can you ask your child to be the new shopping list writer? Could they write a menu for a weekend meal one night? Could they write a reminder to bring the washing in? Attached are some further ideas of how you can encourage writing for pleasure at home.

To add to our wonderful writing week, we were happy to have had some Year 6 helpers in Kites this week who assisted the children in drafting a sentence for our class book about Medieval Times. They did a magnificent job! The children also enjoyed hunting for examples of real-life writing around school and in the village as well as their fantastic skipping workshop delivered by The Jump Rope Corporation Ltd.

In Maths, we have also been looking at sentences- showing how we can simplify a sentence into numbers in maths and what the symbols mean. The children have been using manipulatives and number lines to add and subtract and will be continuing with this next week. Those who were more confident with addition- had a go at a loop cards mental maths game and used number lines to support them. Here are some ideas to help your child at home (increase number if child is confident).

In Phonics, then children have continued with digraphs and trigraphs in set 1, 2 and 3.

Those who are at early blending stage: j  and v  & Fred’s Adventures- weather

Those who are on Set 1 with Mrs C: ng and  nk

Those who are on Set 2 with Miss W:  air and word challenge

Those who are on Set 3: i_e and word challenge

Challenge: Our challenge will be set over next week and half term. Can you encourage your child to write their own WOW sheet or, if you are going away, to write us a postcard from your destination (or hand deliver). Please, as much as you can, gently encourage any writing opportunities.

Reminders:

Bucklebury Farm Thursday 22^nd May

End of Term 5 Friday 23rd May 3:20pm