Mr Renshaw

Our Expectations  Now that the pupils are in Primary 5/4, there will be an expectation all children respect the environment in which they are learning and respect others belongings.  We expect good behaviour and good manners at all times.  We ask the children to try their best at all times, working neatly and productively.

How you can help? Please support your children in preparing for school each day, your child should bring:  a sharp pencil and ruler  a rubber  a pritt stick  highlighter pens  library book  reading record  a healthy, nut free snack  a P.E kit- black shorts and white t-shirt (including jogging bottoms and outdoor P.E shoes)  water bottle Please ensure that your child’s name is on all of their belongings

How you can help- supporting at home Reading  Ask questions to check understanding  Ask the child to summarise what they have just read in their own words  Make flash cards of any words the child is struggling to read and practise those dailyMaths  Regular practise of number bonds, times tables, quick fire mental maths sums in real life contexts

How you can help- supporting at home Spelling  Practise their spelling words daily  Test them on the words  Make sure the child understands the meaning  Encourage the use of a dictionary and thesaurus  Make flash cards

Homework We would appreciate all homework to be signed.  Spelling – Spelling homework is set on a Monday by your child’s group teacher and should be handed in by Friday. Pupils are tested on Friday. Words are taken from the Single Word Spelling Test scheme.  Look, say, cover, write, check.  Weekly spelling should also be completed with the appropriate spelling activities (100 Point Activities) noted in homework jotters.

Reading  Homework will be given on a Monday and is due on a Friday. This will usually consist of pages to read and a follow up activity. Maths  Maths homework will be set on Monday by your child’s group teacher and should be returned on Friday. This may include a challenge on Sumdog for P5 children. Other Curricular Areas  This term, the children have been set a rainforest challenge to complete at least 3 rainforest themed activities by Friday 16 th October.

Specialist Teachers We will also have lessons throughout the year from:  Miss Kerr- Music  Mrs Mitchell – P.E. Support for Learning  Mrs Kellner, Miss Kerr and Mrs Combe will provide extra support.

 Building our class community and getting to know each other  Mini topic on our school value- Respectful  Community Contract– Class Expectations  Begun our Rainforest IDL context  Established grouping

The Rainforest- Literacy, Social Studies and Expressive Arts focus. Also links to technologies, ICT and Science. Maths- place value, addition and subtraction and data handling (class maths). Literacy- reading non-fiction texts, writing linked to the Rainforest (describing a scene, fact files, instructions, advertisement), spelling and grammar RME- the role of water in Christianity and Islam P.E- tennis Music- call and response French- general revision of key greetings

 The Rainforest- animal factfiles, description of the Rainforest, comparison of Mid Calder/Scotland to the Rainforest, Rainforest in a bottle, sustainability, deforestation, how we can help, Rainforest art, tree study, classification of animals etc…  Money week- We will be presenting a Rainforest Café at an open afternoon. The children will be involved in the planning, making and serving of the food and handling the money.

 Linked to our IDL context  5 th October  £7.50  Looking at Biodiversity  Tour of the Zoo  Tickets to see the pandas

Positive Ethos Policy  Dojo Points  Top Scorers  Living the Values  Star Writer  Star Pupil  Free Time Friday  School Blog  iAchieve  Achievement Assembly

 Warning given  5 minutes loss of Free Time Friday- Reflection sheet to be signed and returned  Move to another seat in the class  Move to another class  Senior management

 Quick start and registration.  IDL Topic - researching a rainforest animal on netbooks and using non-fiction books.  Maths groups – place value.  Break time.  Reading - skimming and scanning for information.  Mental Maths games.  Lunch time.  Writing – creating a fact file.  PE – team ball games for fitness and coordination.

 If there is anything you would like to discuss further, please feel free to make an appointment  Use homework jotters to communicate anything that I need to be aware of.