What comes into your mind when you hear the word computer? Something that can help you with your homework? A fun device that you can play games on? Computers come in many other shapes and sizes; mobile phones, tablets, game consoles and even TVs, cars and microwaves have built-in computers
This term we will be learning about computers and technology all around us. We will explore the history of computers, famous computer scientists, new inventions and more. Year 6 are taking part in a project using Artificial Intelligence while Year 5 will be taking part in a project designing apps. Year 4 will be developing their computer skills using Google Classroom, Slides and Docs.
In literacy we are already writing sci-fi stories and later in the term we will move onto debating. We will consider the pros and cons of technology such as driverless cars, AI and cashless payments and discuss how computers are replacing humans in jobs.
We will be learning more about the STEM skills gap and exploring how technology is used in different careers. We would love parents to share more with us about how they use technology in their own workplaces.
Important Information
What to bring to school (Pencil Cases, Water Bottles, Snack)
Please put your child's name on every coat, jumper, cardigan and fleece.
Children can bring in pencil cases if they wish. These will be kept in their trays.
Please do not send toys into school (where there may be a specific need, please contact your child’s teacher).
Please bring a water bottle every day.
Snack can be provided for a contribution of £1 per week or you can send in a piece of fruit for your child to have at snack time.
PE
PE kits will be needed for the following days:
Year 4 - Wednesday.
Year 5 - Thursday.
Year 6 - Wednesday.
Park: We will continue to exercise our Right to Play during our visits to Gelligaer Street Park on a Monday. Please remember to dress appropriately for the weather, we will use our school waterproof clothing when it rains.
Homework
Once we get started with our new topic we will be putting a homework grid on Google Classroom, children can complete these tasks as and when they like. Google Classroom is accessed using your child's Hwb log-in and password.
We encourage children to practise their Big Maths Learn Its at home and to make use of Times Tables Rock Stars or NumBots to support this.
Reading Books
We encourage a love of reading and encourage children to read at home as much as possible. Home reading books will be chosen by the children themselves to encourage reading for pleasure. Children will be given a home reading book and a home reading record. It is their responsibility to change the book for a new one when they are ready and to update their reading record.
Contact details
Please don't hesitate to contact us if you have queries or comments. Our email addresses are: mrsirwin@stmonicasschool.co.uk and mrthomas@stmonicasschool.co.uk
Keep an eye on our Twitter account @StMonicasCW1 to see what we are getting up to in school!
3I UNCRC Class Charter.docxStep 3 specific newsletter AFTER SCHOOL CLUBS.pdfStep 3 specific newsletter for start of term.pdf
CLIC (Counting, Learn it's, It's Nothing New and Calculation) - this is a 20 minute mental maths lesson held every day.
Big Maths - This is a time for children to complete their Maths work. This might be practical work or written work.
Snack/ Newsround - This is an opportuntiy for children to have a piece of fruit and keep upto date on today's news.
Collective Acts of Worship (CAW) - A time for the whole school to come together to worship God, to reflect on spirituality and to explore their own beliefs.
GGR (Group Guided Reading) - These are our reading skills sessions. Children are split into small groups to read with the class teacher or a teaching assistant, or to complete an independent reading task.
Literacy - These are our writing/oracy/reading skills sessions. We usually focus our work on a specific genre, e.g. story writing, non-chronological reports. This is often linked to our Context for Learning.
Short-Burst writing - A quick 10 minute writing activity. This is often a one-off task to allow children to use their imagination and apply any skills they have been developing during the week.
Context - This is often known as a Topic. All of our learning this term will stem from the Context for Learning. This term the context is based around Science, specifically looking at materials. Tasks may be practical, written, or research-based.
Park - Our park sessions are split into two sections.
1 - Playtime on the park equipment - a time for children to access their right to play.
2 - PE with Mr Spencer - a time for children to have a focused skill session for physical education.
Apps/AI Projects - We are very lucky to be involved in a project all to do with apps and AI. We hope that our designs may take us to present our ideas against other schools in front of a panel later in the term.
Praise and Celebration - A time for the whole school to come together to celebrated children's achievements from throughout the week.