Hello everyone,
It is so lovely to have the children back in class. I am so proud of how well they have returned to school and settled into school life and routines.
Last week we celebrated British Science Week with a range of events, the theme this year was, ‘Innovating for the Future’. On Monday 8th we had a magic show from Dr. Matt Pritchard (https://www.sciencemagicshows.co.uk) who blew our minds with a range of physic-based illusions. On Tuesday 9th we had a virtual chat with Michelle James from Severn Waste recycling, who helped us understand the journey our waste goes on and the importance of recycling. This was supported through Miss Albutt’s lesson based on the book, ‘A Planet Full of Plastic’. The children helped to set up an experiment to see how quickly materials biodegrade. Mrs Medlicott was given a top-secret mission for the children to make a Robo-bug, the challenge was to design and make a bug that would have certain abilities and adaptations. The children did an amazing job and the next day received a letter from the top-secret agency congratulating them. Alongside this we also engaged in a number of well-being activities and set up a display based around zones of regulations, more information at the bottom for this blog.
This week we have returned to a more familiar timetable, we are back to dough disco, handwriting and dictated sentences by 9.00am! The pace of the school day has come as a shock to all of us I think! The children have started work on length in Maths. In English we have finished working on Polar Bears. The children looked at the work of Neal Layton the author and illustrator of, ‘A Planet Full of Plastic’. He had written a letter to the world and after reading his letter the children had a go at writing their own letters to the world. These were so lovely. They showed lots of appreciation, gratitude and thanks for all the wonderful things we have in the world while also an understanding of the things that they don’t like in the world. They wrote sentences like, “Please don’t let deforestation happen” “Stop plastic being put into our oceans” and “Please let Covid go away.”
We have also said goodbye to Miss Albutt this week who has finished her placement with us. She really enjoyed getting to know the class in person over the last two weeks. Mrs Medlicott is back for three days next week and then unfortunately will be leaving to do her final placement at St Peters school (where she was meant to go this term). She will stay in touch and, covid allowing, will be back to visit when her placement finishes.
Also, we are not currently setting homework, but please continue to use Spelling Shed, Times Tables Rockstars and Bug Club. All these are there to support your children’s learning in class.
If there are any questions, please contact me on classdojo. If it is urgent please do contact the school office.
Mrs Welsh
Zones of regulation
These zones are a way of supporting children to self-regulate and develop their understanding of their own and others’ emotions. One way that we do this is through using the Zones of Regulation. The children explore these zones and learn to be able to identify which zone they are in.
Blue Zone - We feel down or moving slow when in the Blue Zone. Examples: sad, sick, tired
Green Zone (Safe to Learn) - We feel comfortable and in control in the Green Zone. Examples: happy, calm, thankful, focused. When we are in the Green Zone we may find it easier to listen and learn.
Yellow Zone - We feel stronger emotions and more energy in the Yellow Zone. We may feel excited, worried, agitated or frustrated. Our feelings are stronger but not overpowering.
Red Zone - We feel really big, powerful emotions in the Red Zone. Examples: angry, elated, out of control. We experience ‘big’ feelings in the Red Zone and tools can help us manage our Red Zone and keep everyone feeling safe.
*It is natural to experience all of the zones*
We are going to continue working on these zones and think about how we can alter which zone we are in, in order to get ourselves back into the green zone where we can learn most easily. The children in school have been really receptive and have used it as a way of talking about emotions.