| Autumn 2008 Archive Part 2 |
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Autumn Term 2008 Archive (most recent info pasted at the top of each half-term) 5W Autumn News Archive 2008 (2nd half-term)
On every day up until the end of term, there will be an advent calendar style photo in this space. Children will be encouraged to choreograph the image themselves. NB: December 6th and 7th will be available to view on the 8th. December 2008 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th 7th 8th 9th 10th 11th 12th
13th 14th 15th 16th 17th 18th 19th Sorry - I am catching up with this!! Not the perfect calendar, but full of amusing photos! I'll make sure there's a photo behind each number soon!
(3.1.09) Christmas Service - To see more photos of the Christmas Service, go to the photos link (left).
NB: To Eleanor L - We've found your book!!!! С Новым годом Max!
(19.12.08) Christmas Service - Hope you liked the stained-glass window 5W made with Mr. Whiting for the Christmas Service. The window has been donated to St. Michael's Church.
Mr. Whiting and all the children of 5W would like to wish everybody who reads this site a... VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!
(19.12.08) Passion Gifts - The children who presented their passions this term were presented with their gifts today! I think they liked them!! More photos soon.
NB: Eleanor L's gift has mysteriously gone missing! Can you help find her tortoise book?
(19.12.08) Copies of maths assessments will now be sent out at the beginning of next term.
(18.12.08) Christmas Service/Passions - Please look at the 'Passions' page for photos of Sorcha's passion. Please also ensure children arrive promptly tomorrow as we have to go straight to church to get ready for the service. I have one parent who is available to walk with us tomorrow. Another one would be ideal! Thanks!
(17.12.08) Class reps - Please could you pay me a visit before the end of term. Thanks!! Mufti - Tomorrow is mufti day! Children can wear normal mufti casual clothes! Don't forget snacks and your dancing shoes for the disco! Children should attend school in uniform on Friday for our visit to the church. Homework - We will be looking at the food items that were placed in the shopping bag projects on Friday morning after church. The children will then be able to bring these items home! The presentation and grading of these projects will be done by the end of the first week in the Spring Term. NB: May I remind those still to hand in their project and some other items of homework!
(17.12.08) Assembly - Hope you enjoyed the assembly today! The children certainly did! Well done 5W! Thank you! You were brilliant!! Well done also for James and Lucian for returning after illness and remembering the steps!! For more photos go to the photos page (left). NB: My policy - as it has been always - is to ensure that children with small roles in my Autumn Term assemblies, are allocated larger roles in the Spring Term. By the end of the year - in an ideal world - all children should have made an equally significant contribution.
Henry VIII and his 6 wives!!
Henry VIII and his merry men!!
(17.12.08) Highgate School Bursary - Highgate School are inviting applicants for a bursary (i.e. a financially assisted scholarship), specifically intended for St. Michael's children. A letter regarding this was sent home today! If your child has forgot or mislaid this, make sure they ask for one asap.
(16.12.08) Photos - Click here to see photo albums of the Tag Rugby at Wembley and the Tudor trip to the Globe and Bloomsbury Theatres. Photos of last year's 5W 'Passion Day' are also available by clicking here. (16.12.08) Assembly - Please come to see our assembly tomorrow. Children returning from absence are very welcome to join in the assembly. Please make sure your child arrives on time tomorrow so that we have enough time to change. I will be collecting them from the playground from 8.40a.m. I am looking for some willing parents to help pack the costumes away afterwards. Can you help?
NB: Most children's time-tables and spelling tests were returned to them today. Please ask your children for them. (15.12.08) Thursday - This Thursday is an exciting day! First we have Sorcha's passion 9.30-10.30 a.m. After break we have the Christmas Quiz until lunchtime and in the afternoon we have a mini-party and school disco. Children are invited to dress up as per Mrs. Smith's newsletter. Donations of food and drink for the party are welcome. (15.12.08) Musicians - Anyone who stated that they wished to play a musical instrument in this week's assembly should bring in their instrument tomorrow!!
(14.12.08) Assembly - We will be presenting a much edited assembly this week as time and hall allocation has been extremely limited. The idea of the assembly is to make it as 'Christmassy' as possible and to remind the children of what Christmas is all about. There is also a Tudor element to the assembly. Some of the children will be dressing up using costumes from the period. If you have any items yourself we would love to see them. We want as many to dress up as possible. We have a quite extensive collection in our costume department but I'm not sure whether we have enough for all until I look in the school cellar tomorrow after school. Which reminds me! If any parent is willing and able to meet me at school tomorrow for 20 mins or so to help move these costumes I would really appreciate it!! Please let your child know, so that they can let me know. Any children who are not dressing up as Tudors are asked to dress up as 'Christmassy' as possible!!! (14.12.08) Projects - Don't forget all projects must be handed in tomorrow!! The presentation and grading of these projects will probably roll over into the beginning of next term. (14.12.08) Assessment - This week each child should bring home with them their times-table and spelling test results. They will also bring home a copy of their end of term maths assessment for your viewing. Please bear in mind that this assessment is levelled for the average Year 5 pupil and so if a good score is produced it probably means that your child is working at a higher than average level for maths on the whole. Please feel free to aid your child in any areas that have any shortcomings. As far as the spelling test is concerned, a score of 75% or more is ideal. We suggest that mis-spelt words should be worked on separately and independently in the coming months. There will be no further test on these words as we want to continue expanding their spelling skills and vocabulary in the Spring term. Please find enclosed the 40 words that the children have been tested on. Click here. (To follow) (14.12.08) Christmas Service (19.12.08) - I'm looking for at least one parent to help walk the children to church on Friday. It would be great if you could sit with us too! Please let Mr. W know asap if you can help! (14.12.08) Timetable - I won't be attaching a weekly time-table this week as it's a week where anything goes!! Most of it will be preparing for our Christmas assembly and service, watching Christmas shows or films, finishing off a little work, partying, and having a special Christmas quiz. I'm also going to be handing out 'Passion' gifts to those children who have presented their passions this term (if they arrive in the post on time that is!!). (14.12.08) Homework - Still awaiting several percentages and fractions maths homework sheets!! Is this you? (14.12.08) Michael Morpurgo - Did you go and meet Michael Morpurgo at Muswell Hill Children's Bookshop last weekend? If you did, write an article for this website and win some golden time! I'm also waiting for somebody to write a review about Thomas Bloor's visit.
(11.12.08) Tomorrow - (1) Times-table and spelling test. (2) Please bring in complete projects if possible or on Monday at the very lastest. (3) We have about 4 places left on the cycling training so get those forms in fast to Mrs Smith! There are actually 14 places available and not 7 as first stated. (11.12.08) Karate Kid! - Find out about Max F's exciting news on the bottom of the Passions Page. If you've got some news of any achievements outside of school and want to share this with the rest of the class, bring it in to Mr. W on a memory stick (photos too!) and he promises to add it to the 5W website. (11.12.08) Christmas Service on 19th Dec - The following children have been chosen to read in the service having written the most suitable pieces: Alex, Charlie, Rosa, Millie, Eleanor L, Beatrix, Finlay, Georgia, and Mali. Hope you can make it! (11.12.08) It's making Xmas card time again. This is Millie's so far (see left)
(10.12.08) Musicians - All those able to play a Christmas carol on a musical instrument should bring their instrument into school tomorrow. (10.12.08) Passions - Due to the chaotic nature of the timetable at the moment, Sorcha's passion presentation will now be held next week. Here she is with her timelord assistants!!
(10.12.08) Paris - Mrs Donaldson is desperate for all the Paris trip permission slips to be handed in by tomorrow as she needs to make the booking by Friday at the very latest. (10.12.08) Cycling - The children have been provided with letters regarding an on-road cycling training course next term. There are only 7 places available and we have a first-come first-serve policy in place. HURRY!!!
(9.12.08) Swimming - Apologies for the cancellation of swimming today. Those unfortunate to miss swimming through no fault of their own, will be reimbursed with extra swimming time after Christmas. (9.12.08) NB: The children will not be singing 'Ding Dong Merrily on High'. Instead, this song will be played by Matthew on recorder. (9.12.08) Food Project - Thanks to those children who have brought in their bread or cocktail so far. This have all received a massive thumbs up from Mr. Whiting and the rest of the class. See below regarding this aspect of the project. (9.12.08) Homework - Still waiting on several maths and 'role model' homeworks. (9.12.08) Passions - Please find in the info section (right), a copy of the Spring Term 2009 Passions Timetable.
(8.12.08) 'Off by Heart' - Well done Alex, Elisabeth, Eleanor W, and Christos for their brilliant poetry recitals today. The entrants from 5W were very strong indeed. We wait with great anticipation the announcement of the winner. Indeed, 5W are full of very talented performers and I would like to see and hear much more. Can any children play any Christmas songs on any musical instrument? It would be great if we could begin and end next week's assembly with music. Please let Mr.Whiting know tomorrow. NB: There is one more maths homework going out this week for this term. I forgot to hand it out today! Oops! Tomorrow then?
2. Some children will need to learn the carol 'Ding Dong Merrily on High' for our Christmas Assembly. Please see the link below (27.11.08) for a copy of the lyrics. 3. This week our time-table will be full of Christmas activities and assessment. Copies of the maths assessment will be made available to you. Later this week we will holding a spellings and times-tables test. The school time-table at this time of the year is highly unpredictable and so this week the attached table is more of a list of tasks we want to achieve. 4. After Christmas there will be a maths page on this website with advice and activities and links on how to help your child at home. This information will be designed to aid the progress of the children of this current 5W class.
As far as the making of the bread or cocktail is concerned the most important aspect is the evidence of this happening. If it is impossible to bring into school then we need at least evidence that the task was completed. This might be done through photographic or diagrammatic pictures of each stage that was completed, just like the type you find in recipe books. Ideally, of course it would be great to see the finished item in class and we would love to see and if possible sample it. Yummy! Remember grades are based on effort, presentation, and originality.
(5.12.08) 'Off by Heart' News - Originally I was told that one member from each class would take part in the St. Michael's poetry recital competition. However, the number of children able to take part in the final now appears to have changed. I will be giving out small prizes to the top 3 in class with Alex getting a slightly greater prize. Mrs Smith is, however, now happy to see 4 of the class entrants this Monday during assembly. The event has been re-scheduled. This allows Eleanor W, Christos, and Elisabeth another chance at competing as they came 2nd, 3rd, and 4th in the class competition. Well done to them! I hope you get time to practise for Monday along with Alex.
(4.12.08) Wembley!! - Wow! What a brilliant experience at Wembley for our Year 5 tag rugby team. Photos and details can now be found on the Year 5 main web page.
(4.12.08) Off by Heart - May I take this opportunity to congratulate Alex for winning the 5W poetry recital competition. He now looks forward to the school final tomorrow in front of the rest of the school. His recital has all the attributes that I look for including great energy, appreciation of variety in expression and volume depending on the content, as well as engaging dramatisation of the poem. He really told the story well and had all of us gripped. I would also like to thank and congratulate all the other competitors from the class. I was utterly gobsmacked by the standard throughout. Many children obviously had set their hearts on winning and it was a difficult decision to make knowing that so many were going to be so disappointed. I think a few more competitions involving story writing and poetry could something to consider soon! Finally, well done to Eleanor W for coming a close second.
(2.12.08) Tag Rugby - For news on the Wembley day out tomorrow, please go to the Year 5 main page. (2.12.08) Off by Heart - Competitors for the 5W poetry recital competition have been informed that they will be asked to perform their poems tomorrow morning in a bid to represent the class in the school's competition this Friday 5th December. This week Frankie will be bringing in an object for writing and a book of the week. NB: Sorcha's passion presentation will be held next week.
(1.12.08) Homework - Today the rest of this term's spellings were sent out. There are still a number of outstanding maths homeworks to be handed in. Please make sure you bring in your recycled shopping bag this week. The examples so far have been excellent. I have been extremely impressed by the effort and originality of some of the designs. Well done 5W! Well done also to Georgia for being the Super Writer of the Week!
(1.12.08) There is another great exercise on creative writing in the Writing Workshop to aid children's development as a writer. Look at the 'Show not tell' section.
(30.11.08) Miscellaneous (1) Cake Sale - thanks to all that donated or helped with the cake sale. (2) Please find attached this week's class timetable. (3) And the winner of last week's Oscar for outstanding writing is....find out in the Super Writer link (left). (4) Don't forget to bring in the maths homework and shopping bag tomorrow (no matter what stage you are at). (5) Keep bringing those 'Pringles' tubes in. (6) For all the latest news regarding the tag rugby, please look at the Year 5 main web page. (6) Do you have any old Xmas decorations gathering dust anywhere? If so, we'd love to have it! (7) I will be holding 'Off by Heart' poetry recital sessions this week with the winner going forward to Friday's St. Michael's final.(8) I'm still waiting for homework from previous weeks. Is it you? (9) Take a look at photos from Alex's entertaining passion presentation on the 'Passions' link (left).
(28.11.08) Fred Friday- May I introduce you to Fred the teddy bear. He has been a friend of Mr. Whiting's for some years now and can be found on the bookcase in 5W. Fred is a character from a brilliant set of books about a little girl called Toots who finds herself in an amazing series of adventures in an upside-down world. To find out more about these brilliant books that are perfect for the average Year 5 reader, please look at the Book Club.
Fred Friday is held every Friday in class 5W. Children may bring in a small cuddly toy with at least 10p which is donated to the school's Helping Hands charity funds. Ask your child about Fred Friday now.
(28.11.08) Tag Rugby - For all the latest news please look at the main Year 5 page.
Talking of Christmas - Year 5 are responsible for writing creative pieces for the Christmas service at St. Michael's Church. A selection of children from each class will be chosen to read these during the service. Those that miss out this time will make a contribution in the Easter service.
(26.11.08) I have already spoken to the children regarding this week's shopping bag task as part of the Food project. This task is as straightforward as it sounds. Make a shopping bag from recycled materials that is designed in such a way that is sturdy and strong enough to hold all the other items mentioned on the project sheet (make sure you look at the whole sheet for details of this). I have a couple of examples in class that I have shown regarding the design. Anything from recycled paper to bits of old material like the example below is fine. The strength is more important than the quality of material used. Don't forget the logo too! Regardless of whether they are finished or not, children should bring in their examples on Monday 1st December.
Possible designs!
(26.11.08) Off by Heart - Just a reminder to children and parents that on Friday 5th December, the school will be holding the inter-school Off By Heart poetry recital competition. I desperately want that person to be from Year 5. This Friday I will be listening to all the 5W entrants and giving them advice on how to improve their presentation. I will then organise time next week for a 5W competition and the winner will then represent the class in the final on the 5th in the junior hall. Remember, it doesn't stop there! This is nationwide competition. For more details click on the link below. http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/teachers/offbyheart/
(25.11.08) Finlay was last week's Star Writer of the Week and you can now find his 'frightful' piece on the link to the left. Sorry - spelling test scores out tomorrow. (25.11.08) Any chance of a visit from Class reps please? After school on Thursday is good, but please let me know beforehand so I know to prepare. (25.11.08) Homework - Has your child handed in the three outstanding homeworks? (1) Long multiplication maths (2) Fractions (3) What is a role-model? Please check with them as I am missing quite a few. It is essential that every child hands in their work regularly and therefore demonstrates good discipline and effort to his or her peers. If child A has a poor record in handing in homework then child B, who normally hands in their homework regularly, will begin to lack motivation to hand it in themselves.
(24.11.08) Swimming Groups - These are the swimmings groups for this half-term. This term I have accommodated children who must leave at 3.30p.m. However, this may not always be the case. I will make sure that whatever system is used is as fair as possible. i.e. One child is not always in the second group and arriving home late. Group 1 (3.00-3.30 p.m) Frankie, Max F, Sorcha, Melisa, Christos, Eleanor L, Mali, Eleanor W, Georgia, Mahnoor, James, Megan, Matthew, Ben, Hugo. (Please ensure that you wait for your child outside Mallinsons Sports Centre if this is what you prefer. Children who are not collected outside by 3.40p.m will be escorted back to St. Michael's and should be collected in the playground no later than 3.45p.m.) Group 2 (3.30-4.00 p.m) Stefanos, Susie, Elisabeth, Max S, Finlay, Callum, Charlie, Alex, Sam, Rosa, Lucian, Lucia, Millie, Beatrix. (Please ensure that you wait for your child outside Mallinsons Sports Centre if this is what you prefer. Children who are not collected outside by 4.10p.m will be escorted back to St. Michael's and should be collected in the playground no later than 4.15p.m.)
(24.11.08) I apologise for the number of times children have been let out late from school. I do have a policy in my class that 'if you waste my time, I will waste yours' which normally is taken out of playtime. Sometimes however, time-wasting has meant we overrun a little bit at 3.30p.m as well. This has become too regular a problem. I will ensure from now on that children leave promptly at 3.30p.m. Please remind your child of the importance of time management.
(23.11.08) If you're looking for information regarding the Tag Rugby tournament at Wembley next week, please look out for details on the main Year 5 page. More info will be with you very soon. (23.11.08) Please find attached this week's time-table. (23.11.08) Could somebody write up a short review of Thomas Bloor's visit for me please. Prize - it will added to this website and you will receive a smiley face with shades (5 mins golden time). (23.11.08) Please look at the Writing Workshop for a copy of some sheets on story structure. These sheets will be used this week in our literacy lessons on writing an alternative traditional tale. However, this advice is useful for all stories children write now and in the future. Please also look for updates in the Book Club. (23.11.08) Children should receive their spelling-test results tomorrow. It is important that they continue to work on these words to ensure they achieve the best score possible at the end of term.
(21.11.08) And this week's Writer of the Week is Finlay. Find out in the Writing Workshop soon. P.S. Keep bringing in those tubes! I've had 2 so far! (see below) P.P.S Melisa's passion presentation was fun! See some photos on this webpage soon! P.P.S If you're waiting for news regarding the Tag Rugby Tournament at Wembley, I'll have some news soon. What I can tell you for now is that every child needs boots with studs. It would also help if they could provide navy blue shorts and socks but this is not essential.
Please also remind children who attend breakfast clubs to return to the playground to line up once their session has ended.
(20.11.08) I won't bore you with the details of why you have not received the information regarding the maths element of the Healthy Menu project! Let's just say it wasn't all my fault! If children have been held up or affected in any way by this delay, I really don't mind what stage they are at on Monday as long as they bring it in for viewing and evaluating. Anyway, at the end of the day we are asking children to show mathematical calculations in their work based on the content/ingredients of their menu. e.g. Choosing one starter, one main, and one desert, a customer only wants to spend £10, £15,or £20 etc. The restaurant needs to ensure that they can provide a three course meal for this amount as well as making a bit of profit. Children can research the cost of each ingredient and come up with a value for money (e.g) a £10 meal. The example above, however, is just that - an example. The maths involved can be about anything to do with the project. It is an open exercise. The most important outcome is that children provide DETAILED calculations showing how they came to a final result. (1 page of A4 maximum that they provide with their booklet.) However, at this stage, effort to show any maths is acceptable. Those children, however, who go that extra step further will achieve suitable grades for their work. Sorry once again! It won't happen again!
(19.11.08) An exercise in encouraging the children to write beyond the literal world and to step into surrealism is now available in the poetry section of the writing workshop. (19.11.08) Misc - Most children were sent home with their certificates for their storybox today, as well as copies of the paperwork I promised you re: maths and maths assessment. Those missing these will be given them by Friday. Copies of their times-tables tests were also sent home (x3 and x 4). The spelling test has been pushed back until tomorrow. The certificates come with a grade based on effort, detail, and presentation for both the box and the writing booklet. All of the children should be very proud of their achievements. |
5W Christmas Advent Calendar
(31.12.08) Happy and successful new year!! - This website will continue to be full of advice, homework, news, and children's work in the new year. Look out for the new maths link.
(15.12.08) Projects - Still waiting for several projects. It is important that deadlines are adhered to! The bread and cocktail examples so far have been deeelicious!! Thank you! Burp!
(7.12.08) 1. Find out who was last week's super writer of the week. And the Oscar goes to...
(6.12.08) Food Project - Now, you might be wondering about the practicality and timing of the last stage of the Food project.
As far as we are concerned the children can either bring in this task on Monday and then take it home, before handing in the rest of the project by Friday. However, if they wish they can hand the whole project (i.e. every task this half-term) in on Friday, including the bread/cocktail task. However, if it suits you better to bring in the task on Monday 15th that's fine too but no later please. Remember all of this half-term's tasks should be handed in inside their recycled bags. Please note that recycled bags should be completely made of recycled materials.
(27.11.08) Assembly - 5W have another class assembly on Wednesday 17th December. I want some of the children to learn the lyrics to a couple of Tudor Christmas carols. I will be choosing the children soon but please find links to two of the songs here for future reference.
(24.11.08) Passions - Please find some more photos of Melisa's presentation on the 'Passions' page. 
(21.11.08) Time keeping! - Again I must remind you of the importance of time-keeping! I have been promoting role-models and the use of our time in an effective way. This is difficult to enforce when the consistency is not evident throughout our daily routine. 
