Learning this half term
Nursery I Theme: Build me a home
This half term in Nursery, the children have been finding out all about homes in our theme, 'Build Me a Home'. They've investigated different types of homes, including some familiar fictional homes such as Cinderella's castle and Winnie the Pooh's tree house.
We've been learning the story of the Three Little Pigs and joining in with the repetitive phrases. We've been learning about different shapes, building bridges, brick printing and mixing up our own bricks using mud and water.
Reception I Theme: Toy Story
Reception have been busy learning all about 'Toys', from the past to the present. We have been exploring the materials they are made of and how different toys move and work.
We have designed and made robots whilst reading our favourite story 'No-Bot', as well as learning and writing the rules and instructions to classic board games. The children have also loved being outside, learning and exploring our new climbing frame.
In maths the children have loved learning their number bonds to 5 and 10. They are able to recite their number bonds, use objects to represent the bonds and some children can even write them. Well done Reception!
Next term our topic will be "Food Glorious Food". The children will be learning all about different fruit and vegetables, how they grow and get to the shops for us to buy. This will include learning about the farm as well planting and growing our own fruit, plants, vegetables and flowers at school.
Year One | Theme: We are British
Year 1 have been learning about everything British. Students were able to become historians, finding out about key events in British history, and even experience some amazing landmarks in our immersive room! We have labelled a map of the United Kingdom countries, created a coat of arms, learnt about the Great Fire of London, and explored different British Monarchs. This incredible learning was concluded when the children completed their 3D maps of the United Kingdom.
In English, we have focused on developing and improving writing skills with the children writing amazing setting and character descriptions of a character called Beegu. They have also written some fantastic versions of the wonderful story, The Paper Bag Princess.
In Science children have been learning about their five senses; touch, smell, sight, hearing and taste. Children have been in the STEM Innovation room exploring their five senses and understanding what each sense can do and describing these!
Year 1 also had the chance to learn all about the Chinese New Year. They even got to write their own names in Chinese lettering!
To end Year 1's fantastic half-term, they had a terrific Music focus day learning to explore and play a range instruments. They listened to lullabies from different cultures, learnt different rhythms and used a range of percussion instruments to perform them in a special STP carnival.
Year Two | Theme: Roll-up, Roll-up
Year Two have been learning all about the circus and the 'fun of the fair' this half term. They have compared how funfairs today are similar and different to funfairs of the past, discovered the sights, sounds and tastes of the fair and designed and built their own amazing, working carousels which are not far from being finished! This learning led to some fantastic writing in English too, including rollercoaster shape poems and disgusting concession stand recipes!
In Science, pupils have enjoyed investigating the properties of different materials. They've conducted experiments to find out which materials are strong, waterproof, and flexible, before applying this to create their own 'Materials Monsters!'
We're looking forward to our next theme, Creepy Crawlies, which starts after half term. We will learn about different types of minibeasts and their habitats, learn how bugs communicate and survive and even build our own bug hotels and giant bugs! Children also completed the half term Family Learning Project during the holiday to begin learning all about the weird and wonderful world of bugs!
Year Three | Theme: It's not Fair!
During this theme we have focussed on learning about the food that we eat and how it is grown, through Geography, PSHE, Science and Design Technology. We looked at where different types of food are grown across the world, how far their food travels to get on their plates (food miles) and sought to understand all about the Fairtrade movement and how the charity supports farmers and producers all over the world.
In response, we have learnt about the work of Fairtrade and its impact, to write our non-chronological reports about the charitable organisation.
Mathematical Extraordinaire Experience
Children across KS1 and KS2 enjoyed and participated in a day dedicated to Maths on the 17th of February. The aim of the day was to develop reasoning and problem-solving skills. Children took part in maths activities where they were required to prove and justify their answers, make connections between different mathematical concepts, and investigate different solutions to a given problem.
KS1 linked their Maths Day - Cirque de STP - to their themes about the circus and fun fair and even had a circus skills company come and do mathematical, fun workshops throughout the day. They learnt how to juggle, stand on balance boards, and move like a circus performer.
Year 3 linked their Maths Day to their Spring 1 theme all about Fairtrade. They went online shopping and have planned a Fairtrade lunch for the whole school which will take place after half-term.
Well done to all the children. It was fantastic to see them all showcase their skills as able, confident mathematicians.
Factopia Reading Competition and Club
Firstly, we would like to thank the pupils for all the wonderful entries we have received for the Factopia Reading Competition - 21 different things that happened in 2021. It was very difficult to judge the entries at STP!
Chris Lloyd the CEO of What on Earth Publishing judged the top five entries from each school and our overall winner was Sienna. The overall school winner received a prize of £50 worth of signed books from Britannica.
Our Factopia Reading Club will be launching this Spring, based on the Britannica magazine helping children expand their knowledge base and support their learning in many subjects. The magazine is jam-packed with amazing facts and fascinating true-life stories to inspire children and help them develop a lifelong love of learning and knowledge.
Further information regarding the Factopia Reading Club will be announced next half term.
Home Learning
Next half term the themes and home learning projects will be:
Nursery- Coming Alive
Take your child on a spring walk and explore what they can see. Share what you find on Class Dojo.
Reception - Food Glorious Food
Families are invited to: read and follow recipes; try foods from different countries and to explore where food comes from, in preparation for the upcoming theme.
Year 1- Amazing Animals
Produce a fact file about a wild animal of your choice, including information about their appearance, habitat, diet and interesting facts.
Year 2 - Creepy Crawlies
Design a camouflage. Create your own bug and design its camouflage to help it survive.
Year 3 - Planet SOS
We've started to learn about different causes of Climate Change and Global Warming, like air pollution, plastic pollution, litter and emissions. Research the different Climate Emergencies and try and find out what the solutions might be. Present your information in a creative way, like a Powerpoint Presentation, Fact Cards or a leaflet.
Full details will be shared by your class teachers on Class Dojo this week.
Passport to Success
Next half term, there will be several opportunities to earn stamps for your passport.
• Earn a School Engagement stamp by completing the half term World Book Day Extreme Family Reading Challenge and submitting your photo by Monday 28th February
• Earn a Family Learning stamp by participating in the World Book Day Quiz on Thursday 3rd March
• Earn a New Experiences stamp by completing 10 'My Cultural Journey' activities and evidencing them in your book
• Earn a Life Skills stamp by attending a Medical Workshop for families with this Year's 3rd year Medical Students from University of Birmingham during the week of 25th April
• If your child is in Reception, earn a Wellbeing stamp by attending the Mother's Day Afternoon Tea, at 2pm on Thursday 24th March
• Earn a Community Collaboration stamp by creating an 'Eco-Schools Action Plan.' You'll find out more about this next half term!
We're so excited for all families to realise how Passport to Success can benefit and support them, as the scheme continues to grow and develop here at STP. And remember collect enough stamps before July and you could earn a FREE Family Day out at the Seaside.
Chinese New Year
What a special day we had in school finding out about Chinese New Year and sharing in the festivities with some of our own school community.
Our Birmingham City University students created an immersive experience for each year group to enjoy along with crafts, drama and even some dragon dance!
Kitchen staff ensured children enjoyed a special menu and thank you to Wraparound staff and children who created extra table decorations to make our dinner service even more enjoyable.
Perry the Bull
We were very lucky at Shireland Tech to be one of a few schools selected to have a personal visit from Perry, the official mascot for the Commonwealth Games. We will use this opportunity to have a special Commonwealth Games Day with Sports for Kids, offering a variety of sports sessions throughout the day which we hope helps to get our children excited for the upcoming games later this year.
Why not help your children learn which countries are part of the Commonwealth Games and the sports played?
Mental Health Awareness Week
We were pleased to take part in Children's Mental Health Week (7th - 13th February) and celebrate this year's theme is Growing Together. This was marked with a special assembly and activities in school and some home learning activities on Class Dojo.
We hope you enjoyed participating in the Family activities 'My Changing Shapes' and 'Bottled', considering how you and your children have grown and helping pupils consider how they can help others to grow.
Safer Internet Week
At Shireland Technology Primary, 14th to 18th February was Safer Internet Week, an opportunity to reflect on staying safe while online following this year's Safer Internet Day. We have taken the opportunity to remind pupils of the 9 Golden Rules for Staying Safe Online, our Online Safety Code:
1. Keep your personal information private.
2. Only use the internet with an adult nearby.
3. Tell an adult if you feel worried or unsafe.
4. Never send a picture or message to a stranger.
5. Never give your password to anyone else.
6. Never download anything from the internet without an adult.
7. Only use technology when an adult says it is okay.
8. Talk to adults about what you are doing online.
9. Only use sites that an adult has checked and are safe.
Please take the opportunity to reflect on these rules with your children and have regular conversations about safe interactions and relationships in the online world.
Welsh National Opera
Our Year Three pupils will have an opportunity to participate in a unique project with artists and performers from the Welsh National Opera, learning the rudiments of opera and how to write some of their own, linked to the theme of environment in Planet SOS. Look out for their creations later in the Spring Term!
My Cultural Journey
Children continued to complete 50 things to do in each key stage by ticking off activities during half term. Some of the activities completed ranged from feeding the ducks to creating your own lemonade.
What activities will you be doing next?
Remember, once you have completed one of the activities, you need to record the experience in your portfolio. This could include a photo, memento, or reflection.
How many activities have you completed?
On completion of 25 activities, you will be eligible for a Bronze Award. We are looking forward to celebrating children who achieve their Bronze Award in a Special Assembly at the end of the Spring term.
Will it be YOU?!
Pupil Forum Update: Eco-Schools
We shared in last term the feedback from our children, through the Pupil Forum meetings, that they wanted to make the school "more eco-friendly", "reduce emissions around our school" and "use less plastic". We have taken this commitment seriously and we will now be aiming to become an Eco-School and achieve the Eco-Schools Award over the next academic year.
Look out for our upcoming action plan from the Pupil Forum, including the Great Big School Clean at the end of March.