Dear Parents,
We have reached the end of week 2 of our Home Learning. Thank you for all your hard work and support. We appreciate how difficult it is for all of you- particularly those who are working from home and are now trying to juggle two jobs: your own job and being a substitute teacher. Although some of you are key workers, we know you are trying to keep your children at home, where it is possible, to keep them and us safe- thank you.
Some parents are feeling a little overwhelmed and bombarded by updates on the homework part of the website. Please don’t be. As teachers, we are obliged to provide enough work for your children each day. You do not have to feel obliged to complete it all!
The maths is important as the work is not ‘stand alone’ and links with others areas in maths . We want your children to grasp the basics. If they are struggling, just do the first part of the sheet and we can help them with the problem solving and reasoning when they return to school. We give extra sheets sometimes but do not feel you have to do ALL of them.
English is also important. The Oak Academy work does build up slowly but is excellent in giving children knowledge of the sentence level work, punctuation and the grammatical terms that they need in year 5 and 6 . It also models examples of good writing -something we usually do in school.
If you are struggling to do the other subjects at home, please do not worry. We are uploading RE, science and topic each week, but you can ‘block’ some of those subjects if you find that easier. If the children never learn about the Mediterranean, it will not be the end of the world! I know many of you are grateful for this work to keep your children occupied in the afternoon. However, if you see something on Oak Academy that interests them more, do that.
The BBC Bitesize programmes on tv and i -player look very interesting and usually have a little quiz at the end. Times Table Rockstars and Purple Mash games are also activities they can do independently. Remember all 33 children do not get 100% of our attention all the time in the classroom.
Helping prepare dinner is excellent ‘food and nutrition’ skills. Archie made his family a delicious looking curry from the Joe Wicks cookbook this week. I challenged year 6 on Thursday to create a healthy lunch .
The value of getting outside cannot be underestimated: walking the dog and going out on a bike ride are substitutes for PE. Art and Craft activities and practising a musical instrument are also ways to fill the day.
Finally, we are very proud of your children who are doing so well. Their patience on Thursday when I attempted to set up my on Teams meeting was astounding. Thank you Will Brown for spotting I was not on the Teams App! It will be Year 5 turn next Thursday ay 9:15am – hopefully it will go a little smoother!!
Please remember Mrs Bernasconi and myself are here to support you if needed and are happy to phone you or your child if that helps.
bernasconi.r@claverley.shropshire.sch.uk
benson.g@claverley.shropshire.sch.uk
Have a great weekend and a well earned rest.
Mrs Benson and Mrs Bernasconi
