Hello again everyone!

Another week has whizzed by, and it's been a busy week!

In Maths, we've been continuing our fractions topic, and this week have been exploring equivalent fractions.  In English, we've started a topic on persuasive writing - I set the class a task of using persuasive techniques to make me give them extra playtime, and there were some great ideas!  We've been thinking more about the vocabulary we can use in our writing, and have been looking at some tier 2 vocabulary in a persuasive letter.

In History, we continued to learn about Ancient Greece, this week focussing on iconic philosophers, such as Socrates and Plato.  We looked at their achievements, and thought about why their ideas might have been a bit strange in the Ancient world!  

During PE, Mrs Edwards introduced to a new game, which was almost a mixture between cricket and rounders.  We tried it with her on Monday, and built on those skills again on Friday.  I'm really proud of Oak class for trying their best, and for showing good sportsmanship!  Ask one of Oak class to explain how it works!

​It was also 'Break the Rules' day this week, and (although children should never break the rules regarding uniform, teddies, etc!!!) it was great to see all the creative rule-breaking for one day only!  Even myself and Betsy break the uniform rules!)

Today, all the children in the school came home with an invitation to Chagford's very own Jubilee Tea Party, which will be taking place on Friday 27th, in the afternoon (the last day of term!)  The dress code is 'Royalty!' so wear your best clothes, your crowns, tiaras, your suits, dresses, anything that you think royalty might wear!

Have a great weekend everyone!
​Miss Paddon

Hello again everyone!

Sorry that this has been the first blog post in a few weeks from me, COVID caught up with me so I was out of action!

I was so happy to be back in school for the final week.  This week, we've had a mixture of hard work and Easter fun!  On Thursday, the Easter bunny (rather carelessly!) dropped chocolate around the playground!  Year 3 had to answer Maths problems, crack a code in the forest school area, and follow a map to find the chocolate (and luckily there was enough left for myself and Betsy!)

After Easter, we'll continue to be lexicographers, and learn more about 'The Dictionary of Difficult Words' - we've already looked at a few of the word from the book, ask one of Oak class to teach you one!  In Maths, we have just started looking at fractions, and will continue this after the holidays.

In Science, we'll be starting a topic on plants.  Get ready to learn all about the different types of plants, the parts of a plant, and why they are so important!  We'll be doing History in the first half-term after the holidays, and will be looking at Ancient Greece.

I loved seeing all your Easter bonnets this morning too, everyone did themselves proud!  

I hope that you all enjoy your Easter holidays, you all deserve a well-earned rest!
Miss Paddon

Happy Friday, everyone!

This week we've been busy again!

On Monday, we started the week with some singing and music practice with Carole from the Voices Foundation.  Carole comes into school every few week to help us as teachers to strengthen our musical skills, and to teach the children some new songs!  Everyone really engaged with the singing - Oak class, perhaps you could try teaching someone at home one of the songs we have tried!

Another exciting lesson was Geography this week, where we learnt about volcanoes and how they are formed.  We looked at stratovolcanoes, which get bigger every time they erupt - ask one of Oak class to explain why!  After learning about the volcanoes, we created our own pop-up volcanoes for our books (effective, but not quite as explosive as the real thing!)  

On Thursday, the children had a visit from a PE specialist from Real PE.  Real PE is a new scheme we are going to follow, to ensure we are delivering high-quality PE for everyone.  I wasn't in school as I was attending a training course, however I have heard lots of good things about the session, and believe that the class really enjoyed it.

This morning, we were thinking all things water, after a visit from Sophie at South West Water.  Year 3 and 4 were told about how much water we use everyday, how our water is filtered and made safe for us to use, and also learnt about what we should and shouldn't flush down the toilet or drain - amazingly, items such as phones, and false teeth have been found down drain, these were definite no's for flushing!  We all had a think about how we could reduce our water usage, from cutting down our shower times, to turning the tap off when we brush our teeth!

Have a super weekend everyone - enjoy the sun!
​Miss Paddon

Hi everyone!

We've just finished what turned out to be a very busy week!  On Monday, we took part in a live virtual Science workshop called 'The Supersonic Side Show!' presented by Pete at Wonderstruck, and learnt all about Sound.  It was great to watch the experiments and build on what we learnt last half-term in Science.  The class was particularly excited by the experiments showing sound waves dancing over flames, and using sound to make a straw move by itself in a glass!

On Thursday, it was our World Book day at Chagford!  I loved seeing everyone's costumes and enthusiasm for books and reading.  We had a look at a book about shapes and patterns, and created our own tessellating patterns.  We also watched a video from the author Simon Farnaby, and learnt about what inspires him and the ideas in his books.  Then we had a go at creating or own stories, using a selection of objects to inspire us to write something new!  In the afternoon, we were lucky enough to have a visit from The Bookery (from Crediton).  The lovely helpers from the Bookery told us about some of the most popular new children's books at the moment - there were almost too many to choose from!  After, the children had the chance to buy some books if they wanted to.

It was also great to see so many supporting our cake sale on Friday after school, in aid of support for Ukraine.  We talked in class last week about how and why we could help, and I was very proud to know just how much Oak class wanted to help in whatever way they could.

Have a lovely weekend everyone, see you next week!

Miss Paddon

Hello everyone!

It's amazing to think that we're now just over half-way through this school year - it's flying by!  I'm very happy to finally see some signs of spring, despite all the rain we've had this week.

In school this week, we've been busy starting some fascinating new topics.  In English we are continuing to use Meerkat Mail by Emily Gravett, and have been identifying words which have been contracted with an apostrophe in the postcards which Sunny the Meerkat writes.  We've started a new Geography topic on Earthquakes, Mountains and Volcanoes, and this week we learnt about the different layers of the earth.  In Science we are now learning all about Forces - we even tested out gravity by dropping pens all over the place!

In Maths, we have started a topic on Statistics, and this week we focused on tally charts and pictograms.  As well as this, on Tuesday this week we created bar charts of favourite pancake toppings!  As it was also pancake day on that day, it would have been a missed opportunity if we didn't try some of those toppings for ourselves - we enjoyed some pancakes with chocolate chips, or lemon and sugar!  (Perhaps you could create you own pictogram or tally chart at home this weekend, and ask you family about their pancake toppings, or anything else!)

Next week, it is Chagford's World Book day on Thursday 10th.  The children were all given letters with more information about the out world book day, including the pop-up bookshop which will be visiting our school.  The books will cost £6 each, or £10 for 2 books.  If your child would like to buy a book (or two!) please can you send some money in with them, in a named envelope.  I've loved hearing some of the children planning what they are going to wear already - I've been planning my outfit as well!  It would be fantastic to see as many characters from books as possible, however if you don't want to dress up, that's ok too.  Perhaps you could wear the clothes that you like to wear when you read a book instead! 

Have a lovely weekend everyone - enjoy sunnier weather!

Miss Paddon

Hello everyone!

A highlight of this week was our visit from Ellie from Shallowford farm, who taught us all about Marsh Fritillary butterflies!  She explained their habitats, diet, and most importantly that the butterfly is endangered.  In order to help protect the species here on Dartmoor, Ellie helped us to plant Devil's-bit-scabius seeds - this is the only food that the Marsh Fritillary butterfly will eat, so planting more is one of the main ways that we can conserve this species.  

During the visit, Oak class (along with Hawthorn class in another session) planted some seeds which we will be looking after in school until they are big enough to be planted on the marshland at the farm.  Thank you to everyone who brought in pots and containers to plant seeds in - especially to those who brought in extra's in case anyone didn't have any.

As well as our exciting visitor, the Year 2's in Oak class have met their new teacher this week (albeit through Teams!)  It was lovely to see them so excited to meet Miss Queiroz, and put a name to a face before they move into the new class.

There has been an increase of positive COVID cases in the school, with 2 positive cases in Oak class (at the time of this post).  I'll be posting some work onto Google classroom for those children isolating to complete if they aren't too poorly and are feeling up to it!  I would also encourage lots of reading, and logging onto TTRS to practice times tables.  If you are unsure about how to get onto Google classroom, or TTRS, please don't hesitate to email me.

Have a wonderful weekend everyone, and see you next week!
Miss Paddon