Inside this issue:

Home Learning

Issue 289 - 6th May 2020

Headteacher - Update I would like to begin by thanking you for getting in touch with your teachers

they have really enjoyed hearing from you. You will find another letter from

your teacher on the website, do take a look and don’t forget to write back.

While school is closed, there has still been lots of activity going on. All of

the corridors have been painted; ready for your return to school. Dr

Holbrook has also continued to look after the school garden, with lots of

produce beginning to grow.

Mr Johnson (PM) should be making a statement later this week, hopefully

this will include details of when, and how, you may be returning to school.

Don’t forget to look on the website: http://chancelprimary.co.uk for your

teacher’s letter and links to lots of interesting sites. There is a link to BBC

Bitesize, providing daily lessons for all of you, let your teacher know how

you are getting on with this.

Special Mentions & Well Done Your teachers would like to say ‘well done’ for continuing to work so hard! Here are a few special mentions:

Mrs Wakelam would like to say well done to:

Joshua M and Jayden B for fantastic reading on Bug Club

Max E for fastest TT Rockstars time

Poppy S and Scarlett H for their super efforts on RM Easimaths

Mrs Allerton would like to give a special mention to:

Willow for adapting the bug hunt to take place in her house, and using phonic skills to read CVC words

Jacob for his lovely messy fun, exploring texture when printing with fruit and vegetables

Becky has also been using her phonic skills, and written a fantastic card for her grandad

Woody has been busy matching spots to numbered ladybirds, counting fruit and writing his name!

Miss Thomson would like to say well done to:

Abigail for painting a fantastic Viking

Travis and Gabriel for working hard creating their Viking long-ship figureheads

Lizzie, who has drawn a very realistic shark

Giles for completing lots of 2Dos on Purple-Mash

Daniel G who has created an exceptional report about Viking long-ships

Miss Miller would like to say well done to:

Imogen and Ella for making some fantastic ‘poison’, while studying Dr Palmer

Catherine, who has been very busy with lots of online learning, and practising her times-tables

Noah, Jake and Indigo for keeping active and making the most of the lovely weather.

Dream-Catchers Miss Darnley wanted to share some

images of the wonderful ‘Dream-

Catchers’ children made:

Page 5 THE CHANCEL CHIRPER ISSUE 222 Page 2 THE CHANCEL CHIRPER ISSUE 289

Supporting learning at home—Mathematics Younger children will benefit from activities, games, and discussion. Working with younger children at home, it is important not to see mathematics as a separate or standalone activity but rather as something which can be incorporated into everyday activities, games, stories, and conversations. Here are some ways that we can support parents to celebrate maths as part of their day:

Board games: Most families will have ‘Snakes and Ladders’ or something similar; if not, this is a great opportunity to make your own! Incorporate mathematics into everyday routines and activities: tidying up and meal times in particular provide opportunities for conversations about counting, comparing, time, and sharing. Snack times and meals are a great opportunity to learn mathematics, such as counting, estimating and comparing. For example, with young children, count and match items in a ‘Teddy Bears’ Picnic.’ You can compare quantities such as more or less or quantify food items, or discuss the capacity of different cups or jugs. A parent or puppet can make deliberate errors in counting and sharing, with the child encouraged to identify these mistakes. Use mathematical vocabulary where possible as part of conversations and play: for example, when making comparisons (which is bigger? which teddy is first in line? who has more? are they shared fairly?). Opportunities can also be taken for ‘shape-spotting’ and sorting around the home. Finding the mathematics in story books. www.mathsthroughstories.org contains explicit links to mathematics in stories, but you can also consider opportunities in more common story books for mathematical discussion. Use manipulatives to support learning. For example, building bricks could be used to model simple addition and multiplication, or toys used to make comparisons of size or quantity. Measuring items, scales, construction materials, puzzles, sorting and pattern materials are also great sources for discussion!

Older children’s work at home is likely to be more closely linked to maths recently studied in school. When working with older children at home, parents are often faced with an additional challenge – that of mathematical subject material that they themselves may not have used for many years, or methods with which they are not familiar. For this reason, much of the evidence about supporting older children with mathematics is about structure, encouragement, and routines.

Create a daily routine for mathematical practice and reinforce this with praise and rewards. You might want to consider linking this routine to a normal school day, but be realistic in what you can manage as a family. Encourage your child to set goals, plan, and manage their time, effort, and emotions. This type of support can help children to regulate their own learning and will often be more valuable than direct help with mathematical tasks. As children become older, more independence can be expected but support will still be needed. Having a place to study is helpful. This could be a desk in a bedroom or a place at the kitchen table. Ensure your child has the materials they need. Whatever they may tell you, a notebook and pen will always be needed for working out (even when tasks are online), and a ruler as a minimum (these are available from school if required). Many children enjoy practising times tables. There is value in this: evidence shows that pupils need to develop a fluent recall of mathematical facts, and times tables are among the most important of these. It can be difficult to learn new mathematical content away from the

classroom, but evidence suggests that we should provide opportunities for

children to retrieve the knowledge that they have previously learnt. Parents

should encourage practice of previously studied content. If you require any

resources to support home learning: exercise book, pen, pencil, ruler… please

do not hesitate to get in touch, and these will be provided for you.

VE Day 8th May 2020 Please note, school will be closed to all pupils this Friday 8th May (an official Bank Holiday)

in order to commemorate the 75th anniversary of VE Day.

Page 5 THE CHANCEL CHIRPER ISSUE 222 Page 3 THE CHANCEL CHIRPER ISSUE 289

Home Learning Activities Mrs Wakelam - Year 3:

Our topic is 'My Local Area'. I would like children to create a map to record and present the human and physical features in the local area; they can use symbols and a key. Children can add features such as our school and St Augustine's church, but also to think of physical features such as Cannock Chase. Here is a link to help with any symbols if needed. https://www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/mapzone/map-skills/map-symbols/page-one Other ideas could include:

Research and present a local History fact file (Power Station, Lea Hall Mining)

Create a collage of the local area using photos from a family walk. Write a postcard to a friend who has never been to Rugeley. How would you describe it?

Miss Thomson - Year 5:

I would love children to continue with the Viking topic, researching Viking Gods, I think you’ll recognise some of them - Here is a list of Viking Gods and Goddesses. And here you can find more information about some of them. I’d love you to imagine what one of these Gods or Goddesses might have looked like- think about what they represent and what they would carry or wear to show this. Alternatively, have some fun and make up your very own God or Goddess! It can be about something serious or silly, it’s entirely up to you. Perhaps you could choose something that is special to you and create a God to represent this… I would create a Goddess of Sweet Treats, of course.

Mrs Allerton - Nursery: This week I have continued the life cycle theme and included ideas around the Very Hungry caterpillar story. There is also a Hungry caterpillar challenge sheet. If you don’t have the story you can find lots of lovely examples on youtube.

There is a phonics activity, you don’t need to print this out as it can be downloaded and used on your phone, tablet or computer (to save ink). Children can practice their Fred Talk (m-a-n) skills and if ready have a go at writing the cvc words on paper or just telling you verbally.

Mrs Gamble - Reception:

Our topic is new life and Growth. Children can be researching/learning about: weather, lifecycles and planting & growing - particularly including changes over time, useful web links: https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=jack+hartmann+metamorphosis

The BBC are encouraging the British public to make their own bunting to display in their homes. They have created a step-by-step guide to making your own bunting, as well as a template for you to print. Discover all of their resources here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/4TrqYDyf4PMdLypxzyTwGDg/great-british-bunting

People are also being encouraged to host 'stay at home street parties' on VE day. Holding a VE day street party in lockdown may mean holding a picnic in your front garden, or on your doorstep, and decorating your home in the national colours. For more information, please visit: https://www.goodtoknow.co.uk/family/ve-day-celebrations-in-lockdown-540015

Mr Newton - Year 6

I would like children to research mountains, using the following link: https://www.touropia.com/mountains-of-the-world/ Can you locate them on Google Maps? Choose a mountain animal and compile a detailed factsheet – think about climate change and whether they are endangered - use these links to help you: https://www.earthrangers.com/top-10/top-ten-mountain-animals-at-the-highest-heights/ and http://www.skyenimals.com/browse_habitat.cgi?habitat=mountains

In support of VE celebrations, take a look at this interview with a fighter pilot: https://www.purplemash.com/#app/pup/battleofbritain_pilot_interview I would like you to think about what questions you would like to ask a fighter pilot, or can you think of the kinds of things you would include in your answer (as a fighter pilot)?

Miss Miller - Year 1

I would like you to enjoy celebrating VE Day during lockdown, here is a video clip that explains VE DAY and why we celebrate it: https://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/48201749 maybe you could design your own VE Day bunting, flag or decorations for home, or even prepare a delicious afternoon tea! Don’t forget to send me some photographs!

Page 5 THE CHANCEL CHIRPER ISSUE 222 Page 4 THE CHANCEL CHIRPER ISSUE 289

Safeguarding at Chancel

If you have any concerns with regard to a child’s welfare, or

would like some confidential* advice; please do not hesitate to

contact Mrs Blankley (Chancel’s Safeguarding Lead), even during

school closure. Never assume someone else will report it!

*if a child is considered in danger of harm, this will be

reported to the appropriate authority.

Please ensure school is made aware of any changes that may affect our care for your child:

address, contact numbers, parents’ living arrangements… Thank you. School remains open, and

can be contacted anytime between 8.30am to 3.30pm on 01889 228710 or E-mailing:

office@chancel.staffs.sch.uk

Please be aware,

that in our efforts

to keep our

children; and our

school site safe, this

school uses CCTV.

CCTV

Tips for a smooth home learning routine Find your new routines, consistent routines are important for behaviour. Talk to your child and help them to plan

their new routines. Look for the positives, because you need to be on the ball when things go wrong. It is easy to

focus on unwanted behaviours and spend time addressing those with children. If you can also catch them doing

things right and praise this behaviour, you’re likely to get more of it. Could your daily routines include activities

where your child is likely to make you proud?

Model the coping techniques you are using. Children are still learning to self-regulate their emotions and

behaviours. Talk to your child about the struggles you face and how you are addressing them.

Remember, there are no shortcuts. The most important principle for managing behaviour is to get to know and

understand children. This is good news! You already know your child. Speak to your child and trust your judgement

about what works for them above any generic advice.

School Closure & Home Learning School continues to be closed to all pupils, with the exception of children considered to be ‘vulnerable’ and

children whose parents are critical care/key workers. If you are a key worker, and require care for your child,

please do not hesitate to get in touch.

Children are encouraged to continue to make use of the new BBC Bitesize Lessons (please see the link on our

Website: http://chancelprimary.co.uk/). Home Learning will be reviewed again, following the Prime Minister’s

announcement tomorrow. Class teachers continue to write weekly letters to the pupils - encouraging children to

write back via the office: office@chancel.staffs.sch.uk These letters also include learning tasks associated with the

class topics, there is also a class blog available to each class, enabling children to communicate with their teacher

and their classmates, or to upload images - all posts will be approved by a teacher, before going live. If you require

any resources to support home learning: exercise book, pen, pencil, ruler… please do not hesitate to get in touch,

and these will be provided for you.

There is a food activity booklet, available via our App, kindly supplied by Aspens - with some fun activities and

simple home recipes. Please take a look and have some fun, while learning together.

Please also take a look at the documents uploaded onto our App,

providing details of an extensive range of support networks for

parents and children, including: Citizens Advice, NSPCC, Women’s

Aid… there is also a booklet providing details of Staffordshire’s

Libraries from Home, Family Resource Pack with lots of activities to

support reading at home.