Home Learning #12

Maths

Manga High

• We are in a Fai-To and need to work hard to win. 
• Currently, we are 2-1 down and need to make sure we win over the weekend
• I've set some really easy challenges so you should all be able to do those, then move on to the harder ones.

French

• Check out the weather page on the VLE

Project

• Most of you have done your explanation text and balanced discussion
• All you people get a week off.
• Those of you that haven't, need to do it this week

Home Learning #11

Project/Literacy

• Write an explanation of your debate
• Write a balanced argument for your debate

• I realised that my 'helpful' links are not actually that helpful.
• I'll try to add a new section to help show what I'm looking for.

• Hand in date: Friday (Chillax - You don't need them by Monday)

Maths

• Manga High
• People want a Fai-To but we won't get one unless we play it more frequently. I put some proportion games up last week but so far only Kayleigh, Ryan and Kelsie have played them.
• I know other people have been on but I mean specifically proportion games

• Logins and Passwords - CLICK HERE
• Manga High - CLICK HERE

• Counting in steps

Spellings

• This weeks spellings are about the Leveson Inquiry
• CLICK HERE
• I didn't opt for the letter to David Cameron (due to a high difficulty), however I chose a report from Channel 4 instead, hence the delay.

Extras

• England v New Zealand (Sat - 14:30)
• Highlights on BBC Three @ 19:00 (or iPlayer)
• Following our success in the rugby this week I thought you'd enjoy watching the masters. And by that I mean New Zealand, but hopefully we'll put up a good fight.

• Leveson Inquiry
• Blog about it - Its a big topic amongst bloggers at the moment
• Do you understand it?
• What does it mean to you?
• Will it affect you?

• The Leveson Inquiry is really just a huge balanced argument. One day, when you are Lord Hammond or Lord Smith for example, you might have to write a report like this and then you'll be glad of the practice you had in the Dodos' class.
• Click here to see the full report (P.S. Its huge. Even the summary is huge)
• Summary
• Vol 1
• Vol 2
• Vol 3
• Vol 4

• Literacy
• Inquiry of Enquiry?
• Do you know the difference?

• Christmas
• Excellent rehearsal this week; however, we need to be the best class by a long margin.
• Practice your lines
• Sing the songs
• Costumes
• We talked about costumes in class. No need for anything too special just make sure you're the same as everyone in your group

Home Learning #10

Literacy/Topic

• Write an explanation of your debate
• Write a balanced argument for your debate

Maths

• Proportion and ratio problems 
• There are some games are on Manga High 
• (More Coming Soon)

• Past papers
• You should also be looking at the past papers I have sent home

Spellings

• Spellings will be from the lyrics to 'In a Stable'
• See VLE Page
• 6 spelling from the chorus and the others from the first two verses

Christmas Production

• Learn everything you need to learn

Extras

• Food Topic
• There may be other bits of work to do

• Related to the Christmas production (Blog your answers - Don't copy and paste)
• What does Quantitative Easing (QE) mean?
• What is Gross National Product (GNP)?
• What are interest rates?

Home Learning #9

Food Project

You need to be researching for your food project.

These are the things that your group need to be doing (so far):

• Explanation Text
• Balanced Argument
• Food Webs
• Food Groups
• Geography Investigation
• Sculpture

You need to make sure you know what YOU are doing and make sure you are playing your part.

CLICK HERE to go to the VLE page

Debate Club

This term's debates will be on the food topic. The debate will be on the 29th of November.

As we have been studying balanced arguments in class, everyone should be able to argue for or against in their debate.

You will find out on the day, which side you are on, so you need to prepare to debate both.
As we are doing this in class it shouldn't be too difficult.

Spellings

Read this story about a blogging school girl.

CLICK HERE

We'll use this example in class so make sure you read it. Its only short, so the spellings are selected from the whole thing; but, because I'm nice, six will be chosen from the first two paragraphs.

Reading Cafe

On Thursday 22nd parents are invited in to the class (09:00-ish).

The children will be sharing some of their reading with parents and we'll all be looking at some newspapers. Then we will be doing some art activities using newspaper.

Parents, grandparents, aunties and uncles are all welcome. There will be tea, coffee and juice being served. Possibly even biscuits!

However, we will need as many newspapers as we can get. We need some to read and then to use them for our art activities.

Broadsheet (e.g. Times, Independent, Guardian) and free papers please - Tabloids (e.g. Sun, Daily Star) are NOT suitable.


Extras

Formula 1

Kayleigh will be glued to the screen again this weekend. Why not write a blog about the Grand Prix like our own F1 fanatic does each week.

Do you think we should replace the school uniform with T-Shirts designed by Kimi Raikkonen?

Home Learning #8

Topic

Research at least three of the topics from new food topic. Click Here

All you need to do is speak to someone. Have a chat with adults at home, brothers, sisters, anyone else you know.

Next week you will have to choose, as a group, which one you will study this term. This will also be the start of next terms debate club.

Spellings

Read, and watch, President Obama's victory speech.

Click Here

Reading Cafe (Updated 12.11.12)

On Thursday 22nd, parents are invited to come into class for a special art and reading extravaganza. The morning will begin with time for reading and sharing books together, then will finish with an art activity.

There will be drinks (tea, coffee and juice) and snacks available.

We need:

Lots of newspapers - Broadsheet and local papers only please (most of the tabloids are unsuitable).


Extras

PE

Saturday

England v Fiji, 14:30

France v Australia, 20:00

Ireland v South Africa, 17:30

Italy v Tonga, 15:00

Wales v Argentina, 14:30

Sunday

Scotland v New Zealand, 14:30

Music

I've still not heard a Dodo version of this:

Special Home Learning

Lyrics

Check out this instrumental track:

http://youtu.be/JVQzhtf2qno

Think of the lyrics that you can add in.

Here is the official one if that helps:

http://youtu.be/9bZkp7q19f0

Project

Have a look at these topics and ask someone about them:

Organic

vs

Non-Organic

Fast food

vs

Traditionally cooked food

Vegetarian

Vs

Meat eating

Fresh food

vs

Ready-made food

Local produce

vs

Global Market 

Irradiated foods

vs

Non-irradiated 

GM food

vs

Non GM food 

Increase food production

vs

Less wastage of food 

More nutritional info

vs

Less nutritional info  

Home Learning #7

Home Learning #7

Literacy

Blog about your holiday. Write a short piece about what you're getting up to. Comment on other people's blogs.

Check out Callum's blog about his bike ride in the summer. CLICK HERE
I'd probably expect a little more writing, however.

Follow James Kettley, from last year. He's still writing good blogs.
http://jkettley.blogspot.co.uk/

Click Here to read his latest post. This is more like what you guys should be doing.

Poetry Anthology

By now you should be well on your way with the poetry anthology. You should now have quite a few poems that you have decorated and started putting into your own collection.

Spellings

Click here for this week's spellings.

Green - Twelve spellings from the first and second paragraphs.
Amber - Find connectives in paragraphs 3 - 5 (are there more or less than you'd expect?)
Red - Show where commas are used to demarcate clauses

Maths

Click here to see the VLE Fractions page.

The main tasks are:

Green - Cool maths games
Amber - BBC Fractions Game
Red - Which is the largest of these fractions?

• 7/15
• 4/9
• 6/11

Blog your answers. How do you know? Can you set any more challenging questions for your friends and the rest of the world?

PE

It's Formula 1 again this week.

• Where is it?
• Who will win?
• How will the championship be affected?

Blog about these and more.

Home Learning #6

Poetry Anthology

Everyone should have already made a start with their anthology and be reading plenty of new poems. I have contacted Brundall Library to get them to stock some more poetry books. Get there fast because someone I know has already been there and taken out the ones they had in stock.

Spellings

The spellings this week are related to our new topic idea.

CLICK HERE




Optional

100 Word Challenge

This weeks challenge is open for two weeks becuase of the holidays. Post your entries on the Dodos' Blog and I'll link it to the competition.

Many of you started writing it on Friday but did not get chance to post it. For those of you who didn't, the prompt is:

                 what is that?

Write about anything you want, but it must contain those three words (not forgetting the punctuation).


Viking Quest

I'm probably the only one who is interested in this but if you want to play it, here is the link:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/ancient/vikings/launch_gms_viking_quest.shtml


Maths

Fancy a recap on Area and Perimeter?

Look on the Dodos' VLE page

Home Learning #5

Home Learning #5

Spellings

We have some more wonderful spelling to learn. This time they are sports related. 

Ever wondered what the rules of Tag Rugby are? Well now you'll know, because I've selected some of my favourites from the IRB Rules of the Game. Have a look at the rest if these aren't enough for you.

It might look a lot but there is significantly less than last week. However there is admittedly much more than the first week. Just to confirm, you only have to read the first bit, the rest is purely for fun.

CLICK HERE for spellings


Poetry

Our poetry reading is becoming exceptional; however, I am starting to hear poems being repeated because we only have so many books here.

I want you to create a poetry anthology. Your task is to gather a range of poems that you want to read out and put it together into an anthology.

You may choose to find poems on a theme e.g. animals, nature, people etc... or just a collection of your favourites. I'd love to hear some more classic poems.

Look in the library, check out some of the poems online or speak to friends and family. When you've found some that you like put them together, maybe even decorate them and bring them in.

This is going to be a long home learning task that I would like to see back after half term:

Monday 5th November 

FAQs

How much should I do?
This is two weeks of normal home learning plus the half term holidays. Think to yourself, what is an acceptable amount for that length of time? (Then do more)

Should I type it up or write it?
You are welcome to do both. It may be nicer to decorate something that is hand written but printed out is also fine.

What should I bring it in?
Maybe just a plastic wallet. Don't bring it in a big thick folder. It may need to be stored in your trays; however, if you all made them look nice with beautiful front covers, I would love to keep them in the classroom where they are visible to everyone.

Should I practice reading the poems?
Yes. Once you have created your anthology read it to people you know: Mum, Dad, Brother Sister, dog, guinea pig etc...

One day you might be as good as this lady:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/teachers/offbyheart/video/dockers_mc_the_pig.shtml

Home Learning #4

Home Learning #4

Debate Club

Due to a hectic week of tests and harvest festival etc... the debate was not possible. This means that we will have it next week. Possibly Tuesday.

You should all be ready anyway but you now have even longer to practice.

Spellings

Everything seemed to run OK this week and we got through it OK.

This week's reading is ridiculously long but do not panic. We are going to be using the story in our literacy lessons so we will read it in class. If you read it at home, you will have a massive advantage but it will be covered during lessons.

CLICK HERE for the spellings

I had planned to set some more home learning but because this is quite big I'll let you off.




EXTRAS (Purely for fun)

Write some sports blogs:

Formula 1

• Who is going to win?
• Why do you think they'll win?
• What do you think about Lewis Hamilton's move?
• Is Schumacher's retirement overdue?

Rugby

Next weekend is the start it is the autumn internationals.

• Who are you looking forward to watching?
• Who will come out on top, the southern hemisphere teams or northern hemisphere teams?
• (Do you know what the difference is?)

Home Learning #3

Home Learning #3

Debate Club

Next Friday we will be holding our first debate club of the year.

Each group will present an opening argument, which will be based on the essays that were handed in this week. (You will have time to prepare this as a group before the debate, but come with an idea of your main points beforehand)

Then you will have 5 minutes to debate the topic as a group and persuade the audience that you are correct.

I will be looking to see how people are able to listen to their opponents and respond with relevant retaliations. 


Spellings

Shown on here, is an extract from the 2010 SATs spelling test but with the answers filled in.

In the SATs test, children are given a piece of writing with some words omitted. I then read the full sentences out and children have to write the missing words.

This year I'm going to try a new method, which will be much more like the test at the end of the year.

I will give you a piece of reading each week. On Friday, I will put the text on the board with some words missing. I will then read it out again and you will have to spell the missing words.

In addition to the spelling test, this year there is a SATs grammar test. The reading will also have some grammar challenges that I will test on Friday as well. These, however, are optional extras and if you do not want to take part then you don't have to. They are for those who want to prepare well and challenge themselves.

For example, I may ask you to look at adjectives in a specific paragraph. Then, on Friday, I may highlight a sentence of this paragraph and ask you to write down the adjectives. This is akin to the sort of challenge you may face in the grammar test.

Finally, I just want to add that you do not need to bring anything in or hand anything in on a Friday. All the testing will be done in class.

Hopefully it will all become clear. If your parents have any questions, tell them they can come and speak to me or email if they can't get in to school.


This weeks spellings are on the VLE - Click Here

If anyone needs a printed copy then I can get some done.

Home Learning #2

Home Learning #2

Debate Club

	For	Against
Humans should protect endangered animal	Jennifer Reece Annabelle Issac	Kayleigh Thomas Ryan Lucy
Recycling is not important	Keelan Abbey Samuel	Katie Faith Owen
Plastic food packaging is good	Lauren Faye Annie	Callum Shannon Matthew
Global warming is a myth	Lily Bryony Isabelle	James Maali Daniel
Renewable energy is a waste of time	Lottie Sophie Mal	Kelsie Steven

Your challenge is to write a persuasive essay on your topic. We will then have a class debate about the subject and try to persuade everyone to your way of thinking.

Essay due: 28th September

Class debate: 5th October

Home Learning #1

Home Learning #1

Literacy

• Find out who the person is from your guided reading group 

Thomas Browne	Elizabeth Bentley	Ian McEwan	George Borrow	Julian of Norwich
Lily Mal Lottie Kelsie Sophie Bryony Abbey	Faye Lauren Daniel Sam Issy Ryan Steven	Kayleigh Lucy Thomas Faith Annie James	Matthew Maali Keelan Callum Owen Jennifer	Annabelle Katie Luke Shannon Issac Reece

Olympic Project

Challenge: Create a project on a country competing in the Olympics

Which country?

The more obscure the better. I would like to learn something new whilst reading these so choose a bizarre country you don't know about. You may know a things about France or America but that seems a bit obvious to me. Challenge yourself!

What is the report about?

• The country - I want to know all about the country. Who are the people, where are they from, what do they eat, wear and enjoy doing for hobbies? What is the country's history, what is their future?Anything you can find out that is interesting.
• Their Olympic hopes - Because its the Olympics I also want to know what events they are competing in and how you think they will do. 
• Past Olympics - What history do they have in the Olympics?
• Anything else...

Time Line

• 11th June - Challenge Set (I know this is only published Friday but we talked about it ages ago)
• 18th June - Week 1
• 25th June - Week 2
• 2nd July - Week 3
• 9th July - Hand in

Note: This is almost four weeks worth of home learning. It should reflect that amount.

Important Information

I do not want to read what Wikipedia has to say on your country. DO NOT COPY AND PASTE. 

If you don't understand the information, then do not include it in your project.

References 

(its in red because its hard and you should only bother if you want to challenge yourself)

You can reference small bits of information. For instance, if you are writing about Botswana's Olympic record you might say:

Botswana have yet to win an Olympic medal, but in 2011 Amantle Montsho became the 400m world champion (Wikipedia, 2012). Botswana are waiting in anticipation for the 2012 Olympics as they believe she may be able to bring home their first medal.

Then at the very end of your project (in a section called references) you would write:

Wikipedia. (2012) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Botswana#Sports

Explanation

e.g. (Wikipedia, 2012) The first bit tells the reader where it came from and the second bit tells them when you found it. 

If you are getting some info from a book, you say the authors surname and the date it was published. This date is usually in the front of the book.

I have mentioned this before and I'd be happy to explain in class again if you want to try and use references.

NOTE: If you are not sure about this don't bother doing it. Just do not copy and paste.

Home Learning

Literacy

• Squatters rights
• Find out what rights squatters have and how it works
• Can you just move into a swanky new house and stay there?
• Rules of Rounders
• What are the rules of rounders?
• Can you find any tips and hints for improving your performance?

Topic

• Jubilee Special Week
• Talk to people about the royal family, what the jubilee is all about and what it means to them.
• Get some sponsorship for the Royal walk around.
• I think Sean is winning so far.

ICT

• Fill in the VLE questionnaire
• Check your emails, it is on there.

PE

• Monaco Grand Prix
• Where is Monaco?
• How big is it?
• Why is it so special?
• Who lives there and why?
• West Indies Test Match
• Watch the highlight in the evening.
• Get out in the sunshine and play during the day.

Home Learning

Chill Out.

You've all done incredibly well this week and I demand you take a well earned rest.

Home Learning

Wellbeing

• Relax  
• You are all very well prepared for next week so the most important thing to do is relax.
• If the mocks are anything to go by, you will all do amazingly well. 
• Eat healthily
• Go to sleep on time

Literacy

• Reading
• Read a newspaper, blog, cereal box or anything and tell someone three things about it.
• Writing
• Blog - if you have something special you want to share with the world tell us about it.
• Comment - Leave some constructive comments on your friends blog and other peoples
• Past Papers - If anyone is really keen they can look some past papers I have uploaded onto the VLE
• 2003 - LWT - Story (HINT - Think about the purpose)
• 2008 - SWT - Recount (HINT Be descriptive and convincing)

Maths

• Percentages 
• Check the VLE
• Past papers
• Most of you took a past paper. These are a great way to prepare so have a go and importantly get someone to check it through.

PE

• Last day of the season
• Will QPR do Mr Dooley a massive favour? 
• Formula 1
• Jenson Button is quickest in practice this Friday but will he be able to convert this speed into a win on Sunday?

Home Learning

The mock SATs tests went really well as expected. We're all really pleased with how everyone has come on this year and I think we're now firing on all cylinders just at the right time.

Maths

• Have a go at this past paper. Work through the questions with someone and have a chat about your working out.

Literacy

• Read some of the blogs that have been posted. You have some good comments from other people from around the world. 
• Update your own blog and see if you can make pick of the week.

Geography

• Where in the world?
• People from all over the world are starting to come to our blog. (See world map)
• Where are they all from?

Wellbeing

• You all worked really hard last week and its important that you are relaxed and refreshed for the coming week.
• Early nights, plenty of healthy food and exercise.

Home Learning

Literacy

• First of all, well done for the recent pieces of writing. After my big rant earlier in the week, everyone really improved and started to show exactly what you are capable of.

• Save Our Environment Leaflet
• You task was to write a leaflet encouraging friends and family to look after the environment. 
• Please show your family, you should all be very proud.
• Look at the feedback, check the level descriptors (Click Here)
• Do you agree with my harsh marking? What else can you do to get to the next level?
• Challenge - Write up this work in neat 
• These pieces of work deserve to be written up in neat for a display and to be put into your portfolios.

• 100 Word Challenge
• Put your 100 words on the Dodos' Blog
• We spent around 1 hour 15 writing this in class. What is the word per minute rate? 
• Look at Rio's fine example (Click Here)
• Title: Week 28 - Name - Brundall (Year 6)
• I've now added Rio's to the site. 
• Have a look at his and other examples kids have done. Leave (nice) comments to tell them what you think and they will read your's as well.

• NOTE - Writing the blog is extremely straight forward
• Find the email - 
• Subject - You have been invited to contribute to the Dodos' Blog
• Date - 31st March
• Click the link
• That will take you to the Blogger home page
• Click on the pencil next to the Dodos' Blog

• Read the Pick of the Week
• Will you get on next week's pick?

Maths

• Percentages
• Four people went on percentages
• Fill in the form at the bottom to let me know you've seen it. 

• I'll put on some more soon for this week. Keep checking.

PE

• Olympic Applications
• Great news about the secret trip to the Olympics.
• You have one shot at this and the judges are even meaner than I am so make sure its your best effort.
• Saturday 17:30
• As a closet Norwich fan I am supporting them even more this weekend.

Other

• People are asking me about dates
• Pretty much everything I ever know gets put on the Dodos' calendar (Click Here)

Home Learning

Literacy

• Blogging
• Add the Home Learning Blog and the Dodos Blog to your reading list.
• http://dodoshl.blogspot.co.uk/
• http://thedodosblog.blogspot.co.uk/
• Answer the questions
• What makes an interesting blog?
• What is a good comment?
• Five top tips for Netiquette.
• Read a newspaper.
• Think about how it is written
• What are the features of a newspaper?
• What sort of language do they use? Formal/informal?
• Try this one first - CLICK HERE
• Charity
• We talked about Kony 2012 this week. Its a great cause but a dubious charity. 
• If you had to pick a charity to support what would it be?
• How would you persuade people to follow your charity, what would you say?
• Challenge:
• Pick a charity
• Convince two people you know that yours is the best cause to follow.

Maths

• Percentages
• Visit this page - CLICK HERE
• Past Papers
• The recent past papers will be going home soon (we are going to go through it in class)
• Show two people how you got on with your test. 
• (You all be very proud because you did very well)

Topic

• Brundall Travel -  We are going to be creating a travel guide to a country

• Challenge 1 - Pick any country in the world. (Maybe blog about why you chose it)
• Challenge 2 - Try and find three artists from this country (we will be using these in art over the next week or so)

• e.g. - My choice is: 
• Challenge 1: 
• England (I'm boring but you are going to be much more imaginative)
• Challenge 2
• Artist 1 - L.S. Lowry - Link
• Artist 2 - Banksy - Link
• Artist 3 - The people who did this - Link

Dragons' Den

• As we discussed in class, you need to be using your own time now to organise your businesses. 
• Gold n Glory - You might want to have a look at last weeks Apprentice but ONLY if your parents think it is OK. (I know most of you watched it anyway when you should be in bed!)
• The amount of money we make dictates how good our trip is at the end of term.

Question

• Quadblogging?
• Do you want to get involved with this? It looks pretty cool. 
• Have a look at the world map. We could get all those people looking at our blogs.

Home Learning

Literacy

• Letter to Mr Stuart-Sheppard
• Check your letter using the level descriptors. Please make sure you do this first, I have received some emails and I feel that some people haven't checked them through fully. Click here for the level descriptors.
• head@brundall.norfolk.sch.uk

• Blogs
• Not sure how everyone is getting on with the blogging. I know there were issues for some people when we started but we'll see if can sort them out when we're back.#

• Pottermore
• Check out this new website. Click Here
• Add me on it so I can see how you're getting on: CentaurPotion9849
• My username is a bit silly but its generated for safety. This is what we discussed in class before we set up our blogs.
• Add each other and explore the online Harry Potter world.

Science

• Seeds Challenge
• Don't worry if you are having problems with the seeds. I think it was a bit silly of the John Innes centre to give us the seeds before the holidays. I doubt many other schools have been very successful.
• It would be great to see how you have got on. Show me your blog or comment on this post.
• PS I have a confession: I left my seed at school. Oops! It would have died anyway because I've been away for two weeks so I'm not too bothered.

Easter Holidays

Maths

• Paper A
• Paper B
• Mental Maths Questions

Literacy

• Blog Visitor Challenge
• Who can get the most visitors to their blog?
• Write about anything you want and see how many people you can get to read your blog
• Tell people what you're doing
• Write a story
• Discuss your favourite topic; e.g. PS3, gymnastics, football, dogs and pets etc...

• Reading
• Tip #1: One way to get visitors to your blog is to read other peoples' blogs and comment (sensibly) on theirs. You might also add links to blogs like yours and they will hopefully do the same.
• Read other blogs and see what makes them interesting
• Tip #2: People don't come back to blogs about sausage rolls or silly pictures of animals on skateboards.

• Persuasive Letter
• Write a letter to Mr Stuart-Sheppard persuading him to remove the internet filter.
• Check this link
• Level your writing using our chart (Link)
• Get someone to check your letter
• I'll post his email address soon.
• He is expecting your messages

Science

• Seed Challenge
• Grow your seed as tall as you can.
• Blog about your progress:
• Explain what you are doing to your seed and why
• Describe the progress: measurements, pictures, descriptions etc...