Who We Are - Week 5

It was wonderful to see everyone in their house T-shirts for the assembly this morning.

UoI
In UoI this week we created posters on what we know about the brain. The students worked in pairs to discuss their knowledge and make the poster. They have learnt a lot over the past few weeks on what the brain does, what it looks like, the parts of the brain and our responsibility to keep the brain healthy.

We continued to add information to our brainstorming of what we know about how we grow and learn.

We also started our summative assessments this week. Students have begun reflecting on what they have learnt this unit. Next week they will add their assessment to Seesaw for you to see.

Math
Here are some photos from math this week. We continued to work on our understanding of measurement.

The importance of nightly reading
Each Monday we reflect on our learning goals and decide what to focus on in reading at each each week. We have discussed the importance on nightly reading at home with the students and wanted to share some research with you. The following is from Best Books for Kids:

10 benefits of reading

1. Kids who read often and widely get better at it

This is pretty much just common sense. After all, practice makes perfect in almost everything we humans do and reading is no different from anything else. 

2. Reading exercises our brains

Reading is a much more complex task for the human brain than, say, watching TV is. Reading strengthens brain connections and actually builds new connections.

3. Reading improves concentration

Children have to sit still and quietly so they can focus on the story when they’re reading. If they read regularly, they develop the ability to do this for longer periods.

4. Reading teaches children about the world around them

Through reading, children learn about people, places and events outside their own experience. They are exposed to ways of life, ideas and beliefs about the world which may be different from those which surround them.

This learning is important for its own sake however it also builds a store of background knowledge which helps younger children learn to read confidently and well.

5. Reading improves a child’s vocabulary and leads to more highly-developed language skills

This is because children learn new words as they read but also because they unconsciously absorb information as they read about things like how to structure sentences and how to use words and language effectively. 

6. Reading develops a child’s imagination

This is because when we read our brains translate the descriptions we read of people, places and things into pictures. When we’re engaged in a story, we’re also imagining how the characters are feeling. We use our own experiences to imagine how we would feel in the same situation.

7. Reading helps kids develop empathy

This is something I’ve only recently realised but it makes sense. As my fifteen-year-old son said to me when we were discussing it: ‘Of course it does because you’re identifying with the character in the story so you’re feeling what he’s feeling.’ 

8. Children who read do better at school

And they don’t just do better at subjects like reading, English and history. They do better at all subjects and they do better all the way through school.

9. Reading is a great form of entertainment

A paperback book doesn’t take up much space so you can take it anywhere and you’ll never be lonely or bored if you have a book in your bag. 

You can read while waiting in a queue, while waiting for a friend who’s running late or during a flight delay at an airport. 

10. Reading relaxes the body and calms the mind

This is an important point because these days we seem to have forgotten how to relax and especially how to be silent.

The constant movement, flashing lights and noise which bombard our senses when we’re watching TV, looking at a computer or playing an electronic game are actually quite stressful for our brains.

When we read, we read in silence and the black print on a white page is much less stressful for our eyes and brains. 

Upcoming events

Next week is a 3 day week for the students. On Wednesday morning they will take part in a tabloid sports event. Students will need to wear their house T-shirts and bring a change of clothes as they may get wet. 

There is no school for students on Thursday and Friday.