Over the last half term, Team CB have been working really hard to develop their skills in writing. They have spent time completing work linked to their “Acclaimed Author” Roald Dahl. The class have written character descriptions of different characters within the book, with a focus on using grammatical devices such as expanded noun phrases. They worked together to write a description of Badger before independently writing one for Fantastic Mr Fox.  Team CB have also spent time looking at instructional writing. They have explored the features of instructions through reading widely and used their knowledge to write instructions for healthier alternatives for Farmer Bean rather than apple cider. Within their writing they aimed to incorporate adverbs for chronology to help sequence their steps. 

This half term Team AC have started their writing journey with focusing on 'hold a sentence'. The class decide on a sentence together then using their growing knowledge of speed sounds and tricky red words, write the sentence together as a class before writing it again independently. This has helped the children to work on their understanding of what a sentence is and what is needed to be a successful writer. The class checked their sentences for capital letters, word spaces and full stops as well as practising their letter formation and pencil control so all their letters are formed correctly and are the right way round. 

This half term Team CW have started their writing journey with drawing club. Each week the class complete a drawing based on a book they have shared in class. So far they have drawn themselves, designed emergency vehicles, drawn homes and families, a spell for number 3 and Meg and Mog. As the class develop their pencil control, phonics knowledge and handwriting they will start to add words and phrases to accompany their drawings. That said, the class have been working exceptionally hard to learn how to hold a pencil with a “perfect pencil grip” and have been learning the phrases to help them write each sound correctly. Some of the class have been using “Fred Fingers” where they pinch their fingers for each sound in a CVC word and then write the sounds in that order.

It has been lovely this week to bob around classes and see what lovely work the children are producing in their writing lessons. Their was a calm, focussed atmosphere throughout and all children could talk confidently about what they were writing, who it was for and why they were writing it. Well done team Park Street! I am certain when I pop back round in a few weeks, the work you will have produced will be of an excellent standard! Keep it up superstars!

This week I've had the privilege of receiving three different pieces of writing to my classroom door from children through Park Street wanting to share their independent writing. They have ranged from some of our littlest children in school to higher up in Key Stage 2. Not only this, but the whilst the work was independent it was all work that was also completed at home by the children. What a fantastic way to show a clear love of writing!
I've been lucky enough the read the most fantastic story about a boy and his best dog companion going off in search of a wonderful adventure down by the seafront. I've even spent a quiet minute reading a very funny comic book one of our children created about their own self-created superhero. Finally, I've read the most beautiful poem all about Spring by one of our older Key Stage 2 children. The work was truly lovely to see and I'm hoping more will be arriving at my door soon to share!
​

With SATs starting next week we would like to take this opportunity to wish all our Year 6's the very best of luck. Team AF and LL have both been working so incredibly hard and have really given their all to preparing themselves as best as they can for the tests to come. Team Park Street are proud of you all and will continue to be when next week draws to an end. 
Just a gentle reminder that breakfast club for our Year 6's will be running as it does every year from Tuesday to Friday. 
Good luck Team AF and LL!

Since returning from our half term holiday, Team CB have been working hard on our unit focus of Limericks. All through school writing has had a poetry focus with each class taking a different form of poetry. Mrs Lawson has been giggling away quietly at some of the fantastic limericks written by Team CB. 
The class have been using their whole class text The Firework Maker's Daughter to influence their limerick. They have thought about the different character traits of Lila, as well as the structure of limerick poems to help them create their own. Be sure to pop and have a look on Team CB's handwriting heroes display to read some of the fantastically funny poems. I'm certain they will have you chuckling!