Friday 28 February 2014

Super Readers - Ja'Shayla Reads 'A Day At The Zoo' and 'Mickey's Red Ball'

This week's Super Reader is Ja'Shayla, who chose two short Disney stories to share with you at home. Well done Ja'shayla, lovely reading!

Thursday 27 February 2014

WrestleMania Reading Challenge UK - WWE Revenge Tour Tickets Up For Grabs!

Wrestle Mania and The National Literacy Trust have teamed up to create a new reading challenge for KS2 and 3 pupils. Children who wish to take part are asked to read books (or magazines, comics etc). From these books, you need to choose you favourite one and then persuade a WWE Superstar or Diva to read it, be writing no more that 200 words in a persuasive passage or recording a persuasive speech, no more than one minute in length.
 
The judges are looking for high quality entries that are original, creative, clear, consider their audience and make use of persuasive language. Entries will be judged in two categories, primary and secondary. One lucky winner from each category will receive:
 
A money-can’t-buy experience at a WWE Live WrestleMania Revenge Tour event in May 2014.
A WWE merchandise pack
£50 book voucher 
 
3 runners up in each category will also win a WWE merchandise pack.
All shortlisted entries will be featured in a gallery on the National Literacy Trust website for all to see, so your pupils’ work could be read by thousands of people!
 
This reading challenge is open to pupils aged between 7 and 14, and will take place from Monday 24th February until Friday 11th April 2014 (this is during the Easter holidays, so you will need to hand your entry in to Miss Sparkes by Friday 4th April 2014).
 
If you wish to record a persuasive speech, your video will be uploaded on the school's YouTube channel for the judges to see.

Wednesday 26 February 2014

Challenge Of The Week - Name These KS1 Books

The covers of the books below are blurry. Using the clues underneath each book to work out what the book is. Check your answers at the bottom of the page. Good luck!
 
 
1. Silly boy, Sam, didn't read the small print when he signed up to 'Adolp an Elephant' during his last visit to the zoo. He wasn't expecting one to travel from Africa on a plane, that's for sure! 

 
2. Another adventure with Albie, this time he visits the library with his mum where he meets a knight whilst picking out a book. Albie and the knight set off on a quest where they meet trolls, bears and a many-headed monster! 

 
3. Duncan is surprised to find a pile of letters instead of crayons when he opens his crayon box. His crayons have left, leaving behind lots of complaints! Red crayon is fed up of working every holiday and is in need of a break, while Beige crayon is feeling down, as all he gets to colour in is wheat!
 
 
4. You have heard the three little pigs side of the story, but here is what actually happened (according to the wolf). Whose story do you believe?

 
5. Sally and her brother wait patiently at the window for their mother's return when they have a visit from an unexpected guest - someone in a rather large hat, who causes quite a lot of mischief!
 
ANSWERS:
1. The Slightly Annoying Elephant, 2. How To Catch A Dragon, 3. The Day The Crayons Quit, 4. The True Story Of The Three Little Pigs, 5. The Cat In The Hat


Tuesday 25 February 2014

Big Reading Adventure - Part One - Mr Bump

Check out our last blog post on the Mr Men and Little Miss Big Reading Adventure here and get your achievement chart ready for the first story and activity...
 
Part One - Mr Bump
 
 
Follow the link below to read the story of Mr Bump's lucky day and create your very own Mr Bump in his bumper car.

Look out for the story of Little Miss Sunshine in part 2, next Tuesday.

Monday 24 February 2014

Amazing Author - Jacqueline Wilson


This term we will be promoting books by Jacqueline Wilson. We have found that girls across key stage two are frequently borrowing, and enjoying her books. We currently have a selection available to borrow, including the ones below. Click on each one to find out more about them.
 
http://www.booktrust.org.uk/books/view/25553

http://www.jacquelinewilson.co.uk/library.php?b=3
 
http://www.booktrust.org.uk/books/view/30257

http://www.booktrust.org.uk/books/view/30105

http://www.jacquelinewilson.co.uk/library.php


Friday 21 February 2014

Mr Men Reading Challenge Starts Monday!

The Literacy Trust have released their latest reading challenge, Mr Men and Little Miss Big Reading Adventure! For those of you that took part in the last challenge, this is very similar to the CBeebies Adventure. Every Tuesday for the next five weeks the blog will be updated with details of the latest story and activity for that week. Both years one and two will be taking part in the challenge when they visit the library in school, however, if you wish to take part at home, you may do by clicking on the links provided.
 
 
There are prizes up for grabs, for every child that hears all five stories and completes all five activities will entered into a national prize draw to win a years subscription to Mr Men and Little Miss Magazine, £50 worth of book vouchers, as well as, a complete collection of Mr Men and Little Miss books for the school's library and an afternoon of story-telling performances and workshops led by a professional storyteller. Ten runners-up will receive a six month subscription to the magazine.
 
To get started you'll need a Mr Men and Little Miss Reading Chart, which you can print off here or create your own.


Wednesday 19 February 2014

Meet The New Spinebreakers!

When we return next week we will have new Spinebreakers for our library. Our display has been updated already with their photos and their favourite books. We haven't forgotten about our old Spinebreakers though, their Waterstone picks will still be displayed and they will still be able to help out with our fortnightly newsletter. Again, two pupils (one boy and one girl) have been chosen from each key stage two class, and here they are...
 
Rowan - Suada and Lebohang
 
 
Ash - Emily and Charly
 
 
Birch - Keeley and Jaseem
 
 
Willow - Sharna and Success
 
 
Maple - Dara and Yinka
 
 
Elm - Lily and Kingsley
 
 
These pupils have really impressed me this year with their reading efforts. Like Lebohang, who helped his team to come top in the last Premier Reading League, and Keeley, who is always seen recommending books to her friends. Not forgetting Yinka, who has been a regular visitor after the Premier Reading League began back in September, he has shown a keen interest in writing reviews online. Sharna loves to take part in the competitions and challenges we have on offer and not a day has passed without a visit from Kingsley, who really enjoys reading any kind of book! I hope they enjoy their time as Spinebreakers!

Monday 17 February 2014

Premier Reading League - Player Of The Week - 6

We are now half way through the competition! Raheem is our Player of the Week, he has worked extremely hard this week, earning his team an extra 33 points.

 
You can still collect points during the half term by reading at home, but don't forget to get a parent signature in your reading record each time you read.

Thursday 13 February 2014

KS1 Returning Books Raffle Winners!

This week, we announced the winners of this term's Returning Books Raffle for key stage one. Simran won in Pine class and received a Disney Princess book. Archy from Mulberry asked for his own copy of Pirates in Underpants after being chosen from his class box. The winner from Cherry was Teni who was rewarded with a Rainbow Fairy Pet Rescue book and finally, Ellis won for the second time this academic year, proving that returning your book every week really does pay off! The raffle will begin when we return after the holiday, don't forget the more times you return your book, the more chance you'll have of winning! Good luck!

Monday 10 February 2014

Premier Reading League - Player Of The Week - 5

Congratulations to Kingsley! He has been on a mission this week to earn the title of Player of the Week, and has earned his team a whooping 100 points! Kingsley collected his points wisely, by reading and reviewing books on Read For My School, earning him double points. His team, Premier Dominations, remain at the top of the league with The Honey Pops not far behind. Keep up the hard work!

Thursday 6 February 2014

Create a Character Winners

Well done to everyone who took part in the Create a Character Competition!
 
During their visits to the library, key stage one were read Julia Donaldson's story, Room On The Broom. They were then asked to create a new character for the story to save the witch from the dragon. Our winning designs included, a slimy alien, a long-legged monster, a robot - strong enough to carry the witch away and a mini witch who fed the dragon poisonous bread!

 
 
 
 
Key stage two pupils were asked to come up with a character of their choice, which needed to include a short description. Their designs included, a farmer named Farmer K, a fantastic drawing of a school girl called Megan Cooper, Mutation Man who was caught up in a chemical plant explosion and a very cute elf!
 



Tuesday 4 February 2014

Premier Reading League - Player Of The Week - 4

It was a double celebration for Harry on Friday, not only was it his birthday but he also became Player of the Week, after earning a total of 47 points! Well done Harry, and his team, Premier Dominations, on being top of the table every week since the competition began! Keep up the hard work!