Conway Book Week 2016

At the end of June, we hosted our own book week to promote the love of reading by offering opportunities to share books with other children and the teachers, as well as with an accomplished author and illustrator. Throughout the week, each year group explored a different famous children’s author as part of their reading and writing lessons, along with a variety of other activities. 

The week started with the Big Read whereby the whole school shared books in a variety of ways at the same time; in class with a mystery teacher sharing their favourite book, in small groups with a member of SLT or with a buddy reader (children in year 1 and 2 became reading buddies with children in year 5 and 6).

We also invited James Campbell, author of the ‘Boyface’ series, in to complete workshops with years 1 to 6. He shared different stories, poems, anecdotes and jokes. He also completed a book signing event after school, whereby children could buy his books, have them signed, speak to James and have a photo taken if they wished.

Furthermore, we invited Charlotte Firmin, illustrator for Terry Dreary and other famous books/ authors, in to complete workshops with years R to 2 as well as complete a demonstration for our Book Club after school. Charlotte created year group Big Books; together, Charlotte and the children, created their own story with illustrations. The children also had the opportunity to finish the book back in the classroom with their own illustrations.

By the end of the week, the children had a greater understanding of the process of creating a book, including the text and the illustrations. They had also expanded their knowledge of different children’s authors and had the opportunity to explore different books in a variety of ways, keen to discuss and choose their next read!

With the two elections taking place this term (the election of Mayor of London and London Assembly took place on 5^th May and the EU referendum vote will be taking place on 23^rd June), we took the opportunity to further promote the fundamental British values, notably; democracy, the rule of law and individual liberty within the classroom.

 

Here is an overview of the work completed across the school:

 

• EYFS – completed discussions through group and circle times; they voted by show of hands for their preferred book, song and game. They also discussed how we have freedom to make our own choices by sharing their likes and dislikes with their peers. The children also discussed the school rules, identifying why having rules is important.  
• Years one and two – explored the UK political system. They completed activities to identify David Cameron, Queen Elizabeth II and other members of the Royal family. They discussed the importance of having laws and how these are made. The children then completed a hierarchy to show how the main parties are linked such as the Government, Parliament, House of Commons and Houses of Lords.
• Years three and four – completed a persuasive poster to encourage young people to vote. They raised points regarding the importance of making the most from the vote we are given and the freedom of choice which we have.
• Years five and six – completed a debate to decide whether we should stay or leave the EU. They researched both viewpoints using various web sites on our iPads, then the children planned and carried out their debate.   

Table tennis fun

 

Earlier this month four children from Year 6 took part in Conway’s first Table Tennis tournament! Read on to find out what we got up to…

 

 

 

On Tuesday 15th March, Year 5 went on an educational visit to the London Eye, this was to support them in their understanding of their English core text - The London Eye Mystery.   The day started off with a trip on the Thames Clipper

For World Book Day this year, we celebrated the day by becoming investigators. We had to solve a problem linked to a popular children’s book through drama and role-play activities. The children’s book chosen for the year group was linked to their English core text – either a similar theme or by the same author. In the second half of the day, after the mystery problem had been solved, the children had the opportunity to become publishers and create a book. They had to write the day’s events into the form of a story. The day was completed with a mini-celebration within class, nominating the winner of the ‘best costume’ and ‘best investigator’.