The calm before the storm...

Hello and welcome back to the Year Five Blog!

Many apologies for the lack of a post last week but, as promised, I have a bumper edition for you to feast your eyes on this week. 

So, without further ado, let the fun begin!

Fiver Challenge

This Monday, Year 5 went off timetable and did something bit different.

Here is an explanation taken from the Fiver Challenge website...

The Fiver Challenge, supported by Virgin Money,  is a fun and engaging initiative that provides young people aged 5 – 11 years, across the UK with a pledge of £5 for every participant taking part. The participants are challenged to set up mini businesses to create products or services they can then sell/deliver at a profit and engage with their local community.

So, with that in mind, the Young Enterprise Team came to talk to the children at the beginning of the day. They explained what the challenge actually was and how the children could get involved.

Once that was over, they got into groups and started to hone their inner Bransons!

As this is a national competition, only two groups from each class could go forward to the next stage. After a lot of discussion, these are the companies that will be given £5 to turn into profit during the month of June:

Dream Car Wash

Mini Mix

Fun, Fun Football

Fruity Explosion

Star Gaming

Bookworm Buddies

D.D. Diamond Diggers

Poppy Popcorn Bars

Art and Cake Company

Bits 'n' Bobs

Many Congratulations to everyone who took part in the challenge - we were so impressed with your enthusiasm and initiative. I won't be vaguely surprised if we see a few of you on The Apprentice in years to come!

This won't be the last you hear of these companies, you have been warned...!

We have another Winner!

Congratulations to Eloise in 5PC for winning the recent Food Links Competition. She had to design a background for a page of their website. I can't wait to see it in action!

Well done Eloise!

Celebration Assembly

A huge Thank You to everyone who came and supported Monday's Celebration Assembly. It was a lovely assembly and such a joy to watch so many children receive their certificates.

Hannah was the only child in the year group to receive a Gold certificate!

Mrs Thomas announcing the groups who got through to the next stage of the Fiver Challenge.

Our next Celebration Assembly will be on Monday 13th July but in the morning rather than the afternoon. More information to folow nearer the time.

Science Homework

I never cease to be impressed and amazed with the fabulous homework that the children in Year Five produce. 

The Insulating Materials homework was no exception and I was blown away by the high quality and originality of this particular one.

Aren't they brilliant? 

I know that there are some other terrific versions of this homework within the year group so I will come and look for them with my trusty camera.

Activities Week

Hopefully, you would have received the letter (sent out on Thursday) telling you what the children will need to bring with them on a daily basis next week.

I forgot to add that the children will need their trainers with them on FRIDAY! Whoops!

If you are not sure what we have planned for the children then have another look at the post entitled 'Having a Ball'.  

So, that's it for another week. Next week's Blog will be packed to the gunnels with all things to do with Activities Week. Can't wait!

Have a good week and I will look forward to seeing you back here next week.

Mrs Ray

(who has started on those sun dances again...)

Apologies

Hello and welcome back to the Year Five Blog!

Well, kind of.

Many apologies for the lack of a Blog this week but please be assured that I will be providing you with a bumper edition next week!

If there are any highlights from your week that you would like to share, please write something in the comments section below. 

I will look forward to seeing some of you at Monday's Celebration Assembly.

Mrs Ray

Having a ball!

Hello and welcome back to the Year Five Blog!

Another cracking week in Year Five to share with you! We have had a lot of fun with our learning so strap yourselves in and enjoy the ride...

Worth a Mention Children

Last Friday, the names of  the latest batch of Worth a Mention children were put up on our special board.

  

Congratulations to Isla, Martina, Chris, Megan, Will, Teegan-Lee, Kiara, Kian, Katie and Harriet - we salute you! 

Maths Groups

When I was at Milldown Middle School (many, many years ago) I hated Maths. There, I said it. I never really 'got' it and the mutual frustration between pupil (me) and teacher (Mr Davenport) was a constant. The one thing I vowed to myself when I became a teacher was to make sure that Maths was fun (or as fun as it could be) so when I started at DMS (many years ago) I knew I was in the right place as, thankfully, I met like-minded people who were inspirational to this rooky teacher.

All the children in Year Five are super mathematicians - some find it easier than others but that has never been a barrier to their learning. Mr Haigh, our Maths Co-ordinator, is an incredible influence and his enthusiasm towards his subject is very motivating. 

This is something that I have been working on with my Maths Group - converting kilograms in to grammes and vice versa:

I am also proud to introduce our latest Zero Hero - the lovely Taylor.

We didn't have things like this in my day...!

5CW Streetwise

The last Year Five Streetwise trip took place on Monday when it was 5CW's turn to experience this incredible learning resource.

I am delighted to report that their behaviour was excellent and Mrs White was very proud of her class.

Some of the children were filmed whilst they were there. If you are a member of 5CW maybe you could tell us why you were filmed? It looked very exciting!

Activities Week 

A huge thank you to everyone who has returned the Parent Helper forms and who have settled their balances by responding to the letters that went out on Tuesday.

We have a bumper week planned so I just want to remind you of what you will be doing the week commencing 18th May 2015...

Monday

We will creating art work based on specific artists. Each Key Stage Two teacher has chosen an artist that they have an interest in and will guide the children to generate their own versions of their work.

Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday

Depending on the group that you are in, the children will be going on three, yes three, trips!

Visiting Sand World is a first for DMS and we can't wait! We will be creating our own sand sculptures with one of their master sculptors, see the professionals at work and fill a sculpture with coloured sand. 

Not only that, we also get to spend time on the beach at Lodmoor or take a walk around the beautiful nature reserve (depending on the good old British Weather!).

Another first for DMS! We get to have a tour around Poole Pottery, watch one of the Master Potters at work and have a go at making our very own piece of pottery. 

However, that's just part of the trip! We also get to have a look around the fantastic Poole Museum. It has been refurbished recently and it offers a unique hands-learning experience where the children can immerse themselves in the past.

The final trip will be to Portland's amazing Tout Sculpture Quarry as well as a visit to the Portland Sculpture and Quarry Trust HQ where the children will have a go at stone carving in order to produce their very own sculpture out of Portland Stone.

Friday

The final day of Activities Week will consist of a unique art exhibition in the Drama Hall and Key Stage Two classrooms that will house all the art work that the children have produced during the week.

Parents and Carers will receive invites to view all the work and to enjoy a cup of tea in the afternoon.

What a busy week!

Calligraphy Club

Every Thursday lunchtime, Mr Duffy runs a Calligraphy Club. It is all very low key and I just happened to 'find' them this week.

I was really impressed with the quality of the children's work and the concentration levels were incredible. You couldn't hear a pin drop!

Celebration Assembly

Just a quick reminder that our next Celebration Assembly is on Monday 11th May.

Well, that's it for another week. I hope you all have a great Bank Holiday Weekend and I will look forward to seeing you back here next week.

Mrs Ray

(who is about to embark on another Markathon - anyone want to sponsor me?!)