13th January 2025
This week in Saturn the children have been solving problems using units of measure such as grams, kilograms, millilitres and litres. This is a crucial skill for measuring out ingredients and liquids in recipes. In literacy, the children have started the learning journey towards writing an emotional piece on the impact deforestation has on orangutans. They have used the heartbreaking clip "There's a rangtang in my bedroom" to support their writing. In PSHE, the children took on the role of teacher by sharing everything they knew about what information is safe and unsafe to share online. Lucy had to take part in their lesson and the children marked her work and gave feedback on the answer's she produced. They were all very knowledgeable and will make very bossy teachers one day! |
6th January 2025
This week in Saturn the children have been learning about money. The children have worked to make amounts using different coins, rounding pence to the nearest pound and applying this to a real-life context when they created their own shops for each other. In literacy, the children wrote fact-files all about orangutans. They carried out some research into the animals and were surprised to find out how similar orangutans are to humans, they are even able to use tools like saws and hammers! In art, the children have started to develop their sketching and water colour skills and used the gridding method to try and recreate some animal portraits by the artist Claire Hoffman, focusing on the shapes within small sections of grid. We look forward to sharing our final pieces with you in a few weeks. Next week, we will be looking at different units of measure in maths, continuing our learning on orangutans in literacy and exploring where the electricity in different cities in the UK comes from in geography. |
29th November 2024
Building Our Zones of Regulation Toolkit with Liam the OT This week, we had a fantastic session with Liam, our Occupational Therapist, who guided us in creating a Zones of Regulation Toolkit. The toolkit is all about finding ways to help us feel calm, alert, and ready to take on the world! Liam brought along some exciting resources for us to explore, and we couldn’t wait to dive in. Getting “Squished” with the Proprioception Sandwich First up was something called a proprioception sandwich—and no, it’s not something you eat! It’s a fun activity where you apply deep pressure, almost like being hugged or gently squished between two or more cushions. Vicky gave it a try and found that it really helped her feel more settled and focused. Who knew being a “sandwich filling” could be so relaxing? Sensory Foam: Crackles and Giggles Next, we discovered sensory foam, which was a big hit! The foam made our hands tingle and crackle, a bit like popping candy. Liam told us you can make this at home with just shaving foam and some popping candy—something we’ll be trying again! The sensory experience was both calming and fun, leaving everyone giggling as their hands “fizzed.” Vibration Cushions and Calming Paint We also experimented with a vibration cushion, which gave gentle vibrations that helped calm our bodies. It was especially useful when we felt a little restless. Then came a creative activity: painting! Using soothing colours and slow brush strokes, we noticed how it helped clear our minds and bring a sense of peace. What’s Next? As we continue building our toolkits, we’re learning to identify what helps us feel: • Alert: ready to focus and engage. • Organised: in control and prepared. • Calm and Happy: relaxed and content. We’ll share photos of our finished toolkits soon. Lucy and Vicky are excited to show you what they’ve created and explain how each tool works for them. The hope is that everyone can find their own ways to feel balanced and ready for whatever comes next. Thanks to Liam for such a fun, hands-on session. We can’t wait to keep exploring and finding what works best for each of us! |
11th November 2024
Saturn Class has had an incredible week, and we're so proud of their progress! In math, they’ve been mastering fractions by linking them to money, which has helped them understand how amounts are divided. In literacy, they’ve been improving their persuasive writing skills, learning how to create strong arguments—just in time for their vote at Light Years! In music, they’ve been learning to play the recorder, starting with the A and B notes, and they’re already playing some great tunes. The class is also focusing on their Thrive target of trying new things and learning from mistakes, which has helped them grow in every subject. In history, Saturn Class has been exploring why World War II began, looking at the key events and decisions that led to such a significant moment in history. It’s been amazing to see their curiosity and understanding deepen. Overall, the students are showing great resilience, teamwork, and dedication to their learning. Keep up the fantastic work, Saturn Class—you’re truly shining! |
Friday 18th October 2024
Saturn's Sensory Circuits! A sensory circuit is a structured activity that us regulate our energy and sensory needs. We have them first thing in the morning, after breaktime and after lunch. They help us by working through a circuit of alerting, organising and calming. These are our teacher's aims: • Improved Focus: We are ready to learn! • Energy Regulation: Balances energy levels making us calm or alert. • Emotional Regulation: Allows us to communicate our feelings • Better Coordination: Improves our motor skills and body awareness. • Self-Regulation: Encourages independence in managing sensory needs. We have a range of different alerting, organising and calming activities throughout the week. Today we did - tunnel crawling, hanging out the washing and roller ball. It was good fun and made us calm and ready for literacy. " |
Friday 11th October 2024
In Saturn class, we’ve been working hard to demonstrate our Saturn Target: We can try something new and accept that if we make a mistake, it helps us learn. This target encourages us to explore new challenges and grow from any mistakes we might make along the way. To help us stay on track, we’re using Thrive, which reminds us to be positive and supportive in class. Thrive teaches us how to understand our emotions, solve problems calmly, and keep trying, even when things get tough. It’s a way of thinking that helps us feel good about ourselves and stay motivated. As we work toward achieving this mindset, we’ve set a class marble jar goal. Every time we show great teamwork, resilience, or make progress toward the Saturn Target, we earn marbles in the jar. Once it’s full, we get a special reward that we’ve all agreed on: a movie day with some tasty treats! It’s exciting because everyone in the class is focused on contributing, so we can celebrate together. We’re already well on our way to filling that jar, and it’s amazing to see how the class is growing by trying new things, learning from mistakes, and supporting each other through Thrive! |
Light Years School, Tewkesbury Avenue, Fareham, Hampshire, PO15 6LL
E: [email protected] T: 01329 760955
E: [email protected] T: 01329 760955
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