Form 5

---

Spring Term 2012

Dear Parents
With the first few days of this term completed we have provided an outline of what the pupils will cover during the next few weeks.

In language the pupils continue with their small group and individual reading on a daily basis.  Groups are becoming growingly independent with their reading, although we would encourage parents to continue to listen to some of the text being read aloud each night. We have started our class reader, “The Desperate Journey,” and pupils have already enjoyed reading parts of this aloud to the class. Many pupils have entered Perform in Perth Festival. This starts on 5th March.  The school will transport the pupils to and from their classes but please come along and support them at St Leonards in the Field church. Much of our written, listening and talking work will be focused around our ‘Space’ topic.  The class are already hugely enthusiastic about this, sharing many resources, brought from home, with their peers.

We will continue to revisit maths topics from last term to ensure everyone is confident in the four basic processes, money and various aspects of time. Our key topics this term are fractions, area, perimeter, symmetry, calculator work and problem solving. Our weekly mental maths activities continue to be written at the bottom of each pupil’s reading bookmark, with our Friday test continuing. All pupils have already been given a list of very useful web-sites to reinforce new topics. We would like to highlight the maths section of Sheppard software on the net. The games are fun and we’re sure both parents and pupils will enjoy playing them together!

Our science is initially about light and after midterm we move on to sound. Much of it is covered along with our ‘Space’ topic and the pupils have already been enjoying the activities in the resource bank of ‘Engineering Interactive.’

With swimming galas, ski days, netball and hockey fixtures, cross-country races, Perform in Perth, Dragon’s Den and our ceilidh, we still aim to organise the Easter Eggstravaganza during the last week of term.  Please gather up any books, games, DVDs and unwanted Christmas presents.  We’ll keep you posted regarding when to bring them into school. Working in pairs the class will be planning and making their own games for the rest of the school to play during the morning of Wednesday 21st March. As it is our own mini-enterprise initiative, the Form 5 pupils will be selecting a charity to send the proceeds to. More information will be sent out after mid-term.

We continue to be very impressed with the teamwork and growing maturity of every pupil. With your support in helping your child to be organised for classroom lessons, homework and the numerous extra-curricular activities, the Form 5 environment is an extremely happy and hardworking area of the school.  Please do drop in for a quick chat if there are any minor concerns. E-mail messages continue to be a quick way to pass on any notes.  If you prefer an organised meeting we do have the Parents Catch Up night on Monday 30th January. Drop us a note if you would like to come along.

With best wishes for the coming weeks

Mrs Karen Thomson   staffkthomson@craigclowan-school.co.uk 
Mrs Sheila McMorrine  staffsmcmorrine@craigclowan-school.co.uk
 
Dear Parents

Daily Equipment

A pencil, rubber, ruler, sharpener, coloured pencils or felt pens are required every day.  A glue stick, named, is very useful, as is a small folder for Prep sheets, jotters, reading book and Prep diary.  An old shirt or art overall is needed for most art lessons.

Weekly Timetable

Monday:         Games

Tuesday:         Personal and social education – Mr C Reynolds
                        French: folder, red pen, blue or black pen.  Mrs Dibnah is the teacher

Wednesday:   French: as above
                        ICT/Music

Thursday:      ICT/Music                                                                                                   
                       Games: please collect pupils at 5pm until the October break, then 4.45pm thereafter

Friday:           Gym: Mrs Grant is the teacher

Prep

About 40 minutes of Prep is set from Monday to Thursday nights.

Monday:         Reading and written spelling activity.  Five minutes of mental maths

Tuesday:        Reading, learn spelling and mental maths, written maths activity

Wednesday:  Reading, learn spelling and mental maths, written language/topic work activity

Thursday:      Reading, learn spelling and mental maths for Friday tests, written maths activity

Friday:           Enjoy reading own library book, work on poem, topic work or class talk

If pupils have a music lesson, they may be required to catch up on any work that is missed at home that evening.  It is beneficial if reading is heard, along with assistance in learning spelling and mental maths topics for the Friday tests.  Written preps may also be monitored for neatness.

It is also helpful for me if you would write a brief note in the homework diary of any difficulties that have arisen.  For the most part, preps should be a routine reinforcement of the work covered in class.  Please sign your initials in the homework diary once your child has completed their prep.  Thank you.

Mark Sheet

In Form 5, a Mark Sheet will be sent home twice per term.  This gives some indication of the effort and progress shown during the preceding month.  The first one will be sent home on Friday 01 October.

If you have any queries or worries during the course of the year, please do not hesitate to contact me.  It is always easier to tackle the children’s difficulties, in whatever form they present themselves, sooner rather than later.  Please use my school e-mail address to contact me or call into school on a Monday, Wednesday or Friday afternoon at 3.30 pm.  This will avoid our staff meetings and late games nights.

An informal information afternoon will take place on Thursday 09 September at 3.30 pm.  Parents’ Meetings will be on Tuesday 05 October from 3.30 pm - 5.30pm and Wednesday 06 October from 6 pm - 8.30 pm.  Further details will be sent out nearer the time.

If you have anything you need clarification on please do not hesitate to contact us on:

• staffkthomson@craigclowan-school.co.uk

• staffsmcmorrine@craigclowan-school.co.uk

Yours sincerely

Karen Thomson                Sheila McMorrine