Welcome to Gnome Class

Helpful information for Gnome Class

Key dates:

Monday 7th June - first day of half term 6

Wednesday 28th July - last day of half term 6

Key times:

9.00am - arrival time 

3.15pm - pick up time

Phonics and Reading day:

Every Tuesday will be our phonics and reading day in Gnome Class and your Gnome will need their bookbag and reading diary in school on that day and also on a Friday when we will send home some spelling homework. 

Outdoor learning:

Our Gnomes will be learning outside whatever the weather and will therefore need a pair of wellington boots (named) and a rain coat each day.  

PE:

Our Gnomes will not need a change of clothes for PE.  We will be focussing on simple yoga to help develop physical control and gross motor skills using simple PE resources.

Snack time:

Milk is available each morning and fruit in the afternoon for snack times.  Please send snacks in named containers or bags or, if you wish to purchase a snack, please send the correct money in a named purse, wallet or envelope either daily or for the whole week.

Toast - 30p   Tea cake - 40p   Croissant - 50p  (Monday to Thursday)

Pizza - 50p (Friday only)

Contact:

If you have any questions or need to let us know about anything please email:

                            dblackman@Gateford.notts.sch.uk

Gnome Class

Sports Day

HT6

Journey Around the World

For our final half term as Gnomes we will be travelling around the world and hoping to reach Japan in time for the Olympics.  We will visit London first and then head off to Mexico before visiting Australia, India, Egypt and China.  We are hoping to see some amazing landmarks in each country and learn a little about food and customs too.  It's going to be a long journey so make sure you are rested and ready.

Week 7

We made it.  We are finally in Japan getting ready for the Olympic Opening Ceremony on Friday. 

Japan is beautiful.  We have visited Mount Fuji and found out that it is a dormant volcano.  There are thousands of cherry blossom trees and we have tried to paint some too.  We found out that the capital city is Tokyo and have tried to remember it by saying it rhymes with Pinocchio. In maths we have been thinking about sharing.

Week 6

We are nearing the end of our journey around the world.  This week we have travelled back to Asia to China but the Gnomes wanted to see Greenland on the way.  It was quite a detour but worth it to see all the snow and the Northern Lights.  To get to Beijing we decided to walk through the Himalayas but we went round Mount Everest rather than over.  We have visited the Great Wall of China, it's amazing.  In maths we have been subtracting from numbers up to 20.

Week 5

This week we left India and flew to South Africa.  We then travelled north through the continent to reach Egypt.  We learned all about how important the River Nile is to the country and its people.  All the towns and cities are along the banks of the Nile as the rest of the country is desert.  We visited the pyramids and the Sphinx.  They are amazing.  In maths we are looking at numbers to 20 and adding numbers to make 20. 

Week 4

This week, on our journey around the world, we travelled from Canberra in Australia to India in the continent of Asia.  We have been learning about what it might be like to live in India.  It's such a busy and colourful country and there are so many people living there.  We found out about the festival of Diwali and we made our own Rangoli patterns.  We visited the Taj Mahal and tried to make our own models of the amazing temple.  In maths we have been learning about odd and even numbers.  Did you know that if you add two odd numbers together you get an even number for the answer?  

Week 3

This week we flew east from Mexico to visit Australia.  What an amazing country.  We visited Uluru and spent some time exploring the Outback.  We learned about marsupials and how they have a pouch to protect their babies.  Did you know that a wombat's pouch is back to front?  Ask a Gnome to see if they can remember why...

In maths this week we learned about halving which we now know is the opposite of doubling. 

Week 2

This week we left London and flew to the continent of North America.  We landed in Mexico and visited the capital city, Mexico City.  We found out that the climate in Mexico changes between the north where there are deserts and the south where there are rainforests.  We learned that some of the cactus plants in the deserts can grow to 60 feet tall.  Wow!  In maths we have been doubling numbers.

Week 1

We began our journey around the world this week by travelling to London with Charlie and Lola.  We saw all the landmarks: Buckingham Palace, Wembley Stadium, Queen Elizabeth's Tower (which houses Big Ben - the bell for the clock) and lots of other famous sights.  We found out about capital cities of Great Britain and learned a little about our Royal Family.  In maths we continued our investigation of teen numbers.

Mini Olympics - Week 6

For our final week we learned how to take part in new age kurling.  We had to slide the stone and hit the bean bag targets.  We were all really good at it.

Week 5 - Mini Olympics

This week we learned some of the techniques and skills required to play boccia.  It was really tricky and we had to concentrate really hard to hit the targets.

Week 4

Mini Olympics

This week we learned how to fence.  We didn't realise that the sword is actually called a foil.  We learned some new techniques and then scored points for our country.

Week 3 - Mini Olympics

This week we learned some handball skills.  We had a lot of fun and scored tons of points for our countries.

Week 2 - Mini Olympics

This week's challenge was athletics.  We hurdled, threw javelins, tried out our long jump skills and ran a relay race.

Week 1 - Mini Olympics

Our challenge this week was archery.  We had an excellent coach who taught us all the correct way to hold our bow, how to load the arrow and how to aim for the target. 

Friday 7th May was NSPCC Number Day.  In Gnome Class we explored number and number patterns using Numicon shapes and Cuisenaire rods.  We also coloured pictures of our favourite numbers, built towers to compare and perfected our number formation skills.

HT 5

Into the Animal Kingdom

During HT5 we will be exploring the animal kingdom.  We will learn about different habitats such as rainforests, savannahs and deserts and find out what makes them special places.  We will research a wide range of wild animals, some less familiar to us than others.  Let's hope our Gnomes are ready to trek the jungle, climb the sand dunes and spot creatures everywhere to investigate.

Week 6

This week we shared the most lovely book by Anthony Browne - Gorilla.  We thought about how Hannah was feeling as her dad was always so busy.  We also investigated the amazing lowland gorillas.  We thought about how to describe a gorilla and came up with some excellent descriptive words.  But, by far the most exciting part of the week was when the panda at Edinburgh Zoo finally appeared on the web cam which we have been checking up on for the last three weeks.  In maths we have been looking at numbers 16 to 20.

Week 5

This week we have been learning about the work of the zoo vet.  We found out that they have to be very careful as they often work with very dangerous animals.  We have been keeping a close eye on the webcams at Edinburgh zoo.  We really wanted to catch a glimpse of the panda and we also spotted that the penguins have chicks.  In maths we have been thinking about numbers 11 to 15 and investigating how they are made.  Did you know that 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 5 = 15?  We love this number fact.

Week 4

This week has been all about zoos.  We have been watching 'One Zoo Three' to learn about the amazing conservation work being carried out by zoos around the world.  We have found out about more endangered animals and what we can do to help.  In maths we are investigating numbers over 10.  We have been reciting, counting objects, recognising digits and ordering digits.  We have all worked really hard.

Week 3

This week was very short but we did manage to go on an African safari across the Savannah and plains.  We met lots of interesting and dangerous creatures.  It was also Number Day on Friday.  We have been exploring number and number patterns using lots of new Numicon equipment.

Week 2

This week we learned more about rainforests.  We travelled from the South American Amazon rainforest to South East Asia where we explored the Sumatran rainforest.  We discovered that lots of the animals there are endangered and found out what it means when an animal becomes extinct!

Week 1

This week we put on our walking boots and packed our rucksacks for a virtual adventure in the rainforest.  We learned about the layers of the forest and why it is such an important habitat in our wonderful world.  Do you know what the longest river in the world is?  We found out this week and we also found out about some of the creatures that live in it!!!

HT4

Into My Tummy

This half term is all about food. 

We will be learning about fruit and vegetables and where they come from.  We will hopefully be planting seeds in our Gnome Class kitchen garden.  We will also think about how to keep ourselves fit and healthy.  

Week 6

This week we learned how chocolate was made.  We predicted that there would be milk and sugar in the chocolate but we didn't know that the other ingredient grew on trees.  We watched the process of picking, drying, roasting and grinding the cacao beans and then watched what happened in the chocolate factory.  It made us feel hungry.  We have also been learning about the Easter story, Easter traditions here in Britain and what people do all around the world to celebrate.  We made Easter cards and decorated our Easter tree.

Week 5

Another amazing week in Gnome Class.  Everyone is working really hard with their phonics, reading, mathematics and topic challenges.  Every day we are amazed at how enthusiastic and eager our Gnomes are.  This week we shared 'The Disgusting Sandwich' and learned all about how to make bread.  Then we made some of our own and tested it to make sure it was as delicious as it smelled.  In maths we are really beginning to understand number bonds of 10 and we keep smashing our 'Hit the Button' record when we play as a class.

World Book Day Potatoes

Here are some photographs of the amazing decorated potatoes.  Can you work out which book characters they represent?  Well done everyone!

Home Learning

HT4

Home Learning

HT3

Week 4

This week we learned about keeping ourselves healthy.  We investigated eating a balanced diet, having a happy attitude, exercising our bodies and having a healthy sleep pattern.  In maths we have been learning about the number bonds of 10.  We are working really hard with our reading and writing skills.  We are also taking more responsibility for our learning and completing our red table challenges every day.

Week 3

It was absolutely brilliant to all be back in class this week.

This week we learned all about where our food comes from.  We investigated shopping now and in the past but then we found out how the food gets to the shops for us to buy.  We really enjoyed the video all about how milk gets from the cows to the shops, fascinating.  We are becoming more independent in our learning and each day we have to complete a 'red table task' to show our understanding.  

Week 2

It was great to be back in school with our key worker children this week.  Our book was 'Oliver's Vegetables' and we had lots of fun making Oliver from potatoes to celebrate World Book Day.  We also looked at lots of different types of vegetables and fruits.  We were very surprised when we cut open a passion fruit.  In maths this week we investigated 3D shapes and their properties.

Week 1

This week we were all learning from home again.  Our book was 'Handa's Surprise' and we learned about where fruit comes from.  We talked about our favourite fruits.  In maths we investigated 2D shapes.  We were surprised to find that shapes are everywhere.

Into the Unknown

This half term we will be exploring space, visiting the Moon and the planets in our solar system.  Then our unknown element will be more related to creatures (no spoilers though).

Week 4

This week we have been exploring castles.  We found out about the structure of a castle and how knights were there to protect them and their inhabitants.  We also researched dragons and drew some of our own.  Well done to our 'home learners' for their amazing drawings and work this week too.

Week 3

This week we went on a journey through our solar system.  We learned how the sun never moves and all the planets rotate around it.  We pretended to be the planets and made our own living solar system.  We also found out about stars and constellations.  Our small world became Mars and we built space stations.  In maths we have met 9 and 10 and in phonics we are improving our writing.

Week 2

This week was all about the Moon.  We learned that Neil Armstrong was the first man to walk on the Moon and then it was Buzz Aldrin.  We felt sad for Michael Collins as he had to stay in the command module and didn't get to land on the Moon.  We have been learning all about 6, 7 and 8 in maths and in phonics we are cracking on with phase 3 sounds and digraphs.  Plus, we had lots of fun in the snow on Thursday!

Week 1

What a week.  Everyone back in school on Monday ready for a fun-packed half term?!?  It was so lovely to see all the lovely smiling faces as the Gnomes all returned full of Christmas stories.  Unfortunately, we now find ourselves back in lockdown.  Here are some photos of what all the Gnomes got up to on Monday and then some of the key-worker group as they worked through the rest of the week.  

Gnome Class Christmas Songs 2020

Please head over to the Video Resource Centre on the Children's tab to watch our Christmas Song video.  Then look through the following photographs to spot your Gnome.

Into the Woods

Our topic for half term 2 is called 'Into the Woods' and we will be learning all about British woodland.  We will find out about the animals and plants which live in a woodland habitat.

Week 6

This week we have learned all about spiders and what amazing creatures they are.  Did you know that a spider is an arachnid and they can have as many eyes as they do legs?  We looked at different types of spider and how they spin their webs.  We shared 'The Very Busy Spider' and we also listened to an African folk tale about Anansi the spider.  In maths we investigated the very important super hero that is the number zero and in phonics we have now covered all the sounds in phase 2.  

Week 5

This week we have been learning all about owls and we shared a great book called The Owl Babies.  Do you know how many different types of owl are native to Great Britain?  Owls are amazing birds and we learned some amazing facts about them.  In maths we have been thinking about one more and one less and we have been solving lots of related problems.  In phonics we are nearly at the end of phase 2 initial sounds and we are reading and writing more every day.

Week 4

This week was all about the seasons of the year.  We learned the sequence of the seasons and the types of weather and events that happen during each.  We watched a video about each season and listened to music by Antonio Vivaldi called the Four Seasons.  In maths we have been learning the rules of counting and started to look at number bonds.  We are really enjoying joining in with Mr Hartmann's songs about number!  In phonics we are still learning our initial sounds and beginning to look at caption reading and writing.  Everyone is working so hard and making us so very proud.

Week 3

This week our book was 'Squirrel's Busy Day' so we learned all about the different woodland animals in the book.  We found out about the mammals and insects which inhabit our woodland.  In maths we met number 5 and learned how to form the number correctly.  In phonics we are cracking on with our initial sounds.  We are also working hard to segment and blend words.  Please keep working on this at home too as it really helps.

Week 2

This week has been all about hedgehogs.  We shared 'The Very Helpful Hedgehog' and thought about all the people who help us.  We have been learning about nocturnal animals and what animals do in the winter.  We now know that animals do three things during the winter - they survive, hibernate or migrate.  We introduced the number 4 in maths and 4 more new sounds in phonics.  Amazing learning this week.  Well done Gnomes.

Week 1

This week we shared the book 'We're going on a Leaf Hunt' and we added our own tree and adventure to the story.  We learned about different types of tree and why they are so important to us.  When we looked at a picture of Major Oak at Sherwood we got interested in Robin Hood so we found some books to find out more about him and his band of merry men.  We also really enjoyed exploring the website of the Woodland Trust.  I've added a link below so you can explore it more together.  In phonics we have started phase 2 and have been learning how to write our new sounds.  On our reading day on Tuesday we all practised our sounds and we are starting to segment and blend simple words.  It would be great if grown ups could help at home by continuing to practise the sounds and words in our bookbags.

Phonics game

Just a little idea for helping your Gnome to learn their P2 sounds.  Zack's mum sent me this message -

With the gnome letter activity you gave us to follow I've done it in the form of a treasure hunt so each week we do the letters given. Zack then has to follow the map to find the correct letters then once he finds the X he wins treasure at the end. 

Sounds like a fun way to practise.

Into the Sea

This half term we will be learning all about the sea and all things related.  Keep checking our class page for photographs of what we have been doing.

Look at what we did at home!

Week 7

The last week of half term 1.  How did that go so quickly? This week we learned about the 5 oceans of the world and how they are all joined.  We explored the different layers of the oceans and were amazed at some of the strange creatures living in the deepest layer of the Abyss.  In maths we have been revising and consolidating our understanding of number 1, 2 and 3.  In phonics we are getting ready for Phase 2 and have been segmenting and blending simple words.  We are ready for our half term break but very excited about what awaits us in half term 2. 

Week 6

This week we have been learning all about coral and the Great Barrier Reef.  We researched octopuses and seahorses and couldn't believe some of the amazing facts we found out about them.  In maths we have been comparing the size of groups of shells.  We also looked at how tall or short things were and which containers held the most milkshake.  It's been a very busy week as usual.

Week 5

This week has been all about snails and whales.  We shared 'The Snail and the Whale' and learned all about whales and sharks and how different they are.  We talked about polluti0n and recycling and remembered that when we go to the beach we 'take nothing but memories and leave nothing but footprints.'  In maths we have been sorting by colour, shape, size and number.  It's been a busy week!

Week 4

This week we have been learning about lighthouses, herring gulls and puffins.  We shared 'The Lighthouse Keeper's Lunch' and 'Puffin Peter' and searched the internet for puffin facts.  Did you know a baby puffin is called a puffling?  In maths we have been matching pairs and the Gnomes helped me to sort my sock drawer as all the pairs were mixed up!  In phonics we explored the sounds we could make with our hands, feet and other body parts.  Exciting news - our radish plants are beginning to grow.

Week 3

This week we have been learning about the different creatures that live in rock pools.  We have learned many fascinating facts about these animals - did you know that a starfish has no brain or blood?  Why not ask your Gnome what other amazing facts they can remember?  In maths it has been all about positional language and the Gnomes have been answering in whole sentences where the monkey, crab or bear is.  Another busy week.

Week 2

This week we shared the book 'Lucy and Tom at the Seaside' and discussed the types of things we like to do at the beach.  We learned why the seaside is not in the middle of the country and looked at different resorts in Britain which we might have visited.  In maths our focus was the days of the week and we learned the Makaton Signs for each day, it was really tricky to sing our song and sign at the same time.  We are trying to improve our listening skills and we are all trying very hard to show our 'good sitting, good looking and good listening' techniques.

Week 1

This week was all about getting to know each other and finding out what it is like to be a Gnome.  Here are some photos of our explorations.