Purple Class Plants

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Purple Class have been taking great pride in looking after some pea seeds that we are growing. We have been learning during our science lessons how all plants need light and water if the seeds are to grow. Having planted the seeds, we chose a suitable location in the classroom in which to attract some light. Each class member has been remembering each day to water their plants.

Our artwork has built upon this theme. We wanted the children to know what to expect from our plants when the pea pods start to grow. We have created a collage using green tissue paper to create some pods.

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We have also been looking forward to the Turney School Christmas production during our art sessions. Purple Class will be singing the Sock Song during the grand performance of Christmas Colours on 4 December. Each class member has created a Christmas sock that we can put on display during the performance.

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Yellow Class CiP

The Yellow Class pupils are becoming increasingly confident in making decisions and asking independently for their mid-morning snack. We value this experience at Turney School as not only the opportunity to eat a healthy treat, but also to encourage all pupils to make a decision and then express their thoughts.

Communication in Print plays a large part in this process. Each pupil has their own CiP book of characters and signs. We invite each class member to come to the serving table to see what choices of snack are available, and then communicate their choice. The use of CiP is just as important as a verbal instruction.

You can watch a short video of the Yellow Class mid-morning snack choosing experience above.

Elsewhere in Yellow Class and our maths work has advanced to look at coins and money. The children have been learning to count in the correct order during the autumn term. We are now taking this knowledge and working with coins to help gain an understanding of money.

Yellow Class have been looking at how coins can be different colours, they have different sizes and different shapes. The main difference that we have been looking out for is the different value of each coin. Yellow Class have been working with 1p, 2p, 5p and 10p pieces.

We started off our work by counting how many current buns were on display in the Yellow Class shop. Each class member was then invited to buy a set number of buns by choosing the correct amount of money. We communicated this activity through the use of a song.

We continued our coin work during the Yellow Class table activity time. Each pupil was able to identify the different features of each coin, and then match up an image with a plastic coin.

You can listen to a short recording of our coin counting below.

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Class 1G Planets

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Class 1G have been exploring the solar system as part of our current science topic. The pupils have been looking at the different colours of each planet, as well as comparing the sizes.

We used some coloured balloons to help represent the solar system. We asked each class member to choose a balloon that represented the colour of a particular planet. We then blew our balloons up to the appropriate size.

Class 1G have also completed a colouring exercise using our solar system knowledge. We helped each pupil to choose the correct colour for each planet.

Class 2S Science

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Class 2S have been learning about the different body parts on a human during our recent science work. Each class member has produced a large picture of the body of a boy which we have now labeled. Our task was to find the correct body part names to match up with the diagram.

We asked each class member to explain what they were doing and to add in some observational sentences: I have two legs, but only one neck, etc.

Class 10 Ukulele Video

We are pleased to have introduced the ukuleles to secondary school music teaching at Turney School. This is a wonderful instrument for the students to take the first steps in learning about the musical string family. Class 10 were captivated by the possibilities of the ukulele after having spent only one session in being introduced to the basic techniques.

Each class member was given their own ukulele as we started our learning by looking at chords and rhythm. We learnt that it is important to play our strumming techniques together and in time with the beat.

The four main chords were introduced – G, C, E and A. The students were able to use these chords in different combinations to play a number of songs – The Sailor Went to Sea and What Shall We Do With the Drunken Sailor. We also had some extra excitement in the lesson, as one of the young ukulele players is left-handed!

We will introduce more chords to the pupils as the teaching progresses. We are hopeful of the first public performance of the Turney School Ukulele Orchestra possibly taking place at the Christmas concert on 4 December.

Meanwhile you can watch a short video of our very first Class 10 ukulele session above.

Class 10 Basketball

Class 10 have been improving their basketball techniques during recent P.E. sessions. We are fortunate at Turney School to have a dedicated basketball court for the pupils to play upon.

The pupils have been learning how some of the ball control skills that we need when playing basketball are very different to some other ball sports that we are familiar with. In particular the backspin that we need when shooting at the hoop is something that Class 10 have been perfecting.

After a short warm up, we introduced the students to the idea of the Get Set shot. As the name suggests, this is a specific shooting opportunity when we have to set ourselves up for a winning basket. A good sense of balance, some shooting space and the ability to add some backspin are all-important.

When the pupils felt confident with the Get Set technique, we then added in the idea of dribbling. We asked Class 10 to set up a short dribble towards the basket, and then to put in place the Get Set shot.

We finished off our learning with the introduction of a friendly defender. We continued to dribble, and then when we reached the non-contact defender we knew that it was time to take our shot.

Class 10 learnt that the use of backspin and shooting upwards could help us when presented with a defender. We can shoot the ball over the top of the defender by using the Get Set shot. You can watch a short video from the Class 10 basketball session above.

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Class 11 GCSE Art

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The Class 11 students at Turney School are preparing for their GCSE Art Exams. The main assessment will start in the spring term. We are using these final few weeks in the run up to Christmas to make sure that all students feel confident in their artistic abilities ahead of the assessment.

A recent piece of work has been inspired by the artist Chris Ofili. The students have been looking at the role of portraits as a form of artististic expression.

Some pupils have created a blown up image of their own head shape using the class projector. These profiles have been given a unique individual feel with some incredibly delicate collage decoration.

Other pupils have taken photographs of their own head profile, and then used different techniques to help manipulate the image. We have asked the students to think about the symmetry of the head shape, and to use mirrors to create an accurate self-image.

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“Class

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Class 11 GCSE Art Preparation

“Class

The Class 11 students at Turney School are preparing for their GCSE Art Exams. The main assessment will start in the spring term. We are using these final few weeks in the run up to Christmas to make sure that all students feel confident in their artistic abilities ahead of the assessment.

A recent piece of work has been inspired by the artist Chris Ofili. The students have been looking at the role of portraits as a form of artististic expression.

Some pupils have created a blown up image of their own head shape using the class projector. These profiles have been given a unique individual feel with some incredibly delicate collage decoration.

Other pupils have taken photographs of their own head profile, and then used different techniques to help manipulate the image. We have asked the students to think about the symmetry of the head shape, and to use mirrors to create an accurate self-image.

“Class

“Class

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School News: 4 Dec – Christmas Show

Find out about future events with our online diary.

3 Dec – Christmas Colours dress rehearsal.

4 Dec – Performance of Christmas Colours show – all parents, carers and family members most welcome!

5 Dec – Class 1G assembly.

9th Dec – Class 1M horse riding at Vauxhall City Farm.

10 Dec – Class 10 Transport and Safety workshop.

18 Dec – Christmas lunch.

18 Dec – Winter Fair.

20 Dec – Last day of term – possible visit from Father Christmas!

8 Jan – School re-opens for the first day of teaching of the spring term.

Yellow Class CiP Choosing Video

The Yellow Class pupils are becoming increasingly confident in making decisions and asking independently for their mid-morning snack. We value this experience at Turney School as not only the opportunity to eat a healthy treat, but also to encourage all pupils to make a decision and then express their thoughts.

Communication in Print plays a large part in this process. Each pupil has their own CiP book of characters and signs. We invite each class member to come to the serving table to see what choices of snack are available, and then communicate their choice. The use of CiP is just as important as a verbal instruction.

You can watch a short video of the Yellow Class mid-morning snack choosing experience above.

Elsewhere in Yellow Class and our maths work has advanced to look at coins and money. The children have been learning to count in the correct order during the autumn term. We are now taking this knowledge and working with coins to help gain an understanding of money.

Yellow Class have been looking at how coins can be different colours, they have different sizes and different shapes. The main difference that we have been looking out for is the different value of each coin. Yellow Class have been working with 1p, 2p, 5p and 10p pieces.

We started off our work by counting how many current buns were on display in the Yellow Class shop. Each class member was then invited to buy a set number of buns by choosing the correct amount of money. We communicated this activity through the use of a song.

We continued our coin work during the Yellow Class table activity time. Each pupil was able to identify the different features of each coin, and then match up an image with a plastic coin.

You can listen to a short recording of our coin counting below.

“Yellow