HOME LEARNING: Useful Resources

Welcome

Over the course of the next few days, we will aim to update this page of the website with some useful links and resources which will support pupils and parents with home-learning opportunities. 

As time progresses, we will also look to have links to specific class tasks or resources here too. 

If there is anything particular you would like to see here or need particular support with, then please do get in touch with us via consult@whitehill.herts.sch.uk.

Certainly, it is our intention that the initial few weeks were all about finding our feet, spending some quality time together and getting used to the current ‘new norm’ we find ourselves in. There will be plenty of time for evaluating what we are asking of our pupils and what support they might need.


LAST UPDATED – 28th May 2020

DfE consults on new National Plan for Music - Rhinegold DfE’s Online Resources for Home Education

The DfE have released a list of resources which may be of use to families who are looking for different resources across a range of subjects. We have not examined all these resources in detail but obviously they come from a trusted source.

They cover English, Maths, Science, PE, Wellbeing and SEND.

Individual resources cannot replace a school’s properly planned curriculum, and the resources in this list are not intended to do so.

They may be useful for parents in considering how they could support their children’s education, but they should not be used in place of existing resources which schools may be using as part of their continued provision for pupils’ education at this time.

BBC Bitesize

From 20 April, you’ll be able to access regular daily lessons in English and Maths, as well as other core subjects, in an expanded version of our website and also on special programmes broadcast on BBC iPlayer and BBC Red Button.

How Bitesize will support you while you’re learning from home.

Oak National Academy (@OakNational) | Twitter Oak National Academy

Another great set of resources produced by a team of teachers from across the country specifically for the current period of school closures. The site contains lessons on a whole range of subjects including videos and resources. 

Take a look at the resources available.

LBQ 

This is the resource we use at school with our new tablets and during this period of school closure, some teachers are making use of the remote access. 

LbQ have now opened up part of their site for use by families at home which may be of interest if you want to do a little more in any of the three core subjects. 

Take a look at the resources available.

Music To Our Ears 

For Year 5s missing their weekly woodwind fix or anyone else who wants a bit of structure and guidance with their music over the next few weeks, we recommend watching Mr Brunton’s Cre8iv-20 vlogs. Mr Brunton has been chatting to several members of staff and is keen to add some Whitehill specific resources over the coming days. Keep an eye open for them. 

Even if you are not Year 5, Mr Brunton is a source a positivity and a musical genius and so his page is definitely worth checking out. Our current Year 4s will get to work with him, all being well, from September. 

Mr Brunton has now uploaded two videos for Apollo and Voyager classes in particular as we weren’t able to hold our annual woodwind assembly. Definitely worth a watch.

The wonderful Mr Brunton has posted a new video for our Year 5 pupils so they don’t miss out too much on their flute and clarinet sessions. Have a look at share the results with your peers on Google Classroom. Enjoy!

Mr Brunton has sent over an updated link for the Year 5 pupils to continue with their music lessons. Again, I look forward to hearing about your successes. 

Stories for the stir-crazy

We are hoping that all of you are enjoying your class reads.  Some of you might be reading other things as well and we would love to hear all about them – recommendations can be really useful.  Finding the right book could provide the escape we all need at this particular moment in time…

As well as the free children’s books on Audible, there are lots of reading resources to check out online.  Mrs Vernon (our laudable librarian)  has kindly put together a list of some of her favourites:

Cosmic and Millions author, Frank Cottrell-Boyce, is reading bedtime stories and giving writing tips via his Instagram account. This 5 minute film on developing character is great.

We know how many of you enjoy illustrating your stories or indeed telling a story with illustrations.  For ideas and practice, have a look at popular illustrator Rob Biddulph’s  ‘Draw with Rob’ videos.

For our Cakes in Space fans, Author and illustrator Sarah McIntyre has lots of free activities on her webpage www.jabberworks.co.uk.

Sign up free to Authorfy to see (and hear) big name authors such as Michael Rosen and Michael Morpurgo share their stories, writing techniques and ideas.

Learn how to draw a Gruffalo with Axel Scheffler (you will need to use the pause button – it’s quick!) and much more at The British Library’s ‘Discovering Children’s books’ section

The World Book Day website has several well-known people reading stories as well as activities.

Illustrator, author and friend of Mrs McConnell Smith, James Mayhew, is presenting Story Time for Home Time which are a series of illustrated tales and well worth a look. James is best known for his ‘Katie’ series of books. 

Alex Rider fans will love watching Anthony Horowitz read from his latest book – Nightshade –  number 13 in the exciting spy series. 

Our younger pupils might like to hear how Gaspard the fox responds to how quiet everything has become in this gentle story reflecting the Coronavirus situation

Artist Activity Packs

Access to some artist activity packs. ‘Art is where the home is’ will give you ideas about how to get creative at home. Anyone can have a go – there are no specialist materials required, plus it’s completely FREE to download!

Creative Competition

Something which may appeal to the Year 6s from Wilde Class in particular but all are welcome to have a go. It’s a ‘hand washing challenge’ inviting pupils to come up with a creative way of encouraging children to wash their hands. 

Medicspot is calling all primary school children to share their creative ideas to help encourage frequent hand washing – the best way to keep yourself and others safe from coronavirus. Find out how you can enter and win £500 for Whitehill Junior School here: www.medicspot.co.uk/handwash

You could make a poster, film a video, record a song, do a science experiment or write a poem about hand-washing. All the details are on their website. 

Natural Flair

Sharon Lawton, from Natural Flair, has previously spoken at parent workshops at Whitehill and is providing support for families as we navigate through these uncharted waters. She has recently posted the following on a local partnership update:

We are going through uncertain times at the moment but there is one thing you can be certain of – I will continue to provide an empowering community that will support you in your parenting and family life. 

And so I have wonderful news to share! I am currently working on FREE tools and resources to support you and your family throughout this period. These will be streamed through my social media groups, facebook, instagram and twitter and I will also be offering free online courses to support family life and wellbeing so there was never a better moment to connect with me. It’s been fantastic to see how all of you are supporting each other with uplifting messages and useful tips and I am truly grateful to have you in this community. 

I am acutely aware of how Covid-19 is impacting on our usual family and day to day life and things might feel very overwhelming, however please join me for regular tips on managing anxiety, learning tips on helping kids manage their big feelings and “reclaim your calm” I look forward to connecting with you in a new and supportive way.

Wellbeing | Free Vectors, Stock Photos & PSD Wellbeing Web Links – updated

Mrs McConnell Smith has been searching for useful web links to support families who may want additional support beyond the realms of simple home learning activities. She has promised to keep an eye open for links and resources which may prove useful over the coming weeks and months. 

Time Capsule

One of our parents has brought this resource to my attention and it might be a bit of fun for the coming days. It is a fun way of recording this unprecedented moment in time. You can then put it away until some time in the future. We were saying in school the other day that this current period of time will appear on history curricula in the future. 

History

We showed you a taster before Easter; now you can watch the complete story of Ted-ankhamun, Ancient Egyptian furry pharaoh.

Happy Little Yogi

I wanted to let you know that Happy Little Yogi are supporting children and their families during the lockdown period by releasing daily children’s yoga classes on our YouTube channelThis may act as a great introduction to yoga as well as being an alternative to Joe Wicks.