Key Stage 2 Christmas Carol Concert
Key Stage 2 were fantastic this morning in church for our annual Christmas Carol Concert. Everyone remembered their lines and said them so clearly, and the carols were sung beautifully by all. Well done KS2! Happy Christmas!
Year 3 Christmas Dinner
After an amazing KS2 Christmas Carol Service, Year 3 all enjoyed eating their Christmas dinner in the hall with the rest of the school and singing along to the Christmas songs.
Year 3 - Courageous Advocacy - All About Rubbish
During our Courageous Advocacy afternoon Year 3 were looking at the problems around rubbish. The children had a problem tree and a solution tree that they had to complete. They discussed what caused rubbish, the effects rubbish had on the environment and what sort of rubbish they saw around them and then wrote these onto the problem tree. Using the solution tree they came up with different ideas on how they could change things. They decided that things that would help would be workshops in schools about how rubbish affects us , volunteering in your local area litter picking and changing the packaging on some items.
Year 3 Maths - Solving Subtraction And Addition Problems to 100
During maths , Year 3 have been looking at solving maths problems for numbers up to 100, using subtraction and addition. Using a highlighter they read through each question highlighting words and numbers to help them find the answers.
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Year 3 R.E. - Asking Important Questions About Religion and Beliefs
We looked at the image of the Vicar who had just been ordained by the Bishop. We discussed what it means to be ordained and the role that the Vicar has within the Church community. We then compared this with the role of a Rabbi in Judaism and the Imam in Islam.
Year 3 Art - Drawing By Torchlight
In their art lesson Year 3 continued their work on using charcoal. Today they drew a still life of toys lit by torches, creating atmospheric drawings with a strong narrative content.
Year 3 - Art - Using Charcoal
In Art, Year 3 have continued looking at the different ways they can use charcoal. They drew around their hands using light and dark lines then used their fingers to smudge the charcoal to form a shadow. After smudging the charcoal they drew a picture of an animal using the charcoal on their fingers.
Should I Keep My Child Off School?
Lots of bugs and germs are spreading, and we know you want to do what is best for your child. Please see the NHS guidance below on keeping your child off school. If you are keeping your child at home, please contact the school office as soon as you can.
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Lunch time
At Lunchtime today, the children didn't let the cold bother them! We all had lots of fun, there were snowmen of all different shapes and sizes! Children made snow angels and had a really enjoyable time running around in the snow. Then we all had to get a snowball and try and hit Mrs Meagher with it.
Year 3 R.E. - Discussing And Interpreting Bible Stories
In R.E. Year 3 have been discussing different bible stories. Today they looked at different artists pictures of 'Jonah and the Whale ' and talked about the story and identified that Christians should believe in God even when it's not clear.
Year 3 Art - Discovering What I Can Do With Charcoal
In Art, Year 3 has been learning about Chiaroscuro, an Italian word meaning 'light-dark' and we looked at three pictures including Leonardo da Vinci's 'Saint John the Baptist'. They looked at how Cave people created pictures using burnt wood then created their own pictures with charcoal using light and dark marks.
Year 3 History - Identifying Artifacts From The Stone Age.
In this week's History lesson Year 3 became archaeologists. They looked at pictures of different artifacts that were found buried in a Stone Age grave and gathered information answering the questions, What is it? What is it made from? What was it used for?
Year 3 Science - How Our Muscles Work
In Science Year 3 have been learning about the different muscles in our bodies. They looked at whether the heart, stomach, small intestines and biceps moved voluntarily or involuntarily. They made a model of an arm to show how the muscles contract and relax.
Year 3 Computing - Making Our Own Computer Program
In computing Year 3 have been using 2code to make their own computer program. We realised we could use the repeat button rather than writing the same code multiple times. We managed to make the turtle draw a square when the button was pressed.
Year 3 Music - Keeping To The Beat Of Four
In music Year 3 have been learning to keep to the beat of four. The children worked in a circle passing a cup on the first beat and then clapping three more beats to make four, repeating the pattern and keeping in time with each other.
Year 3 Science - Recognising The Bones In Our Bodies
In today's Science lesson Year 3 have been learning how to recognise the main bones in their body. They also collected data by measuring each bone and ordering them from shortest to longest.
Year 3 Art - Using Charcoal
In Art, Year 3 have been discovering the different things they can do with charcoal through gestural mark making.
Year 3 History - Recognising The Chronology And Significance Of Prehistory
Year 3 have been looking at ordering events from history on a timeline. They worked in groups to lay out a timeline and then discussed between themselves what events they knew had happened and placed them on the line using post it notes. They thought of events such as the Coronation of King Charles, World War 1 and 2, The Great Fire of London and Florence Nightingale.
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Year 3 PSHE - Planning A Healthy Meal
In PSHE, Year 3 received an email from Derek the Penguin. He wanted their advice about making healthy food for his friend's birthday party. In groups the children talked about the different food groups and then designed their own healthy menus.
Year 3 P.E. - Gymnastic Shapes
Year 3 have been practicing different shapes in gymnastics and worked with a partner to create a short 'point' and 'patch' balance routine.
Year 3 English - Aesop's Fables - Asking Questions
This week Year 3 have started their new topic in English all about Aesop's Fables. Today's fable was The Tortoise and the Hare. They took turns to hot seat at the front of the class as one of the characters whilst the rest of the class asked them questions.
Year 3 DT Tasting Our Broth
This term Year 3 have been learning about making a broth. They looked at the different ingredients they would need and where it came from. How to prepare the vegetables and finally they got to make and taste their own broth.
Year 3 English - An Independent Write About Antarctica
Year 3 have been learning how to write a leaflet in their English lessons. They used their knowledge about Antarctica from their Geography lessons to create an independent leaflet.
Year 3 Science - Making Shadow Puppets
In Year 3's science lesson we have been learning about shadows. Today they learnt how to tell a story using different shadows that they made using their hands. The children created shadows of animals, butterflies and trees.
Year 3 D.T. - Preparing Vegetables
During this term in D.T. Year 3 has been learning how to make a broth. Today they have been preparing the different vegetables that they will be using. They have learnt how to safely peel potatoes and how to slice carrots, leeks, and onions.
Fire Safety
A Home Office study has found that approximately 350 children are injured in accidental fires every year
Year 3 - P.E Team Building And Spatial Awareness
During our P.E. lesson Year 3 have been playing Capture the Flag. This helps to build team work as well as spatial awareness.
Year 3 - R.E. The Festival of Sukkot
In their R.E. lesson, Year 3 has been learning about the Jewish Festival of Sukkot. Some of the class collected sticks and leaves to build their own Sukkah. This is a special shelter built for the week-long festival, that will be used for sleeping in, praying in and for sharing special meals and stories with their family.
Year 3 - DT Researching Where Fruit And Vegetables Are Grown.
This week in DT, Year 3 have been using the chromebooks to research where fruits and vegetables are grown around the world. Some of the things they discovered where that coffee comes from South America, oranges from Europe and mangoes from Asia.
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Year 3 Library
Every Tuesday lunchtime Year 3 have the chance to visit the library to change their own Home Reading books. They enjoy looking at the different books as well as reading them to each other.
Year 3 Science - Investigating How Distance Affects The Size Of Shadows
In science, Year 3 looked at how distance affects the size of a shadow. They used a torch to create a shadow of a cat against a whiteboard. By moving the torch away they discovered that the size of the shadow changed. The shadow got bigger the closer the torch got to the object and then smaller as it moved further away.
Breakfast Club
In the Breakfast club we made brick towers bigger than a year 5 child and played Guess Who Games . We had lots of fun.
Year 3 - Maths - Adding And Subtracting 1s
In maths, Year 3 have been learning to add and subtract 1 from a 3 digit number using the base 10 equipment.
Year 3 - Science - Do Shadows Change During The Day?
In science Year 3 continued to look at light and shadows. Today they found out that shadows are the longest when the sun rises and sets. It is at its shortest at midday.
Year 3 - French - Learning About Feelings
This week, Year 3 have learnt how to talk about feelings in French. They played the game 'Hello Mary' using french phrases to say how they were feeling and answering with C'est and their name.
Year 3 French - Greeting
Bonjour from Year 3. Today in French we have been learning different greetings for different times of the day. We greeted visitors into Year 3 with Bonjour and Au revoir when they left.
Year 3 Science - Comparing Light Reflections
In science today Year 3 have been comparing light reflecting on different surfaces. They used data loggers with objects including tin foil, mirrors, spoons, black paper and sunglasses to see which reflected the most light.
Year 3 P.E. - Fundamentals
In P.E. Year 3 have been practicing moving at different speeds with control.
DT - Tasting Vegetables
In DT this term Year 3 are making vegetable soup. Today they tasted lots of different vegetables including, peppers, onions, carrots, parsnips, cauliflowers and leeks. They then discussed how each one smelt, tasted, looked and felt.
Year 3 - English - Paddington Bear and Marmalade Sandwiches
Year 3 started their new English topic all about Paddington Bear. They started by looking for clues to identify the story they would be reading ,then made delicious marmalade sandwiches.
What Parents and Educators Need to Know about Worry and Anxiety
At times, growing up can be a stressful experience. It’s not unheard of for young people to fret about things that could potentially go wrong in their lives – and what implications this would have for their life. In some situations, this can go beyond feeling uneasy about the future and become full-blown anxiety, which affects their mental, emotional and even physical wellbeing. While worry and anxiety can originate from many different places, it's immensely important for parents and educators to understand the effect this can have on youngsters – and how best to support them if they’re going through a difficult time. This guide provides insight into the ramifications of worry and anxiety, and how you can help children manage – and hopefully overcome – these challenges.
Year 3 French
In French, Year 3 have been learning how to describe shapes using their French vocab knowledge of shape, colour and size. Today they made pictures in the style of the French artist, Henri Matisse, who also used coloured shapes. They brilliantly labeled their work in French.
Year 3 English - Researching Dogs For Their Own Stories
During English Year 3 have been reading 101 Dalmatians. Today they have been using the Chromebooks to research different breeds of dog. They will use this information to create a new character for their story.
Year 3 DT - Making A Pop Up Book
Year 3 completed their pop up books this week. They learnt how to design the characters for their chosen nursery rhymes and how to make their pop ups work.
Witton Park Athletics
Tonight our children in Years 3,4,5 and 6 took part in Witton Park Athletics. The children participated in relay races, throwing, jumping and sprinting. They all did a wonderful job, behaved impeccably and showed great sportsmanship, a huge well done to them all! They did Darwen St James proud!
Year 3 Music - Pentatonic Haiku
During music, Year 3 listened to a poem and had to write and play a melody to go with it.
Year 3 English - Features of a Villain
Working in small groups year 3 looked at various fictional villains including Captain Hook, Lord Voldemort, The White Witch and Cruella De Vil. They gathered information including physical appearance, negative noun phrases and how they made other characters feel.
Year 3 Art - Making A Moving Picture Book
In today's art lesson, Year 3 began to put together their moving picture books. They designed their own cover based on their favourite nursery rhyme and completed the first step in making the pop up part inside.
Year 3 English - Developing A Character From A Narrative
Year 3 have been reading the story of 101 Dalmatians during their English lessons. Today they looked at Cruella De Vil and using noun phrases wrote about her character thinking about what she looked like, how she behaved and the effect she had on other characters.
Year 3 Science - Identifying The Growth and Survival Needs of Plants
Today Year 3 started a new topic in science looking at plants. They looked at the growth and survival needs of plants and posed relevant questions. How does different types of air affect plants? How much water does a plant need? How do plants grow in different types of light? They then set up an experiment in class by planting four trays of seeds. The first tray had no water, the second a splash of water, the third a normal amount and the last one is being over watered. They will be checking the seeds daily and recording the results.
Year 3 Writing - Using Dictionaries
Year 3 are enjoying reading the story 'One Hundred and One Dalmatians' for their English topic. Today they used chromebooks to look up and write the definitions of words from the story
Year 3 Maths - Solving Problems Using Time
In maths year 3 has been learning about the hours in a day. They were using base 10 to find out how many hours there would be in multiple days and to solve time problems.
Science Day - Making Things Grow
During Science Day Year 3 looked at plants and what they needed to grow. They made their own cress potato heads using a potato, cotton wool and cress seeds.
Year 3 - Geography - Rivers
Year 3 have been learning about the importance of water and rivers. They learnt about the water cycle and labelled the features of a river such as mudflats, waterfalls, tributaries, ports and towns.
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Year 3 French - Describing Animal Actions.
In today's French lesson Year 3 have been learning how to describe the actions of different animals.
Year 3 Maths Group - Analogue time, o'clock and Half Past
In maths today the boys have been looking at o'clock and half past. They had to say the time on the analogue clocks and then match it to the written time.
Year 3 Art - Printing Collograph Blocks
In Art today, Year 3 used the collograph blocks they designed last week to print onto fabric squares using rollers and coloured ink.
Year 3 P.E. - Throwing skills
In P.E. Year 3 have been learning to throw different pieces of equipment. They threw balls and javelins overarm to see how far they would go, and bean bags underarm into hoops.
Year 3 Maths - Digital Time
Year 3 has been learning how to tell the time. Today they were looking at reading minutes on a digital clock.
St James Rainbows and Brownies
St James Rainbows and Brownies have spaces available. They meet each week at St James Over Darwen Church. Rainbows is for girls aged 4 - 7 and Brownies is for girls aged 7 - 9. The children earn different badges, they bake, craft, raise money and have lots of fun! Please contact Lisa on 07895023147 for more information.
Year 3 History - Preparing for the Afterlife.
During their topic on the Ancient Egyptians Year 3 have been learning about the process of Mummification and how the Egyptians were prepared for the afterlife.
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Micro:bit Club - Creating a Digital Pet
Today the children have been programming their Micro:bit to create a digitial pet. There were lots of variables needed and lots of code to debug! The children showed gret perseverence and were proud of their finished program.
Year 3 - Computing - Adding an Attachment to an Email.
In our computer lesson today Year 3 have been learning how to add an attachment to an email. They had to reply to an email from the King then attach the safety quiz that they had made last lesson.
Year 3 - Music - Ordering a Sequence of Notes
In music today year 3 have been using their listening skills to order a sequence of notes and to play music using graphic notation.
Year 3 English - Identifying a Key Idea in a Paragraph
Today in English, Year 3 have been identifying key ideas in paragraphs about the Ancient Egyptians. Each group were given packs containing paragraphs and subheadings. They had to read each paragraph and match it with the correct subheading. Taking it in turns the children then moved around the room to see if the paragraphs had been sorted correctly.
Ordering School Meals Via ParentPay
We have listened to your feedback regarding wanting to know what your child eats in school and we have now activated ParentPay meal ordering so that you can order what your child will eat in school (please note thaat this will be compulsory form September). Please familiarise yourself with this by logging on to your ParentPay account and selecting your child's meals with them at home. Dinners need to be ordered before 9am. Please message Miss Greenwood if you have any problems logging on, thank you.
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A Huge Thank You to Woods Fruit and Veg!
We would like to say a HUGE thank you to Woods Fruit & VEG for supplying our fruit over the past few months, whilst we were in receipt of a food grant for our Key Stage 2 pupils. The fruit was lovely and fresh and the children really enjoyed it. We are missing your tangerines already!
Year 3 English - IdentifyingKey Words in Paragraphs
In English today, Year 3 worked in small groups to research facts about Tutankhamun and the Pharaohs. They then shared their facts with rest of the class.
Year 3 - History - Being an Archaeologist
Year 3 have been following in the steps of Harold Carter, an archaeologist that discovered the tomb of Tutankhamon. They investigated a tomb looking out for various artefacts.
Year 3 - Science- Learning how Muscles Work.
Year 3 have been learning all about animals including humans in science. Today they have looked at how muscles work. They cut out pictures of two bones then joined them together using a split pin to make the joint move. They added an elastic band to act as the muscle and to see how it affected the joint.
Year 3 - Church Visit - Communion
Today, Year 3 went to church to take part in the communion service. They read aloud their own prayers and also a reading to the congregation. After the service they stayed to have their lunch.
Year 3 English - Ancient Egyptians
As part of their new English topic on the Ancient Egyptians, Year 3 have been exploring and identifying the main and subordinate clauses in complex sentences.
Year 3 P.E. - Practicing the Relay
In P.E. today year 3 practiced running the relay. They were put into teams and learned how to hold the baton and then how to run and pass it to the next person in their team.
Year 3 - English Mummies and Their Sarcophagus'
Year 3 started their new topic in English writing a non-chronological report about the Ancient Egyptians. As an introduction to the topic today they made their own Sarcophagus and turned a peg into a mummy.
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Year 3 Art - Exploring Different Patterns From Other Cultures
In art year 3 have been exploring patterns from different cultures.
Year 3 - History - Ancient Egyptians
Year 3 have been testing their knowledge on the Ancient Egyptians. They completed a quiz answering different questions hidden around the classroom and working together in pairs they sorted objects in a picture into modern day and ancient objects.
Year 3 music - Park Soundscape
The children in year 3 listened to a song called 'Park' in music, where they identified the different park equipment. They then created a soundscape where they used symbols to represent the sounds.
Friends of DSJ
We are looking for new members of our Friends at Darwen St James group. The group was created to help raise funds for school by thinking of ideas and planning fundraisers throughout the year. Past events include; *Film night *Bingo night *Family evening *Summer Fair *Christmas Fair All the money we raise is used in school - we have developed the nurture room and we are currently renovating the library areas around school. If you would like to find our more or if you would like to volunteer, please speak to Miss Sears.
Year 3 Art Dip Dying
Year 3 in their art lesson this week have been trying dip dying. They dipped their piece of material into four different colours of ink and created a tie dye pattern.
Year 3 Maths - Division
We were dividing 2 digits by 1 digit finding remainders.
Free School Meals - Extended!
As you all are aware, we received funding last year and we were fortunate to be able to offer free school meals to all of our children. We thought that this would be run until the end of March, however we are thrilled to announce we are able to extend this to the 26th April. From 29th April children who are not on free school meals will have to pay for their lunch and there will be a slight increase in cost and the new charge will be £2.50 per day. Now is a good opportunity to look into seeing if your child will be eligible for free school meals if you haven't yet applied by visiting Blackburn with Darwen Borough Councils website here https://www.blackburn.gov.uk/schools-and-education/school-meals
Online Safety - What Parents and Educators Need to Know about Township
Potentially addictive online games are nothing new, but the specifics of this kind of media can vary enormously – and, as a consequence, the risks in each individual game are just as diverse. The city-builder Township is no exception: providing its legions of devotees with accessible, satisfying fun … but exposing them to potential hazards at the same time. However, any safeguarding issues that the game might have can (with a little knowhow) be neutralised – allowing young players to have some engrossing fun without adults needing to worry about children’s data, their money or their mental wellbeing. Our guide outlines how to help young gamers enjoy Township safely and responsibly.
Easter closure information
Easter closure information
Easter Competition Winners
A huge well done to the winners of this years Easter competition! Rev Kev and Miss Greenwood had the difficult decision of selecting 3 winners form each class. We had over 20 family entries too, which was great! Congratulations to those winners.
Online Safety - Wake up Wednesday - Clickbait
While scrolling online, you’ll almost inevitably have come across posts or links with headlines like “You Won’t Believe These 10 Crazy Facts about …”. Such lurid language – and the often-dubious nature of the content it promotes – has become something of a running joke on the internet. Yet while these articles are often laughed at by communities online, they can have an insidious side. Clickbait, as it’s known, can frequently function as part of a trap: intended to draw users in for the sake of advertising revenue or, in worse cases, masking an attempting to collect their personal information. This #WakeUpWednesday guide explores the various risks of clickbait and offers some top tips for evading the pitfalls of this controversial marketing technique.
Year 3 and 4 Easter Performance - Roll Back the Stone
Today in Church Year 3 and 4 performed our annual Easter performance in Church today, Roll Back the Stone.The children told the story of Easter through acting and song, and they did a marvellous job.Thank you to everyone who came along and supported them this morning.
Easter Egg Competition
This year our competition theme was the Paris Olympics and we have had some eggstrodinary entries! Well done ot every family that entered this years competiton, the judges have had an eggstremely dificult decision this year! The winners will be announced in our special Easter Worship tomorrow, you are all welcome to join us.
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Measles Guidance
Please see the latest guidance for measles.
BwD Family Hub Website
Fantastic news! Our website is live! The Start for Life Family Hub Website is the gateway to information of where services are, it details everything a family will need in those 1001 critical days and beyond. Our Family Hubs and Children Centres are our Single point of access to those start for life, wider services and family help. The Hubs and Children Centres are the physical places where a family can visit and speak to a trained staff member, face to face, who will provide them with straightforward information or advice on a wide range of family issues spanning the 0-19 (25 with SEND) age range and connect them appropriately to further services across that age range if they need more targeted or specialist support.
Year 3 - Computing - Simulation
In computers year 3 have been looking at simulation. They have learnt how it can represent real and imaginary situations. The children gave examples of how simulations are used for fun and work. VR headsets are used for gaming and simulators are used by pilots to learn to fly.
Year 3 and Year 4 Guided Reading Group
This week the year 3 reading group has been reading The Queen's Plan. They have enjoyed reading and talking about the characters and story as well as adding expression. They have been breaking down new words and identifying the sounds ai, ee, igh, oa.
10 Top Tips for Parents and Educators: Encouraging Open Conversations at Home
Cultural and technological changes have made the experiences of today’s children vastly different to our own childhoods; it can be challenging to engage youngsters in open, honest conversation – especially about more sensitive topics. This, combined with many children’s instinct to avoid “rocking the boat”, can make it difficult to stay up to date with the goings on in their lives. However, it’s hugely important that trusted adults still offer an empathetic ear and feel able to encourage young people to open up about their day-to-day activities. This #WakeUpWednesday guide provides ten top tips for promoting open conversations with children – helping to make sure there’s someone they know they can turn to in times of need.
Year 3 - Science - Animals including Humans
Today we started our new science topic 'Animals including Humans'. The children completed a carousel activity working round the different tables to see what they knew. They looked at sorting the different animals into groups, reading labels on food packages to see what they told you about the food inside, what food they should and shouldn't eat lots of and labelling the bones of a skeleton.
Year 3 - Design and Technology - Sandwich Snacks
This term in DT we are learning about Sandwich Snacks. Today the children talked about the different types of bread that they could and tasted naan, bangles, pitta and wraps.
Year 3 - Music - Sound Actions
In music this week the children have been looking at sound actions. Miss Lawson bounced a ball and the children used instruments to imitate the action.
Year 3 - PE - Rounders
This week in P.E. year 3 have been learning to play rounders. They have learnt how to hold the bat, how to ball and field. They played three games during the lesson and played brilliantly and showed great team spirit.
Year 3 Geography - Counties that make up England.
Today in Geography, year 3 have been learning about the counties that make up England. In particular they looked at Lancashire. They used google maps and an atlas to identify local towns. Taking this information they marked the towns, Blackpool, Preston, Darwen Blackburn and Burnley on a blank map.
Year 3 - World Book Day
Today for World Book Day Year 3 read Handa's Chicken and learned about Africa. They looked at its different countries and also the different flags. They also enjoyed a visit to nursery, to listen to the story of The Gruffalo read by Miss Lawson.
Year 3 RE The Easter Story
In today's R.E. lesson year 3 have been thinking about the Easter Story. They have looked at and talked about different artists pictures then ordered them to follow the story. They used post it notes to write a key word for each picture and to draw a happy or sad face to say how it made them feel.
Year 3 - Computing - Graphs
Today in computing year 3 have been looking at graphs. They collected information on the children's favourite colours, then using 2 graph on Purple Mash made their graphs to show their results.
Online Safety - Self Regulation
As infants, we all rely completely on adults to help us resolve situations that are causing us to become upset or stressed. This is known as co-regulation. The next phase, once autonomy has begun to develop, is called self-regulation: this is when children start to become capable of exercising more control over their impulses and behaviour, and managing their own emotions. This vital developmental milestone, however, isn’t reached spontaneously. Learning to self-regulate requires sensitive guidance from trusted adults – simply talking with children about their thoughts and feelings, for instance, can ease the route to self-regulation. This #WakeUpWednesday guide has some expert tips for supporting children to reach this goal.
Remembrance Day
Remembrance Day poppies at Darwen St James'
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