Our blogs
Year 1 Weekly Blog WB 11/11/2024
Date: 14th Nov 2024 @ 4:35pm
This week in Year 1 we have been continuing our learning about the seasons. We have continued to use the book Tree by Britta Teckentrup. Here is a link to a video of the book if you would like to enjoy it at home.
Read Aloud: Tree by Britta Teckentrup
The children created some amazing freeze frames of each of the seaons at the start of the week and have gone on to produce a piece of writing about the setting written as though they were the owl who watches the seasons come and go.
In Maths we have been working on learning our number bonds to 10. This week we have been looking at addition pairs and next week we will be moving on to subtraction.We have used numicon and ten frames to support our learning.
In topic we started our learning about dinosaurs creating a timeline of events from 65 million years ago to the present day and in Science we have continued our learning about seasonal change.
All of Year 1 will be presenting an assembly to parents on Tuesday 19th November at 9 10am and we would love to see you there!
w/c 11.11.24 This week in Year 5!
Date: 14th Nov 2024 @ 4:33pm
We have had a great week celebrating anti-bullying week, the children loved wearing their odd socks and talking about how to kind, helpful friends.
We have been learning more about the space race this week and have enjoyed readign about Neil Armstrong and watching videos of astronauts in space.
The children cannot wait to see you in school on Monday morning for our Year 2 open morning (9.15-9.45).
Date: 14th Nov 2024 @ 3:01pm
This week preschool children have been busy making junk model houses and been very creative in what they have made. We have drawn houses and also built houses using a range of construction blocks whilst talking together about where we live.
We would like to say a very big THANK YOU to all of pre-school parents who came along to our play and stay sessions this week and joined in the activities with their children. It was great success and we hope that everyone enjoyed taking part.
Date: 14th Nov 2024 @ 2:31pm
What another fabulous week in Year 6. Children have been working really hard in maths to add, subtract, multiply and divide fractions. We have been so impressed with everyones effort.
In English, we have continued our learning about Anne Frank. The children have been planning and writing their own newspaper reports, ensuring to include all the features that we have been learning about.
Make sure to ask your child all about it.
Date: 14th Nov 2024 @ 1:00pm
This Week in Reception (WB 11.11.24)
Date: 14th Nov 2024 @ 9:19am
This week has been packed with fun, learning, and exciting activities. From Nibbles the Book Monster causing chaos to exploring patterns in maths, celebrating Diwali, and reflecting on Remembrance Day, it’s been a week of adventure, creativity, and discovery. Let’s dive into what we’ve been up to!
Our week began with the cheeky and mischievous Nibbles the Book Monster! Nibbles is a little monster who loves to nibble on books and cause all kinds of trouble. The children were thrilled by his playful antics, and we had a lot of fun trying to solve the mystery of where he might be hiding.
What did we do with Nibbles?
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Describing Nibbles: To help Goldilocks find Nibbles, we spent time describing what he might look like. The children used their imagination to come up with words like "scary," "circle," "big," and "sharp teeth." This activity helped them practice using descriptive language and broaden their vocabulary.
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Creating Traps to Catch Nibbles: Since Nibbles loves to nibble on books and escape from people, we needed to make some clever traps to catch him! The children worked together to design and build their own "Nibbles traps" using blocks, paper, and other materials. The traps had to be safe and smart enough to catch a sneaky little book monster. It was an excellent opportunity to practice problem-solving, teamwork, and creativity.
After our Nibbles adventure, we turned our attention to patterns in maths. Patterns are everywhere, and this week the children had a wonderful time discovering and creating their own.
What kind of patterns did we explore?
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Colour Patterns: Using coloured blocks, beads, and even coloured markers, the children created repeating patterns, such as red-blue-red-blue. They worked hard to extend patterns and even create their own from scratch!
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Shape Patterns: We also explored patterns with shapes like circles, squares, and triangles. The children enjoyed identifying, copying, and extending these patterns. It helped them develop their understanding of sequences and order.
This week, we also celebrated Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights, which marks the victory of light over darkness and good over evil. The children loved learning about the traditions and symbols associated with Diwali.
What did we do for Diwali?
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Creating Rangoli Patterns: We talked about the beautiful and intricate rangoli designs made during Diwali to bring good luck and welcome guests. The children made their own rangoli patterns using coloured paper, paint, and markers. They were so creative and excited to make their designs!
On Remembrance Day, we took a moment to reflect and honour those who have made sacrifices for our country. While the concept of Remembrance Day can be complex for young children, we focused on the ideas of peace, kindness, and remembering those who have worked hard to protect us.
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A Moment of Silence: At 11 a.m., we observed a short moment of silence to honour the soldiers who fought in wars. The children were respectful and learned that this is a special time to remember those who helped make the world a safer place.
Next week, we’ll continue our journey of exploration, with more exciting activities and learning opportunities ahead! We can’t wait to share more of our adventures with you.
Thank you for reading about our week of fun and learning!
Nursery News: Incy Wincy Spider
Date: 12th Nov 2024 @ 1:15pm
We’re back with another exciting week in Nursery, and our learning focus is on Nursery Rhymes and Traditional Tales! This week, we jumped right into the world of Incy Wincy Spider and had a fantastic time exploring hands-on activities, songs, and stories that brought this classic rhyme to life.
Exploring Incy Wincy Spider
To support our fine motor skills, we made handprint spiders, crafted webs, and used tweezers to find hidden spiders in our web-themed tuff trays. The children showed great focus and creativity as they worked on these projects, strengthening their fine motor skills and their hand-eye coordination.
Family Group Time: Learning About Books
In our family groups, we started looking at the features of simple children’s books, exploring elements like:
Front cover: Noticing the title and illustrations that introduce the story
Back cover: Finding the blurb and talking about what it tells us
Characters and settings: Identifying who is in the story and where it takes place
Beginning and end: Learning that every story has an order This exploration helps build our early literacy skills and fosters a love for books and reading!
Singing with Our Voices and a Parachute!
The children practiced singing Incy Wincy Spider with different voice levels. With a parachute, we made small waves for quiet voices and big waves when we sang loudly! This activity was not only a fun way to practice using our voices differently but also helped the children understand rhythm and volume control.
Maths Learning: Numbers and Shapes
In maths, we worked on our number recognition and counting by placing a specific number of spiders on matching webs. The children also practiced positional language by placing the spider "on top of" and "under" different objects, which is part of our WELLCOME language learning program.
In the maths area, we explored shapes and patterns with a “match the object to the outline” tuff tray activity. This was a wonderful opportunity for the children to practice their shape recognition and spatial awareness while having fun!
A Moment for Remembrance Day
On Monday, we observed a two-minute silence for Remembrance Day. We had a gentle discussion about why it’s important to remember people who may no longer be with us in person but remain with us in our hearts. The children showed great respect and understanding during this time.
Play and Stay Nursery Rhyme Parties
This week, we were delighted to welcome parents into our Nursery for our Play and Stay Nursery Rhyme Parties! Parents and children explored different areas together, doing all kinds of fun activities, from crafts to games. We ended the day with a lively song and dance session, and our parents did an amazing job singing and dancing along with us!
Thank you for all your support, and we look forward to sharing more nursery rhyme adventures and learning with you this term!
w/c 04.11.24 This week in Year 2!
Date: 8th Nov 2024 @ 8:13am
We have had a great start to the term!
This week we began our new topic: Space Race. The children have enjoyed researching, designing and making moon buggies as requested by NASA for their next mission into space.
In PE the children have started their dance topic and have enjoyed exploring different movements. Our PE days remain the same this term: Wednesday and Thursday.
Please can you ensure that your child wears their PE kit to school on Thursdays and bring their uniform in their bags, they will change into their uniform after their PE lesson.
Please be aware that our KS1 star of the week assemblies will now take place at the end ofthe day on Mondays - teachers will inform you if your child is receiving a star of the week certificate.
Have a lovely weekend!
Date: 7th Nov 2024 @ 4:31pm
This week we had our WOW starter for the Stone Age topic. We had an amazing afternoon being tool makers, cave painters, story tellers and researchers.
Date: 7th Nov 2024 @ 2:09pm
: Welcome to our Autumn Term 2.
We continue our theme of ALL ABOUT ME and following the children’s interests this term.
This week we have been talking about family and friends with children and have done some artwork, drawing people and faces. We also offered small role play activities based on people and families.
Other activities we had in class to support the children’s interests include dressing up in the home area, pots and pans with playdough and some different activities to encourage fine motor skills as we have observed the children spending lots of time transporting objects from one place to another and also posting object too.
Year 1 Weekly Blog WB 4/11/2024
Date: 7th Nov 2024 @ 2:00pm
This week we have started some of our new topics. In Science we have started learning about seasonal change and in History we have started to learn abour dinosaurs.
In English this week we looked at a lovely book called Tree. Here is a link to a video of the book if you would like to watch it at home.
Read Aloud: Tree by Britta Teckentrup
We have looked at the beautiful illustarations and used them to help us to describe the setting in each of the different seasons. We bacame authors and illustrators when we designed our own big write sheet inspired by the book.Next week we will be writing in character as the owl.
In Maths we have been using ten frames to show and recognise amaounts. Next week we will be using them to look at number bonds and addition.
This Week in Reception (WB 04.11.24)
Date: 7th Nov 2024 @ 11:21am
This week in Reception we have been busy learning about the wonderful season of autumn, with plenty of hands-on activities, storytelling, and even some delicious cooking! We've explored the story of Fletcher and the Falling Leaves, created our very own chapattis, and even had a little celebration for Bonfire Night. Here’s a look at some of the exciting things we’ve been up to!
One of the highlights of this season has been reading the lovely story Fletcher and the Falling Leaves by Julia Rawlinson. In the story, Fletcher, a little fox, worries when he sees all the leaves falling from the trees. He tries to save them and protect his tree, but soon discovers that the falling leaves are part of the natural cycle of autumn. The story helped us understand how the trees change in autumn and why leaves fall.After reading the story, we had some great discussions about the seasons, how autumn is different from other times of the year, and the colours of the leaves that we can spot outside.
One of our most memorable moments this autumn was when our wonderful parents joined us for a special chapatti-making session! We invited our families into the classroom to cook alongside us, and it was such a fun experience for everyone. Together, we rolled out dough into flat rounds. With a little guidance, the children learned how to cook the chapattis on a hot pan, and everyone enjoyed eating the delicious results!It was a fantastic way to bring our families into the classroom and share a hands-on activity that celebrated both cooking and autumn. The children loved kneading the dough, and the parents had a great time helping their little ones learn new skills. We also talked about how chapattis are made in many different cultures, making it a wonderful opportunity to connect our food with the world around us.
We’ve also been learning about this special celebration 'Bonfie Night'. We talked about how people celebrate by watching fireworks, having bonfires, and enjoying yummy treats like toffee apples and sparklers. To get ready for Bonfire Night, we created our own firework art using bright, bold colours and lots of sparkles! Our classroom was filled with lots of smiles as we created our firework displays on paper. It was a fantastic way to end the week with some fun, colourful creativity!
A big thank you to all the parents who joined us for the chapatti-making session — your support and enthusiasm helped make it a memorable experience for everyone. We’re looking forward to more fun and learning in the weeks ahead!
Stay tuned for more updates from our Reception class as we continue our autumn adventures and share the joy of this wonderful season!
Nursery News: Baa Baa Black Sheep
Date: 5th Nov 2024 @ 2:13pm
Welcome back to a new term full of excitement and discovery! This term, our learning will be focused on Nursery Rhymes and Traditional Tales, a topic packed with fun activities that build literacy, creativity, and a love for reading. Together, we’ll dive into beloved rhymes and stories such as Baa Baa Black Sheep, Incy Wincy Spider, The Three Billy Goats Gruff, The Gingerbread Man, and Twinkle Twinkle Little Star. We are thrilled to invite parents to join us for nursery rhyme activities throughout the term and share in the joy of learning.
Celebrating Diversity in Our Community
This week, we started off by embracing the wonderful diversity within our community through learning about celebrations like Diwali, Bonfire night and Halloween. The children enjoyed creating their own interpretations of beautiful Rangoli patterns, experimenting with symmetry, colour, and design. They also explored the art of Mehndi with intricate patterns on paper, which helped them develop fine motor skills and appreciate traditional art.
To celebrate Bonfire Night, we had lots of fun experimenting with forks, stamps, and cardboard tubes to create vibrant firework paintings. The children were amazed at the effects they could create by using different tools, exploring texture, and getting creative with paint.
Nursery Rhyme of the Week: Baa Baa Black Sheep
This week’s nursery rhyme focus is Baa Baa Black Sheep, which has been a hit in the classroom! Through this rhyme, the children are learning about patterns and sounds, reinforcing their understanding of rhyme through music and rhythm. Singing and clapping along to the beat has also been a fantastic way to build on their Communication and Language skills in a fun and engaging way.
In our Maths sessions, we are continuing our exploration of colours by focusing on the colour black. The children are working on matching objects by colour, deepening their understanding of sorting and categorizing—a foundational skill in early maths.
Mark Making and Following Instructions
For our mark-making activity, the children are practicing following instructions as they create shapes and scenarios with their bodies. This activity not only supports their gross motor skills but also encourages listening and coordination as they follow each step. The children are enjoying the chance to be imaginative while also learning about spatial awareness and movement.
Inspired by Yayoi Kusama
Following our autumn and Halloween learning, we are introducing the children to the artist Yayoi Kusama, known for her bold and playful polka dots. The children will create their own observational drawings of Yayoi’s famous polka dot pumpkin, using inspiration from her unique style. This activity is a wonderful opportunity for them to engage with expressive art and design, building confidence in their mark-making skills while learning about a fascinating contemporary artist.
Coming Soon: Nativity Practice!
We’re also excited to announce that we’ll soon be preparing for our Nativity performance! The children are already buzzing with anticipation, and we can’t wait to begin rehearsals for what promises to be a magical experience.
What a jam-packed term we have ahead! Thank you for your support, and we can’t wait to share all the amazing learning and fun with you as we journey through this exciting term together!
Year 1 Weekly Blog WB 21/10/2024
Date: 25th Oct 2024 @ 8:42am
This week we have had a fantastic Curriculum Week based on Incusion and Diversity.In English we used the book 'All Are Welcome' to do some fantastic drama and poster making. Here is a link to the book so that you can enjoy it at home.
All Are Welcome – Read aloud kids book in fullscreen and with music!
The children have been inspired by Lee Pearson, a paralympic equestrian champion,who can control a horse just by using his hips. We have explored our own talents and realised that we all have different talents that make us special and unique. Lots of children were keen to show off their talents in Mrs Glynn's assembly!
In Maths we have been doing lots of learning about length, learning how to measure with non standard units like cubes and how to use a ruler - maybe you could try doing some measuring at home? Either using non standard units like pasta or beads or with a ruler.
Next term our topic is dinosaurs and there is some home learning linked to this on the website.
Have a wonderful Half Term break!
Date: 24th Oct 2024 @ 4:29pm
This week in pre-school, children have been involved in activities linked to curriculum week about diversity and inclusion.
We have been looking at photos and into mirrors, talking about ourselves and our friends. The children have been encouraged to talk about differences they see such as hair colour, eyes and what different things they like to eat and do. Also on offer in class were different activities based on people such as creative activities, role play and small world people and houses.
This Week in Reception (WB 21.10.24)
Date: 24th Oct 2024 @ 11:03am
This week has been curriculum week where we have focused on Inclusion and Diversity.
As a class we have been reading the story 'Marvellous Me' and thinking about how we are similar to the other children in our class and how we are different and how we are all special. We took it in turns to look in a mirror and share what we like about ourselves. The children then created themselves in the workshop area, thinking about the different coloured wool we would need for our hair and the different materials we would like for our clothes.
We also talked about 'What Makes us Special' and the children completed pictures of themselves and what makes thems special.
We also read the book 'All Are Welcome' and made an inclusion promise.
On Friday we celebrated Black History Month and learnt about the childrens TV presenter Floella Benjamin. We read a story about her life called 'Coming to England' and completed some fact files and art work about her.
This week in Reception (WB 14.10.24)
Date: 24th Oct 2024 @ 10:59am
This week in Reception we have been learning about the strory 'The Runaway Chapatti'. We talked about how this story is similar to 'The Gingerbread Man' but with different characters. We also enjoyed retelling the story, sequencing the pictures and then practising our scissor skills by cutting out the pictures.
In Maths this week we have been learning about 'One Less Than'. We all enjoyed singing number songs such as '5 Currant Buns' and '5 Little Speckled Frogs'.
In Phonics we have learnt the new GPC's h,b,f,l. We have also started using the magnetic letters to spell simple CVC words such as mum and dad.
Date: 23rd Oct 2024 @ 9:58pm
Class 7 have been working hard all half term on their gymnastic performances. They have mastered travelling in a variety of ways, rolls, balances on large and small body parts and jumps. They have linked them all together to create a performance showing LOTS of creativity, control and improved skills. Well done Class 7!
Date: 23rd Oct 2024 @ 2:21pm
Class 8 have done some amazing learning this week. They have used the trundle wheel to measure in metres in maths, performed poems with body percussion and instruments and have taken part in our diversity and inclusion curriculum week. Thinking about how we are all different but the importance to all be included. We have also have had Dexter join our learning this week. Well done Class 8!
Nursery News: Inclusion week - Week 7
Date: 23rd Oct 2024 @ 10:01am
Celebrating Inclusion During Our Special Week
This week at school, we’ve been proudly celebrating our Inclusion Curriculum Week, a special time dedicated to recognising and embracing our similarities and differences. Our key vocabulary this week has been Same, Belong, Different, Inclusion, and Disability. We have helped the children understand these important concepts as they explore what makes each of us unique and how we all belong in our school community.
Core Story: Me, Myself and I by Helen Lumgair
Our learning was centred around the core story Me, Myself and I by Helen Lumgair. This thoughtful book supported our discussions about inclusion and disability, giving the children the opportunity to learn about different experiences, such as children who need the support of hearing aids. To make this learning hands-on and fun, we made cup and string telephones! The children loved using these simple creations to explore how sound travels, while also thinking about how hearing aids help people to hear more clearly. This activity not only supported their understanding of disabilities but also strengthened their curiosity and cooperation skills.
Maths Learning: Exploring Numbers 1, 2, and 3
In maths, our focus has been on the numbers 1, 2, and 3. The children had the exciting task of counting acorns, helping them develop their number recognition and counting skills. Whether it was holding one, two, or three acorns in their hands, the children had fun with this sensory-based learning activity, which encouraged them to apply early mathematical concepts in a playful way.
To reinforce both maths and phonics, we also incorporated some of our favourite nursery rhymes like 5 Little Aliens, Hickory Dickory Dock, and 10 Hungry Seagulls. These catchy songs not only helped the children with counting and rhythm but also made learning more interactive and enjoyable.
Expressive Art and Design: What Makes Us Special
One of the highlights of this week was when the children explored what makes them special, with a particular focus on celebrating their unique skin colours. Using materials such as skin-coloured paints, crayons, and collage materials, the children created self-portraits that showcased the diversity within our classroom. This activity tied in beautifully with the concept of inclusion, as the children were encouraged to see the beauty in the differences that make each of them special.
Celebrating Achievements and Looking Ahead
As we wind down for the half-term break, we wanted to take a moment to celebrate all the children’s incredible achievements this term. From building friendships and developing social skills to embracing their individuality, every child has grown in confidence and creativity.
Next term, we’ll be diving into a new and exciting focus—Nursery Rhymes! Our learning will centre around timeless classics like Baa Baa Black Sheep, Incy Wincy Spider, The Three Billy Goats Gruff, The Gingerbread Man, and Twinkle Twinkle Little Star. We’re looking forward to exploring these fun stories and songs.
We hope you all enjoy a restful half-term break, and we can’t wait to continue this amazing learning journey when we return!
Please post any fantastic experiences on our childrens tapestry so we can talk about them when we return on the 5th November
Nursery News: All About Me – Week 6!
Date: 23rd Oct 2024 @ 9:36am
Nursery News: All About Me – Week 6!
What a wonderful week we’ve had in Nursery! We are so pleased to see that our newest friends are now fully settled, with relationships blossoming all around. The children are not only growing in confidence but are also learning valuable social skills, such as sharing, cooperating, and problem-solving together to reach a common goal. It's heartwarming to see them work as a team and support one another during their play.
Exploring Families Through Stories
This week, we continued our focus on families by exploring two fantastic stories: My Mum and Dad Make Me Laugh by Nick Sharratt and In Every House on Every Street by Jess Hitchman. These books provided a wonderful opportunity to delve deeper into the ideas of similarities and differences between families. Through lively discussions, the children were able to share what makes their family special while also recognising that every family is unique.
These discussions have been the perfect lead-in to our Inclusion Curriculum Week, which we will be celebrating next week. We’re excited to continue this journey of understanding and celebrating the diversity within our Nursery community.
Core Stories and Developing Number Skills
In our family groups, we’ve spent time reading some of our core stories and helping to strengthen the children’s understanding of language, story structure, and characters. The children are becoming more familiar with these beloved tales, which not only supports their Literacy development but also fosters a love for reading.
In our Mathematics learning, the children have been strengthening their understanding of number through a hands-on comparing-size tuff tray activity. They’ve enjoyed exploring different-sized objects, comparing them, and using mathematical language like "bigger," "smaller," and "same." This activity not only builds number awareness but also helps with the development of early reasoning skills.
Following Instructions: A Fun Maths Challenge
We’ve also been working on following simple instructions during our maths family group time. The children were tasked with going out into the environment and finding specific objects, like “two pinecones” or “three pencils.” This fun activity not only reinforces their counting skills but also encouraged independence, problem-solving, and listening skills. The children were so excited to take on these challenges and show off what they had found, making learning a fun and active process.
Looking Ahead: Inclusion Curriculum Week
Next week, we’ll be diving into our Inclusion Curriculum Week, where we’ll focus on celebrating diversity, inclusivity, and the wonderful things that make each of us unique. It will be a fantastic opportunity for the children to reflect on what makes them special, while also learning about the many different backgrounds, cultures, and experiences that we share within our Nursery.
Thank you for your continued support, and we look forward to sharing more of the children’s learning and achievements with you next week!
Date: 21st Oct 2024 @ 10:46am
It has been a great week in Year 5, we have finished our 2 week writing cycle on William Shakespeare and have produced some amazing biographies. We are really happy with the progress that Year 5 have been making and know that any reading you are doing with them at home is so important and influential in this. Thank you!
We have also been showing off our skills as debators by considering the English Reformation and judging which was the most significant reason why Henry VIII decided to split from the Catholic church, and to set up his own 'Church of England'. Hearing the children using great skills and some wonderfully crafted arguments was really pleasing.
Remember, this Thursday (24/10/24) is our Year 5 assembly where both classes will be performing in the large hall at 9:05. Please do make the effort to come and watch because all the children have been working and practicig hard and are excited to show off what they have done. Thank you!
w/c 14.10.24 This week in Year 2!
Date: 18th Oct 2024 @ 4:20pm
We have had a fantastic week!
In English, the children enjoyed recording their recounts on their iPads before completely their big write.
In Maths, we have been learning about multiplication and arrays. Everyone enjoyed using the cereal as a concrete resource and then eating their maths lesson!
We have been busy learning more about farms in topic and singing harvest songs in music.
We can't wait for next week!
Year 1 Weekly Blog WB 14/10/2024
Date: 18th Oct 2024 @ 4:03pm
This week we have done some fantastic learning about Autumn. In English we read an Autumn poem and wrote our own based on how all five senses are affected by it. We then performed our poem - you will be able to see it when it is Year 1's assembly in Novemeber!
In Science we also focused on our senses, particulary smell and taste. The children tried to guess what was in some containers just by smelling them and tasted sweet, savoury and sour food- they were not very keen on the lime!!
In Maths we have been doing subtraction both practically and using pictures - perhaps you could do some taking away at home?
Next week it is our curriculum week on Inclusion and Diversity until Thursday, then on Friday we have a day celebrating Black History
Date: 17th Oct 2024 @ 12:26am
Class 7 were looking at fact and opinion in their PSHE lesson this week. We talked about if it was a fact you could research and find it. However, if it's opinion then it is each persons opinion and these can be varied because we are all different. We started with mind mapping peoples opinion about the best thing at playtime. Then, the children were given the statement 'Pizza is the best food to eat'. The children had thinking time to decide in their opinion did they agree or disagree. They made points to debate on their iPads. Before we started we shared rules about respecting others opinion. Then we held our debate. About a third of the class agreed and two thirds disagreed and they all shared why. We had a respectful but heated debate.