18th – 22nd May
Hi everyone,
I hope you are keeping well and staying safe.
This week I have focused on brain breaks or activities that you could do inbetween different subjects.
Brain breaks are essential in order to recoup and reorganise the brain. It’s not a good idea for anyone to be sitting down all day, so make sure to get active throughout your home school learning day. Below are 10 simple and short brain break ideas. Enjoy!
Have a lovely week and safe stay.
Ms. Dooling
10 simple, easy and short brain breaks:
1. Letter hop rainbow sound game
This is a lovely activity for you to do with your child in order to revise and practice their phonics. Firstly, by making the letters together you can revise and recap your jolly phonics sounds. Getting your child to also recap on their writing of the sounds. Once this activity is made, you can use this resource as a lovely break through the day from their class school work.
2. When you need a little time to relax and recoup, here is a lovely short meditation activity. I think this would be a lovely way to start your home school day. You will feel relaxed and set up for the day ahead.
Melting – Flow | GoNoodle – YouTube
3. Stretch it out.
It’s never a good idea to spend too much time sitting in one position. Allow kids to take a break and bring some flexibility back into their spines. Have them stand with their feet shoulder-distance apart. Put their left hand on their hip and raise their right hand overhead. Lean to the left and stretch their arm as far as they can to the left. Repeat on the right side. Have them take a deep breath. Repeat as necessary.
4. Something as simple as doing 10 jumping Jacks inbetween your maths and English activity can really help your concentration.
5. An active dance brain break – Mario just dance
[Just Dance 3] Ubisoft meets Nintendo – Just Mario – YouTube
6. Musical statues.
Playing your favourite songs, play with your family.
7. Shake your sillies
8. Five little ducks – this could be used as a brain break and also just before you start into their maths work. It will recap on their numbers.
9. Take a two- minute rock, paper, scissors break.
10. A doodle break
Set a timer for 5 minutes and let your child doodle. Let their mind wander and doodle.
* To make it more stimulating for you and your kids, you could write out all the brain breaks on lollipop sticks, pulling them out of the cup throughout the day. It could also act as a reward system. A visual representation of the brain breaks and activities could encourage your child to do their work so they get a fun activity at the end before starting into a new subject. It will also add an element of surprise. When an activity is done, leave it out of the cup so that there isnt a repeat throughout the day. A little tip: one lollipop stick could say ‘your choice’, let your child come up with a new brain break of their own or else give them the choice of choosing their favourite activity from the brain breaks in the cup 😊
Hope these brain breaks are useful.
Have a lovely week,
Ms. Dooling
11th – 15th May
Hello everyone,
I hope you are keeping well and safe. I hope everyone enjoyed the sunshine over the weekend.
Below I have included phonics activities, times tables: doubles, baking task; Lemon biscuits (maths at home: measures, capacity and develops fine motor skills), online maths games and some yoga 😊
Stay safe,
Ms. Dooling
Phonics:
This week we are focusing on group 3 Jolly phonics sounds (g, o, u, l, f, b)
Firstly, look at the youtube ‘jolly phonics group 3 sounds’ to listen to the group 3 sounds and songs. I want you to sing along with the clip. It is very important to do the action to go with the song/sound.
Here are the group 3 sounds:
g l
o f
u b
I want someone at home to call out these sounds, and the child points to the sound they hear on the screen. First do them in order, then mix them up.
Starting at g, go through the sounds and discuss objects that start with that sound. Is there any in the room? Can your child find an object in the house that begins with that letter? Pick up an object that doesn’t start with the sound such as a ‘teddy’. Does that begin with ‘g’, then pick up an object that does begin with ‘g’. Repeat this process several times and for all the group 3 sounds. It is very important that you say sound ‘g’ makes as oppose to saying the letter name. This gives your child a great opportunity to increase their phonological awareness.
Afterwards, divide an A4 sheet into 6 sections(like 6 boxes). Put a letter into each box. This can be an independent activity for your child. Get your child to draw pictures (or write) of objects that begin with that letter.
Worksheet to go with group 3 sounds. If you cannot print the worksheet, do this activity on the screen, pointing to the correct answer.
Times tables:
Doubles: multiplying by 2 is very useful and is used very often, that it’s got its own name ‘doubling’. Think about how often you need two lots of something. Children learnt that multiplying by 2 is doubling. Look below to understand this concept further.
Online maths games (focused on improving and practicing your times tables)
https://www.oxfordowl.co.uk/api/interactives/24482.html
https://www.arcademics.com/games/meteor
https://www.transum.org/Software/Game/Connect4/
Baking!
Baking is a lovely way to practice maths concepts at home. It focuses on measures and capacity. It also develops your fine motor skills (the small muscles in your hands). I have also suggested that it would be a lovely idea to write out these recipes (procedural writing activity) so that you would have a collection of recipes and could make your own book. So far I have posted how to make pancakes, smoothies, cupcakes and banana. If you have interest in these, scroll down to other weeks to find the recipes. This week we are making lemon biscuits.
Lemon Biscuits
Ingredients :
175g plain flour
100g softened butter
50g caster sugar
Finely grated zest if 1 lemon
Method:
1. Preheat the oven to 180°.
2. Mix the flour and lemon zest in a bowl.
3. Rub in the soft butter.
4. Add in 50g of caster sugar
5. Bring whole mixture together to make a stuff dough. Do not add water or milk.
6. Roll out the dough and cut into shapes. If you do not have a cutter, use a glass/cup instead.
7. Bake for 6-10 minutes until golden brown
Tips; roll out the dough in between 2 sheets of cling film. Make the cookies small and thick.
Yoga:
Have a lovely week,
Ms. Dooling
6th-8th May.
Hello all,
I hope you are all keeping safe and had a lovely bank holiday weekend.
This week I am focusing on jolly phonics group 2 sounds (ck, e, h, m, r, d). I havs also focused on 6 times tables, online maths games, a simple yet very effective fine motor skills activity and some links to lovely online yoga 😊
Remember if you need to contact me, my school email is c.dooling@Upperglanmirens.ie.
Stay safe,
Ms. Dooling
Phonics:
This week we are focusing on group 2 sounds (c, k, e, h, m, r, d)
Firstly, look at this youtube ‘jolly phonics group 2 sounds’ to listen to the group 2 sounds and songs. I want you to sing along with the clip. It is very important to do the action to go with the song/sound.
Here are the group 2 sounds:
c, k d
e h
m r
I want someone at home to call out these sounds, and the child points to the sound they hear on the screen. First do them in order, then mix them up.
Starting at c, go through the sounds and discuss objects that start with that sound. Is there any in the room? Can your child find an object in the house that begins with that letter? Pick up and object that doesn’t sound with the sound such as a ‘fork’. Ask does it begin with ‘c’. It is very important that you say ‘ssss’ as oppose to saying the letter name. This gives your child a great opportunity to increase their phonological awareness.
Afterwards, divide an A4 sheet into 6 sections(like 6 boxes). Put letter into each box. This can be an independent activity for your child. Get your child to draw picture (or write) of objects that begin with that letter.
Here is a game to revise last weeks sounds (jolly phonics group 1)
Remember: If you don’t own a dice, why not get your child to make one. You may have a small squared shape cardboard box lying around. I made one before using the box my perfume came in. It may be a fun junk art activity for you child.
Times tables, this week we will focus on 6 times tables.
Use a number grid – Again like last week print off the attached 10 x 10 number grid. Get your child to colour in multiples of different squares. This helps them see the pattern. This week do multiples of 6.
I have left up the example of 3 times tables as an example, scroll down to week one to see this.
Here is the link to a number grid: Number
Here are some fun games based on 6 times tables.
Games online for times tables:
https://mathsframe.co.uk/en/resources/resource/306/Maths-Fishing-Multiplication
https://mathsframe.co.uk/en/resources/resource/504/Super-Maths-Bowling-Multiplication
Fine motor skills activities:
Pasta necklaces.
This is a great activity to develop a child fine motor skills. All you need is string and pasta, so easy!
Wellbeing and mindfulness.
This will I have attached 2 videos from cosmic yoga online. Enjoy.
Have a lovely week!!!
Week 5
Hello all,
I hope you are all keeping safe and enjoying the activities.
This week I am focusing on phonics for the younger kids. I have focused on group 1 sounds (s, a, t, i, p, n).
I have attached a fun banana bread recipe. This focuses on maths concepts such as measuring and capacity. It also improves your child’ fine motor skills.
I have also decided to focus on looking after your mental health and wellbeing this week. Mental health is a scale and can change depending on what’s going on in a person’s life. At the moment, we are massive changes in our lives. Therefore, it is very important that we look after ourselves and do some daily self-care.
Remember if you need to contact me, my school email is c.dooling@Upperglanmirens.ie.
Stay safe,
Ms. Dooling
Wellbeing
EVERYONE has mental health. It is part of your overall wellbeing. Good mental health is not about having no mental health problems. It is how we deal with the problems we are faced with. Mental health is a scale and can change depending on what’s going on in a person’s life. At the moment we all have massive changes in our lives. And not just one change, we have many changes. We all have to stay within 2km of our homes, you are not going into school anymore, our school day has changed, you don’t get to go to your clubs such as swimming, tennis, chess, GAA clubs in the evenings, you are not seeing you friends everyday and there are many more changes. A LOT has changed. It is important to remember that EVERYONE is going through the same changes as you. You are not alone. Because of the major changes in our lives, it is very important that we look after ourselves and our wellbeing at this time. It is very normal to be feeling a little sad at times, anxious or overwhelmed. We all feel like this, so don’t worry you are not the only one. One minute I am feeling myself, relaxed and calm. The next minute I feel overwhelmed and start to miss things I don’t get to do anymore. It can be a very strange feeling. Have you ever felt this way? When I feel this way, I take steps in order to get over this feeling, prevent the feeling from happening and to stay positive. This is looking after my mental health. We all need to take steps and look after our mental health.
Here is a ‘5 a day’ for mental health framework. These are 5 things that we should try to do everyday.
‘5 a day’ for mental health:
1. Connect:
It is very important that we connect with the people around us. We need to make sure to tell someone how you are feeling. No feeling is a wrong feeling, we can’t help how we feel. But it is very important that we talk about our feelings and connect to someone.
2. Be Active:
There is a strong link between being active and our wellbeing. If you have a garden, go outside, go for a walk, be active and get some air. Fresh air is great for you. But not all of us have a garden, but that’s no worries. Joe Wicks has great online PE lessons that you can do inside your house.
3. Take notice:
Go outside and sit down. Close your eyes. Take in the sounds you hear around you. Take a little time out by yourself and relax.
4. Keep learning:
It is important to keep our brains active and to keep learning new things. Keep up with your school work online. If you are learning to play the piano, keep practicing this. During this time, you may even decide to learn a new skill.
5. Give:
Giving back and giving to others, makes us feel whole. Maybe it might be a nice idea to make a card for someone in your family. Or send a card to a friend, it would be a lovely surprise for them. You might even help out making the dinner, laying out the table and tidying up afterwards. Random acts of kindness make us feel great inside.
Other activities:
‘Read Your Mind’ Mental health and Wellness books:
‘Read Your Mind’ is a book project conducted by Jigsaw and the South Dublin County Council. Jigsaw is an organisation who have young people’s health in mind. Here is a book guide for mental health related issues:
Hhttp://www.jigsaw.ie/jigsaw_tallaght/content/docs/RYM_Tallaght.pdf
Gratitude journal:
Each day write down 3 things you are grateful for in your life or great things that happened that day/ things that made you feel happy that day. At the end of the week you can look back and see all the great things you have in your life. You may be going through a strange and difficult time, but you have so many great things in your life to be happy about.
Mindfulness colouring:
Put on some relaxing music and colour/doodle. This is a lovely activity that will help you relax and unwind.
Yoga:
‘Cosmic Yoga’ online is great for some fun yoga. (Type in cosmic yoga into youtube).
Staying calm/ Meditation:
Here is a link to a very informative and useful blog page about staying calm together. It has brilliant links and ideas so please do take a look.
https://www.calm.com/blog/take-a-deep-breath?fbclid=IwAR1R9cQE598aQHrbqhariwGSbR1EayUgD7msO8F4RiOVmT2FgHdCe7SMFdo
Breathing:
When you wake up in the morning and before you start your day. Close your eyes and breath in and out deeply and slowly. Do this 3 times. This will relax your body and set you up for the day. Say to yourself that you are going to have a great day.
Phonics:
This week we are focusing on group 1 sounds (s, a, p, t, i, n)
Firstly, look at this youtube link below of the group 1 sounds and songs. I want you to sing along with the clip. It is very important to do the action to go with the sound also.
Here are the group 1 sounds:
s p
a i
t n
I want someone at home to call out these sounds, and the child points to the sound they hear on the screen. First do them in order, then mix them up.
Starting at S, go through the sounds and discuss objects that start with that sound. Is there any in the room? Can your child find an object in the house that begins with that letter? Pick up and object that doesn’t sound with the sound such as a ‘fork’. Ask does it begin with ‘s’. It is very important that you say ‘ssss’ as oppose to saying the letter name. This gives your child a great opportunity to increase their phonological awareness.
Afterwards, divide an A4 sheet into 6 sections(like 6 boxes). Put letter into each box. This can be an independent activity for your child. Get your child to draw picture (or write) of objects that begin with that letter.
Here is a fun Phonic game ‘Bingo!’. If you don’t own a dice, why not get your child to make one. You may have a small squared shape cardboard box lying around. I made one before using the box my perfume came in. It may be a fun junk art activity for you child.
Baking!!
Baking focuses on maths concepts such as measuring and capacity. It is also great in developing our fine motor skills. As I am putting up baking recipes every week, it might be a nice idea to write out the ingredients and method and create your own ‘Cook Book’. You could also include the pancakes and smoothies from week 3 and the Cupcakes from week 4. How great would your own ‘Cook Book’ be. Why not create your own cover too!!!
Banana Bread:
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 30 minutes
Ingredients:
140g caster sugar
140g butter
2 large eggs, beaten
140g self-raising flour
1 tsp baking powder
2 bananas, mashed
Method:
1. Heat oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4.
2. Butter a 2lb loaf tin and line the base and sides with baking parchment.
3. Cream 140g softened butter and 140g caster sugar until light and fluffy, then slowly add 2 beaten large eggs with a little of the 140g flour.
4. Fold in the remaining flour, 1 tsp baking powder and 2 mashed bananas.
5. Pour into the tin and bake for about 30 mins until a skewer comes out clean.
6. Cool in the tin for 10 mins, then remove to a wire rack
STEM activity:
Lego Fans! (STEM)
This week your challenge is:
Take a picture of your creations and send them to my school email address along with your name and your class. My email is c.dooling@upperglanmirens.ie. Make sure you are NOT in the picture, JUST YOUR LEGO CREATION. Have fun 😊
Week 4
Hello all,
Hope you had a nice Easter break and are all staying safe.
This week, I am continuing from the previous maths topics from before Easter such as times tables activities, coding apps, lego challenges, online maths games and some baking. Baking is a very fun activity. It is great for your fine motor skills. What are fine motor skills? Fine motor skills involve the use of the small muscles that control the hand, fingers and thumb. It is very important to build strength in these muscles. Building on your fine motor skills/ strength in your hands and fingers while baking will improve your pencil grip, handwriting and your cutting skills. Baking is also a fun maths activity as it has lots of measuring and also ticks off the topic of capacity. You also get a great sense of achievement and should be proud of what you bake. Remember to always tidy up your baking equipment and clean up after you, also wash your hands before baking!!
I have also added in some junk art activities and a garden bird bingo challenge.
Remember if you need to contact me, my school email is c.dooling@Upperglanmirens.ie.
Stay safe,
Ms. Dooling
Activities for you and your child:
Use a number grid – Again like last week print off the attached 10 x 10 number grid (scroll down to week one to get this blank number grid) Get your child to colour in multiples of different squares. This helps them see the pattern. This week do multiples of 5.
I have left up the example of 3 times tables as an example, scroll down to week one to see this.
App of the week:
I have attached some fun coding apps (STEM). The coding apps this week are for children under nine years old. Training yourself to programme and code might be a fun and new challenging activity for you do in the evenings.
3-4 year olds: Hopster Coding Safari
5 – 6 year olds: Nancy Drew Codes and Clues
7-9 year olds: Cato’s Hike
Lego Fans! (STEM)
If you have lego at home, I have some more fun lego activities and challenges for you! Last time you were making your own cool dinosaur out of lego and making a real erupting lego volcano. I hope this went well!!
This week your challenge is:
Take a picture of your creations and send them to my school email address along with your name and your class. My email is c.dooling@upperglanmirens.ie. Make sure you are NOT in the picture, JUST YOUR LEGO CREATION. Have fun 😊
Games of the week (on the internet)
https://mathsframe.co.uk/en/resources/resource/504/Super-Maths-Bowling-Multiplication
https://mathsframe.co.uk/en/resources/resource/318/Tommys-Trek-Times-Tables
Baking!!
As I am putting up baking recipes every week, it might be a nice idea to write out the ingredients and method and create your own ‘Cook Book’. You could also include the pancakes and smoothies from week 3. How great would your own ‘Cook Book’ be. Why not create your own cover too!!!
Easy Yummy Cupcakes!!!
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 18 to 20 minutes
Makes: 12 cupcakes
Ingredients:
110 g butter, softened
110 g caster sugar
110 g plain flour
2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
2 medium eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
Method/Steps:
- Preheat the oven to 180C/ 350F / Gas 4. Line a muffin tin with paper cases.
- Put the butter and sugar in a bowl and beat until pale and fluffy.
- Sift the flour, baking powder and salt into the bowl.
- Beat the eggs and vanilla and add to the bowl. Beat until just combined.
- Spoon the mixture into the paper cases.
- Bake for 18 to 20 minutes until risen, golden and firm to the touch.
- Cool in the tin for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Junk art!!!
Here are some fun art activities that you can do at home!! Junk art is also a great way to develop fine motor skills.
I’m sure you have lots of toilet rolls!!!! And egg cartons, milk cartons etc.. all of which you are throwing away. Why not use them for some fun junk art! Kids love junk art.
Do ye remember ‘forky’ for Toy story 4, he was a creation from junk art! I’ve attached some examples that you may also enjoy! It is also great to leave them off with own creativity: ‘make something fun’ ‘Make a toy’ and create whatever they like, see what they come up with!
‘Forky’ from Toy Story 4
Here is a fun garden bird bingo card that you could play in your garden or if you are going for a walk within 2km from you house. Have fun!!
Hi All,
I hope you are keeping well.
Why not host a fun Easter themed breakfast party for you and your family.
Make some yummy Easter bunny pancakes, berry smoothies and even make some bunting to add to your lovely Easter breakfast party.
Remember wash you hands before and after baking.
Hope you have a lovely Easter and stay safe 🙂
Enjoy!!
Ms. Dooling
Firstly, why don’t you make your own handmade invitations inviting your family members to your Easter party.
All you need is paper and colours, which you all have in your pencil cases. Here are some examples for you to copy and write from.
Now to make a fun Easter breakfast!
Easter Bunny Pancakes!!
What you need:
- 50g self-raising flour
- 50g wholemeal flour
- 2 small eggs
- 150ml milk
- oil, for frying
- a few raisins for bunny paws, to serve (optional)
- 30g banana (slided into rounds for the tails)
How to make:
- Put both the flours into a large bowl and whisk to break up any lumps. Add the egg yolks and a little of the milk, whisking to a thick paste. Add the remaining milk, a splash at a time, to loosen the batter.
- In a separate bowl and using a clean whisk, whisk the egg whites until they hold stiff peaks. Gently fold the egg whites into the batter with a spatula, trying to keep in as much air as possible.
- Heat a large non-stick pan over a medium heat and carefully wipe it with some oiled kitchen paper. Using a large spoon, add a generous dollop of batter to the pan in a round, for the bunny body. Add a smaller round for the head, two small ovals for feet, and two long thin strips for ears. Fit all the bunny components into the pan, or cook them in batches.
- Flip the pancakes after a minute or two, once the edges are set, the base is golden brown and bubbles start to pop on the surface. Cook for another min until golden brown.
- Put the bunny body in the middle of the plate, position the head, ears and feet just overlapping to look like the back of a bunny. Add a banana slice for the tail, and raisins (if using) for the feet pads.
- Repeat with the remaining batter. Decorate with extra chopped fruit, if you like.
A Berry Delicious Smoothie to go with your yummy pancakes!!
What you need:
- 1 small ripe banana
- about 140g blackberries, blueberries, raspberries or strawberries
- apple juice or mineral water, optional
- runny honey to serve
How to make:
Slice the banana into your blender or food processor and add the berries of your choice. Whizz until smooth. Add in water or juice to make the consistency you like. Toss a few extra fruits on top, drizzle with honey and serve.
Make some fun bunting to add to your lovely party!!!
Week 2
Dear parents and children,
I hope you have been enjoying all the maths activities and games that I posted last week. This week I have chosen some new maths games for you, please take a look.
I have also decided to explore STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) activities for your kids to enjoy at home. The STEM activities I have attached are below on this page: coding apps and Lego activities.
If you have any questions do not hesitate to contact me on my school email which is c.dooling@upperglanmirens.ie.
I hope you are all keeping safe.
Warm regards,
Ms. Dooling
Activities for you and your child:
Use a number grid – Again like last week print off the attached 10 x 10 number grid (scroll down to week one to get this blank number grid) Get your child to colour in multiples of different squares. This helps them see the pattern. This week do multiples of 4.
I have left up the example of 3 times tables as an example, scroll down to week one to see this.
App of the week:
I have attached some fun coding apps (STEM). The coding apps this week are for children under nine years old. Training yourself to programme and code might be a fun and new challenging activity for you do in the evenings.
3-4 year olds: code karts
5 – 6 year olds: Daisy the Dinosaur
7-9 year olds: Grasshooper
Lego Fans! (STEM)
If you have lego at home, I have some fun lego activities and challenges for you! Each week I am going to set a challenge. This week I want you to make a cool dinosaur out of lego.
If you want a very fun lego activities/experiment. Why don’t you try making a real erupting Lego Volcano: https://thestemlaboratory.com/lego-volcano
Take a picture of your creations and erupting volcanos and send them to my school email address along with your name and your class. My email is c.dooling@upperglanmirens.ie. Make sure you are NOT in the picture, JUST YOUR LEGO CREATION. I will post these creations next week on this page for everyone to look at. Have fun 😊
Game of the week (without needing the internet):
Roll the dice:
Roll the dice twice, multiply the numbers together.
Play with your parents or with siblings, see who can multiply the 2 numbers together the fastest.
Games of the week (on the internet)
https://mathsframe.co.uk/en/resources/resource/306/Maths-Fishing-Multiplication
Week 1
Dear Parents,
I hope you are keeping well and safe during this time. I have put together some useful resources that will help your child/children with their times tables. I will update this with new games, activities and apps each week. If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact me on my school email address which is c.dooling@upperglanmirens.ie.
Please take a look at Ms. O’Brien’s, Ms. O’ Dunovan’s, Ms. O’ Sullivan’s, Ms. Conway’s and Ms. O’ Callaghan’s pages for more useful resources.
Please note that all activities are not compulsory to complete, you can pick and choose at your ease. I hope they are of benefit to you.
Many thanks in advance,
Ms. Dooling
Activities for you and your child:
1.Use a number grid – print off a simple 10 x 10 number grid. Get your child to colour in multiples of different squares. This helps them see the pattern. This week do multiples of 2.
I have attached a blank number grid for you to print off and use.
Below is an example of a number grid showing the 3 times tables as an example for you.
2.Create a challenge – make it fun! Do a parent vs the kid challenge. Time each other on how long it takes for each of you to do a time tables, record the results. Getting your child to test you also exposes them to making sure you have the right answer, all exposure is good. See if you can beat your own personal record each day. Different levels can be the harder times tables.
App of the week:
Kids multiplication tables
YouTube video: type in: How to practice times tables/Oxford Owls
This video gives easy and fun ways to practice times tables at home with your children.
Game of the week (without needing the internet):
1. Fingers
This game is like rock, paper, scissors. However instead of doing a rock, paper or a scissors, each person shows a number between 0 – 5 with their fingers. Each person multiples the 2 numbers together. First person to say the answer wins.
Example: Person A shows 3 fingers, person B shows 2 fingers. Answer: 3×2=6
Games of the week (on the internet)
https://www.topmarks.co.uk/times-tables/coconut-multiples
https://www.topmarks.co.uk/maths-games/hit-the-button
Resources for you to print off and use at home:
Printable posters of times tables 1-12: TimesTables_1_12
Printable game: PWO_Age_6_7_times_tables