Home Learning

 If you are isolating and are well enough, here is some work for you to complete.

Spellings are on the blog separately- remember to practice these using different methods (rainbow writing, pyramid, shape, look cover write check)

TTRS- your times tables are now accessible on the website- try to beat your time!

Reading- practice your comprehension skills using this text:

Every year, children look forward to the arrival of Santa Claus. However, there are many theories as to where Santa originally came from. Below, there are three descriptions of people who are associated with Santa Claus. Can you spot the similarities between them?

Modern-Day Santa Claus

Today, Santa Claus is thought to reside somewhere cold and isolated with his trusty reindeer. It is here that Santa’s secluded workshop is said to be run by elves. According to some Christmas tales, the elves work hard throughout the year to create toys for well-behaved children to receive on Christmas Eve.

On the night of the 24th December, Santa Claus is said to deliver presents to all of the children on his ‘nice list’ in a single evening. Nobody knows for sure how he manages to deliver so many presents with such a limited time frame. This has led to many theories and speculations, such as Santa Claus’s sleigh having an incredibly powerful engine or even that he can teleport to different countries!

Saint Nicholas

It is thought that Saint Nicholas was born around AD 300. He had inherited a large sum of money from his parents and used this to help those who were less fortunate. Saint Nicholas is often pictured with a long, white beard and wearing red robes.

One story of Saint Nicholas tells the tale of him generously saving three daughters who were on the verge of being forced into a life of enslavement. Over three nights, Saint Nicholas secretly delivered three bags of gold – one for each daughter. However, by the third night, the father of the three girls was so desperate to thank the kind stranger that he stayed awake. Being a shy man and feeling no need for praise, Saint Nicholas delivered the third bag down the chimney so as not to be caught. When the bag reached the bottom of the chimney, it is said to have landed in a pair of stockings which were hanging by the fire.

Odin

Odin is a powerful god from Norse mythology. Odin is said to be the god of many things, including wisdom, poetry and knowledge. He is also father to Thor who is thought to be the god of thunder and lightning.

One tale of Odin describes him travelling through the air on his chariot which was being hauled by an eight-legged horse named Sleipnir. The tale also describes Odin as leaving gifts in the shoes of children who had been well-behaved. Interestingly, some people also believe that Odin has the ability to determine whether a person has been good or bad.

All over the world, there are tales of figures who bring cheer during the winter months and give gifts to children who deserve them. Although some may have different names, such as Père Noël (France), Joulupukki (Finland) or Weihnachtsmann (Germany), many of them share a likeness with the three people mentioned in this text.

Wherever you believe Santa Claus originated from and however you think he manages to deliver so many gifts in such a short space of time, don’t forget to look out of your window for signs of him on Christmas Eve!

Questions

1. Which of the following people is not known for giving gifts to well-behaved children? Tick one.

Santa Claus

Père Noël

Saint Nicholas

Odin

2. Which of the following are similarities between modern-day Santa Claus and Saint Nicholas? Tick two.

flying on a sleigh

delivering presents at night

wearing red

owning a workshop

3. Look at the paragraph beginning On the night of the 24th December…

Find and copy two words which mean the same as ideas.

4. What did Saint Nicholas choose to do with the money that he had inherited?

5. Fill in the missing words.

Odin was thought to have flown through the sky on a which was pulled by a horse called         .

6. Some people believe that Santa Claus originated from Odin. Why do you think that they believe this?

7. It is thought that Saint Nicholas was born around AD 300. Why do you think that the author has chosen to use the phrase it is thought?

8. Describe the character of Saint Nicholas. Use the text to support your answer.

English-

Have a think about these questions: Do you like crisps? Why/why not? Do crisps form part of a healthy diet?

Write an unaided discussion piece entitled: ‘Should schools sell crisps at break time?’ - think about advantages and disadvantages arguments. 

Remember to include our every day toolkit features and try to write at least a page of A4.

Maths

Watch this video: What is a fraction?

Then have a go at answering these questions.

Feel free to write the answers on your own paper and bring them in next time.

Topic-  This week and next we will be thinking about Diwali. Research Diwali and Rangoli patterns and have a go at making one of your own!