Transition is both an exciting and challenging time for pupils, whether that be to a new year group or new school. Preparing children for the change that is coming is important. Transition this year for all children is totally different, with some children being in school and a large part not able to return to school this academic year.

2Blog within Purple Mash, has seen an increase in use during this period of home/blended learning. We have been listening to you and have made a number of updates to 2Blog to support you.

20th March 2020, was the last day of school for many, as children, teachers and parents began a new way of learning at home. Schools have never been closed and many have remained open during holidays in order to support their local communities.

Schools that were Purple Mash subscribers began using it to support home learning and started to realise its potential as a fully cross curricular resource. Teachers have been contacting us to tell us about the engagement they have had from children and parents, the ease of use, safety features and the wide range of activities that they’re setting for their children.

Children’s Art Week will take place online, home and in schools across the three weeks it runs in June and July. The 2020 themes are: The Natural World (from 29th June), Connecting Across Generations (6th July) and Literacy and Creative Writing (13th July). The aim of Children’s Art Week is to encourage families and children to take part in creative activities that they may not have tried before. It’s all about showing the importance of creativity and art in everyday life.

To celebrate Children’s Art Week and the weekly themes, we have several activities you can use on Purple Mash.

Fete de la Musique – World Music day is an annual music celebration started in France in 1982 and which now takes places in 125 countries and 1000 cities across the world on 21st June.  Make Music Day is the UK’s contribution and aims to turn the country into a stage and enable performers the opportunity to develop their musical skills. With social distancing measures in place in the UK, the day is moving online and there are lots of ways to get involved. You can find out more on their website.