Although this isn’t the start to a new term and a new year that we had hoped for, 6th class have really stepped up to the challenge of learning from home for the month of January. They have become tech wizards, using Google classroom and Google docs like professionals and are making their teachers so proud every single day with the commitment and effort they are putting into their online tasks.
English
Writing
It is a very exciting (and busy!) time in 6th class at the moment as every child has begun work on their very own book for the ‘Write a Book’ project ran annually by Blackrock Education Centre. 6th class had already completed plenty of work on the genre of narrative writing before schools broke up for Christmas holidays and so, were more than ready to take on the challenge of becoming authors from their bedrooms and kitchen tables! So far, we have a fantastic mix of stories about time travel, soldiers in WW2, mysterious discoveries and inventions, long lost family members and everything in between! We cannot wait to have our published books in our hands in a few weeks’ time but until then, we are very much enjoying the writing process.
6th class also wrote some beautiful pieces of acrostic poetry about our experiences of online learning so far which were so brilliant, they have been given their own page on our school website!
Reading
Ms. Fleming’s and Mr. Ó’Luasaigh’s 6th classes have begun their study of fictional texts. They are reading some gorgeous novels including the Boy in the Striped Pyjamas, Bridge to Terabithia and Kensuke’s Kingdom. These two classes even have the luxury of doing their daily reading in bed if they wish!
Whereas, Ms. Lane’s and Ms. Synnott’s classes are moving in the opposite direction and have begun studying non-fiction/informational texts. They are enjoying looking at the features of non-fiction texts and reading some examples of non-fiction texts; the latest being a fantastic newspaper report describing the nerve-wracking events surrounding the Apollo 13 mission.
Maths
Again, 6th class are really pushing themselves and showing just how capable they really are by tackling the tricky topic of ‘equations’ virtually. They are enjoying their daily video lessons to help them on their way to solve for x, y or z! We have been left wondering on occasion whose idea it was to add letters into maths but there is a great feeling of satisfaction once we have managed to solve some tricky equations! On Fridays of online learning, 6th class have also been busy solving some fun puzzles involving emojis and pictures like the example below:
Gaeilge
Ba é ‘An Scoil’ an téama a bhí againn i rith mí Eanáir. Bhíomar ag foghlaim na h-ainmneacha don ábhair scoile éagsúla. Bhíomar ag cleachtadh na huimreacha agus ag foghlaim conas am a insint don uair an chloig, leathuair an chloig, ceathrú uair an chloig agus nóiméad.
Anois, táim in ann na ceisteanna seo a fhreagairt:
- Cén rang ina bhfuil tú?
- Cén scoil ina bhfuil tú?
- Cén t-ábhar scoile is fearr leat?
- Cén t-ábhar scoile is fuath leat?
- Cén t-am é anois?
- Cén t-am a bhíonn mata ar siúl?
Other subjects
In other very exciting news, we have just began our in-depth study of the topic of WW2 in our history lessons. So far, we have studied the causes of WW2, Hitler’s aims during the war, the use of propaganda and life in Britain during WW2, including the evacuation of children. This has begun to be a firm favourite among many students so far and we have still have so much to learn!
We are also continuing to let our creativity flow from home with some fantastic art lessons over the month of January. We completed some paintings using only tea and coffee and took on the ‘Laundry Art’ challenge using items of clothing to re-create a famous painting or to create a unique piece of art work. We also designed some fantastic propaganda posters which could have been used during WW2, focusing on creating some persuasive slogans and eye-catching imagery. Check out some examples of this fabulous art work below.
We are so looking forward to returning to school when it is safe to do so but until then, 6th class, keep up the amazing work online! All of your 6th class teachers are so proud of each and every one of you and you should all be very proud of yourselves too!
Ms. Synnott, Mr. Ó’Luasaigh, Ms. Lane and Ms. Fleming :)