Finally we have returned to the classroom, and what a great adaptable bunch our 6th class pupils are. We are so delighted to have you all back in school again and you have adjusted so well to in-class learning. We have been doing lots of varied work. Here is a very small sample of what the 6th class children have been exploring:
For marine week, we looked at sea creatures and found out about some interesting species. We then explored perspective lines and how our brain processes images in our visual cortex. We drew aquariums and folded some origami sea creatures.
We welcomed Spring by observing the emerging new life springing up around us and painted some beautiful Cherry Blossom trees.
HOw The children were delighted to have their 'Fridays in the Forest' slot back and we loved playing 'Salmon, Mosquito, Bear' and 'Eagle Eye'. Children worked in groups to make dens and came up with all sorts of great creations! Some, inspired the work of Andy Goldsworthy who we studied earlier on in the year. How lucky are we to have a great forest so close to our school!
As part of the 'One Book, One Community' initiative, we explored the amazing story of William Kamkwamba, an African teenager who taught himself English in order to study when his parents could not afford to send him to school. He saved his village from the devastating effects of famine and drought by building a windmill out of materials he found in a scrap yard. He continues his studies in engineering in the hope of reaching many more remote villages in Malawi.
The children created comic strips of the main events of his story, wrote newspaper reports recounting his amazing feat and penned and illustrated beautiful poems which express the hardship he witnessed growing up.
The children created comic strips of the main events of his story, wrote newspaper reports recounting his amazing feat and penned and illustrated beautiful poems which express the hardship he witnessed growing up.
Our artist of the month of April was Helen Steele, an Irish designer whose keen eye and talent for colour has her produces amazing fabrics and homeware. We explored ways of printing and using simple prints to design items of clothing and homeware.
Our countryside lit up this month with the Gorse bush in full bloom. We learned about the important role Gorse played in the lives of our ancestors and in Celtic mythology, how it was used to light the Bealtine Fires, and how it continues to be a major player in the protection of habitats, and as a nectar supply for the bees. With such abundance in our reach, we picked some flowers and made Gorse Cordial. So nice to be out on a sunny day with the scent of coconut and vanilla in the air!
6th class took part in the National Spring Clean by doing a litter pick around the school grounds, the village pathways and into the forest. Lovely to play a part in keeping our environment litter free as much as we can!
Such a great return to school after a long period of at home learning. Only a few weeks left for this group, with lots of learning and fun activities planned for the last term. Well done 6th class, you are doing great! Keep supporting each other and putting in your best effort in all that you do. Do yourselves proud and make your final few weeks in Newtownmountkennedy Primary memorable and enjoyable!