In S.E.S.E. in May we were learning about different types of energy. We researched renewable and non-renewable sources of energy. Renewable energy is better for the environment as it can be used again. Non-renewable energy sources or fossil fuels will eventually run out. They also release carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.

We found it interesting learning about climate change so we researched the topic in pairs and did mini projects. We found out some interesting facts and figures about plastic too. Did you know that plastic is made from oil (a fossil fuel)?  At the end of the research we came up with some ideas on how to reduce our carbon footprint. Mary is our green girl representative. She is going to bring some of the ideas to the next Green Schools meeting.

In May we experimented using a widening range of print making techniques.

These creative prints were designed using foam and cardboard.

Some of us shared our designs to make more creative pieces focusing on line and shape.

Here is an update on everything that happened in room 6 in January.

New Year’s Resolutions

The girls wrote some New Year’s resolutions. I wonder if we’ll manage to stick to them?

Cursive Writing

We have been practising our cursive writing in our Write Here during term one. In term two Ms. McCarthy will be moving some girls on to cursive writing in their copies. Remember to have a good point on your pencil and to sit up properly when writing. We will continue to practise our letter formation, as some letters are harder to remember than others.

Bacteria Workshop

Cara and Clodagh from Designer Minds came to the class to do a workshop. We were learning about bacteria. We each got to grow our own bacteria in a dish.

My Life Solutions

Sarah from MyLife Solutions came to talk to us about friendship. She spoke about what makes a good friend. We identified what qualities we have that make us good friends. We then delved a bit deeper and thought about times we weren’t good friends and didn’t display these qualities. What we could do differently in future?

Catholic Schools Week

Catholic Schools Week started on Monday the 28^th of January. This year we focused on welcoming diversity. We completed a lovely activity where the girls wrote nice things about each other on a page. We discussed how we all have unique gifts and talents. No one is better than us at being us! We are unique and treat everyone with respect. God loves us all equally!

Gaeilge Verbs

During term one, we focused on learning the past tense ‘Aimsir Chaite’ (this is the red list on the glance card). At the beginning of the month we did a blitz revision of all the verbs we had learnt in term one.

Now we have moved on to learning the present tense verbs ‘Aimsir Láithreach’ (the yellow list on the glance card).

Present tense verbs will be learnt in the following order.

1. An Chéád Réimniú (A-R) One syllable verbs
2. An Dara Réimniú (A-M on the other side of the card) Two syllable verbs -a lot ending in -igh
3. Briathra Neamhrialta (1-11) There are 11 irregular verbs

Italy Day

Italy Day is fast approaching! Lots of hard work and dedication here in room 6! The projects are looking fabulous! I’m very proud of the work the girls have put in.

Just a reminder that there is no pressure to prepare food for the day!! If the girls are bringing in food I have reminded them it can’t be heated in school. Also they have to give parents plenty of notice, i.e. not on Thursday night!

Stations Games

As part of English stations we have been playing some fantastic games to develop spelling and oral language skills. Scrabble and Bananagrams are a hit and we try to make words with four or more letters. 30 seconds for Kids is a great oral language game. You have to describe an item without mentioning its name or saying rhymes with. Scrabble might be a nice game for the girls to teach you to play at home 🙂

As discussed in class this project will be done in groups. It will mainly be completed in school but you may be asked to do some research at home.

Projects will be displayed in poster format.

The topics to be included are;

1. Family life and homes
2. Roman army
3. Gods
4. Entertainment (Colosseum, Circus Maximus, baths etc.)
5. A timeline (don’t start this bit until next week- we have a bit more learning to do first)

You may begin researching your project. Decide how you will divide the tasks? Will one person take a topic each? Will each person do their own research and then you can combine it all together?

Remember each girl in your group should be able to talk about and explain the information on the poster.

If you have room at the end of the project you can add in your own sections e.g. Clothes, Emperors, Pompeii or Interesting Facts

The project is due 8th of February.

Italian day will be Friday 15th of February.

To help get you started;

https://www.ducksters.com/history/ancient_rome.php

http://www.historyforkids.net/ancient-rome.html

https://www.bbc.com/bitesize/articles/z2sm6sg

*Supervision when using the internet is advised.

The library is also a great resource to use when doing projects. See if you can find any books that we could use in your local library.

Recently we started reading our first novel, ‘The Butterfly Lion’ by Michael Morpurgo.

Morpurgo is a fantastic author! We will be exploring the book in different ways. Some of the roles we will be taking on while reading the novel are;

Word Wizard– find interesting or new words in the text

Artful Artist– visually depict anything about the story that engaged you.

Clever Connector– connect the text to your own lives, books, movies etc.

Discussion Director– write some good questions for your group, think of what you would like to talk about.

Summariser– write and share a short overview of what you have read.

Before midterm we focused on narrative writing. With our novel we will be focusing on a new genre of writing- recount. We will be writing diary entries based on our reading. Before writing we will discuss character feelings and work on summarising events in time order.

We will be reading this novel for homework over the next few weeks. The girls have been advised to read with an adult. The reading can be shared, with both student and adult taking turns reading. Discuss what you have read and ask your daughter questions.

Use new vocabulary you come across. I have given your daughter a vocabulary sheet to use with the novel, feel free to add new and interesting words to the list at home.

Some sample questions you might ask when reading at home;