Belgrove Senior Girls' School

Seafield Road West, Clontarf, Dublin 3 • 01 833 1888 • info@belgroveseniorgirls.ie

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Category Archives: Ms McCarthy’s Blog


Ms. McCarthy
November 9, 2020
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  • 4th Class Blogs
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  • Ms McCarthy's Blog

Fractions

We have been working hard in maths this month. We are learning about fractions. We have been using fraction wheels and fraction walls to compare fractions- identifying equivalent fractions and ordering them on a number line.

Here are some games to revise the concepts at home;

https://www.sheppardsoftware.com/mathgames/fractions/memory_equivalent1.htm

https://www.sheppardsoftware.com/mathgames/fractions/equivalent_fractions_shoot.htm

We have been using cubes, drawing pictures and creating number sentences to solve problems finding a FRACTION OF A NUMBER. This is a concept that we have spent a lot of time on and are continuing to work on. We have been DIVIDING the whole number into EQUAL groups.

Here is a game to help revise this at home;

https://mathsframe.co.uk/en/resources/resource/264/Crystal-crash-fractions-numbers

We created pictures using fractions.

Useful language when using fractions: fractions, equivalent, equal, the same value, bigger/smaller, amount, divide, numerator, denominator, half, third, quarter, fifth, sixth, eighth, ninth, tenth, twelfth, whole unit.

*As always, it is advised that the girls be supervised when using the internet.


Ms. McCarthy
November 9, 2020
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A Quick Update

Well done to the girls on their fabulous E.U. projects. They were well researched and a lot of work went into them. They are now on display in our cloakroom. The girls did a fantastic job presenting the projects to the class.

We had great fun dressing up before the midterm. We went on a sponsored walk around Clontarf.

We are learning about Arranmore off the coast of Donegal. Here are some of our tourist posters encouraging people to visit the island.


Ms. McCarthy
October 19, 2020
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Maths Week

Last week was Maths Week. We had lots of fun in school.

Congratulations to Lucy H. and Sarah who received Maths Week certificates.

We played tables snap every day to practice our tables. We wrote maths acrostic poems using maths vocabulary. We created a display on our classroom door using maths vocabulary.

We created symmetrical aliens using our names.

We tried a few problems and brainteasers during the week too. We also started suduko, we are hoping to continue working on them this week.


Ms. McCarthy
October 12, 2020
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Tags:
  • 4thclass
  • september

September

Roald Dahl Day

On Friday 11th of September we celebrated Roald Dahl Day. We all dressed up as characters from the well-known books. Ms. McCarthy read ‘Esio Trot’ to the class. We wrote Roald Dahl acrostic poems inspired by the writing of our favourite author. We then designed our own chocolate factories inspired by Willie Wonka and the Oompa Loompas.

Autumn Art

Check out our lovely autumnal art. We experimented with water colour and worked with new techniques to create our masterpieces.

Nature Walk

As part of our homework on Seesaw we had to compare leaves and fruits to identify trees. Some girls brought in their samples to school. We have them displayed on a class nature table.

Growth Mindset

We have been talking about Growth Mindset a lot in class this month. We have discovered that growth mindset is very important because, if you say something over and over to yourself, you start to believe it is true. We have been looking at fixed mindsets and using affirmations to help us develop a growth mindset. One of our favourite examples is;

Fixed mindset: Plan A didn’t work

Growth Mindset: Plan A didn’t work, but there are 25 more letters in the alphabet

Did you know, J.K Rowling was rejected by 12 publishers before publishing Harry Potter. She certainly has a growth mindset!

Weaving Well Being

We have been using the Weaving Well Being programme in class too. In 4th class the programme focuses  on building resilience. We have discussed that resilience is the ability to bounce back. We acknowledge our feelings. We know it is not possible to be happy all of the time. But how do we deal with the worries and upsets that we sometimes face? We have been building a bank of resources to help us;

  • Jigsaw of perspective – we use perspective to see the big picture, not just the problems in our lives.
  • Lucky Dip of Distraction- we use a healthy distraction to help take our minds off problems or worries which we can’t do anything about
  • Planning pen- we ask three questions 1. Who can I talk to about this problem? 2. What should I do first? 3. What will I do if my plan doesn’t work?

Lesson 4 asks us to think about 5 people we can talk to about our problems and worries. Chat at home about who those 5 people might be.

Mental Maths

At the start of every maths lesson we warm up with some mental maths. We have been answering questions based on numbers on a target board. We have been skip counting. We have been playing Queen of the Tables. Our newest game is Tables Snap. Tables are so important! Knowing them will help us later in the year when the problems get trickier. Emily gave us a great website to practice our tables at home https://www.timestables.com/


Ms. McCarthy
June 4, 2019
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Energy and Climate Change

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.


Ms. McCarthy
June 4, 2019
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Printing

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.


Ms. McCarthy
February 11, 2019
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January Blog

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 28th 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 🙂

 

 


Ms. McCarthy
January 14, 2019
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Ancient Rome Project Information

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.

Rome, Italy, September In Rome, Old Town


Ms. McCarthy
January 14, 2019
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  • Ms McCarthy's Blog
Tags:
  • maths
  • multiplication
  • tables

Long Multiplication

Last week we began long multiplication in class. Before now we have  only been multiplying by a one digit number. Now we can multiply by 2 digit numbers.  The girls have been very quick at grasping this new maths skill! Well done girls 🙂

We want to keep the steps fresh in our minds, so we will have a long multiplication sum every night for homework in January. 

Here are the steps the girls came up with;

  1. Remove the 10 from the bottom 2 digit number – now the sum is a manageable 2 digit by 1 digit sum
  2. Do this sum (as we were taught in 3rd) and cross off the unit when finished
  3. Add your hero zero on the bottom and write back in your ten
  4. Start multiplying by the unit first
  5. Add the two answers together to get the answer to the long multiplication question

(This may not make sense to those at home. These are the steps the girls came up with in class at the end of the week- ask them to explain the process when they are doing their sum for homework.)

 

In order to be long multiplication experts, it really helps to know your tables!! Keep revising! Below are some websites you can use to practice at home;

http://www.sheppardsoftware.com/math.htm#basicoperations

https://www.multiplication.com/games/all-games

https://www.timestables.com/games/

*Please supervise children when using the internet in case they stray from original page

Ms. McCarthy
November 5, 2018
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The Butterfly Lion

Image result for the butterfly lion

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;

 

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