5C - Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator

This week in year 5 we have been writing our own versions of 'Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator'. Here is Max's opening paragraph.

Previously, we saw tiny Charlie Bucket floating high in orbit above his home town. Everyone was wildly excited, apart from Grandma Josephine who was petrified! After winning the Chocolate Factory, which was a marvel, Charlie was returning in triumph.

“Get us out of here!” screamed Grandma Josephine loudly.

“We must go higher!” Mr Wonka shouted excitedly.

“You mad man!” screeched Grandma Josephine, her voice filling with fear.

Rachel's space narrative from 5E

This week in 5E, we have been creating our own versions of Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator. Each pupil created their own planet and alien. Below is Rachel's build up, where the elevator arrives at the unknown planet:

Although the elevator was programmed to float, it somehow dropped in time with the erupting screams spreading like an infectious cold, but an even crueller flu, which made Charlie deflate like a balloon. 

"Help!" Grandma Georgina screamed. How much worse could it get?

When Charlie reluctantly opened his heavy eyelids, he notcied he was covered in shattered glass, and was laying on a flat, ivory ground, trembling with fear. He moved his head, lookig at a dark, liquid blue sky. 

"Diiing!" Something screeched, and Charlie saw the most astounding thing in his life. He was frightened and amazed, his heart pounding.

6F Explanation Text - Trench Warfare

Year 6 have been looking at writing explanation texts. This week we wrote in the context of WW1 and focused on 'trench warfare'. See if you can learn a thing or two from Rosieanne's first couple of paragraphs.

What is trench warfare?

Trenches

A trench is a barrier from the enemy, to keep soldiers safe. Trenches, the temporary home of soldiers, were most commonly seen during World War One. Opposing sides would launch attacks across no-man’s-land (the space between the two front lines). Surprisingly, the first trench line was completed in November 1914 and by the end of that year it had stretched 475 miles, starting at the North seas. Soldiers dug into the ground, in times of war, to protect them from the horrid weather conditions, which could be appalling.

Construction and design

During WW1, soldiers would initially dig a 1 metre by 2 metre hole, to act as somewhere to hide. Then trench boards were placed on the ground to help with drainage. Eventually, a ‘fire step’ was cut into the walls to shoot from. At last, sandbags would be laid down to stop the trench from caving in on itself. Also barbed wire was rolled out to stop determined enemies from attacking. The front wall (the parapet) was about ten feet tall. The rear wall (the parados) was lined with sandbags as well. However, in extreme weather, some sand bags would fall over. 

5G's Narrative Writing Inspired by Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator

This week we have used the original story of Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator to inspire us to write our own versions of the text. Instead of landing on the Space Hotel and meeting the Knids, we have created our own planets and aliens and told our own adventure story! This is an extract from Kristian's narrative.

'Where are we?!' cried Grandma Josephine.
'Now look what you've done,' Mr Wonka retorted, 'We're in space!'
Charlie stared out of the window at the vast blackness of the sky. It was an extraordinary sight, there were stars everywhere and the planets seemed to line up from biggest to smallest. 

An hour later, they saw a planet which did not appear on the charts of the Solar System. No one had ever seen it before. 
'Where are we? What is this planet?' Charlie asked Mr Wonka.
'I don't know,' he replied. As it turns out, it was the planet Brazian. They landed on its strange surface and began to explore. There were curious trees of fire and volcanoes rose up from the ground like great furnaces of light and heat. Fire dripped down their sides. At the bottom of a valley lay a fiery ocean of boiling water, if they had stepped in it, they would have been burnt!

'We've discovered a new planet!' Mr Wonka gasped, staring around in wonder at the sight spread out before them. 

6B Trench Warfare!

This week we learnt about trench warfare during World War One and wrote a report on it. This is an example of Malika's work.


What is Trench Warfare?
Trenches were used as barriers during WW1. They were dug in the ground by soldiers, in times of war, and acted as protection, especially from the weather. Trench warfare was most commonly seen in World War One.


The construction and design.
First soldiers would be told to dig a hole about one meter wide and 2 meters deep to protect them from small arms fire. Then they would place boards on the ground so that the rain and water would drain properly.


What was they daily routine for a soldier in the trench?
Soldiers were regularly rotated through a basic sequence of fighting and rest. Each morning and evening (just before dawn and dusk) the troops participated in a 'stand-to', during which the men would prepare for battle. 


Malika N'Dure 6B

6B Explanation Texts

Today 6B wrote a report about trench foot, an awful disease that soldiers contracted during WW1.


Here is an extract from Regan's work.


How do soldiers contract trench foot?
Trench foot is a condition that effects soldiers who were in WW1, WW2 and the Vietnam War. This condition is also known as hyperhidrosis and is normally most severe during the winter months. Is affects people when they have been outside for a long period of time. Although it is most commonly related to World War One, it was first recorded in 1812 by Napolian's army, nearly one hundred years before the Great War.


What are the symptoms?
Despite this being a dreadful disease, it isn't fatal. Commonly, your feet go numb and not long after the feet turn red - erythrosis-  or blue  - cyanosis. Also the sufferers develop a decaying odour, where they smell foul. Sometimes the soldier's feet became so swollen and engulfed with blisters that they couldn't take their boots off! In the worst case scenarios trench foot led to the casualties needing to have their feet amputated.

Explanation texts - 6R

The children in 6R have been independently writing explanation texts about a topic of their choice. Here is an extract from Maya's text about why we need to eat and drink.

Why do you need to eat and drink?

Many people from all over the nation, eat and drink every day, eating three to five times a day and drinking often. However, in some parts of the world (for example in Africa and parts of India) this is not always possible. Some citizens of these areas eat and drink rarely and when they do it is dirty and unhygienic. This is why we should eat and drink, as for many humans like us we have the privilege to do so.

Drink
You need to drink because it is a vital area in your life. Recent studies have shown that if you don't drink your brain will shrink as the protection of your brain is filled with water so if you don't drink your brain will shrink which will lead to a loss of memory, and you won't want that to happen.

Eat
Eating is as important, despite the fact that you can last longer without eating than drinking. You should eat because you know it is right for you. But, also, because ti is a break and to refill your body for the further part of your day. Food is packed with many different vitamins. For example oranges are filled with vitamin C. Also carbohydrates, like pasta, give you energy so you can keep going.

5C Alien Character Description

This week in 5C we have been continuing our work on 'Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator'. In the book, Charlie and the gang are attacked by deadly aliens called Vermicious Knids. We made up our own aliens and wrote a character description.

Strangely, it resembled a nut but it had sharp nails on the tips of its fingers. It was as tall as a sky scraper and as fat as an oompa loompa. Its deep purple skin was covered in prickly hairs that gave off a deadly, pungent smell. At the top of its body it had a colossal red eye that could melt you with one stare. Surprisingly, it tiptoed inconspicuously on its dainty feet.

By Ben

100 Word Challenge - 6F

This week 6F have uploaded Jason's 100 Word Challenege. This week's challenge was to finish a short story based on a video clip about the evil Lord Nulth. Jason had to create an interesting and exciting ending in 100 words.

As he opened the sack of sorrow, a ghastly talking creature jumped out! The dreaded Shrangutan; it was over for Lord Nulth. Shouting and crying, the beast was loose, despite usually being in his cage! It was the malevolent Lord Nulth who turned him into this abomination. Part shark, part orangutan, with teeth as sharp as skewers.

 “We meet again… It’s so nice to see you!” Lord Nulth screeched sarcastically.  

“Stop being so arrogant!” All of a sudden, the Shrangutan had leapt into mid-air and stuck his stone claws into Lord Nulth.

“Is it over?” one of the minions, standing to one side, thought aloud. Suddenly, Lord Nulth disappeared with a cloud of smoke. BOOM… It was. For now…

5E's Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator Narrative

This week in Year 5 we have been continuing our journey in space through the eyes of Roald Dahl. We have rewritten the opening of Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator.

Below is Katie's narrative, which is describing the moment when Charlie entered the Space Hotel:

They were feeling anxious and worried; nervous that just ahead of them they could see the mammoth Space Hotel shaped like a diamond. Carefully, Grandpa Joe attached their shimmering glass elevator to the humongous Space Hotel. Suddenly, inside the hotel - FLASH! - down like a lightening bolt, the Knids appeared.

Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator - Narrative Writing by 5G

This week in Year 5 we have been re-telling the story of Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator. Here is an extract from our shared writing as a class. We hope you enjoy it!

Charlie Bucket was an ordinary boy to whom the most extraordinary things happened. Mere hours after being told he was to inherit Willy Wonka's legendary chocolate factory; he found himself hurtling through the skies in an elevator to collect his family, accompanied by none other than Mr Wonka himself. It was an exhilarating ride!

They landed with a bump in the living room of Charlie's tiny, bedraggled house to be greeted by the astonished stares of Charlie's parents and three, bed-ridden grandparents.
'I have the most unbelievably amazing news' he exclaimed as he exited the elevator excitedly. 
'Spit it out then', replied Grandma Georgina rudely.
'We are all going to live in Mr Wonka's factory, he says I am going to take over from him one day!' 
A beatific beam spread across his face as he spoke.

Unsurprisingly, this announcement was greeted by a great deal of joy and excitement, followed by a rather heated debate about how, exactly, the bed-ridden grandparents were to be transported to said factory. After eventually agreeing that the enormous, unweildy bed could be squashed into the elevator, they set off. They had not got very far however, when Grandma Georgina began to panic in a most obnoxious way.

'This man is cracked! He's as crazy as a teapot, as loopy as a broomstick!' she shrieked as the elevator rose higher and higher into the brilliant, azure sky. The sun was winking off the glass walls of the elevator as they ascended, and even Charlie and Grandpa Joe began to feel a little concerned...

6R's WWI diary entry

This week, 6R have been writing the final diary entry of the character Private Charlie Peaceful. Here is a section of Madison's.

The only good thing about my life now is that soon, in about two minutes, this hell on earth will be over. The tide of fear that had come over me is ebbing away slowly. Thoughts of my dear Molly and baby Tommo fill my head. I truly hope that this death won't be as futile as I think it'll be. I really hope that after this war no human will ever have to see such sights. My last drops of energy are going to be spent on love not hatred because if this war has taught me one thing, hatred is all too costly for us soldiers. 

Mr Wonka Character Description

In year 5 we have been reading 'Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator' by Roald Dahl. Here is Luc's character description of the famous Mr Wonka.  

Mr Willy Wonka is a chocolate extraordinaire. He is an eccentric person and has a crazy hair doo. He is as mad as a hatter with twinkling eyes. He wears a deep plum velvet jacket, peach trousers, tap shoes and a red top hat seats neatly on his head. What a marvellous man he is! He’s thoughtful, for example he eventually decides to give his famous chocolate factory to a poor, melancholy young boy named Charlie Bucket. He is also a genius and takes Charlie and his family to Space Hotel USA in his marvellous glass elevator, and then saves them from vermicious knids. Furthermore, Mr Wonka is a very humorous man and tricks people a lot. In ‘Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator’ he fools the president of the United States into thinking they’re alien from mars because he speaks mystic words. Would you want to be the crazy Willy Wonka?

5E's Character Description of Willy Wonka

This week in Year 5, we have continued to study space and Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator. We wrote character descriptions for the wonderful Willy Wonka. Here is Ashiq's:

The enthusiastic Willy Wonka wears a plum velvet jacket whilst his Oompa Loompa assistants fondly dance and sing. He is as smart as Albert Einstein, although his ideas are as mad as a hatter. The recent owner of the famous chocolate factory, Charlie Bucket, admires Willy's out of this world actions. Mr Wonka loves to sample his delightful treats and care tenderly for his minion assistants.

6F's WW1 Diaries continued

Continuing our work with WW1 diaries, Matthew has written a diary entry from the perspective of Charlie, a soldier who is about to be executed by his country for "cowardice". This is his first paragraph:


Dear Diary,


As I solemnly sit and write for the final time, I fear that this war will never end. I feel a spot of relief because my time in the war will be over soon; very soon… The grip of fear in my heart has been extinguished, putting out all of the doleful feelings inside of me. Demoralising thoughts of Molly and little Tommo fill my heart, and I want to hold them in my arms for one last time. I deeply hope that my death will not be pointless and it will encourage others to fight and finish this war so that little Tommo will never have to face the terrifying horrors that I have. However, at the same time, revenge itches at my coarse skin. How could Hanley do this to me? But there is no point wasting my last moments in hatred; if the war has taught me one thing, it is that hatred is too risky.

Willy Wonka Character Description, 5G

Mr Willy Wonka

Mr Willy Wonka, an adroit man,with eyes full of more wonders than the human mind could ever imagine. He wears a purple blazer - as smooth as can be - a smart bow tie and golden trousers over his lanky legs. His hair curls round like little twirls of spaghetti and blows gently in the wind. Brown polished shoes cover his feet, gleaming in the rays of the Sun. His creased face hides an extraordinary talent. This man may look old but that has no effect on his mind, he remains as sharp as any man ever was. 

Mr Wonka is a little insane. He is incredibly generous and gave his entire chocolate factory to Charlie after Charlie proved himself to be worthy, Willy Wonka is a great judge of human character. He is rather formal and uses odd phrases in his speech, often confusing people. He is however, an intellectual and a genius inventor!

By Nancy, 5G

Diary Writing 6B

This week we have been planning and writing diaries of Charlie's last moments in the book 'Private Peaceful'.
 This is an extract from our class writing session.


Well nothing is a lie, I am going to die for my family, for the blood, flesh and bones of my darling brother Tommo. Never would I have left him there, in that ditch, with the life slowly fading from his eyes. What sort of brother would I have been then? Hanley might have been able to live with Tommo's blood on his hands, but not me.


All of that is irrelevant now. Soon I will join the other faceless casualties of this merciless war. Mystery men with much hope but little luck. Saddened by the fact that I am just one more child who waved goodbye to England and hello to his demise, I know my time is up. Whilst my son has all the time in the world to grow and flourish, I know my memory will begin to fade. All he has left now are Tommo and Molly, and I hope as the soothe him to sleep they sing our song - Oranges and Lemons - and think of me, not with sadness but with joy and love.


Until we meet again in heaven, as is God's will, I can only offer you peace and happiness.


Private Charlie Peaceful

SPaG workshop for Y5 and Y6

On Friday, Years 5 and 6 were lucky enough to take part in a drama-based Spelling, Punctuation and Grammar (SPaG) workshop. It was fantastic for the children to practise their key skills in this exciting context. Below are some photos of the morning.

5C The Planets

This week in Literacy, Year 5 have been writing poems based on our theme Space. We have been using many different features of poetry. What features of poetry can you spot in this poem? 

In the night sky,

Malicious Mars stomps and stares.

He is fiery red with anger,

And will kill you with his glares.

In the night sky,

Venus swiftly swirls.

She is tranquil and sympathetic,

And keeps peace between the worlds.

By Elliott, Liam, Ben, May and Hudhaifa

6R diary entry - WWI

Here is Zoe's diary entry from the point of view of Tommo, a soldier in Michael Morpurgo's WWI story, Private Peaceful.

   17th December 1914

Dear Diary,

With Christmas heading our way, we never give up hope, for the war should be over by then, but our hopes fade away a little each day because men have seen what they shouldn't have. Nevertheless, nobody back in England could possibly realise what a treacherous state we're in; it is pure hell on Earth: a static killing-field. A futile, bloody mess, in which men, who have done nothing, are perishing. And for what? For nothing.

Today was one of the darkest thus far. I can hardly bear to narrate what events happened last night. For many hours - which seemed to last for weeks - I truly felt Charlie was gone. When I saw him approaching, limping, bloodshod, I thought I was seeing a phantom. Others, however, weren't so fortunate. You only have to turn around to see that our numbers have been decimated - and as for those who have lives to go on? We have been demolished, in body and spirit alive.

It all began at dawn, while we were making tea. There was a bellowed order. We glanced at each other; this was it. Fuelled by pure adrenaline, I managed to escape a few hours - I do not know how - unscathed, but what I saw in that time I will never be able to erase from my mind. All I can push myself to say is that after this futile war no man will never experience something like this ever again.

I wish I was back home with Molly and Ma and I want to get out of this hell on Earth, but Charlie says to not think about it and concentrate on not getting myself killed. But I do wish I was with all of them because I am scared and frightened here.

This evening we were informed that Sergeant Hanley is our new commander. We loathe him more than any dreadful Fritz. I can not imagine how I will go on; but I have no other choice.

Tommo.

5E's Space Poetry

This week in Year 5, we have been working on poetry with our new topic, Space. After listening to Holst's The Planets, we created our own poems about objects in space.

Here is Chanel's poem, from 5E. She wrote about the moon:

The moon,

Smiling gracefully down to Earth,

An eye which sleeps during the day.

Nocturnal Moon,

Hiding her sparkling face,

Behind the fluffy white whispering clouds.

Asteroids and rockets land, 

And painfully crash,

Going very deep,

Into her rock hard body,

Making holes everywhere,

With no respect.

She detests, 

The other planets,

With such terrible hate.

She is the sister of darkness,

With a very evil side,

So when she is coming,

Keep your belongings inside.

6F WW1 diary writing

6F have been looking at writing recounts in the context of WW1 diaries. This is the first paragraph of Amy's, where she has written from the perspective of Michael Morpurgo's character, Tommo.

17^th December 1914

Dear Diary,

Christmas slowly walks towards us - there in no happiness though - everyone just wants to go home to their caring, loving families. They would not understand back at home; what it’s like. You see your fearless friends falling around you, row by row - like skittles. Everyone fading away until it is only you left. All of the brave soldiers here have hearts of courage. Why do they have to risk their lives? What is this all for? Nothing…

Diary Writing 6B

This week we have been learning about the features of diary writing. We planned and wrote a diary in the role of the character Tommo from Michael Morpurgo's book 'Private Peaceful'. Here is James' writing.

Dear Diary,

                     Christmas is getting closer. Hopefully, this dreadful war will end; every day is just mad killing. So we can celebrate Christmas happily. Nobody can compare anything to this war. Thousands have died. For what? Nothing. So many people have met their deaths. My opinion is that we just stop the whole thing. Sadly, I can’t stop this, I must go on…

Last night was the most evil night yet. Refusing, to even think about what happened last night. Although, I was on my own, I was still clinging to hope. Waiting, for Charlie to return. Suddenly, out of the gloom was Charlie . Bloodshot. However he was moving, but slightly. But a lot were “Lucky”. Not! Barely anyone was lucky.

First, it started at dawn. When we were eating breakfast. The sergeant (our commander) instructed “Right lads, on three we go over the top understood. One… two… three!”

We stared at each other. The time was now. We went. Luckily, I escaped the brutal hours. Later on, the stuff I witnessed in that time. No man should never see killing, fighting and attacks, I hope I will never witness any of that again (even though I know I will).

This evening we were informed that Sergeant Hanley is our new commander. We all hate his bones. I can’t see how I will go on. I must or punishments will be in order for me.

Until next time,

Tommo

James Allcott 6B

Space Poetry by 5G

This week in Year 5 we have been learning about Space which is our theme for the half term. We have created some poems based on space, including the idea of the planets as Roman gods as we focused on the use of personification. This is Charlie's poem, we hope you enjoy it!


In the night sky,
Stars gleams in the dark dimness,
playing with Saturn's rings all day long 
never growing weary. 

In the night sky,
Mars declares war.
he fights with stars for soldiers 
a great orb of blood stained armor. 

In the night sky , 
Venus heals poor dead souls of stars 
giving love, hope, peace 
to conquer Mars once more.

In the night sky,
The Sun beams down on Earth,
giving it heat,
vital, life-force heat.

By Charlie, 5G