Friday 27 February 2015

Book Review by Demi, 6F

As one of the Year 6 librarians, Demi has read and reviewed one of the new books in our library. Have a read and bear it in mind next time you're in the library.

Book review by Demi Oteju, Librarian
Title: My name is Mina
Author: David Almond.

What is the book about?
This book is about a young girl called Mina whose father tragically died when she was young. Now she only lives with her mother. However, Mina is a bit unique. She sees the world differently to other kids for example: she thinks about eggs hatching and if heaven is real or not. In addition, she has a journal were she writes high up in a tree but Mina doesn’t write about what she did in her day like other kids.

What year group would I recommend this book to?
I would recommend it to Year 5 and 6 because it has sophisticated words that younger KS2 might not understand. Moreover, it has good use of figurative language for example: my heart started to thud (metaphor) Also it is a high level piece of writing which can help the pupils of The Grove Academy make more progress in their Literacy.

Would you recommend this book to people and what would you rate it?
I would definitely recommend this to people who like an interesting story line and unique characters. Then hopefully this book shall be one of their favourites. I would rate this book out of 10 a 9.5 because it has an interesting story mountain, however it could have had a twist. Overall it was a phenomenal book in my opinion! 

  

5C Poetry

This week we began our new half term topic of Ancient Greece. After learning about the culture of Ancient Greece, we wrote poetry concerning Mount Olympus and its various gods, particularly focusing on Zeus and Hades. 

Mount Olympus, unique home to many privileged Gods controlling all the glorious galaxy.
The predominant, immense mountain stands as still as stone in Greece representing power, mirth.
Freshly scented clouds gracefully dance amidst lofty prisms,
Enthroned smugly in a fluttering cape of white crystal.

Home of the muscular warrior Zeus, sagacious ruler of the aqua marine blue skies,
Retaining endless power from the electrocuting lightning bolt.
Vigorous, dominant and specially carved,

Virtuously banishing his eyes from his brother’s  doom.

Mubarak 

Class Poem, An Ode to Ancient Greece by 5G

This week we have begun our new theme looking at Ancient Greece. We have been composing poetry inspired by the Greek gods. We were particularly inspired by the characters of Zeus and Hades and their respective domains. We hope you enjoy our poem!

An Ode to Ancient Greece

In Ancient Greece,
the marketplace bustles like a storm of starlings,
exhausted, fatigued and weary,
slaves heave heavy burdens.

In Ancient Greece,
Mount Olympus looms over Athens.
Gods peer down, proud and majestic,
golden stars standing guard. 

In Ancient Greece,
Heinous Hades rules with an iron fist,
the underworld, dark, grim and barren,
floating on rivers of lost souls.

In Ancient Greece,
Athletes and warriors train,
their tasks so herculean, many a soldier will fail,
heroic acts beyond their reach.

6B 500 words!

Over the last few weeks 6B have been planning and writing their entries to the BBC Radio 2 500 Words competition.


On Wednesday we submitted them and now we wait anxiously to hear if any of us have been winners!


Have a read of Millie's, do you think she could be a winner?







LOST IN THE STARS
 



Staring up at the stars, I saw the lustrous diamonds. I sighed. Emma had always loved the stars. Violently shaking my head, I staggered back towards my bed. Descending into the depths of the duvets, sleep engulfed me…

Emma's cry and the piercing sound of a siren. You should have saved her Amber, you should have. “Amber, please, just go! Save yourself!” Emma screamed. “No! I won’t leave!” I heard myself cry. Then the bloodcurdling screams came. Shooting up, beads of sweat running down my face, I heard Lucy’s elated cry and mum hugging her. “It was just a dream, Amber.” I said to myself. Lazily wiping sweat of my face, I pulled on some clothes and slumped downstairs. “Lucy!” I cried. Pulling her into a tight embrace, the muffled sounds of her tears could be heard. Ever since Emma had gone, she hadn’t been the same. All the dreams about her were true. I could have saved her. Now it haunts me. It will haunt me forever. Charlie would have a wife. Little Isis could have had a mum. Lucy would still have her best friend. This was going to be a bad day...

Haunted by the memories, I couldn’t face going to the funeral. Everyone there had lost someone they loved because of me. If I went I would have sobbed until there were no tears left. Nuzzling into my beloved companion Reggie (who we got at the dogs home) I slept the pain away. However, when I sleep, the nightmares come. There was no excuse as to why they wouldn’t come. They always do. I writhe and toss and scream, but they never go away. That night, I sat under the stars wondering which one was Emma. Emma would never forgive me. She had always wanted a baby. When she finally had Isis, her life was complete. But then, I took that away from her. Isis’ big blue eyes never fail to amaze me. Those bouncing auburn curls are beautiful. Like the stars. Sometimes I find myself getting lost in the stars…

“Amber!” I could hear my mum shouting. “Wake up! What are you doing? Why are you sleeping in the garden?”  Drained by the nightmares, I rubbed my eyes. Grunting, I stood up. “I was looking at the stars!” Mum looked worried. “That’s where Emma is.” I stammered. It was hard to say her name. “Well you were out here all night,” she said anxiously “Something could have happened to you!” I shrugged. Obviously fed up with arguing, Mum walked back into the house, tutting. I wish I wasn’t such a nuisance.

Later on, we ate dinner. Well, I say eat. I mostly just picked. I wasn’t hungry. I’m never am hungry. Mum just tuts at me. I feel bad for her. I know Emma was her best friend. I killed Mum’s best friend. I am a monster. I am despicable. Not human. I walk out into the garden. I see a figure. It is Emma…

5E's Ancient Greece Poetry

This week we began our new half term topic of Ancient Greece. After learning about the culture of Ancient Greece, we wrote poetry concerning Mount Olympus and its various gods, particularly focusing on Zeus and Hades. We were aiming to improve our use of metaphors.

Below is Malakai's poem:

Mount Olympus, haven of many gods enthroning earth,
The predominant mountain of Greece emphasizing power, mirth.
Magical misty clouds amidst soaring figures,
Enclosing courageously in milky-gold fractures,

Home of Zeus, sagacious ruler of the skies,
Possessing power from the lighting rod,
Omnipotent and carved illustriously,
Confining thoughts of his brother's doom ,
To an impenetrable trap ensnared beneath the ground.

Caked in peppermint flame ,
Robed in feathery wings of midnight bats ,
Tarrying eternally amongst craving psyches,
Hades urges his potential wisdom depart,
In return far precarious respect,
Yet fearing future demise.

Gods of the cherished mountain,
Memories blackening the etched wood of our minds,
A miracle leaping with high hope,
Beyond the bounds of reality,

Or mere fascinating fable?

Friday 13 February 2015

5C Newspaper articles

This week in 5C we have been exploring the features of newspaper articles. We then wrote our own reports set the day after the eruption in Pompeii. Below are some examples of our orientations. 

A catastrophic and immense natural disaster has demolished the thriving city of Pompeii, brutally murdering vast amounts of innocent people! 
-Max 

A devastating and fatal natural disaster has obliterated the bustling city of Pompeii, wiping out tonnes of innocent souls!
-Caleb

A destructive and fatal natural disaster has shockingly demolished the immense city of Pompeii, brutally taking the lives of thousands of innocent citizens! 
-Madison 

5E's Pompeii Newsreports

This week in 5E we have been exploring the features of newsreports. We then wrote our own reports set the day after the eruption in Pompeii. Below are Tabitha and Mitchell's reports. Can you identify what features they used?

Tabitha's:

Pompeii Plummets
At approximately 3:45 yesterday afternoon, the city of bustling Pompeii was demolished brutally after an active volcano, referred to as Mount Vesuvius, exploded and killed over two thousand people.
Initially warning signs began at 3:30pm when a slender figure, thought to be a warning of demons, was spotted bearing down on the innocent citizens. A wave of blistering rocks and malicious gasses subsequently began to descend over Pompeii. So as to prevent many deaths, the alarm bells were ear-splittingly rung and the evacuation swiftly commenced.
             Although the evacuation attempt went ahead, it was not soon enough for thousands of poor souls. Scorching lava and sizzling rocks were catapulted from the mountain demon, which thundered from the fatal funnel and began to destroy. As it cooled, a malicious monstrosity of debris and ash filled the sky. It became a grey apparel for Pompeii as it began to clog the air (preventing people from breathing). The town’s inhibitants began to fatally and cruelly suffocate. Furthermore, others were killed as a result of the dense ash.
             Fatality struck. A surge of molten rock and superheated toxic gas trickled greedily down the cone engulfing any mere thing in its path. By the time the eruption spouted to a halt early this morning at precisely 6:21am, the entire aristocratic city of Pompeii was concealed by a blanket of dense ash.
             Disputing the origins of this devastation are those whose pathways are founded in myth and legend. Such as, Flavia, a wise fortune teller native to Rome, claimed, “It’s a demon! Run - an evil devil!” Although, Marco, a Roman scientist, stated “This is not a monster, a beast, a god if you wish; it is a geological phenomenon.” Furthermore he continued to explain that they are created when the movement of the so-called tectonic plates push together resulting in an explosive eruption (such as what has taken place in our wondrous homeland).
             It is uncertain what the future holds for the now death-swept city of Pompeii. Could this vindictive volcano spring back to life? Hunting for those affected by this misery; please contact: 7 strada del vivian , Roma

Mitchell's:

ERUPTION!
           Unexpectedly, in the middle of the day, a volcano, which goes by the name of Mt Vesuvius, suddenly erupted. Initially the warnings started at 7am and a building of pitch-black smoke hovered then paced speedily into the poisoned air. The ash was catapulted into the air.

 Consequently, a heatwave of boiling ash, rocks and gases began to scarily shower over the north side of Pompeii. So as to warn the people of Pompeii, the ear splitting alarm signalled evacuation commencing. The alarm was signalled.

Meanwhile, the evacuation attempt carried on yet it wasn’t enough for thousands of innocent lives to be ruined. Unhappily, the scorching molten lava and rock spat by the mountain's anger began to destroy.  It was devastating. How come these people’s lives were ruined? As the liquid cooled down people were freezing in time.   

E-safety in 6R

This week, we have been learning how to stay safe online, and in 6R we have created presentations in various forms to make others aware of the potential dangers of the internet and how they can be avoided.


Lucy, Lucy, Madison and Moonah rewrote the lyrics to Taylor Swift's Blank Page to make it all about e-safety! We hope you enjoy them, and learn something too.

Nice to meet you, follow me  
I could give up my privacy 
Bullying, abuse, texting, rude
Saw you on there and I thought 
Oh my gosh, look at that picture
You look like my next best friend 
Come to my house, I`ll text you the way

New followers, new friends 
I can read all your comments 
Ain't it funny, hackers hack 
And I know you heard about me 
So hey, let's be friends 
I'm dying to see how it will end 
Grab your phone and come round 
I can make e-safety last forever

So I received an email
It was very nasty
You can tell me how to block them 
Or if the texts was worth the pain
Got a long list of followers
They'll tell you I'm the best
'Cause you know I love the chats
And you love the games 

'Cause we’re too young for Facebook 
And we don’t know what to say
It'll leave you breathless
So think before you type
Got a long list of followers
They'll tell you I'm the best
But I've got a private life
So on my bio I'll write your name

Cherry cheeks, crystal eyes
I could give up my privacy
Stolen accounts, pretty lies
You're the King of the liars
Find out what you want
I don’t care anymore
Wait, the worst is yet to come, for you 

Screaming, crying, e-safety
I can make the bad comments go 
Rose garden filled with thorns
Keep you second guessing like
"Oh my gosh, who is that?"
I get more followers
But you'll follow back each time - unfollow 

Wednesday 11 February 2015

6B storytelling!

This week we have been developing and performing our own stories. We perfected them in class and told them to the nursery children. What do you think makes a good story?

Storytelling to Nursery - 6F

To mark National Storytelling Week, 6F analysed videos of storytellers, had a visit from a professional storyteller and then planned our own short stories to perform. Our success criteria included: gestures, varying volume, different accents/voices, using props etc. 
Nursery invited us down to perform our short stories inside and in the outdoor area. Here are some photos of us in action!








National Storytelling Week,

This week we celebrated National Storytelling Week and were very lucky to have a storyteller come in for the day!



Monday 9 February 2015

500 word challenge

6R have been working on their 500 word stories for the BBC Radio 2 competition. Here is the first part of Madison's writing - what features can you identify?

As you silently creep towards an abandoned, antiquated cottage in the far away woods, the branch of a dead tree screeches in agony while it falls to the ground. You open the creaking, wooden door. Standing still as a statue, you wait for any booby traps to pop out in front of you. No traps await you, so you continue your quest. The first room looks as if a bomb has gone off; it is unbelievably messy: glass is shattered everywhere; cobwebs hang from almost every single crumbling corner. You stagger amongst the sharp shards of glass and you discover another door; it is a metallic colour with a stiff handle and mostly all of the screws have been yanked out of it. 

Sunday 8 February 2015

5C Explanation Text

Below is an extract from Ellie.N's explanation text about volcanoes. We have focussed on using technical vocabulary in order to inform our readers of the features of a volcano. 

Where are they found?


Volcanoes occur because the earth’s crust is broken into 17 rigid tectonic plates that float over the earth's mantle (the rocky inner layer above the core). As a result of this, volcanoes are generally found where tectonic plates are diverging  or converging . For example, 75% of the world’s volcanoes are located in the vast Pacific Ocean along the borders of the Pacific Plate. This extreme area of volcanic activity is known as the Ring of Fire. 

Friday 6 February 2015

Explanation Texts by 5G

Below is an extract from Erin's explanation text about volcanoes. We have focussed on using technical vocabulary in order to inform our readers of the features of a volcano. 

Volcanoes

Volcanoes are mountains which contain vents through which magma is pushed up from underneath the earth's crust.

What is a volcano?

A volcano is normally seen as conical mountain or hill.It is a  rupture on the crust of a planet. A vent inside the volcano allows lava, hot vapour and gases to exit the magma chamber. The word 'volcano' finds its origins in the name 'Vulcan'.Vulcan was the Roman god of fire, when volcanoes errupted the Romans believed it was due to the anger of Vulcan.

Why do volcanoes occur?

Volcanoes occur because there are 17 tectonic plates that make up the earth's crust, they float on the hotter layer of mantle. Where the plates come together or pull apart, volcanoes are formed. The famous Pacific Ring of Fire was made by tectonic plates converging. 

A famous eruption

One notable eruption was that of Mt Vesuvius in 79 AD. It was an ordinary summer's day when all of a sudden, birds ceased to sing, the sun clouded over, and without warning, ash and lava tumbled down from the mouth of the volcano. 

1st Person Narrative - 6F

For our writing assessment, we watched an interesting short film about a boy who seemingly can make objects levitate. This was our inspiration for writing a first-person narrative. Melanie tried to draw the reader in with an intriguing opening.


It was my birthday! ... It may be exciting for any other person … but to me, it was my worst nightmare. The curse would strike once again; just as it would do every year. The worst bit was – if people knew about it, it would spread like butter on toast. It would start off with one person…then my whole neighbourhood… then the whole city… and then eventually, the entire world! No doubt scientists would try to use you and if they sensed that you were too dangerous to be around, they could even execute you! If you are under a curse like mine… BEWARE…

6B Spelling!

This week we have been learning about homophones and homonyms. Do you know what the difference is?

We went outside to compete in a spelling challenge... Here's what happened!

5E's Explanation Text

This week in Year 5 we have been writing explanation texts. We focused on using causal connectives to explain how and why volcanoes occur. Below is Alfie's text:

What is a volcano?

     Volcanoes (such as Damavand, Fuji and Paricutin) are unique types of mountains that all have a conduit that leads into a magma (lava when it’s underground)  chamber. Underneath the Earth’s crust lies the mantle, a sea of molten (melted) rock, which is the result after the core melts the rock in 7500 degrees centigrade. Occasionally, because of continental drift, some volcanoes are submerged in seawater. Also, the noun ‘volcano’ originates from the island ‘Vulcano’, which in Roman mythology, is the home of Vulcan, the god of fire.

Where are volcanoes found?

     Volcanoes are usually found between tectonic plate boundaries, some examples are : the Pacific plate, the Atlantic plate and the Eurasian plate. Most of the volcanoes are found around the Ring of Fire. Volcanoes, though mostly seen above ground, could be beneath us at any moment. Luckily, the last volcano in Britain last erupted 50 million years ago!

How do volcanoes erupt?


     Firstly, as the plates are pulled away from each other, magma seeps through the crust and solidifies creating a cone, a shield shape or a flat hole, then ash billows out of the crater.