1969 Moon Landing

In literacy we have been researching the 1969 moon landing. Neil Armstrong, an American astronaut, became the first human to walk on the moon! This week we wrote recounts of the momentous event. Here is Caleb's recount introduction: 

During the 1950’s the Soviet Union, a colossal and powerful country, launched the first satellite (Sputnik) into Space. Unfortunately, this left America trailing behind the Soviet Union in the Space Race. Since this triumphant moment for the Soviet Union, America was eager and determined to quickly land the first man on the moon and show the world that they were the most powerful nation!. So, in 1957 John F. Kennedy (the American president) made a national promise that by the end of the century America would land a man on the moon and bring him back to earth safely! 

Informal letters from the frontline to home - 6F

This week saw the class getting into character as WW1 frontline soldiers, writing to their loved ones during the festive season. We thought about how they would have felt and what they might have asked about. Have a look at the first half of Melanie's below:

Flanders Fields,

North Belgium,

26 December 1915

 

Dear beloved wife,

As I write this letter, the festive season of winter is falling upon us. I thought that I would write to you because I have a heavy heart as I am apart from you and our baby girl. I miss you all terribly and some days, I get the feeling that my heart is a wrecked sunken ship being battered and swallowed whole by the ravenous seas of despair that is this war. I haven’t written to you since last year because we constantly go for inspections such as: Trench Foot, diseases and uniform. The nights are gradually getting colder and colder. Also, today, an extraordinary event happened… I will tell you later in this letter!

For now, please tell me about our cheeky monkey! Have you thought of a good name for her? I have an idea; how about Monica? Oh yes! Have you taught her how to treat the cats (Clio, Tickles, Chloe, Octavia and Riley)? I can imagine her sleeping in her colourful cradle, being lulled to sleep by your beautiful singing; as graceful as a nightingale. I feel quite regretful for coming to war because I haven’t seen the face of my own child.

Anyway, let’s go back to my extraordinary experience: I was sitting in our raggedy, rat- infested trench, yearning to be with you and “Monica”. When all of a sudden, sounds caught my ear. Soothing sounds. I heard quiet, calm singing coming from a trench; a German trench. I didn’t understand the words but that song…one of my favourite carols…Silent Night. It filled no-man’s-land with peace and joy. The words were sung “Stille Nachte…Stille Nachte”. Once it stirred us up, we were whispering it… then humming it…then singing it…then shouting it! After that carol class, I slept on the crumbly floor - which was my bed.

 

 

Moon Landing Recount from Aarthy in 5E

This week in Year 5, we have been writing our own recounts based on the 1969 Moon Landing. We have focused on using a variety of time connectives and varying our sentence length for effect. Below is Aarthy's recount:

Miraculously, the first Moon landing occurred when the Americans sent three astronauts (Neil Armstrong, "Buzz" Aldrin and Michael Collis) to the colossal Moon on the 20th July 1969. At that precise moment, it was 4:17pm EDT (Eastern Daylight Time). 

The towering rocket that transported them, Apollo 11, was triumphantly landed by NASA. The rocket zoomed across the sky hitting speeds of 17,000mph, as rapid as a cheetah dashing towards its foe hiding in the fresh green grass.

In the midst of the Cold War angst, the Americans specifically chose this date to overtake the Russian's previous space achievements. However, this wasn't the end of the war.

1969 Moon Landing Recount by 5G

This week Year 5 have been writing recounts about the events of the 1969 Moon Landing. The following extract has been written by James who has focussed on his use of openers and brackets this week.

Nearly half a century ago, Neil Armstrong became the first man in history to land on the Moon. During the 1960's, America was locked in an unforgetable race with the Soviet Union to accomplish this goal. It was termed the 'Space Race'. It was an extremely intense period of time with both countries determined to win.

Just before the Moon Landing, the US was shattered when they heard that the Russians had successfully sent a man into space (and had him return safely!). Despite the pain of this loss, the Americans remained resilient and President Kennedy undertook a promise that the US would transport a man to the Moon before 1970. 

On the 20th July 1969 (now a well-known date!), three audacious astronauts, (Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin and Michael Collins), set off on their epic quest to the Moon. 

By James, 5G

6R letters from the trenches

6R have been writing letters home from soldiers in World War One, all about the famous Christmas truce and football match. Here is a section of James' letter.

Sitting in the trench, trying to protect myself from the non-stop fire of sleet and yearning for home, I was polishing my rifle when I heard a familiar tune hover over the desolate no man's land. One or two of our lads chose - despite our pleas - to peep over the parapet, but it was as deserte as ever. The singing grew louder and we realised that the savage Hun were in fact singing what revealed itself to be 'Silent Night', only in German. Shortly after, our men were singing along heartily in English to the same tune. It was a peculiar moment; it reminded me that the Hun were human too, after all, with families back at home missing them this lonely Christmas.

This morning, I was woken by the feeling of loneliness, knowing that this Christmas I wouldn't be spending it with you, my love, and my precious son Jake, the only things I have left to live for. As the stand-to grew nearer, noises from no man's land filled our trench like gas hunting down soldiers. At once, we feared for our lives. The same lads as yesterday popped their heads over the parapet, and to our amazement there were Fritzes up there! Seizing our weapons, our platoon stepped up onto the firestep, only to realise they were unarmed; rather, they were beckoning us over.

6B letters from the trenches

This week, Year 6 have been writing letters home from World War One soldiers involved in the Christmas Truce. Here is Regan's letter. Can you work out how he has made it emotive?

                                                                                         Flanders Fields

                                                                                             North Belgium

                                                                                      December 26^th 1914

Dear my beloved mum,

                                             I am writing to you on a rather miserable boxing day,I have not kept my mind off of you for the whole time I have been in this unbearable, horrendous place. Especially, the trench.

First, let me begin by thanking you for the mouth-watering chocolate. I and the army were very happy, however, they did get something from their loved ones as well. Is it snowing at home Mum? Normally, at this bitter time of year it is. Is Christmas quiet without me? Haha! Have the boys been making our signature snow angels? Guessing, they obviously are, giggling sweetly and being ickle as always! The farm is probably filled with ice! Is the farm running OK? I wish I could be back at home giving you a hand, but instead I’m in this lacklustre battlefield.

Sit down now, Mum. What I am about to share with you is rather unbelievable… Well, last night, 8:00, we heard a beautiful graceful song. The lad sitting next to me recognised the song, it was Silent Night. However, it was the Germans singing it. Not very long after, we all found ourselves singing it. Not very long after, we found ourselves singing it as well! Shocking isn’t it!? I had never heard such amazing singing!

Gazing over the putrid trench's firestep, I couldn’t believe my eyes… I was seeing Christmas trees outside of the Germans trench, along with candles dancing, with fireflies dazzling like the sun. Failed, I thought that this was a dream, obviously not. Lighting the beautiful night sky with a hand by the stars. Amazed, everyone gazed up in the air looking at this amazing sight.

As Christmas day was running up to our hearts, it all fell silent for a second… We were all rather confused…The excitement began to resonate through my body. Off of the odds, apparently a German came out of his trench to salute our malicious commander. And it all basically went from there. Before I could even gain a blink, they were all up over no-mans land. I followed.

Whilst, I was out there I met a handsome, wonderful man called Rgna. (Rigna in English). He began to chat about his life back in Germany, I found it quite interesting. Then I started to talk about you and the boys, Mike and Tom. I tugged off my hat and placed it in his hands. Turning around, I saw a football match taking place, I went to play as well! If you would have watched you would be flabbergasted, amazed and speechless.

Probably, the most unexpected thing ever, you wouldn’t even go the near the thought of this! Looked like that we had been pals forever! All sharing cigars, chocolate and other gifts.

Christmas, which has definitely touched us all this year, it is going to be really hard to fight against the Germans, on this day. The Germans, who we once saw as savage monsters, are not bad people. Rgna was a really nice man, how am I going to defeat him?

Now I better leave you, and love you, its beginning to darken, and the paper is starting to fade because of the darkness. Hoping that this is not the last correspondence, if it is, I love you so, so, much. I would do anything to come back home.

However I’m not holding my breath.

Your husband Regan xx

                                                                                              

100 Word Challenge - 6F

Mamkumba's 100 Word Challenge this week had to incorporate: 'but as the leaves rustled'. Have a look at it below:


Trees were swaying side by side in the storm; but as the leaves rustled, people knew that it was a bad sign to hear leaves actually crackling… BANG! There was a thunderous clatter hurtling down, as a vortex was developing in the dark, leaden sky. A few minutes later, onlookers realised it was a space ship! However, on closer inspection, it looked like it was a little dented and needed fixing up…  The crowd that had gathered volunteered to help fix it as a show of good faith. They thought they had done a good deed, but when the door opened, and they found out who the driver of this unearthly object was, they were shocked…

Samantha's Newspaper Report from 5E

This week in Year 5, we have been studying the 1969 Moon landing. We read recounts and based on the information we gathered, wrote our own newspaper reports. Below is Samantha's:

MOON-WALK MAN!

Written by Louise Roxane Hailey

At approximately 4:17pm, an extraordinary miracle occurred. Ecstatic Neil Armstrong  powerfully landed on the moon, and, full of joy, he stabbed the American flagto on the rocky surface.

At that precise moment, Neil Armstrong confidently explained: "One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind!" like a trumpeting ear-splitting elephant. Afterwards ‘Buzz’ Aldrin, another astronaut, joined his colleague on the orbiting sphere.

Armstrong and his crew travelled in the magnificent rocket Apollo 11, reaching speeds of up to 17,000mph.  

Moon Landing Newspaper Article by 5G

This week we have been studying the 1969 Moon Landing! We have produced newspaper articles as if we were reporting this incredible event the day after it happened. Here is Asher's report.

Mystical Moon Touched By Humans!

Yesterday the most tremendous thing happened!Neil Armstrong,with Buzz Aldrin and Michael Collins,were the first people to set foot on a celestial body (the Moon).The tense run up to this incredible event has been named the 'Space Race'.It has been a phenomenal race between the USA and Russia to see who could put a human on the moon first. The Russians are of course, adamant that this is a hoax.

Once Neil Armstrong had set foot on the Moon,he stated, "That's one small step for man,one giant leap for mankind." After only twelve minutes of starting their journey,they had been rapidly rocketing at aspectacular speed of 17,000 miles per hour.The whole world had been in awe as the lunar surface felt a human body touch it for the first time ever.

Neil Armstrong had thought it would take forever to get to the Moon, however it actually only took them four days to arrive. Soon after entering the Moon's orbit, they disembarked with Neil Armstrong becoming the first person to step on the Moon's terrain.Twenty minutes later, after Armstrong had gathered soil and rock samples for scientists to study, Buzz Aldrin joined him in the historic moment, and the two men have reported the awe they felt, gazing at the Earth from the vantage of another celestial body.