Instructions to borrow an e-book (6F)

Interested in borrowing e-books from your local library? Follow Mathusha's instructions and you'll have access to lots of great titles on your tablet, kindle or computer!

How to borrow an e-book:

1. Go to google and type Herts E-library for kids.
2. Once you go on the website, press sign in, which is near the right hand corner.
3. After you press sign in, you need your library card number and your pin.
4. Once you have signed in, the first thing you will see is books!
5. If you cannot find the book you are searching for, go to the search section – which is below the sign out button and type the book you are searching for.
6. Once you have searched for the book you want, click on it.
7. Then, you can borrow it or you can read the sample.
8. You can borrow the book for: 7, 14 or 21 days.
9. You can change how long you want the book for by clicking: Change your lending period.
10.  After you have clicked that, you have chosen of how long you want your book for.
11. Ta-Da! You have officially borrowed your book; however don’t worry, if you forget to return your book, it will go away by itself! You won’t have to pay any fee at all!
12. If you want to, you can rate how many stars your book was.
13. Don’t forget, the maximum books you can borrow are 5!

This is how you can borrow a book on the internet. It is completely free and it will be much easier instead of going to the library and paying loads of money because you forgot to return the book.

Go to this website –which is down below - and there is where you can get you e-books:

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Narrative Writing by 5G

This week in Year 5 we have been writing our own narratives based on the story of Marcus, a slave who lived in Pompeii during the 79 A.D. eruption of Mt. Vesuvius. Before beginning our narratives, we wrote a letter from Marcus to the new character we had invented. Here is Harry's letter, we hope you enjoy it!

Villa Helius

Via del Corso 

Pompeii

22nd August 79 A.D.

Dear Brutus,

                    I am writing this letter in great haste. We are in grave danger and must escape Pompeii as soon as we can!

Earlier this morning, I was on my way to collect some laundry for my beastly master Festus but I never made it to the laundry house...Something else distracted me entirely! As I stumbled through the bustling streets (as squalid as always) I felt the ground begin to quake beneath my feet! Crash! All of a sudden the statue of Achilles at the entrance to the market began to wobble and I had to dive to avoid being squashed underneath it!

As I staggered to my feet a street vendor loomed over me. He told me that a fearsome beast lives under the monstrous mountain and causes the earth to rumble when it wakes! I was backing away from him when an old beggar lady approached me. She leaned in and murmured,'This world will burn, you need to escape boy!' 

So, we need to escape, I'm not leaving without you! I'll meet you by the servant's entrance at your master's villa, hopefully I'll have a plan by then...

Yours fearfully,

Marcus 

5E's Pompeii Narrative

This week in 5E, we have adapted our narratives from last week's stories to create our own original writing based in Pompeii.

Below is Yeganeh's work. Her current target is to use varied vocabulary. Can you spot which words she upleveled to be more powerful?

The year was 70AD and the streets of Pompeii bustled as if the world was going to end. Shoppers wrestled for bargains while weary, ragged slaves searched for nourishing water. Marcus, a frail fragile young slaveboy, slinked his way through the boiling streets to pick up his spiteful master's laundry. However, the ground began to violently shake and quake. Narrowly avoiding being hit by a marble dedication to Achilles, Marcus tumbled to the cold, hard ground. Shattering stones and crumbling glass scattered around, pounding into Marcus' eats; deafening him for minutes. 

5C Pompeii narrative

This week in 5C we have been writing narratives about the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79A.D in Pompeii.

Despite their warnings, passers-by simply refused to listen to Marcus.  However, after two shattering explosions a sea of alarmed people anxiously attempted to flee the perilous city. Meandering their way through panic stricken alley ways, the pair sought refuge in a crumbling temple. They thought they were doomed as the walls trembled around them, but something caught Marcus’ stinging eyes. The hand of Jupiter! As the mystical beggar woman had prophesised, it led to safety.

‘The hidden Peompeii passageway!’ Marcus exclaimed, spluttering from the smoke and ash that around him.

By Ellie.H, Ellie.N, Ben, Liam, Dean and PJ

Maybe One Morning - 6R

This week, we watched this video, entitled Maybe One Morning, and wrote a first person narrative about the experience of the character. To further inspire us, we took a walk around the playground to see what the video would have looked like it if had happened at our school. Here is Erisa's fantastic writing - it is so carefully structured at both sentence and text level, and shows clear voice.

I was young then, too young to understand my surroundings. I didn't mean to end up like this, didn't know that this would one day be my destiny. Not this; not now; not then either.

The first time I ever noticed this was on my 13th birthday, whilst I was walking down the street. But I don't know whether I was just oblivious to it or it had just started. It was winter then, with a hint of snow. The streets were unusually cluttered then, sticks, stones, even some mud was spread out in one area.

My ordinary walk that day seemed normal, until I looked behind me. Everything that I had just walked past was floating above me in the sky, in the plain sky. I was flabbergasted at first speechless even. That was until, of course, my mother explained to me what was going on. But even then all that 'magic', that some people call it, didn't entirely make sense. I tried to keep it hidden, locked away. I nearly succeeded, until I lost control of myself - which made me want to use my powers even more.

And it didn't fail either. I kept using my powers, day by day, week by week, and that didn't lead to anything good. As a matter of fact, it led to something worse, way worse.

I told one of my supposed friends about what I am and what I can do. How was a young child like me supposed to know who to tell and who to hide my powers away from? That person told his friends, then it slowly started to spread to all the teachers and parents, and it ended up going to my headteacher.

That was when I ran away, but not alone - oh no, not alone. My mother was just like me, telepathic. According to her, there were only 10 people in the world left who were telepathic. When you're telepathic, people want you. They want to use you for experiments, and that's not okay.

I guess I'll let you decide the rest of my story. One clue I will give you thought: test tubes...

WORD OF THE WEEK!!

This week 6B have been thinking about vocabulary and how to use it impressively in our work. We chose our word of the week and went outside to learn more about it. Can you guess what our word might have been using the clues?

These pictures show the children acting out the word.

5C Pompeii narrative

In 5C we have been writing narratives in the style of our class book, based in Pompeii. Here's is an Ryan's opening paragraph:

The year was 70A.D. Marcus, a young slave, was pushing his way through the bustling and broiling streets of Pompeii, dodging carts and street vendors. He was on his way to pick up his brutal master’s laundry when, unexpectedly, the ground began to tremble and shudder beneath his bare feet. Diving for cover, and narrowly missing being hit by a vast, marble statue of Achilles, he violently lunged to the ground with a ferocious smack.

5E's Pompeii Narrative

In 5E we have been writing narratives in the style of our class book, based in Pompeii. Here's is an excerpt from Juvan's writing:

He was dejected. Clutching the wooden, frayed basket of poisonous snakes between his stubborn fingers, Marcus tiptoed towards the leering Lannister and vast gladiators. “Is this worth it?” Marcus whispered isolatedly to himself.

Despite all the knotted twists, the venomous snake hissed at the guard, his magic then excited Tata into ecstatically bolted with freedom. Tata exclaimed: “Quick! Let’s race to the dormant mountain with the abandoned horse!”

“I’ve really missed you!” Wept Marcus as tears dripped down his tender face. Unsteadily, by feeling his wretched father’s arm, covered in ruby red bloodstains and sweaty scars, the duo clambered up the rocky ridge.

6F - Journalistic Writing

6F have been looking at the features of journalistic writing by creating newspaper reports of a fictitious burglary. Here is the end of Anish's article:




It is thought that the thief had planned to sell it to buyers as the collection was worth, on average, £210,000. It was well known that Mr. Smith had a large collection of priceless stamps dating back to Victorian times because he would often show people his continuously-growing collection. He was outraged that someone would take his collection with no consideration.

Mr. Smith is currently staying with friends as the police are still searching his property for evidence. For the neighbourhood, it has made them consider their own safety as well as where they leave their belongings. Burglaries are on the rise, like a crime wave breaking over a city, because of government cut-backs on police. As a consequence, thieves are taking advantage of this and more people are becoming victims of crime. 

6R newspaper articles

This week, 6R have been have been learning about journalistic writing and producing our own newspaper article. Here is Maya's.

Burglars steal from the elderly

By Maya _______

An elderly couple’s home was broken into in the early hours yesterday morning, despite the recent installation of a new state-of-the-art burglar alarm.

 The couple, who have lived in their vast, semi-detached house for over fifty years, were the victims of yet another in a series of attacks in their area. Whilst the couple slept, the callous burglars- believed by the police to be a group of experienced youths- entered the property through a window smashing it completely. Having thieved a significant amount of money raised for a campaign nearby along with a necklace known to worth £2000, they made a swift exit through the window they had broken, after they were disturbed by the alarm of the neighbour’s dog.

A passer-by indicated that the attack happened in the early hours of yesterday morning, Monday 19^th January 2015, approximately between 1.am and 3.am as a witness passed the house two times after a party, at 1.am when all was presumably fine and once at 3.am when she had heard a lot of voices and movement in the house. Following their usual routine, the couple, (who retired to bed at 11.am) went to sleep after news on BBCHD. Extremely anxious about their security, both husband and wife, systematically secured each door and window before activating their recently installed state-of-the-art burglar alarm after worries of burglaries in their area. The residents have confirmed to the police that the routine was followed: however the mystery to why the alarmed failed is still undiscovered.

Mr and Mrs Smith, of 48 Beechwood Avenue , Watford, have lived in their property for all of their married life. Situated at the end of the road, the house has an extensive rear garden and front, with two garages which is overlooking a golf course a couple of metes away. Mr and Mrs Smith chose the house because of the unlikeliness of the burglaries and targeted crimes.

Sally Smith, aged 78, and her husband, Jay Smith, aged 81, were both equally devastated upon waking the next morning to find their home had been ransacked.

“We are extremely distraught,” wept Sally. “We were aware of our local area being burgled but never thought we would. We have spent so much time each day, before bed ,making sure all our doors and windows are secure and activating  our alarm. I am utterly devastated .”

Police and forensic investigators were searching for evidence at the house. Although not confirmed, a source from the police station revealed two sets of fingerprints had been found. Police are refusing to answer any questions from the press.

Witnesses in the area at the time of the crime have provided useful information towards catching the criminals. CCTV cameras, installed a few months ago, caught three men, all in dark trousers and jumpers with luminous Nike trainers, running away from the property around 2.55am.

Police records reveal that this burglary is the fifth in North Watford. Recent studies show that elderly people are becoming main targets of such break-ins, due to their age and physical abilities as well as valuable possessions.

Mr and Mrs Smith are currently staying in a nearby hotel until their home is secure once more. Residents of the neighbourhood fear they will be the next target and have been forced to find extra security. Police continue to investigate.

Mouldy Bread!!

This week 6B carried out an experiment to test the best way to preserve bread. We have set it up and eagerly await our results, however stomach churning they may be! Keep looking for updates. 

Spelling Cheerleading by 5G

This week we have been practising spelling our Word of the Week, fiendish. We decided to use our bodies and the outside space to spell it out, now we definitely won't forget how it is spelt!

Descriptive Writng 6B

In our writing group we have been focusing on the features of L4 and 5 writing. We completed a 100 word challenge and then evaluated our work. We then completed a second 100 word challenge. Here are both of Jack's, what improvements has he made?


1st example: Haunted School
Ridgewood school, abandoned for 72 years, was in a radioactive explosion in WW2. Haunted for a long time, 200 people dies, 90% children. Their souls remain there today, not a body to be seen.


If you went inside:
You would see toys rolling on the floor, dirt dripping down from the ceiling and foot marks randomly appearing.


You would hear the wailing of children, creaky floorboards, giggling and windows shattering.


You would taste blood and fear.
You could feel bugs crawling up your legs and a shiver up your spine.
How do I know this? I'm Jack, one of the DEAD children.


Extract 2: The Storm.
SWOOSH! Something knocks me down. I tremble with fear until something or someone touches me. It picks me up and lunges me into a car. It's my mum. We're getting hunted down. My mum doesn't let me look but I know it's not good. It taunts me that I don't even have a clue what it is. Oh No! I catch a glimpse of the hurdling cyclone. I'm scared. Suddenly my mum drives off road and away, we can still feel the tug.

5G's Descriptive Writing

This week, 5G have been looking at using description for effect. We have written descriptions of a volcano erupting as we have been reading a story about a boy who lived in Pompeii in 79 A.D. when Mt. Vesuvius erupted. This is an extract from Teja's description, we hope you enjoy it!

In 79 A.D. a terrible catastrophe befell the city of Pompeii. It was built in the menancing shadow of Mt. Vesuvius and one ill-fated day, the volcano erupted! It buried the city, leaving nothing but ash and the hardening lava as a testament to the terrible destruction that occurred. 

The first evidence of the coming eruption was the rumbling, like that of a giant's belly, deep beneath the mountain. A little while later, this was followed by smoke dancing out of the mouth of the mountain, forming great clouds like those that covered the sky on stormy nights. Suddenly, with a deafening roar, ash and magma poured out of the gaping crater at the top of the volcano and began to race eagerly towards the doomed city. 

5C Volcanoic eruption description

This week in year 5 we have been writing descriptive passages about volcanic eruptions. Here is Dean's work. What descriptive features can you spot?

The deadly volcano slowly starts its immense eruption with a small mysterious groan from deep inside the inner core. Swiftly, emissions of smoke, fiery and heavy, follow these horrifying sounds… It’s a sign of the imminent eruption!

Sweltering, the magma viciously explodes! Turning into raging lava it pierces aggressively out of the ground. Subsequently, the cascading lava pours down, whilst an enormous puff of poisonous smoke showers down over the villages. Damaging objects and consuming people’s lives, chaos ensues everywhere!

5E's description of volcanic eruptions

This week in 5E, we looked at the process of volcanoes erupting. Below is Rachel's description of a volcanic eruption:

The primary indication of a volcanic eruption originates when an erratic rumbling occurs deep in the mass of rock, the volcano. Swiftly following this, hazardous smoke will patiently loom up; an indication of an expressive eruption. A short time later, blood-thirsty ash will arise and slay any innocent life form in its way. Meanwhile, magma compels rock rock movement, which is violently vexed, but the disastrous eruption has only just begun...

6R biography

In 6R, we have been writing biographies this week. Below are two versions of a section of Alfie's biography of WWI figure Lord Kitchener; the first is his original, unedited version and the second is the final version once he had uplevelled his work, making small changes to improve it. 

Growing up in a strict family, Kitchener became extremely well-organised and hard-working, leading to be an strong leader later on in his life when he grew up. Due to the fact that Frances was ill, the family thought it would be best to move to Switzerland: where there would be fresh air. However, the decision did not chang anything and Kitchener's mother died that same year. Two years later, Horatio's father re-married and moved away; Kitchener, however, stayed to finish school.

Growing up in a strict family meant that Kitchener became extremely well-organised and hard-working; these skills would help him to be a strong leader later on in his life when he grew up. Due to the illness of Frances, the family thought it would be best to move to Switzerland; where there would be fresh air. However, the decision did not change her health and Kitchener's mother died that same year. Two years later, Horatio's father re-married and moved away; Kitchener, however, stayed there to carry on at school.

Micro-organisms experiment - 6F

After allowing our mouldy bread experiment to fester over Christmas, we were finally able to write up our findings this week. We were investigating the effect of mould growth on bread that was stored in different containers, or no container at all. Here is Mathusha's write up:


Conclusion:


The bread on the plate had no mould growing on it. The bread in the freezer bag had the most mould and finally, the bread in the Tupperware had the second most mould.


We think this happened because micro-organisms need to breathe and eat so that means the bread in the Tupperware and freezer bag had air for the micro-organisms to breathe and they had the bread to eat however, the bread on the plate (despite providing food to eat and having access to air to breathe) lost its moisture and ended up having no mould on it. It just went hard and dry. This shows us that micro-organisms also need moisture to grow and reproduce.

This means my prediction was wrong. I predicted that the bread on the plate would have the most mould because I thought it would have more air to breathe and reproduce, but the bread in the freezer bag had the most mould and the bread on the plate had no micro-organisms visible.

Evaluation:

The test was fair because we only changed one variable. It would be interesting to test: Putting three different types of bread in the same container (a freezer bag) and you put the three different types of bread in the same location and see which type of bread produces the most mould.

 

6B Biography Writng!

This week in 6B we have been learning to use the features of biographies. We found out about Lord Kitchener, organised the information into headings and then wrote our biographies. Here is an extract from Jake's. The paragraph in red is before editing and the paragraph in green is after editing. What improvements do you notice?


Another job was to visit trenches and create strategies and battle plans for the soldiers. He also was in charge of industries and decided women as men weren't available. Arguing with cabinet members, Kitchener wanted to resign however his offer was rejected. So therefore Kitchener left the as he felt disrespected.


Another of his jobs was to visit trenches to create strategies and battle plans for the soldiers to employ. Also he was in charge of industry and decided that women should work the jobs that men were no longer available to do. Arguing with the other cabinet members majorly, Kitchener wanted to resign, however his offer was rejected by the Prime minister as he was popular with the British public. In spite of this, Kitchener did later resign as he felt disrespected by his fellow cabinet members.  

5C Poetry

This week in year 5 we have been writing our own poetry based on Volcanoes. 

Here is one of the poems.

Can you spot what features of poetry have been used? 

Volcano Performance Poetry

This week, we have begun our new topic of Volcanoes. We have written a variety of poetry about volcanoes, using imagery to describe their various features and characteristics.

Here is a reading of one of the poems:

Spelling fun in 6R!

Today, 6R decided to practise their spelling rules for the week (prefixes and suffixes) in a slightly different context, by taking them out on the playground! Having been divided into teams, the children had to write - on the ground, in chalk - the word read out to them, as quickly as possible. The team to write the word correctly first scored a point.

We really struggled to spell one of the words, so decided to practise it by chanting and clapping the letters, and also by spelling it out with our bodies! We won't forget that word again! Can you work out what it was?

What are your top spelling tips?